In conclusion, reading Revelation 13 in the context of 4 Ezra 11 provides some interesting insights. Like Daniel before them, they both portray empire in bestial and arrogant imagery, transforming the Christian political imagination. They are excellent examples of how such imagery should be read. Endless decodings and wild speculation have plagued modern interpretation, as interpreters seek to work out which modern political leader is encoded by Revelation’s beast. Comparison with other apocalypses, such as 4 Ezra, helps us to see that the primary reference for this imagery is found in the
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