For a PDF version of this study, click here

Holy Scripture mentions many types of beasts in both the heavenly and earthly realm. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish which realm is being described as the symbolic use of animals is applied to both the earthly and heavenly domains. Therefore, close examination of the context, in which terms like “beasts,” “cattle,” “birds,” “oxen,” “sea creatures,” and “lions” are used, needs to be employed. Also, many of these terms can have a positive meaning in one section of scripture and yet a negative meaning in another. For instance, the word “lion” can be used positively or negatively, depending on the context,

But one of the elders said to me (the apostle John), ‘Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David (Jesus Christ) has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals’ (Rev. 5:5; cf. Prov. 28:1; NKJV used throughout unless noted; Ed. notes in parentheses; emphasis added).

In the above scripture, Jesus Christ is compared to a lion because lions have great determination and strength, enabling them to prevail when trying to accomplish a task and this is a positive characteristic. However, in the next scriptural reference a lion is viewed in a negative manner because it is being compared to the activities of a sinful spirit-being who prays on those who are weak,

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1Pet. 5:8; emphasis added).

It is important to note in both scriptural references that the term “lion” is used symbolically to represent different spirit-beings. This principle of a beast being used to describe spirit-beings, or angels, needs to be considered when studying scripture. A prophecy in the book of Ezekiel shows God’s prophet speaking to birds and every beast of the field. As it would be impossible for literal birds and beasts of the field to comprehend what Ezekiel was saying, Almighty God is actually speaking of spirit-beings in the context of a battle that commences in the spirit realm,

And as for you, son of man (Ezekiel), thus says the Lord God, ‘Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field: “Assemble yourselves and come; Gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal which I am sacrificing for you… (Eze. 39:17a; Ed. note in parenthesis).

This same battle involving birds and beasts is described in the book of Revelation,

Then I (the apostle John) saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather together for the supper of the great God (Rev. 19:17; Ed. note in parenthesis). 

And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him (Jesus Christ) who sat on the horse and against his army (Rev. 19:19; Ed. note in parenthesis).

In the context of these prophecies, it can be seen that birds and beasts are used in reference to activities occurring in the spirit realm with consequences that eventually affect those dwelling on the earth (cf. Rev. 13:7-8). As Almighty God commanded mankind to make a clear distinction between clean and unclean birds and beasts, it should be apparent that this has spiritual ramifications. In other words, there are clean birds that can be eaten as well as clean beasts. However, those that God calls unclean are to be avoided (Lev. 11:1-47; Dt. 14:1-21). This is one reason that Satan is compared to a serpent, which is an unclean animal (Rev. 12:9, 14-15; 20:2; Lev. 11:42). He and all that he represents is to be avoided,

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (scheming) of the devil (Eph. 6:11; Ed. note in parenthesis).

Consequently, when studying the Bible, the context in which various birds and beasts are mentioned must be examined to correctly discern whether it is referring to clean or unclean spirit-beings,

And he (a loyal angel of Almighty God) cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, ‘Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a habitation of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!’ (Rev. 18:2; Ed. note in parenthesis; emphasis added).

In this last scripture, the birds are clearly described as unclean and are associated with demons. Therefore, the hated birds would refer to some of the fallen host who are part of a corrupt system symbolized by Babylon.

In the following scripture, there are two birds mentioned and both are regarded as clean. One of these birds represents Jesus Christ, who is an obedient and faithful spirit-being and therefore regarded as clean, while the other bird is made clean by the application of the blood of the one that represents Christ,

Then the priest shall command to take for him who is to be cleansed (of leprosy) two living and clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop (cf. Jn. 19:28-29; Heb. 9:19). ⁵And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water (Lev. 14:4-5; Ed. notes in parentheses).

The bird that was killed in an earthen vessel represented Jesus Christ who took on the form of earthen man (Rom. 8:3), and with the help of God’s Holy Spirit (pictured by running waters; cf. Jn. 4:10; 7:38-39) was able to endure the pain and humiliation of death on a stake in order to reconcile mankind and the fallen host to Almighty God (Eph. 2:16),

As for the living bird, he shall take it, the cedar wood and scarlet and the hyssop, and dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water. ⁷And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose in the open field (Lev. 14:6-7).

In all the animal sacrifices of the First Covenant, only clean beasts were to be killed because these symbolized the willingness of those loyal angels, including Jesus Christ, to lay down their lives in service to others (Heb. 1:13-14). No unclean animal, representing the fallen host, would be an acceptable sacrifice on behalf of a guilty person,

And if it is a beast such as men may bring as an offering to the Lord, all such that any man gives to the Lord shall be holy. ¹⁰He shall not substitute it or exchange it, good for bad or bad for good; and if he at all exchanges it beast for beast, then both it and the one exchanged for it shall be holy. ¹¹If it is an unclean beast which they do not offer as a sacrifice to the Lord, then he shall present the beast before the priest; ¹²and the priest shall set a value for it, whether it is good or bad; as you, the priest, value it, so it shall be (Lev. 27:9-12; emphasis added).

In the book of Ezekiel, there are a number of spirit-beings resembling familiar beasts on earth as well as a familiar bird. They all comprise various aspects of Almighty God’s heavenly throne (cf. Eze. 1:26), 

As for the likeness of their faces, each had the face of a man, each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, each of the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and each of the four had the face of an eagle (Eze. 1:10).

