Carelinks




			home audio links about us contact us

Chapter 13 - The Beast of the Sea

THE BEAST

“And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass like the oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the MOST HIGH ruleth in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever He will.” (Dan.4: 32)

THE BEAST OF THE SEA

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”

(Rev.13: 1)

The exposition of this chapter comes with the inherit danger of being either too vague to be helpful, or too specific, and therefore wrong. The present author will attempt to expound this chapter using hermeneutical principles, and will offer a number of suggestions. Real flesh will be attached to the bones of this exegesis in a separate chapter on current events.

The R.V. reads: “and he (= the dragon) stood on the sand of the sea” The dragon is waiting to transfer his power to the new monster that is about to emerge from the sea. The word used for sea here is thalassa – no doubt to draw us to Daniel 7: 3 “four great beasts came up from the sea.” The sea here is interchangeable with the “bottomless pit” (abussos). The sea is often used generically for the Gentile nations1 but in the light of the features displayed by the beast, it is most probably the Persian gulf.

John draws us immediately to Daniel by mentioning that the beast has seven heads, which is the totality of the heads of the monsters in Daniel chapter seven. Unlike Daniel, John is concerned with a single kingdom rather than with a succession of four kingdoms. The beast represents therefore the kingdom of men – the whole image is standing! It is interesting to note that in the original, this verse (which the R.V. renders) mentions the ten horns first, which is the reverse order of Daniel:

“having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns ten crowns.”

The vision, is then, focused on the ten horns. The ten horns are ten independent powers, who at some point pool their sovereignty, “ten kings give their power and strength to the beast” (17: 12). Peter Watkins astutely remarks:

“This means that ten kings ask the beast to be king over them. Because they are themselves kings, they virtually invite the beast to be King of Kings. Hence the comment: The Lamb shall overcome them: for he [not the beast] is Lord of Lords and King of Kings.” (17: 14)2

This is why the horns of the beast in 17: 3 have no crowns.

These ten kings no doubt correspond with the “ten toes” on the feet of Nebuchadnezzar's image. So we are witnessing things immediately before the God of heaven sets up his kingdom.

“And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” (Dan. 2:41-44)

We note that, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men and they shall not cleave one to another. In this passage we find two references to Genesis:

2: 24: Therefore shall a man (Adam) leave his father and mother (God) and cleave unto his wife. (Eve)

6: 2: The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

The above connections suggest an allegiance between the sons of God (Jews) and the surrounding nations.1 The emphasis is not necessarily on intermarriage but on making covenants with strangers;

“But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.” (1 Kings 11:1-2)

Solomon was in the first instance, “a son of God” (2 Sam.7: 14 not the Son) and he saw that the daughters of men were fair, and married them for political reasons (1Kgs.3: 1). This brought temporary stability to his empire, but eventually turned his heart to idol worship [image of the beast]. What began as the kingdom of God, drawing admiration from the surrounding nations, ended as a parody of itself, an over taxed, self indulgent, idolatrous kingdom raising an income of 666 talents of gold per annum for Solomon. (1 Kgs.10: 14, 2Chron.9: 13)

Solomon, with all his God given wisdom should have known better; “thou shalt make no covenant with them, neither shalt thou make marriages with them…for they shall turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods….Neither shalt thou bring an abomination [idol = image of the beast] into thine house.” (Deut.7: 3,4,26)

This corresponds with the marrying and giving in marriage in the synoptics (Mtt.24: 38; Lk.17: 27), which is a reference to the intermarriage of the sons of God and the daughters of men in the days of Noah (Gen.6: 2) – so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

Marriage is viewed in scripture as a covenant, made not only with the person involved but also with their gods.

The feet of Daniel’s image represents a marriage between strong (iron) and brittle (clay) nations. A mixing of nations who were once part of the iron of the Roman empire (like Syria and Israel) and those who were made from the clay of the Euphrates (like Parthia). It is the mixing of a privileged, elect nation, (sons of God) with the seed of men – but they shall not cleave. What God has joined let not man put asunder – but God has not blessed this union.

This beast has on its heads the name (R.V. names) of blasphemy, 1 as it does in 17: 3.

Later these names of blasphemy are transferred to the woman who rides the beast, for she is called; MYSTERY BABYLON (17: 15)

THE LION MOUTH

“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 seat, and great authority.” (Rev.13 :2)

Once again John lists the characteristics of Daniel’s beast in reverse order: like a leopard, it’s feet like a bear’s and it’s mouth like a lion’s mouth. What is notable about this description is the emphasis on the middle-eastern elements. The leopard representing the Greek- Persian Seleucid empire, a bear representing Media and the Lion representing Babylon. All these empires centred around Babylon, and all possessed the land of Israel within their jurisdiction. While it might be argued that the beast has seven heads and therefore the fourth beast (Rome) is indirectly included – it is not however to the fourth beast that John directs our attention, but to the ten horns. These ten horns (ten kings Dan.7: 24; Rev.17: 12) arise out of this kingdom (out of the fourth beast).1 The beast is then in it’s latest incarnation a loose confederation of ten kings.

The important aspect of this beast is the lion-like (Babylonian) mouth-piece. This mouth speaks great things and blasphemies (13: 5). The lion mouth (Nebuchadnezzar) said ;

“Is this not great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power and for the honour of my majesty?” (Dan.4: 30)

This is also modelled on the little horn of Daniel 8: 9, which speaks “words against the Most High (7: 25) and who magnifies himself in his heart (8: 25) 2

The dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority – this transfer of power constitutes a brief “enthronization” scene, in which it is revealed that the beast is an agent or plenipotentiary of the dragon or more specifically Satan (12: 9). The power of the beast empire is therefore satanic in origin. In the first century this monster was embodied by the red dragon with seven heads, ten horns and seven crowns (12: 3) – representative of the Roman Empire, ruled from seven hills and under the emperor Nero, the sixth Caesar at the time of writing (five fallen, one is 17: 9-10 see digression 12.1) There was, however one more still to come, who would continue a short while (3½ years). This is the beast of (13: 1) who is the scarlet beast (17: 3), deriving power from the same source – dragon (satan).

