Although animals appear often throughout the Bible, where we find the most attention given to them is in Leviticus. There, the Lord gives commandments, laying out a dietary law, dividing the animals into clean and unclean, and going into detail about what is allowed and not allowed to be eaten. To this day, there are many who still observe those dietary laws.

Later, however, in the book of Acts, an account is recorded of how Peter was given a vision of a vessel like a great sheet that was let down from heaven, wherein were all manner of living things. The Lord tells Peter to arise and eat. When Peter resists because of dietary laws, the Lord tells him not to call what God has cleansed common or unclean.

Paul also gives instructions to the church regarding the former dietary laws given to Moses, writing that every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. In another place again, Paul adds, “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.”

So then, each of us must decide what we will choose to eat, for as Jesus said, “Not that which goes into the mouth defiles a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”

What about the law? It was given with a purpose, the intent of which is to teach the difference between the clean and the unclean—not to the purification of the flesh but to the perfection of the spirit. As Paul taught, the law was given to Moses as a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.

The clean and unclean beasts were given as examples of natural characteristics, which we can observe in nature, learn from, and then apply spiritually. Carnivorous beasts, poisonous creatures, filthy animals such as the swine, and all other creatures with undesirable attributes were cited as being unclean. These attributes, when found spiritually in mankind, make man unclean.

To the contrary, in the clean beasts, we find characteristics that express virtues, such as the innocence and obedience ascribed to sheep, the labor of the ox, or the peacefulness attributed to the dove. For it pleased God that, through creating all things living and nonliving, he could impart knowledge of invisible things to those whom he has chosen.

Regarding the innate nature of man, King Solomon wrote: “I said in my heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.”

Indeed, we are. What separates us is the eternal soul and spirit God gave us. Without the spirit of God, not only are we beasts, but we are unclean beasts.

The horrible things happening in the world today are the result of the beast part of man taking control over the soul and spirit and turning people into animals. It is the natural consequence of people resisting God. As the Lord has said, “My spirit will not always strive with man.”

When God finally withdraws after striving with a hardened conscience, he gives those individuals over to their own lust to have their own way. All that remains when the Spirit has left is the nature of the beast.

Everybody has the potential to become ruled by a beast nature, and not all beasts are wild or violent, just as there are domesticated animals such as the pets people adopt that are lovable. Then there are other beasts that will tear you apart. Nevertheless, all of them are still beasts given to their own nature as created by the Lord.

In the book of Revelation regarding perfection in God’s kingdom, it is written that outside are dogs, sorcerers, and whore mongers, murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie.

A human being can be of a good nature and still be just as lost and sinful as anyone else, for flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Having an inherently good nature is not the same as having the Spirit of God, even if it imitates God’s goodness. Indeed, often it is a source of pride that keeps people from ever coming to Christ.

Speaking to the religious leaders, Jesus said to them, The harlots and publicans go into heaven before you. Sinners know they are sinners, but the self-righteous disregard their sins if they even see them. They maintain an appearance of goodness like that of trained domesticated animals for the social gain it offers. Societal respect is their doggy treat that keeps them obedient. Such self-serving conformity is not salvational obedience to the Spirit of the Lord.

That being said, it is a blessing to be of a good nature, but only if you give yourself to the obedience of the Spirit of God. Be not high-minded about possessing a good nature, but fear God.

We were created as both natural and spiritual beings; if we are to enter the Kingdom of God, we must all slay our beasts. And be not deceived; it is certain that each one of us has a beast. It may be harder to kill a beast that is domesticated and likable than one that is wild and disorderly, but either the beast must die or the soul will. They are in conflict and strive against each other. The person who lives after the will of their own flesh is not subject to the Spirit of God and will corrupt their own spirit and the spirit of others whom they influence.

Certainly, some people are born with a much more difficult nature to bring under subjection to the Spirit than others. We were given no choice in the matter; it could have been any of us; it may or may not be you. But pray for such people and have compassion for them, as they have harder lives and need to see love in the hope of being brought to God.

So then, who is the evil Beast that arises, which the Bible speaks of in Revelation? The psalmist says, “Man that is in honor and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.”

The Beast that is cast into the lake of fire are those who eternally reject God and were given up to worship and serve their flesh. However, until we accept Christ, the beast is all of us. Jesus is the clean beast in whom there is no sin; he is the lamb of God who was innocent before his accusers and, as a sheep, went willingly to the slaughter. Jesus said, “He that eats me, even he shall live by me.” Christ came as an innocent lamb to deliver us from our beasts. The clean beasts in the Bible are used to represent Christ, and the unclean beasts represent our animal nature. Eat Christ, the Passover Lamb, and live.