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"Living Creatures" |
"Beasts" |
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Does the KJV really need to be corrected because it calls them "beasts" instead
of "living creatures?" Are these "beasts" living creatures, or are they representative
of something
other than animals? These four "beasts" seem to know things which the garden variety
living creatures do not; they talk, they point out future events to John; they
seem to have a handle on things that are going on in the world. The word "beast"
in Scripture is often translated as world government or king of the earth. The number
four is often associated with the four major world empires. It is
possible, therefore, that John saw beasts which represent kings of the
earth showing him things that were even then going on in the world.
The knowledgeable Modernist scoffs, "Beasts? Kings of the earth? In heaven, near God's throne? Ridiculous!" But we should caution this genius not to laugh: "And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it." (Rev. 21:24) That's a scene from the next world, the world that is coming. And everything about John's visit to heaven was a preview of things to come. Obviously not all kings of the earth are bad. At any rate, "beast" would be the most appropriate symbol of these. |
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