SCARLET BEAST =

10 KING EMPIRE

FUTURE

Opposition to God is embodied in these human empires. After the devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, he makes the following statement ;

“And the devil (satan) said to him, “To you will I give all this authority and their glory; for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.”

We note the following parallels:

JESUS BEAST EMPIRE

1. Emerges from the waters of Baptism 1. Emerges from the sea

2. Receives the holy spirit 2. Given power to do great signs

3. Tempted in the wilderness 3. Beast and rider in the wilderness

4. Lamb, as though it had been slain 4. One of its heads slain to death

5. Is, was, is to come 5. Was, is not, shall ascend

6. The world is gone after him (Jhn.12: 19) 6. All the world wondered after him

7. Worship me (Satan) 7. Worship the beast and his image

8. Satan promises the kingdoms of the world 8. Dragon (satan) gave him his power

9. Ministry 3½ years 9. Exists a ‘short time’ 42 months

Jesus answered; “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Jesus refused the overtures of Satan. In 2 Thess.2: 9 it is claimed that the coming of the lawless one will be by the activity of Satan1 with all power and signs and lying (pseudos) wonders. The lie, is that man is God – shewing himself that he is God (v.4). This is the original sin of Genesis 3: 5. [see chpt.12 pg.13,14]

As in the trumpet visions, it is the Babylonian aspect that is highlighted (the lion mouth). The monster, is Babylonian in type, and the woman who controls the monster is also MYSTERY BABYLON.

The woman represents a particular city. That city is the archetypal Babylon. It is the glory of kingdoms (Isa.13: 19) it is the temporary dwelling place of God’s people, who are encouraged to plant and build until God performs his good word (Jer.29:5-10), it is full of graven images (Jer.51: 47) and vaunting pride (Isa.14:13, Dan.4:30). Its ultimate destiny is destruction (Rev.14: 8) but not before God’s people come out of her (Rev.18: 4). In the first century she was both Jerusalem and Rome, whose powers conspired together to crucify the Son of God. However, even here the Jews carry the greater responsibility, for they ought to have known better. The future witnesses die in Jerusalem, as did the son of God. The Lion and the Lion mouth are symbolic for Babylon, but the lion is also used as a symbol for the city of Jerusalem.

“Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices. Yet I will distress Ariel, and there shall be heaviness and sorrow: and it shall be unto me as Ariel. And I will camp against thee round about, and will lay siege against thee with a mount, and I will raise forts against thee. And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.” (Isa.29:1-4)

This verse plays on the word for lion, Ariel [Strongs 739] and the word for altar [Strongs 741] which are virtually identical in the Hebrew. The lion (Jerusalem – Babylon) will become an altar of sacrifice.

“Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore have I hated it.” (Jer.12:8)

She crieth out against me – uttereth her voice against me (R.V.) – this is the hubris of the lion mouth.

THE WOUNDED HEAD

“And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.” (Rev.13: 3)

This is a parody of the Lamb standing as though it had been slain (5: 6). The Lamb is the one that liveth and was dead (1: 18) the beast also, “was and is not; and shall ascend out of the abyss.” (17: 8)

One of the heads appeared to be fatally wounded, but it’s mortal wound healed.

Which head was wounded? Here the cardinal number one can also be an ordinal number: the first head appeared to be fatally wounded. This is the Babylonian head of the beast. Whilst in verse 3 it is only the first head that is wounded, later this becomes a metaphor for the whole monster: “the first beast whose deadly wound was healed” (v.12) “the beast which had the wound by a sword and did live.” (v.14)

This fatally wounded head whose mortal wound was healed is none other than the resurrected Babylon:

JEREMIAH 51

REVELATION

They shall roar together like lions. (v.38) Mouth like a lion. (13v.2)

I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice. (v.39) Woman drunk with the blood of witnesses. (17v.6) rejoicing at the death of the witnesses (11v.10)

The sea is come upon Babylon: she is covered with the multitude of the waves thereof. (v. 42)

Emerges from the sea. (13: 1)

A sword upon Babylon. (50:35,37) Wounded by a sword. (13: 14)

How is Sheshach taken! How is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations! (v.41)

The nations marvel at the swiftness and completeness of Babylon’s destruction.

Contrast: I wondered with great admiration (astonishment) And the angel said unto me wherefore didst thou marvel?

John is astonished at Babylon’s resurrection.

Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling place for dragons1, an astonishment and a hissing. (v.37)

Lamb that speaks like a dragon. (13: 11)

I will do judgement on the graven images of Babylon.(v.37) Image of the beast. (13: 15)

The whole world wondered after the beast because although it was once mortally wounded, now it had risen phoenix like from the ashes.

“It shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.” (Jer.50: 39)

“The beast thou sawest was, is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit.” (Rev.17: 8)

The whole world (earth R.V.) wondered after the beast. John uses the same phrase in his gospel:

“The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the world is gone after him.” [Jesus] (John.12: 19)

The “world” is Johannine idiom for the Jewish nation.

