Unleashing the Beast

T HE K INGDOM OF THE B EAST / 39

the United Nations. But this eighth and concluding empire, as we will show, appears to be an Islamic empire that will swallow up the territory where history's past empires have ruled. This is why the Beast is a combination of the lion (Babylon), the bear (Media-Persia), and a leopard (Greece) as stated in Revelation 13:2. The kingdom of the Antichrist will have the strength of Babylon, the strict laws of Media Persia, and the speed to rapidly swallow up opposing nations, as did the Grecians. The Beast kingdom will include the areas where these empires of prophecy have ruled. It will include, but not be limited to, the Middle East, Northern Africa and much of Europe. Another important point is Revelation 17 where John indicated the future Beast kingdom "was", that is, it was a kingdom that had previously existed; it "is not," that is, it was not in existence in John's day; and it "shall ascend," meaning arise in the future. Is there an empire of Biblical history and prophecy that once existed but no longer existed in John's day (95 A.D.), yet could come alive again in the future? Of the six empires that ruled from Egypt to the time of Rome, only one is no longer in existence. Egypt is presently the country of Egypt. Greece is a modern nation today, carrying the same ancient name. Syria is the ancient nation known as Assyria. The Persians are the native people living in Iran who still call themselves Persians (Iran was a name given by the British). Rome is currently the capital of Italy and influences much of Europe through the Roman Catholic