The Beast: A Partial Preterist View

By Jonathan P. Leonard and Dr. Brad H. Young

The identity of the Beast rising out of the sea in Revelation 13 is a hotly debated topic. Some believe the Beast has come already, while others believe that he is alive today, waiting to take his position of power. One of the key passages cited by all groups is in Revelation 13:18, 18.

Yet the imagery of the book of Revelation has opened it to misinterpretation by modern-day interpreters who are unfamiliar with the apocalyptic literary genre. Jonathan Leonard explains the meaning of the Beast of Revelation 13:18, 18 in its first century context and its relevance to members of the early church. The imagery of the Beast of Revelation is not seen as instilling fear into the hearts of believers concerning the future, but serves as a stinging critique of imperial power, idolatry, and oppression. When properly viewed in its original context, the unveiling of the Beast can transcend the first century and serve to strengthen the testimony of the church of Jesus Christ in the present day.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490822617

Jonathan P. Leonard

Jonathan Leonard holds a master of divinity and a master of arts in biblical literature with an emphasis on Hebrew history and culture and church history, from Oral Roberts University. For the past twelve years, Jonathan has worked with at risk youth for several nonprofit organizations. He resides with his family in Texas.

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Copyright © 2014 Jonathan P. Leonard.

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Unless otherwise indicated all Bible references in this book are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All Greek references are from The Greek New Testament, 4th ed. rev., ed. Barbara Aland (Stuttgart: United Bible Societies, 1994).

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2262-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2263-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2261-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014900661

WestBow Press rev. date: 1/29/2014

Contents

List of Illustrations

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

CHAPTER 1:   Interpreting the Apocalypse

CHAPTER 2:   Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus

CHAPTER 3:   Emperor and Empire

CHAPTER 4:   Conclusions

Appendix A The Difference between the Beast and the Antichrist

Appendix B List of Beast Candidates throughout History

Glossary of Terms and Persons

Bibliography

Dedication

To my wife Tausha, whose unwavering love, encouragement, and support made the completion of this project a reality. There were times she believed in me when I did not.

List of Illustrations

The Wild Olive Branch

Daniel

Jeremiah

The Counsel of Agrippina

The Death of Poppea

The Dragon Rome

The Dragon Egypt

The Beast Theos

The Beast Kurios

Three Rulers

Roman Slavery

The Glory of Rome

The Imperial Cult

(Illustrations by Johnta Q. Gatson) [e-mail]

Foreword

By

Dr. Brad H. Young

Most popular books on the end times follow a similar pattern. They want to attract attention by predicting future events before they happen, and of course, to sell as many books as possible before the end of the world. Jonathan Leonard has written a thoughtful book on eschatology that follows a very different path. Even though I do not agree with everything in his work, I applaud his willingness to offer fresh insights from his research and to bravely argue for a preterist historical perspective. It has been a privilege to serve Jonathan as his teacher in his graduate studies and to follow his academic journey. He is a scholar of outstanding character. Unlike most books on eschatology that develop a fundamentally future view, Jonathan argues for a preterist’s approach to the Book of Revelation. While I myself take a composite approach based upon both futurist and historical perspectives, I am keenly aware of the urgent need for a new and open debate. This great new book will open up a much needed discussion. Whether a reader comes from the realized eschatology approach of C.H. Dodd, existential eschatology of Rudolph Bultmann, or the theology of hope by Jurgen Moltmann, this book will provide valuable insight into the historical environment of the New Testament. Pastors, scholars, Christian educators, seminary students, and general readers will enjoy Jonathan’s insights. This book will challenge all people of faith as well as people with no faith. Christians and non-believers will see the picture of traditional eschatology with sharper and clearer vision.

Today it is much more popular for prophecy teachers to remain detached from history and attached to fantasy. Jonathan takes a more historical approach. Remove the fantasy and study the history! The inspired writers of the New Testament were aware of history, culture, and circumstance. As Jewish spiritual leaders, they understood the solid biblical roots of early Judaism, the tree that nourishes the branch of the nascent faith. The background of New Testament thought is Jewish apocalyptic literature. Jonathan pursues an exegetical approach which illuminates the setting in life. He views the scriptural teachings in the authentic context of first century thought. He examines the historical sources. Eschatology and apocalyptic deal with injustice, suffering, and the problem of evil. At the time, the early Christian community endured intense persecution.

The book of Revelation offered hope that the pain would end, justice would be served, and the problem of evil solved. The expectations created by the visions of the Hebrew prophets would be realized. The Lord will be God for his people, and his people will serve the Lord faithfully. While the Hebrew prophets envisioned a day when the people of the earthly Jerusalem would be reformed, spiritually revitalized, and restored in a just society; the Jewish apocalyptic visionaries saw that the city was corrupt beyond the possibility of reform and needed to be completely renewed. The New Jerusalem would replace the old. But Jerusalem cannot be a utopian vision of an idea. Jerusalem is a city, with a people, rich in history. The New Jerusalem is coming. Everyone must be prepared. After all, through the eyes of Christian faith, everyone will experience death or the second coming of Christ. The stage for the final journey and the time of accountability is urgent. In today’s eschatological outlook, prophecy teachers view the Book of Revelation as revealing the future events that will accompany the second return of Christ. Their interpretation of future events replaces consideration of the historical situation of the first century Christian community. Instead of understanding history, they predict the future.

By way of contrast, Jonathan argues that the Book of Revelation reveals historical evil. His description of Nero Caesar rooted in historians from the time is a must read for everyone. The corruption and depravity of the Caesar who claimed to be God and who persecuted the early believers in Jesus were unacceptable to John who experienced the Apocalypse of Jesus Christ. This fierce conflict between the holy and the profane is resolved through the lamb who was killed and who is worthy to fulfill the role as Judge. Instead of looking to the future for an Anti-Christ figure, Jonathan argues that Nero and the historical predicament at the time is the theme of John the revelator’s vision. The Roman Empire’s idolatry, depraved morality, military oppression, excessive taxation, and government manipulation of commerce intensified the suffering of all people. Spilling the blood of Christian martyrs must not continue. The Book of Revelation rejected the exploitative imperial system and the mistreatment of Christians. It is not so much a vision of future events as it is a revealing of the face of evil. Nero Caesar written in Hebrew letters adds up to 666 in gematria. Could Nero actually have been identified with the Antichrist? Even if Domitian ruled instead of Nero at the time of John’s writing, the extremes of Nero’s reign were considered the embodiment of Satanic evil and some even believed that the tyrant king would return to the throne after death had taken him. From Nero Caesar, the historian must go back in history to Antiochus IV who desecrated the Temple with the abomination that causes desolation. He offered pagan sacrifice in the holy of holies which fueled the Maccabean revolt. This cruel Seleucid ruler is like the Caesar of Rome.

Jewish apocalyptic literature, as well as the New Testament documents themselves can never be disconnected from history. The Epistles of John make mention of the Anti-Christ in the plural which indicates that the force of evil cannot be limited to one. This wanton evil opposes the Messiah and the community of faith anointed to serve with empowerment from the Holy Spirit. The historical background gives deeper spiritual meaning and practical application to the New Testament teachings about the Anti-Christ. The Apostle Paul seems to refer to this individual with the term man of lawlessness which must refer to a disregard for Torah. The futurist