Question: What does the 7-headed beast of Revelation mean? 1. The text where the 7-headed beast is mentioned is Rev. 13:1: "And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads names of blasphemy." 2. The book of Revelation is filled with references to the Old Testament. Revelation 13:1 must be understood in the light of Daniel 7; in reality, this is the fulfillment of Daniel's prophecy. 3. This 7-headed beast was the Roman Empire, the kingdom foretold in Dan. 7; with the persecution of the church also prophesied.