1. Show thyself to the world (John.7: 4) jeered his brothers.

2. This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men (Jews) loved darkness rather than light. (John.3: 9)

3. See also 1: 29; 8: 26; 15: 19; 17: 14.

“I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name (666), him ye will receive.” (John.5 : 43)

The 144,000 follow the Lamb wherever he goes (14:14) even if this means martyrdom, in contrast the world (Jewish world) follows the beast. The O.T. comments as follows; “this people played the harlot [and followed] after strange gods” (LXX Deut.31: 16)

The context of Deuteronomy 31 is the introduction of the song of witness (v.21) to be used as a testimony against the people, because after the death of Moses they would break covenant and worship strange gods. The song of witness that follows in chapter 32, is prophetic, “will befall you in the latter days” (v.29). The whole chapter should be read against the backdrop of Revelation:

DEUTERONOMY 32

REVELATION 13

See now that I, even I, am he,

And there is no god with me:

I kill, and I make alive;

I wound and I heal:

Neither is their any that can

Deliver out of my hand. (v.39)

Power was given him (the beast) to give life to the image of the beast. (13: 15)

One of his heads as though it were wounded unto death ; and his deadly wound was healed. (13: 3)

WHO IS LIKE UNTO THE BEAST?

“And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” (Rev.13:4)

This is obviously an allusion to Ex. 15:11 a chapter that is extensively alluded to, or paraphrased in Revelation. (see chapter 12) In Exodus 15 Moses and the people celebrate their Egyptian deliverance by singing a song of praise to God. He is praised for doing wonders (v.11) for guiding them into the land (v.13), it is recorded how the surrounding nations were amazed and afraid. (v.14-16). In a similar fashion the beast (by proxy) does wonders (13: 14) and inspires fear and awe by the people.

Who is able to make war with him? This was the promise made to Israel.

“There shall no man be able to stand before thee, until thou have destroyed them” (Deut.7: 24) and, “God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon.” (Deut.11: 25)

We have already observed that Deuteronomy 7 has a latter day context. We find a similar rhetorical question that is an expression of impotence and despair in Samuel.

“Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods?” (1 Sam.4: 8). This was the cry of the Philistines when confronted with the Israelite army, who were accompanied by the Ark of the Covenant. The plural “gods” is no doubt a reference to the two, ox-faced cherubim on the ark. This allusion to Samuel is meant to draw our attention to the similarities between the sons of Belial and the man of sin (beast?).

1 SAMUEL REV. 13 & 2 THESS. 2.

Sons of Belial. [sons of wickedness] (2:12)

Then shall that wicked be revealed. (2 Thess.2:8)

They abhorred the offering of the Lord. (2:17)

Who believed not the truth(JESUS CHRIST) but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thess.2:12)

Hophni – fighter, pugilist - took what belonged to God by violence.

Who is able to make war with him? (13:4)

Phineas – mouth of a serpent

That they should believe a lie[lie of the serpent = showing himself that he is God] (2 Thess.2:11)

Spake as a dragon. [serpent] (Rev.13: 11)

Who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods? (4: 8)

Who is able to make war with him? (13:4)

For the iniquity which he knoweth and he restrained them not. (3: 13)

Mystery of iniquity. That which restraineth to the end….there is one that restraineth now. (2 Thess.2: 6,7)

Eli sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord. (1:9)

Sitteth in the temple of God. (2 Thess.2: 4)

HANNAH’S PRAYER:

Talk no more so exceeding proudly: Let not arrogancy come out of your mouth. (2:3)

Who opposeth and exalteth himself. (2 Thess.2:4)

A mouth speaking great things. (13:5)

The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to the grave and he bringeth up. (2:6)

Smitten to death and his death stroke was healed. (13:13)

We note that the man of sin, the beast of the earth, the beast of the sea and, the image of the beast share many characteristics – often they are difficult to distinguish because they are all a manifestation of the of the same thing.

Eli and his sons represented a corrupt priesthood. Eli suffered the fate of a broken neck, (and his sons were killed) this was the consequence dictated by the law for an unredeemed ass. (Ex.34: 20) The ass was a symbol of royalty. Israel was meant to be a royal-priesthood.

The essence of this verse, “who is like the beast?”- is the desire to be like God – this is original sin (Gen.3: 5), it is a parody of the meaning of the archangel Michael’s name: “who is like God?”

Original sin is embodied as a beast, an empirical-religious system. In the first century the unification of empirical and religious aspirations occurred when Roman (empirical) and Judaistic (religious) powers conspired to crucify the Son of God. The common cause, rebellion against God, had the effect of uniting enemies – “And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.” (Lk.23: 12)

The two religions that believe in works as a means of justification are Judaism and Islam – this is original sin – man can, “be like God” through his own efforts.

The full manifestation of original sin is at the very last displayed in an individual - a man, (it is the number of a man, 666), as it was in the beginning with Adam. We have then a progressive revelation of human sinfulness in all its “glory”, which God has allowed to develop unchallenged, right at the end of human history.

BLASPHEMY

“And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.” (Rev.13:5)

was given to him (this phrase is used 4x) “God rules in the kingdom of men” The dragon may well have transferred his power to the beast, but ultimate sovereignty and control of world events come from God. Even political authority has been instituted by God. (Rom.13: 1-2)

The twin motifs of vaunting pride or hubris and blasphemy are mentioned in this verse. The hubris motif is based on Dan.8: 10-11 (Antiochus Epiphanes) and Lucifer (Sennacherib) in Isa.14: 13-14. The blasphemy motif is found in Dan.7: 25. This monster would continue 42 months, this is the “short time” of 12: 12 and the “continuation for a short space” of 17: 10.

This period of forty-two months was referred to earlier in 11: 2 as the period of time when the nations would hold the holy city under subjection. The two witnesses are also said to be granted 1,260 days to prophesy (42 months of 30 days). The woman in 12: 6 was protected in the wilderness for 1,260 days, referred to in 12: 14 as “a time, times, and half a time” (an allusion to Dan.7: 25; 12: 7). It is clear that John intends the reader to understand that the period during which the first beast is active coincides with the period during which the holy city will be trampled on by the nations and the period during which the two witnesses will prophesy. Their death must therefore coincide with the end of this predestined period of time.