So it is apparent that God created beings referred to as beasts and birds in the heavenly realm before any were created physically. As Adam was originally created in a spirit form (see the study: Which Rib Did Eve Come From?), and as he was given authority to name the beasts of the field, birds of the air, and cattle, it is possible, based on the chronology of Genesis chapter 2, that he existed at the time of their creation,

Out of the ground (a symbolic term describing the building block of all created beings; cf. Gen. 2:9) the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature that was its name. ²⁰So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him (Gen. 2:19-20).

In Genesis 3:1, Almighty God compared what appears at first glance to be physical animals with a powerful and wise spirit-being (Eze. 28:12), but is this a correct interpretation?

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made (Gen. 3:1; emphasis added).

It is highly unlikely that Almighty God would compare the mental prowess of Satan with that of a physical animal. Instead, God was showing that Satan had greater wisdom (Eze. 28:12-13), albeit perverted through sin, than other spirit-beings (beasts of the field, birds of the air, and cattle) that were created by God. The trees mentioned in Genesis 2:9 were also spirit-beings created by God (see the study: Which Tree Did Eve Eat From?). Therefore, just as there were different living creatures in Ezekiel 1:10, so there were different spirit-beings created either at different times or for different responsibilities, with the possibility of both scenarios applying.

In Genesis 2:17, Adam was to avoid fellowshipping with Satan because Satan had already sinned (Gen. 2:17; cf. Rom. 6:13; Eph. 5:1-7). The fact that Adam gave names to some of the created host of heaven indicates that Almighty God had placed him in a position of authority. It is possible that Adam was initially intended to be Satan’s replacement because of Satan’s failure to remain loyal and obedient to Almighty God. This would explain why Satan was determined to thwart God’s plan by convincing Adam that Almighty God’s word could not be trusted (Gen. 3:1). Satan craftily twisted the truth that had been taught to Adam and Eve, introducing doubt, in an attempt to convince them that they would not die if they disobeyed God’s command (Gen. 3:4). Perhaps in Satan’s mind he was convinced that he would not die because he remained alive following his sinful choices. Satan is therefore the author of the immortal soul doctrine, which is a lie that humanity has believed since the beginning (Jn. 8:44). This same lie is taught in many religions around the world. It is a central doctrine for most of Christianity - that people are sent to heaven or hell after they die.

The phrase “brute beasts” is used when God is comparing the conduct of Satan with those who follow and teach his way of life,

Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’ ¹⁰But these (ungodly men; cf. vs. 4) speak evil of whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts (symbolic phrase comparing ungodly men with the fallen host), in these things they corrupt themselves. ¹¹Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit and perished in the rebellion of Korah (Jude 9-11; Ed. notes in parentheses; emphasis added).

The term ‘beast’ is used to describe Satan’s system of governing, and consequently is associated with Satan himself,

And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have victory over the beast, over his image and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God (Rev. 15:2; cf. 12:17; emphasis added).

This beast is clearly against Almighty God because it is associated with blasphemy, 

Then I (the apostle John) stood on the sand of the sea (in a vision). And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name (Rev. 13:1; cf. 13:11; Ed. notes in parentheses).

As mentioned previously, the context in which the term “beast,” “beasts,” or “beasts of the field” is used requires careful examination in order to determine whether it is talking about physical animals, loyal angels, or fallen angels. Not all of God’s word is meant to be easily understood, and it can only be correctly understood by those Almighty God is calling through His Holy Spirit at any given time in history. These will be the same people, mentioned in Revelation 12:17, who believe that mankind needs to obey the law and commandments of Almighty God,

Whom will he (Almighty God) teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? ¹⁰For precept must be upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little (Isa. 28:9-10; Ed. note in parenthesis).

And his (Christ’s) disciples were questioning him as to what this parable might be. ¹⁰ And he said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest (it is given) in parables, that seeing they might not see, and hearing might not understand” (Lk. 8:9-10; RNT; Ed. notes in parentheses; bold type denotes OT quote, i.e. Isa. 6:9).

Based on these and other scriptures, it is clear that the god of this present evil age (2Cor. 4:4) has deceived most people (Rev. 12:9), and therefore most will have tremendous difficulty understanding the symbolic language that Almighty God uses in the Bible.

Return to Symbolism

This document is the collaborative work of individuals who believe God's truth should be given freely (Mt. 10:8; 1Cor. 2:12; 2Cor.11:7; Rom. 10:14-21) and the message of the one true God should be made available to all nations (Mt. 24:14) as a prerequisite to the return of Jesus Christ as King of kings (Mt. 17:10; 19:17; Mk. 9:11; Lk. 1:17; Rev. 19:11-16).

To protect the integrity of this document and prevent alteration and misapplication of its contents in whole or in part, this document is protected under copyright law.

Copyright: This document may be freely copied and distributed provided it is copied without alteration, addition, deletion, or charges, and includes the name of the publisher and this copyright. Quotations may be taken from this document provided the name of the publisher is cited.

All Rights Reserved

(Copyright ©1truth1law.com 2011)