The Dragon-Speaking Beast and the Illusion of Innocence (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798197571939)

The Dragon-Speaking Beast and the Illusion of Innocence

For generations, many readers of Revelation 13 have described the second beast as a lamb-like beast that later becomes dragon-like. This book argues that John's description is more careful and more challenging than that.

The beast is never called a lamb. Its horns are like a lamb's, but its voice is the voice of a dragon from the moment it appears. That distinction changes how the prophecy is read.

Through a close, verse-by-verse study of Revelation 13, Dr. Ainsworth K. Morris examines the language of the text, the historicist Protestant tradition, and the writings of early Adventist interpreters. He argues that the prophecy describes a power whose appearance and profession differ from the authority it exercises and the voice it speaks.

Along the way, the book explores:

- The meaning of the lamb-like horns and dragon-like speech
- The relationship between appearance, character, and authority in prophecy
- The identity and role of the second beast of Revelation 13
- The image of the beast and the mark of the beast
- The historicist interpretation of the prophecy
- The illusion of innocence and its role in prophetic deception
- The difference between partisan readings and systemic readings of Revelation 13
- Where Christian assurance rests when the powers of Revelation appear to prevail

This book does not approach Revelation 13 as a prediction chart or a collection of political talking points. It approaches the chapter as Scripture. The goal is to let the text speak, follow its argument carefully, and ask what John was actually shown.

The result is a fresh examination of one of the most discussed chapters in Bible prophecy and a call to discernment, faithfulness, and confidence in the Lamb who has already prevailed.

If you have ever wondered whether Revelation 13 says what we have always assumed it says, this book invites you to look again.