BLASPHEMING THE TABERNACLE

“And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.” (Rev.13:6)

The monster blasphemes Gods name, and his tabernacle, and those that dwell in heaven. (A.V.) However, the best MSS omit ‘and’ and the Chester Beatly papyrus reads “his dwelling in heaven” the R.V. renders ‘and’ as ‘even’. One of the fundamental rules of textual criticism is that the hardest reading is always best (translators have a penchant for simplifying or interpreting a reading).

The most probable reading is then:

Gods name, and his tabernacle (skê nê ), them that dwell (skê noo ) in heaven.

In Rev.21: 3 skê nê is used almost as the equivalent of the Hebrew shekinah , to denote God’s tabernacling presence, and we are told that with the descent of the new Jerusalem this presence is at last among men. The tabernacle was a temporary dwelling place – the word skê nê is used in the Septuagint for the tabernacle in the wilderness. The tabernacle could be dismantled and erected, it signified in the first instance the indwelling of the shekinah in mortal flesh. 1

Not only are these people Gods dwelling place, but they themselves (metaphorically) “dwell in heaven.” He abides in them and conversely they abide in his dwelling place – for, “their citizenship is in heaven.” (Phil.3: 20) In the streets of Philadelphia the dwellers in heaven rub shoulders with the, “inhabitants of earth.”

The monsters attack is a blaspheming of the “shekinah”, which divine presence dwells in the collective “body” of the Lord. It is the slandering of Gods people.

WAR WITH THE SAINTS

“And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Rev. 13:7)

We are not permitted to forget that the monster acts only by divine permission, and that all he does is foreseen and provided for in the grand strategy of God. He is only allowed to attack the witnesses after they have finished their ministry –“shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.” (11:7)

This verse alludes to Dan.7: 21 and probably to the LXX Dan.7:8 “and he waged war against the saints” In Dan.7:21, it says that the little horn, “made war with the holy ones and was prevailing over them.”

The extent of the monsters authority is over every tribe, people tongue and nation. The tribes of the earth are the Jews (see 1: 7 R.V.) people tongue and nation are rendered in the singular (R.V.) – this is no doubt to remind us that, “the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined (R.V. purposed ) to do.” (Gen.11: 6)

The monster is building the tower of Babel.

THE BOOK OF LIFE

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (Rev.13: 8)

Only the inhabitants of earth, whose abode is Babylon, are worshipers of the beast. The phrase, “inhabitants of the earth” occurs nine times in Revelation, but only here are all that dwell upon the earth mentioned. This does not refer to the past or present situation but to the future when the role of the beast will include the entire Jewish nation and surrounding countries. The next portion of the verse is understood by the translators in two different ways :

1. Whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (AV; NIV; REB)

2. Whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slaughtered. (RSV; NSRV)

Option 1 – refers to the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. This corresponds with 1 Pet.1: 19; “a lamb predestinated before the foundation of the world.” The Word Biblical Commentary says, “While it is possible to think of Christ as destined to die for the sins of the world, it is quite another thing to say he was slain before the creation of the world.”

This conclusion stems from a failure to recognise that “world” is Johannine idiom for the “Jewish world.”

Abraham was the founder of the “Jewish world” (by faith in the covenant promises made by God): “And Abraham, rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad” (John 8: 56). Abraham “saw” the slain lamb on Mt. Moriah – on the mountain of the Lord it (the Lamb) shall be seen (Gen.22: 14). From the foundation of the “Jewish world” the Lamb was slain (in type) and Abraham the father of the Jews “saw” it.

Option 2 – refers to believers written from the foundation of the world. This interpretation finds support from 17: 8 which is a doublet.

13: 8 17: 8

whose name was not written whose name was not written

in the book of life in the book of life

of the Lamb slaughtered -

from the foundation of the world from the foundation of the world

This seems to support the doctrine of predestination and election espoused by Paul. (Rom. 9:10-23) The mind of the spirit has no interest in qualifying the seemingly contradictory doctrines of election and freewill.

While it is possible to be written in the book of life, it is also possible for a name to be erased (3: 5); and when the last judgement comes, there are record books to be opened as well as the book of life (20: 12). We see then that either option is valid, however, the present author prefers option 1.

MESSAGE TO THE ECCLESIA

“If any man have an ear, let him hear.” (Rev.13: 9)

In each of the seven letters to the ecclesias these words accompanied the promise to the conqueror. By their solemn repetition here at the heart of his book John indicates that he is turning once again to give the ecclesia its marching orders. If God allows the monster to wage war on his people and conquer them, what must Gods people do? They must allow themselves to be conquered as their Lord has done, so that like their Lord they may win a victory not of this world.

KILLING WITH THE SWORD

“He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” (Rev. 13:10)

This verse is based on an allusion to LXX Jer.15: 2;

“Those who are destined for pestilence, to pestilence, those who are destined for the sword to the sword; those who are destined for famine to famine; those who are destined for captivity, to captivity.”

(See also LXX Jer.50: 11 and M.T. Jer.43: 11)

John is adapting Jeremiah’s prophetic warning against Jerusalem (of impending Babylonian invasion) towards the saints (the new Jerusalem).

Whoever is for prison, to prison he goes. Whoever kills with the sword must with the sword be killed.

John is in fact repeating the words of Jesus, spoken to Peter, when he was arrested in Gethsemane.

