-

Word Studies

on

The Antichrist

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Part Two:

The Beast or Theyrion

 

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R.A. Coombes

Author of "America, The Babylon"

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Word Study: Theyrion

Could this be an image of the Beast?

 

Throughout Christian history there has been much hoopla about the issue of the Antichrist. Even in our modern era and even in the secular world there has been much speculation about the notion of an Antichrist. Sadly, most people including many experts have done so little research on the terms used as references to this entity. The A-O Report will begin a series of Word Studies designed to bring the student of Biblical Prophecy into a better understanding of the Biblical term associated with the infamous Satanic entity during the end-times prophecies.

 

The BEAST

We wish to begin our series by noting a Biblical term for the Antichrist that has often been overlooked and seldom afforded a deep examination by commentators. Our key term for focus in this issue is "BEAST" as translated in the King James Authorized Version. This KJV word "beast" is actually the Koine-Greek word = "thay-ree-on" or the more direct transliteral rendering should be "therion" with the "e" having a long "a" sound in Greek or better yet -- "theyrion." Because most of our readers have little or no Greek knowledge we will use the spelling of "theyrion"

 

Usage:

The term "Theyrion" is found in reference to the Antichrist entity in scripture 44 times in the New Testament. It is found 37 times in the book of Revelation and only 7 other places in the New Testament. Three times "theyrion" is used in Acts, once each by Mark, James, Paul and once by the author of Hebrews.

John's usage in Revelation is primarily related to a description of this entity as the commentary describes the entity's interactions with humanity. This is noted most acutely in Revelation chapter 13 in which we find the word "theyrion" used 16 times in only 18 total verses for the chapter. Interestingly, the second chapter where "theyrion" is found is in the chapter relating to Mystery Babylon, chapter 17 where it is used 9 times in 18 verses. This amounts to about once in every other verse. The word is found twice in each of these chapters: 14, 19, and 20. It is found three times in chapter 16. Three other chapters mention it once each: chapters 6, 11, & 15.

 

Strong's Concordance Definition:

Because so many of our readers are limited to Strong's Concordance we will give that publication's definition but we will also proceed to the more extensive Lexical definitions from the more expansive information found in the mainstay Lexicons.

Strong's Code # 2342 = a dangerous animal, a (venomous or wild) beast.

 

Other Lexical Definitions

Sources:

B-A-G-D, (Bauer-Arndt-Gingrich & Danker) Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature: Second Edition of the 5th 1958 edition originally by Walter Bauer. University of Chicago Press. (P.361 col.1)

The dim. of "ther"-- An animal, a beast.

1. literally --

1. of real animals.
2. of animals of a particular kind: i.e. quadrupeds, wild animals,
3. often of animals fighting with animals in the arena.
4. Of animal-like beings of a SUPERNATURAL kind. (i.e. 'griffins' or

The hydra, or of a monstrous dragon ... espec of the Revelation's usage

1. Figuratively of persons with a bestial nature, beast, monster. Sometimes of beasts

who take human form (Ed note: ??? -- ala science-fiction like quality???)

 

Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon

Dimin. of "ther": A little beast, a little animal.

Plato...[citations listed] used it of bees [other citations]... but in usage it almost always had the force of its primitive ... [citations extensively given] ... an animal, a wild animal, wild beast, beast. ...... [citations] ... In Rev 11:7, and chapters 13-20 under the fig. of a 'beast' is depicted the Antichrist, both his person, his kingdom and his power.

Metaph. A brutal, bestial man, savage, ferocious, Titus 1:12 [colloquially of 'ugly dogs']

Citations given... and apparently never with allusion to the stupidity of the beasts. Cites still other examples and sources.

 

Moulton's Analytical Greek-English Lexicon

A beast, A wild animal. A brute, brutish man.

 

Mounce's Analytical Greek-English Lexicon

A beast, animal, a wild animal. A brutish man.

Liddell & Scott Greek-English Dictionary

Liddell & Scott concurs with all the above lexicons including numerous and extensive citations of not just Biblical but secular usage by Greeks. We will not bore the reader with further extensive repetition of same BUT there is an exception in one particularly fascinating aspect. Liddell & Scott indicates in their Definitive Point #3 the following:

#3. Any fabulous monster, as the Sphinx, Aesch. Seven 558 codd.; esp. of a centaur, Soph. Trach. 556, au=Soph. Trach. 568 (cf. phêr ); of Satyrs, Eur. Cycl. 624; ou theôn tis oud' anthrôpos oude th. Aesch. Eum. 70.-- Less freq. than thêrion in Prose, but found in Hdt. l.c. (v.l. thêriôn), Xen. Cyrop. 4.6.4, Plat. Rep. 559d, ti=Plat. Soph. 235a, Ael. l.c., etc.; agrioi thêres Aristot. Eud. Eth. 1229a25. (I.-E. ĝh&uup;ēr-, cf. phêr , Lith. žvėrìs 'wild beast'.)

