Revelation 13

Verses 1-10___It is interesting to read all the different ideas as to who this beast is. For those who remember the class in Daniel it should be self explanatory. Of course this "beast" is Rome. I think we can go to Revelation chapter 17 and do a nice job of making the case for Rome.

The beast coming out of the sea is easily explained. The "sea" stands for restless nations (Isaiah 57:20). Revelation 17:15 interprets " waters" as nations and peoples.

Having ten horns and seven heads___Revelation chapter 17 explains this. The "seven heads" are "seven hills" and they stand for "seven kings." There is no doubt that these "seven hills" are the seven hills of Rome. Then these seven kings must be Roman kings. Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula (Guias), Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, and Titus. Five of the seven are fallen (17:10) One is (that is Vespasian) and another yet to come and he must continue for a little while (that is Titus). The entire picture is from the book of Daniel chapter 7.

See here for Revelation 17 and Daniel 7

In Daniel 7, the 11th horn is the Emperor Domitian and in Revelation 17 with the 3 removed the 8th Emperor is Domitian. This story is about the Emperor Domitian. .

Verse 1___And on his heads names of blasphemy______This (These) Emperors claimed to be god. This is mentioned again in 17:3.

Verse 2___Here we find that that Rome was a tool of Satan.

Verse 4-5___One of its heads as though it had been smitten unto death___ The "smitten head" is Nero. With him the beast lived and with him the beast died. When Nero died, the persecution of the Lord's people stopped. That is for awhile until Nero was resurrected in the form of Domitian.

And they worshiped the dragon and he gave his authority...to the beast!___ Isn't this always the way it is? People think their gods have great power and (Who is like the beast?) can topple other gods. Remember Isaiah 10:8-14; 36:13-20). That attitude cost the Assyrian's 185000 men.

Verses 5-8,18___ A mouth speaking great things, and blasphemies.... The first part of this speaks of the Emperor boasting of his power and might. The "blasphemies....are the attacks on the Lord's church and people.

Given to him authority to continue 42 months..... Notice, another 42 months. Remember this is a symbol for not complete but partial. In other words, the persecution will not last forever.

Verse 6___To blaspheme his name and his tabernacle. The beast is after the name of God.

Verse 7___There was given to him authority.....Notice, the beast did have authority and that authority was "given" to him.

Verse 8___And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him....That is a reference to the pagan population.

"Everyone whose name has not been written...." The saints are those whose names have been written in the book of life. Yes, there is a list of those who are saved (see 3:5; 20:15). That name can be blotted out and removed (3:5). There is no such thing as predestination as the Calvinists understand it.

Verses 9,10___If any man is for captivity, into captivity he goes__ We are not to think that this is some kind of defeatist attitude or some kind of "predestination." It is a statement of faith and how the Christian ought to view these persecutions. Suffering has a place in God's plans and God is still in control. No one ever promised an easy road.

The Beast from the Earth

Verse 11-13_ What we notice about this is this beast is of human origin. It is from the "earth." As we continue to read, we find that this is a "religious beast (V.12__worship). It is twice called the "False Prophet" (16:13 and 19:20).

Two horns like a lamb? This is scary. Here is a beast with two horns dressed up like a lamb. (You can almost here the Roman authority saying "come on now" just a little pinch of incense and you will be OK until next year).

Verse 12___He exercises all authority over the first beast___

In chapter 13 we have two beasts. One from the sea and the other from the land. Verse 12 tells us this beast (the land beast) has the power of the sea beast. This is Rome.

He makes the earth...to worship the first beast......

Now we have a better description of the beast. The first beast was Rome, the civil and military power. That beast was able to wage war (v. 4). The first was Rome-Egypt and this is Rome-Jerusalem. This is a historical fact. Shrines were everywhere in Rome dedicated to the worship of the Emperor.

Verse 13___And he does Great Signs"__________ I dont think this meant they actually did great miracles. Notice, it is the word "signs." The Roman Empire could display its might at anytime and dazzle anyone.

Verse 14___Saying, they should make an image to the beast__

Here we are told point blank what was going on. They were told to make an image of the Emperor and bow down before it.

Verse 15___To give breath to it that the image of the beast ought to speak.____ There were rumors that these Emperors had divine powers. Vespasian was supposed to be able to "raise the dead."

Verse 16-17___The mark on their right hand or their forehead___ Roman citizens were required to offer sacrifices to the Emperor. When people offered a sacrifice they received a certificate of sacrifice. There probably was not a literal mark on the person but there are still sacrifice documents around.

Verse 18________Let Him Count the Number of the Beast___John is saying that the "one who has understanding" needs to count the number of the beast. John is not asking for an intellectual giant but for a person with a spiritual mind.

It is the number of a man___________