“All who take the sword, shall perish by the sword.” (Mtt.26: 52)

This is extremely fitting, for Peter exhorts the brethren on how to behave when arrested and accused. Citing the example of Christ he says:

“Who did no sin, neither was guile (deception) found in his mouth: who when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” (1 Pet.2: 22,23)

This is a theme that Peter emphasises throughout his epistle. He refers to “guile” three times (1 Pet.2: 1; 2: 22; 3: 10) he uses Abraham as an example of a husband, who is worthy of his wife's respect (3: 6) – and this despite him using guile to deceive Pharaoh and Abimelech about his wife’s status. He cites Psalm 34, with the title – “A Psalm of David when he changed his behaviour before Achish.” Ultimately David and Abraham were not saved out of their predicament by guile, but by divine intervention. (1 Pet.3: 10-12)

Finally Peter exhorts:

“Let none of you suffer as a murderer (Barabbas) or as a thief (thief on the cross) or as a meddler (R.V.) [= spy like Judas] in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name (R.V.) [i.e., in Christ’s name]. For the time has come that judgement (human judgement) must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us (the apostles), what shall the end of them be that obey not the gospel of God? [i.e., divine judgement]

(1Pet.4:15-17)

How appropriate that Peter should exhort the brethren in this matter. He had declared that he was willing to go to prison, nay, even to die for his Lord, yet when the time came he used guile to avoid arrest.

This experience qualified him to “feed my sheep” (John 21: 17) and later in his life Peter became an example of Christian martyrdom when he was crucified upside down. (John 21: 18)

Here is the patience and the faith of the saints – the word patience should be rendered endurance. For the prospect of retribution on an ungodly world calls for no such endurance of faith. What calls for loyal endurance is that the saints must submit without resistance to the conquering attack of the monster, like their Lord did. This passive martyrdom is an outward display of faith in Gods justice and retributive judgement – it does honour to his name. And this is why the death of Christ on the cross and the great ordeal (of the saints) is also a great victory.

THE BEAST OF THE EARTH – THE FALSE PROPHET

“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” (Rev.13:11-12)

As Ramsay pointed out, whatever comes from the sea is foreign, and whatever comes from the land is a native product. Peter Watkins comments: These words come straight after the description of the beast whose deadly wound is healed. From all the information given in Revelation 13, it can be seen that this second beast is not an independent political power that exists at the same time as the beast. Rather, it is a publicity agent for the first beast. It “causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” 1

He had two horns like unto a lamb (arnion) – a ram has horns, a lamb does not have horns – this is probably Johns way of indicating that although he had horns like a ram, he looked like a lamb, but spoke as a dragon. John is no doubt alluding to Dan 8: 20 – the ram with two horns, who are the kings of Media and Persia. However, what John sees is not a political, but a religious power (lamb) consisting of two prominent groups of people. (Jews and Muslims – Israel and Palestinian state? )

This Lamb speaks as a dragon (serpent) and repeats the age old lie, “ye shall be as the Elohim” (Gen.3: 5). The only two religions based on the concept of works and self- justification are Judaism and Islam.

The Lamb, who speaks like a serpent, is elsewhere referred to as the “false prophet.” (16: 13; 19: 20; 20: 10) The false prophet is then contemporary with the sea monster and acts as his mouth-piece. The false prophet gives the sea monster religious legitimacy.

Christ also issued warnings about the false prophet:

Mtt.24: 11 ; “Many false prophets shall arise and shall deceive many.”

Mtt.24: 24 ; “For there shall arise false Christ’s and false prophets, and shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (to seduce [like the serpent], if it were possible the very elect – Mk.13: 22)

Matthew 7: 15-23 Revelation 13

Beware of false prophets THE FALSE PROPHET

which come to you in sheep’s clothing Like a Lamb. (13:11)

inwardly ravening wolves Speaks like a serpent. (13:11)

By their fruits ye shall know them. Instructs inhabitants of the earth to make an image to the beast. (13:11)

Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied Doeth great signs and wonders. (13:13)

In thy name? And in thy name cast

out devils? And in thy name done

many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, The false prophet cast into the lake of

I never knew you: depart from me, fire. (19:20)

ye that work iniquity.

From the beginning of their history the people of Israel were warned not to be led astray by false prophets.

DEUTERONOMY 13

REVELATION 13

If there arise among thee a prophet or a dreamer of dreams (13:1)

Two horns like a lamb but spoke as a dragon. (13:13)

And give thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder come to pass, (13:2)

And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire to come down from heaven. (13:13)

Whereof he spake unto thee saying (13:2)

Saying to them that dwell on earth (13:14)

Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them (13:2)

That they should make an image to the beast (13:14) and cause as many as would not worship the image to be killed (13:15)

Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword destroying it utterly, and all that is therein.….and shall burn with fire the city. (13: 15,16)

These shall hate the whore (that great city 17:18) and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her utterly with fire.1 (17:17)

False prophets are equated with false teachers by the apostle Peter. Their ministry was motivated by monetary gain (like Balaam) and not by a love of the truth.

2 Peter 2: 1-3 Revelation 13

False prophets among the people The false prophet

False teachers among you

Who, with feigned words Lamb speaking like a serpent

(v.11) saying to them…that

they should make an image.

(v.14)

make merchandise of you that no man might buy or sell,

save he that had the mark. (v.17)

The apostle Paul warns Timothy that in the last days (of the Jewish dispensation) perilous times would come. This had a fulfilment in the first century but will be fully realised in the future.

