College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Revelation 13:1-10
Strauss-' Comments
SECTION 38
Text Revelation 13:1-10
1 and he stood upon the sand of the sea. 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 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power and his throne, and great authority, 3 And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast; 4 and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? and who is able to war with him? 5 and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months. 6 And he opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, even them that dwell in the heaven. 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. 8 And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain. 9 If any man hath an ear, let him hear. 10 If any man is for captivity, into captivity he goeth: if any man shall kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Initial Questions Revelation 13:1-10
1.
Both the earth and sea are accursed according to Revelation 12:12. Where does the beast come from in Revelation 13:1?
2.
What does the term blasphemy mean - Revelation 13:1?
3.
What did the dragon give the beast - Revelation 13:2?
4.
Are miracles performed only by God - Revelation 13:3?
5.
How did the whole earth respond to the beast - Revelation 13:3?
6.
Why did the earth worship the beast - Revelation 13:4?
7.
How long was the beast allowed to continue his evil deeds - Revelation 13:5?
8.
Was the beast victorious over the saints - Revelation 13:7?
9.
How extensive was the beast worship - Revelation 13:8?
10.
What were the saints to exhibit in contrast to those enslaved by the beast - Revelation 13:10?
The Wild Beast from the Sea
Chapter Revelation 13:1-10
Chapter thirteen reveals two enemy beasts, one from the sea (Revelation 13:1-10) and one from the land (Revelation 13:11-18). Satan impowered the beast of the sea to work havoc on the earth. The description of both the beast of the sea and the beast of the land is a summary of the information found in Daniel 7:1-8.
John's next vision contained the coming up of the beast of the sea. This beast is described as having ten horns. This imagery comes directly from Daniel 7:7. On the ten horns were ten diadems or symbols of the political power. The Greek word here is again (diadçmata) which signifies a kingly crown. On his auton - (can be neut. or masc. Since Satan is masc, we translate it as masc.) head were names (plural - onomata) of blasphemy (blasphemias - from two Greek words meaning to speak to hurt). The names of blasphemy are discussed by Swete, op. cit., p. 161. He uses the original research of J. T. Wood who found Imperial letters among some epigraphic materials from Ephesius. Some of the blasphemous self-imposed names used by the Caesars during the first and second centuries A.D. were Caesar God, Great Sovereign Caesar, etc. Caesar demanded worship of his subjects as though he were a god. The New Testament Christians would neither apply the divine titles to Caesar nor worship him. This set the stage for radical and more intense persecution.
John uses the simile of a leopard to describe the beast. The leopards feet were as the feet of a bear (for bear see Daniel 7:5). Clearly this imagery implies strength for a chief characteristic of a bears paw is its deadly strength and accuracy, at close range when encountering a foe or is threatened with danger. The mouth of the beast was as the mouth of a lion (for Lion see Daniel 7:4. Here again we can feel the power of John's imagery. The most powerful weapon the lion has is the vise-like grip and potential strength of his jaws. The mechanical advantage of the physical structure of the lion's jaw is enormous (depending of course, on the size of the lion). John's readers would have understood his imagery immediately. But the beast was only a subordinate of the dragon, the source of the beast's Power, throne (or symbol of reigning), and great authority (this Greek word means both power and authority and is to be distinguished from the word translated power - dunamin - which primarily signifies physical strength.
What was the nature and power of this beast? John saw that one of the heads of the beast has been slain unto death. In the same vision John saw that the death stroke was healed (etherapeuthç - was healed with a single, instantaneous act - 1st aor. ind. active tense). Here the powerful antagonists of the Lamb was also raised to life again. The Lamb standing as though it had been slain from the foundation of the world is now placed in sharp focus with a dead but now revived embodiment of evil - the beast. Here we note that this evil person not only has superhuman powers, but that it is adequate to raise from the dead. What is the response of unpenitent mankind to this marvel of malignant power? John declares that the whole earth wondered (ethaumasthç - 1st aor. ind. active - the whole earth followed the beast immediately - as soon as they saw the miracle) after the beast. When the slain Lamb lived again forevermore the entire earth did not immediately follow Him. In marked contrast we see here that men follow darkness rather than light, evil rather than righteousness, the condemner rather than the savior.
