You find in the Bible that God is not limited by time or space. He declares the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:10) because He’s already been to the past and already is in the future. Because of that, you’d almost think the Bible is a dystopian novel. But it’s real. You can go with God from the past of human misery caused by sin to where that will inevitably lead in the future when people and things don’t change.
Hosea 13 is a perfect example. Hosea is a minor prophet that highlights how Israel went whoring after other gods, when God’s first commandment was “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” There was punishment to be had. Israel was ripped apart in the Assyrian captivity. And then it’s ripped away again in the tribulation.
After declaring that Israel had forgotten God, using similitudes, God said, Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them. (Hos. 13:7-8) Just observe that God said He Himself would be like a lion, a leopard and a bear to them.
In short order, this was fulfilled and they were taken into captivity.
Now let’s do time travel to the tribulation in Revelation 13. By the way, the tribulation is largely for Israel. It’s alternately called “the time of Jacob’s trouble” in Jer. 30:7 because it’s Israel’s coming trouble.
Rev. 13:2, And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
The composite of a lion, a leopard and a bear in Hos. 13 is the same composite described as the beast in Rev. 13. Let’s make some observations:
- In Hosea 13, God said HE would be to them as those 3 animals. In Revelation 13, it says the dragon (Satan) would give power to the beast that is likened to those 3 animals. If it’s the same thing, who is it behind all this—God or Satan? We know that Satan is a vessel of dishonor. (2 Tim. 2:20) Even he unwittingly carries out God’s purposes. And we also read this: The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Prov. 16:4 Satan is also called “the wicked.” (Matt 13:19) To summarize: Satan is the vessel God uses in Revelation to carry out some of the tribulation judgment.
- Satan’s reputation is that of the great deceiver and imposter. He has tried to compete with God from the beginning. Remember, he wanted to be “like the most high” way back in the beginning, and in the end, he shows up as the ANTIChrist. So if God presents Himself as a lion, leopard and bear to Israel in Hosea 13, is it any wonder that in Revelation 13, Satan also presents himself in beast form as a lion, leopard and bear?
- There’s another nuance of how Hosea 13 points to Revelation 13—the way “beast” is used. Let’s review Hosea 13:7-8. Therefore I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them. God described Himself here AS a lion, AS a leopard and AS a bear. But He didn’t describe Himself AS the wild beast. “The wild beast shall tear them” is separate from the lion, leopard and bear. God would never compare Himself to the beast. He’s talking about something else, yet future. In Revelation 13, the dragon (Satan) gives the beast (false prophet or antichrist) power and authority. This beast is going to tear them, Israel in the tribulation.
We conclude that when the nation of Israel sinned by committing spiritual fornication against God, He pronounced their end. He described it in Hosea 13, and finally in Revelation 13. God knew and stated the end from the beginning. He does it all through the Bible.
And oh, if you’re reading a version other than the KJV, this vivid picture is clouded. The wild beast that tears them (Israel) in Hosea 13:8 and that is reminiscent of the beast in Revelation 13 disappears in the NIV. Hosea 13:8 ends, “A wild animal will tear them apart.” Final note, you can read any version you want and be blessed. But if you want to study and compare verses and get some understanding, you will want to use a KJV.
R&J Shee