2 TIMOTHY 3 REVELATION 13

In the last days perilous times shall come

lovers of their own selves

(sinful man becomes a substitute for God)

lovers of money

boasters, proud blasphemers

disobedient to parents

implacable (refusing to break hostilities)

fierce

slanderers – despisers of those that are good

puffed up

having a form of godliness

denying the power thereof

The serpents (dragons) lie. (v.11) MAN IS GOD

no man buy or sell, save he that had the mark.(v.16)

a mouth speaking great things and blashemies.(v.5)

The parents are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Abraham is our father. If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. (John 8:39 see also Malachi 4:6)

Who is able to make war with him? (v.4)

The devil is come down to you having great wrath.(12:12)

To blaspheme them that dwell in heaven. (v.6)

Upon his heads the names of blasphemy. (v.1)

Looks like a lamb. (v.11)

Speaks like a serpent, does great wonders. (v.14)

2 TIMOTHY 3 REVELATION 13

For of this sort are they which creep into houses

[for there are many vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subject whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. Titus 1:10-11]

and lead captive (seduce) silly (foolish) women

laden with sins, led away with divers lusts

ever learning never able to come to a knowledge of the truth

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses

But they shall proceed on further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

Yea, and all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution

This women is seduced while her husband was absent, it is the woman of 12: 13-16

She becomes the great harlot, committing fornication with the kings of the earth. (17: 2)

Who believed not the truth (Jesus Christ) but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thess.2:12)

FALSE WITNESSES: And he decieveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast. (v.14)

That he might be revealed in his own time [season]. (2 Thess.2:6) this is the revelation of the man of sin – 666 (v.18)

He that leadeth into captivity [prison] shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience [endurance] and faith of the saints. (v.10)

COMMENTS ON 2 TIMOTHY 3

Not all the vices in chapter 3 find their exact counterpart in Revelation chapter 13, but they speak for themselves – unthankful : they are ungrateful either to God or man - unholy : profane or irreligious, counting nothing sacred – without natural affection – unfeeling, callous as the brethren of Joseph were when they sold him into bondage - implacable : irreconcilable; lit., “without a libation or drink- offering” ; then, “without a truce”, which was ratified by a libation; then “admitting of no truce” or refusing to break hostilities – incontinent : without self control, profligates, licentious – traitors : like Judas – heady, high-minded: headstrong – stubborn like Balaam and Cain – lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – these bow down and worship their own flesh. SILLY WOMEN - the Hebrew counterpart means to deceive, flatter and entice, therefore a silly woman: Ephraim is a silly dove:

“Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned. Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, grey hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not. And the pride of Israel testifieth to his face: and they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him for all this. Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria. When they shall go, I will spread my net upon them; I will bring them down as the fowls of the heaven; I will chastise them, as their congregation hath heard.” (Hosea 7:8-12)

MIRACLE WORKER

“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.” (Rev.13:13-14)

The false prophet – the “two horned” lamb is the counterfoil to the two witnesses. They mimic the ministry of the witnesses (reproducing the signs of Elijah) for they are the forerunners of the antichrist. It is not clear whether deceived means that the miracles are fraudulent, or genuine manifestations of power.

Let us consider both options:

(1) Fraudulent signs – Moses and Aaron did signs and wonders before Pharaoh, and were opposed by false witnesses:

“Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.” [secret arts] (Ex.7: 11)

These became known as JANNES and JAMBRES – two legendary Egyptian sorcerers whose names appear in various sources as the adversaries of Moses. They are also mentioned in Jewish traditional sources as the sons of Balaam and as having played a part in the incident of the golden calf (compare image of the beast)after joining the mixed multitude that accompanied Israel in the exodus from Egypt. (Tanh., Ki Tissa, 19)

(2) Genuine manifestations of power – the false prophet was permitted (was given power) to do miracles (v.14). In the first century the situation existed that Jewish Christians, who had received spirit gifts, were rejecting the faith, and turning back to Judaism.

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” (Heb.6:4-8)

The fate of those who possessed spirit gifts, yet rejected the truth is to be burned. The false prophet receives the same punishment. (19: 20) The author suggests that the scenario we have before us is similar to the first century situation. The ministry and vindication of the true witnesses results in the birth of a Jewish ecclesia (as did the ministry of Christ and his apostles), yet within that ecclesia we have ‘false brethren’ who abuse their spirit gifts. They are impostors, who ‘fall away’ and, ‘crucify to themselves the son of God afresh.’

They are like the ‘son of perdition’ (Judas) who, ‘sits in the temple of God’ despite possessing spirit gifts (like Judas) they betray the son of God and ‘exalt themselves.’ The spirit gifts embolden them to believe the lie of the serpent, that man is God.

“shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thess.2:3-12)

These have a form of godliness (religion) but deny the power (dunamis) thereof. The word power usually denotes miraculous power in the New Testament. The word for power in Revelation 13:14,15 is didomi, which means to give : “by means of those miracles (signs R.V.) which he had power to do (it was given him to do R.V.).” The A.V. renders this as power, but the R.V. is more exact – “the signs it was given him to do.” These false witnesses are permitted to do signs – just as Satan was permitted to test Job. “And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power.” (Job 1:12)

Whether the miracles are genuine or fraudulent is irrelevant, the true test is doctrine (what they preach). Any spirit (man with a spirit gift) who leads astray, and encourages worship of strange gods or who teaches falsehood concerning God, man, and the nature of Christ, is the spirit of antichrist.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:1-6)

The purpose of these signs is to induce worship of the beast, who at some past stage had suffered a mortal wound and had miraculously recovered. We saw earlier that Babylon was the mortally wounded head, this now becomes a metaphor for the complete beast. The false prophet (like the true witnesses) based their ministry on that of Elijah, for this is a contest between true religion and apostate religion. Elijah’s name means El is Yah. Only Yahweh is God, all other manifestations are vanity.

THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST

“And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” (Rev.13: 15)

Man was made in God’s image in order to reflect his glory (just as the woman is meant to reflect mans glory). The image of the beast is meant to reflect the glory of the beast. The language used here is reminiscent of Gen.2: 7, where God breathed into man’s nostrils and he became a living soul. The theme of this verse is creation. The theme of the previous verse is resurrection. The mortally wounded beast was resurrected by the creation of an image, an image that reflected the beast’s glory. The inhabitants of the earth are forced to worship the beast on pain of death. John wishes to draw us to Daniel chapter three.

“Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.” (Dan.3: 1)

“Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.” (Dan.3: 7)

The golden image that Nebuchadnezzar made was probably the golden Babylonian head that he had previously seen in his dream (2:32) – the head of this man image probably had the features of the king himself – “thou art this head of gold.” (2: 38)

It was therefore the image of a mans face, reflecting the glory of man, and constructed with the dimensions of 60 x 6 cubits.

The prophet Zechariah had warned that once the house had been destroyed (this was the Temple in A.D. 70) that a resurgence of wickedness would occur in the land of Shinar (Babylon): “and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.” (Zech.5: 11) We have already noted that Judaism was resurrected in Babylon very soon after the destruction of the Temple, but Revelation chapter 13 speaks of a particularly virulent form of false religion in the land of Israel, right at the end, lasting three and a half years. Israel and her allies have become Babylon, Jerusalem has become Sodom and Egypt.

The prophet Jeremiah has the following to say about this image:

“Every man is become brutish (like a beast i.e., like Nebuchadnezzar) and is without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.” (Jer.51: 17)

No matter how hard man tries to breathe life into the image, it remains falsehood. All mans endeavours to “be like God” end up with him being like a beast of the field.

The prophet Habakkuk also draws our attention to the construction of this image:

Habakkuk 2:12-19

REVELATION

Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity! Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity? For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

(11: 8 )

The Harlot (city) destroyed:

And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

(17:16)

Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD'S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.

The woman controls the beast for a time:

And the woman (a city) was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication. (17:4)

For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil (destruction) of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

The beast (1: 1) The violence of the woman (city):

And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. (17:6)

What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.

It was given him to give breath to the image of the beast. (R.V. 13:15)

The prophet Isaiah also warns against worshipping vanity:

ISAIAH 46 REVELATION

Their idols were upon the beasts. A burden to the weary beast. (v.1)

Image of the beast. (13: 14)

To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like? (v.5)

Who is like God?

Who is like the beast? (13: 4)

He maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship. (v.6)

Causeth the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast. (13:.13)

Yea one shall cry unto him, yet can he not answer, nor save him out of his trouble. (v.7)

That the image of the beast should speak. (13: 15)

Remember this and shew yourselves men.1 (v.8)

Here is the patience and faith of the saints.(13: 10)

Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my council. (v.11)

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Rev.19:17-20)

The ministry of the witnesses is copied by the false prophet:

EXODUS 4: 27-31 REVELATION 13

And all the signs which he had commanded him

Of the signs which it was given him (v.14)

Moses and Aaron gathered together all the elders of Israel

All them that dwell on the earth (v.14)

Aaron spake all the words which the Lord had spoken unto Moses

Saying….that they should make an image (v.14)

Did the signs in the sight of the people

To do in the sight of the beast

And the people believed: they bowed their head and worshipped

Causeth the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast (v.12)

The apostle Paul also exhorts the brethren against changing the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man. In this instance he is speaking about the golden calf incident, in which, during the absence of Moses, a copy was made of the ox cherubim. The cherubim represented God’s glory in creation, they were therefore worshipping the creation (the pinnacle of which is man) rather than the creator.

ROMANS 1: 18-32

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

GOD HATH SHEWED IT UNTO THEM =

SHEW US THE FATHER – He that hath seen me hath seen the Father. (Jhn.14:8-9) GOD IS MANIFEST IN CHRIST. In times past God shewed himself in types such as the tabernacle and sacrifice.

Creation of the world = Jewish world

Hebrews 8:5 Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. Exodus 32:1 And said unto him (Aaron) Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. Exodus 32:6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

Psalm 106:20 Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.

PROUD BOASTERS = LAMECH INVENTORS OF EVIL = TUBAL CAIN (also the preacher: Ecc.7:29 who was king Uzziah: 2 Chron.26:15 – who exalted himself in Gods temple and was given the mark of Cain in his forehead.[v.26]) DISOBEDIENT TO PARENTS = ESAU (married foreign women) The Jews disobedient to Abraham’s faith. WITHOUT NATURAL AFFECTION = Sodom. UNMERCIFUL = Joseph’s brethren. Levi and Simeon, (the priests and scribes) who slew a man in their anger.

The difficulty with this exegetical approach comes when synchronising chapter17 into the scheme of things. Chapter 17 must be viewed as progressively parallel with chapter13.

Chapter 13 can be summarised thus:

(1) Beast – Imperial, persecuting and blaspheming – consists of ten kings.

(2) False prophet – spokesman for the beast – false religion

(3) Image of the beast – totalitarian dictatorship.

The revelation of the man of sin is progressive, starting with mans desire to have dominion, it then graduates to mans desire to be like God, and culminates in the worship of man himself. Into this scheme must be fitted the woman (city) of chapter 17, who for a time controls the beast, and epitomises false religion. This city is eventually destroyed by her allies. The false prophet cannot be equated with the woman, even though they share similar characteristics, for whereas the false prophet is destroyed by Christ (19: 20), the woman (city) is annihilated by her allies.(17: 16,17) It is possible however, that once the woman (city) is destroyed, the spirit that animated her (false prophet) is used to reconstruct another empire, similar to the first, but based on force, not on mutual agreement – and presided over by a dictator who demands worship.