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Comments and Considerations

 

 

 A Supernatural Relationship

What we find interesting in perusing the usage of the term in antiquity is that most instances that refer to the size of the animal generally indicate it is relatively small. The section that indicates usage related to supernatural entities seems to be focused upon their hybrid nature of crossbreeding. This would cause us to pause and wonder if there might be a reason that this word is used to describe the Antichrist in Revelation.

A Connection to the Nephilim of Genesis 6?

Is it possible that John is trying to relate to us that the Antichrist is only part human and part something else? If so, what would be the other part? Could it be "nephilim" as in Genesis 6 refers to the term? While that might be possible, remember, this term usually refers to small in size also, and as such that would contrast sharply with the "nephilim" in Genesis 6 which are indicated there and elsewhere to be rather gigantic in size. In fact, there are fleeting references to the fact that the giant, Goliath whom David slew with a slingshot was of the same giant lineage as the nephilim of Genesis 6.

In considering the Nephilim aspect, we do so based on the assumption that the nephilim were the hybrid offspring of Satanic angels and humans. These rebel angels apparently mixed DNA codes with human females to create a hybrid species in order to corrupt the Messianic bloodline and DNA to spoil the Creator-God's promises to humanity to provide a savior. It may well be that such experiments were done through laboratory procedures and special laboratory wombs as opposed to gestation within a human female.

Could it be that the Antichrist or "beast" aka "theyrion" will actually be small? Could he be the opposite, like the Nephilim and be tall?  Is it possible that he might also be a crossbreed? Could it be possible that this entity might look like a small version of the sphinx? We think this is indeed a possibility.

Short or Tall?

 It seems to this commentator that John's intent in choosing the word was to connote the idea of crossbreeding and perhaps also the idea of smallness although size might not be part of what John (and the Holy Spirit) was trying to communicate to us. In making such statement it is important to understand that the idea here is not presented as an absolute fact or certainty. The term is not exclusively limited to small animals. It is however, generally used of small animals. Of course, we're only presenting a theoretical and hypothetical consideration and theses comments should not be taken as an absolute conclusion.

The possible linkage of crossbreeding is a distinct possibility by virtue of the word's usage in antiquity with a supernatural linkage to 'griffins,' 'satyrs' and others. This possible understanding of the term and its usage as applied to the Antichrist is an intriguing one.

What is however particularly intriguing, is the idea of a "sphinx" like entity. If the sphinx were referred to as a "theyrion" as it is documented, then we have another intriguing connection that could/would relate perhaps to Revelation 9 and the Giza pyramids. The Revelation 9 passage of course introduces the King of Abaddon or Apollo and a plague of locust-like entities that torment the inhabitants of earth for 5 months.

It is too difficult to state with certainty that the Antichrist (or Beast/theyrion) is actually a being that will look like the Sphinx of Egypt. It is however, in this author's opinion, a distinct possibility that the Antichrist will look or appear like a Sphinx and one that cannot be ruled out despite the seemingly outrageous connotations that such a possibility presents. Perhaps, it is a hidden way of indicating that the Antichrist will arise out of Egypt? Well perhaps, but does it indicate that he will be Egyptian or that he appears first in Egypt? Is it possible that he might appear to the public for the first time from out of the great chambers in the Pyramids? While it is possible, we're somewhat inclined to think someone or something else might appear from the Giza area in a supernatural manner.

It is also possible that the "theyrion" will be small and will appear to duplicate Christ's ascension to heaven on a reverse basis, by descending to the Mount of Olives as is predicted for Christ's Second Coming. This researcher has also considered the possibility that this "theyrion" might be one of the crossbreeds that are talked about in UFO circles by those who claim to be abducted by UFO "aliens." There are "intelligence" sources leaking information out of the U.S. "intelligence" community (i.e. CIA, DIA, NSA, ONI, and other alphabet agencies) that the "aliens" claim to have created Moses and Christ from test tube and DNA manipulations and that Jesus Christ is part "alien" (of them) and part human. Our "take" on this aspect is that it is perhaps a prelude and setup to what is about to take place and therefore is nothing less than a new "spin" designed to fool or deceive humanity into accepting the Antichrist. If this were so, then we might see the beast presented as a smaller sized being.

Compared to Shroud of Turin?

Then of course, we also have the possibility that this 'beast' will look more like the image on the Shroud of Turin. This too, is also a distinct possibility. One thing we do know for certain is that this word, theyrion, has a colorful connection to the supernatural including the concept of the Sphinx. It also seems likely that the Biblical text is trying to tell us that this "beast" is a hybrid being and not fully human. Both notions are intriguing and should open the door to further research and study on this issue.

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