It may be this beast is a composite of the four beasts of Daniel 7:1-28. In which case, we could well say this beast is Daniel's terrible fourth beast and has parts of the other three because their dominion is prolonged in the life of the fourth. (Daniel 7:12) If that be the case, this beast is Rome... [ Continue Reading ]
At the close of chapter 12, Satan had turned from trying to destroy the church and to the persecution of its individual members. Roman persecution was intense under Nero and went dormant for a time after his death. It was then revived and intensified under Domitian. It may be this is a picture of th... [ Continue Reading ]
Thus, the earth worshiped the beast as more powerful than any other.... [ Continue Reading ]
The beast is very proud and speaks things against God. This will only last a short, or broken, period of time. (Revelation 11:2-3; Revelation 12:6; Revelation 12:14) He also speaks against the tabernacle of God, which would be the church, God's dwelling place. The sense of "them that dwell in heaven... [ Continue Reading ]
This power may have come from Satan, but only as God allowed. (Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-6; Romans 13:1; John 19:10-11) Remembering the promises of earlier Chapter s (Revelation 2:7; Revelation 2:10-11; Revelation 2:17; Revelation 2:29;... [ Continue Reading ]
Everyone, but Christians, worships the beast. God planned form the very beginning to send Jesus to die and redeem lost mankind. (Ephesians 1:4-11; 1 Peter 1:20; Acts 2:23; Acts 4:24) Those not written in his book would be those not redeemed.... [ Continue Reading ]
This exhortation urges the same hearing and heeding as the letters to the churches in Chapter s 2 and 3.... [ Continue Reading ]
What a consolation it must have been to suffering Christians to know God was aware of their persecutions and would appropriately punish their persecutors. This would also warn against taking up the sword to avenge such persecutions. Christians patiently endure to the end knowing the One on the thron... [ Continue Reading ]
This second beast is identified as the false prophet in Revelation 16:13; Revelation 19:20. He comes up out of the earth, which had swallowed up the flood the dragon cast out of his mouth. (Revelation 12:16) Like many false prophets, this one appeared to b a lamb, but spoke like the devil. (Matthew... [ Continue Reading ]
The two witnesses were given fire to devour those who would oppose them. (Revelation 11:5) The false prophet deceives the world with fire, making men believe he is equal to the witnesses. (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12; 2 Timothy 3:13) He uses false miracles to cause the world to make images... [ Continue Reading ]
Without the priests, there would have been no life in Emperor worship. They caused it to be carried out the world over and put to death those who refused to comply.... [ Continue Reading ]
The mark symbolizes allegiance designating what Lord they followed. (Revelation 7:1-8) Christians, who would refuse such a mark, would find themselves excluded from society and be boycotted economically.... [ Continue Reading ]
The numbers seven stood for something perfect or complete. Summers suggests six represented evil and three sixes together would stand for evil raised to the ultimate. Some would make much of the fact that John says it "is the number of a man." However, the original has no definite article in front o... [ Continue Reading ]