The beast with 10 heads and 7 heads with 10 diadems on the horns was like a leopard. Its feet is like that of a bear and mouth like a lion’s mouth and a dragon gave it its power [dragon gave its power to 10 nations].
(combination of a lion, bear and a leopard forms this ten nation – lion’s mouth, a beers feet and a horn akin to a leopard and a dragon gave its power).
Question1: The dragon is symbolic of the devil or China as a nation giving this 10 countries power.
So these countries or beast worshipped itself and caused people to worship him. In this time frame people will be taken captive to captivity and people will be slain with a sword.
A call for endurance by faith for the Saints is required [note in verses 10 the Saints are first mentioned].
In this timeline, another beast with 2 horns like a lamb but speaks like dragon will arise.
Question 2: what nation is liken to a lamb and what nation speaks like a dragon.
this beast exercises the authority of the first beast in its presence. it makes the inhabitants worship the first beast whose mortal wounds were healed.
Assumingly, China has been exercising its treat to dominate the world in the presence of the world whilst America was down economically. As the world system changes and the 10 nations which I presume to be UK[northern Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales], USA, Canada, Australia, new-Zealand because they have the mouth of a lion, Netherlands and probably Russia tussle for power. Steps have taken to subdue China. [China has nations in it] does this mean this nation would recover.
Deductions from the last verses.
When the mortal wounds of the first beast is healed and the second beast arise(s) the image of the beast will come to life and breathe will be given to it. then the mark of the beast will be given to it.
[image of the beast coming to life means the anti-Christ]
Revelation 14
who are the 144,000 Saints. The previous chapter tells us what the saints had to endure in the last days. this scripture reveals or gives us some pictures of who the saints are: [Rev 14 : 3 – 5]
1) They had a song only they could sing to the lord most high.
2) they did not defile themselves with women , for they were virgins who follow the lamb wherever he went.
[virgins are pure, does connotate the literal meaning of virginity or the symbolic meaning of purity].
3) they are redeemed from mankind as the first fruit for God and the Lamb.
4) in their mouth no lie was found for they were blameless.
5) they would be in captivity and some slain [chapter 13 vs 8]