Instead of worshipping almighty God, the people worshipped the dragon because (hoti is causal - the cause of their worship) he gave authority to the beast. The next level of idolatry comes when the whole earth worshipped the beast. They were acknowledging that there was more than one god. They worshipped Satan (the dragon) as the supreme diety of the evil trinity, and also the lesser power, the beast. The rebellious earth felt so secure in the clutches of the vile one that they kept on saying (legontes - pres. participle) who is like unto the beast? And who is able to war with him? This imagery places the shout of angelic hosts over the victory of the Lamb in tension with the perpetual shouting of the whole earth that none is able to make war against the beast (see this ascription to God in Isaiah 40:18; Isaiah 40:25; Isaiah 46:5; Psalms 108:5; Micah 7:18 and Jeremiah 49:19).
The beast was not powerful by nature. The source of his authority, crown, and power was given (edothç - 1st aor. pass.) by the high strategy of hell. What was given to the beast? The capacity to speak great things and blasphemies. The beast was given (same passive form as above) authority to act (work) 42 months. We have noted this same time element throughout The Revelation - either 42 months, 1260 days, or 3 1/2 years.
The enormity of the beast's blasphemies are brought out in this verse as John declares that the beast blasphemed God, His name (which stands for the character of the person. This is without question a Hebrewism), and His dwelling place (skçnçn - lit. tent or tabernacle, or dwelling place). The beast also blasphemed (tous - the ones or them) tabernacling (or dwelling) in heaven. The plural form tous could mean God and His angel (Father, Son, Holy Spirit, angelic host), and all of the redeemed saints which have appeared in earlier scenes of John's drama of redemption.
The beast was given (same passive form as found in Revelation 13:5) power to make war with the saints, and to overcome (nikçsai - 1st aor. infinitive, overcome in a single act) them. The beast was the sovereign ruler; therefore, escape was impossible (Daniel 7:21-23). From a purely human perspective the cause of Christ was defeated by satandom. The saints were actually and completely overcome. The extent of his conquest is pointed out - every tribe, and people, and nation. It looked like God was defeated at the cross too! But God in His infinite love took the evil of men, and transformed into redemptive mercy. Ours is also a day when it appears that darkness prevails and not light. But darkness is no match for light, nor falsehood for truth, nor injustice and unrighteousness for the justice and righteousness of God in Christ. We shall prevail, because He has prevailed for us. We shall be victorious for the victory has been attained already through the finished work of God.
How extensive is this idolatry to be? John declares that everyone will worship the beast whose name has not been written in the scroll of life of the Lamb having been slain from the foundation of the world. The death of Christ was without question involved in God's plan of redemption. (See Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:14 ff and Ephesians chps. 1-3.)
John now gives a grave warning to all hearers. Every hearer had better heed that warning given in Revelation 13:8. Apostacy shall be so great that the majority of the religious people of the entire world shall follow the evil one while thinking themselves acceptable to God.
John is led by the Spirit to write this verse in a conditional form. If anyone is for captivity, into captivity he goes; if anyone will kill by a sword, he must (dei - expresses absolute necessity) be killed by the sword. The foundation for the certainty of the saints is eloquently declared in this verse. John says, (hode) - Here is the patience (or endurance) and the faith of the saints. What does hode refer to? The here refers to the ultimate, actual judgment of God upon all who persecute His people. If anyone is for captivity, God will give him captivity. If anyone is for murderous killing, then God will give him a taste of his own medicine.
Discussion Questions
Chp. Revelation 13:1-10
1.
Study Daniel chp. Revelation 7:1-8 and return to Revelation 13:1 and discuss.
2.
What does the term blasphemy mean - Revelation 13:1? What were some of the names of blasphemy mentioned in Revelation 13:1?
3.
What possible purpose could John have had to use the imagery of the bear and lion in Revelation 13:2?
4.
Does Revelation 13:3 imply that the realm of evil can also perform miracles as can God?
5.
How extensive was the apostacy according to Revelation 13:3?
6.
Did the peoples of the earth feel secure while worshipping the beast - Revelation 13:4? Were they sincere?
7.
Does it make any difference to God what we think or do or who or how we worship as long as we are sincere and honest with ourselves and others?
8.
Who was the source of the beast's authority, crown, and power - Revelation 13:5?
9.
Was God's purpose destroyed when the saints were overcome - Revelation 13:7?
10.
Was the death of Christ in the plan of God for redemption - Revelation 13:8?
11.
Upon what does the patience and faith of the saints depend - Revelation 13:10?