AND HIS NUMBER IS 666

“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”

(Rev. 13:16-18)

The imprint of Babylon is indisputable in the book of Revelation. The Chaldean Empire was called Leb – kamai (Jer.51: 1) 1 which means the heart of them that rise up against me – it was from Babylon that Adonikam (Lord of the uprising or enemy) returned from captivity with his 666 children. (Ezra 2: 13) 2 Once again this strongly suggests that we are looking for a Jewish fulfilment of this passage – the rebellious children have returned from Babylon to their homeland, but in fact they never really left. We have already encountered 666 in relation to Solomon’s kingdom, which became a travesty of the real thing. It is a number that recurs in scripture and it signifies open rebellion against God. Goliath was 6 cubits and a span. His spear head weighed 600 shekels of iron. He had six pieces of armour. Nebuchadnezzar's image was 60 x 6 cubits. It was worshipped when 6 instruments were heard. The numerical value of all the words describing the image in Daniel 3 is 4662 (7 x 666). The number 666 is the sum of all numbers from 1 to 36. The number 36 is the square of 6. The number 6 is itself a triangular number.

2 3

4 5 6

This triangle has three numbers on each side, 666 is also triangular with 36 numbers on each of the three sides. This suggests the unholy trinity of the beast, the false prophet and the image worshipers. (19: 20)

It is the second beast, the lamb with two horns, that forces everyone to receive the mark of the first beast. Receiving the mark should be seen as metaphorically erecting an image to the first beast. The all is socially comprehensive and describes every strata of society. They are placed under economic bondage. The Greek word for beast (therion) when transliterated into the Hebrew has the numerical value 666. (t = 400; r = 200; y = 10; w = 6; n = 50) There are ambiguities in the original text which do not make matters easier, a man in verse 16 could be rendered simply “man”, for there is no indefinite article in the Greek. This latter is the translation adopted by the NIV (cf. RSV). If this is correct then it rules out all those interpretations which explain 666 as signifying the name of one particular individual. In favour of the NIV rendering is the fact that “man” is the Greek anthropos, which usually has the generic sense of mankind. If it had one male person in mind then we would expect aner. Never the less, the first century Christians understood Nero as typifying the beast. It would only be natural for them to believe this, especially as Revelation was widely in circulation before the Nero persecution. This also gave rise to the Nero revidius legend, as discussed earlier in this book. Undoubtedly alternative readings such as 616 (Nero Caesar [666] could equally be spelt Neron, the final n having the value of 50) can be attributed to this fact, and is found in some ancient Greek manuscripts. The present author will leave the many other solutions referring to the Pope or the Catholic Church to other commentators, as they are not valid in this context. Bible students are aware that 7 represents completeness, that 8 represents a new beginning, for Christ was raised on the first day of the new week – 6 is therefore the number of man in a generic sense, for he was made on the sixth day. In contrast with the mark of the beast, we have the 144,000 who bare “his name and his fathers name on their foreheads.” The name of the Lamb is Jesus, meaning Yahweh saves. It therefore also includes the name of the Father. In Greek Jesus is Iesous - which gives the numerical value of 888. The triple six of the beast’s name is yet a further example of anti-Christian parody, this time on the name of Jesus which is triple eight.

It is unlikely that the mark of the beast will be a literal, visible sign on the right hand or the forehead. We do not suppose that the 144,000 have “Jesus” or “888” stamped on their foreheads! It may well denote the thinking of the flesh (forehead) and the works of the flesh (hand). This is probably a parody of Deuteronomy 6: 8;

“And thou shalt bind them (the law) for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.”

The Jews took this literally making tefillin or phylacteries – leather boxes or amulets containing Scripture passages, which are bound to the hand or the forehead during worship. Traditionally this is worn on the left hand (facing the heart) the mark of the beast is however on the right hand. Despite this slight discrepancy, the wearing of tefillin could be a model for the mark of the beast.

TABLE OF THE NUMERICAL VALUES OF LETTERS

No.

Hebrew

Letter

Greek

Letter

No.

X Aleph (a)

Alpha (a)

B Beth (b)

b Beta (b)

Ghimel (g)

Gamma (g)

Daleth (d)

Delta (d)

He (h)

Epsilon (e)

Vav (v or w)

CROSS STIGMA

OBSOLETE

Zayin (z)

Final sigma (s)

Cheth (ch)

Zeta (z)

Teth (t)

h Eta (e)

Yodh (y)

Theta (th)

Kaph (k)

Iota (I)

L Lamedh (l)

Kappa (k)

M Mem (m)

Lambda (l)

n Nun (n)

Mu (m)

Samekh (s)

Nun (n)

Ayin

Xi (x)

Pe (ph)

Omricon (o)

Tsadhe (ts)

Pi (p)

100

Qoph (q)

(koppa)

200

Resh ( r )

Rho ( r )

100

300

Shin (sh)

Sigma (s)

200

400

Tau (th)

Tau (t)

300

Upsilon (u)

400

Phi (ph)

500

Khi (ch)

600

Psi (ps)

700

w Omega (o)

800

(sampi)

900

It is worth mentioning that the number 666 is represented in the Greek by the letters Chi – Xi – Stigma [see Strongs 5516]. Stigma is an obsolete letter which had the shape of a cross, it was intermediate between the fifth and sixth letter. I have represented it here as sigma [" ] (not stigma): C (600) x (60) " (6)

The obsolete letter stigma is also a Greek word meaning tattooed mark, or a brand. It is translated “marks” in Gal.6 :17. Paul was probably comparing the marks (stigma) of his physical sufferings in Christ Jesus (the proof of his loyalty), against the mark of circumcision (a body mark which cost the Judaisers nothing)as proof of obedience to the law. The religious devotee branded himself with the peculiar mark of the god whose cult he affected; so was Paul branded with the marks of his devotion to the Lord Jesus. It is true that such marks were forbidden by the law, Lev.19: 28, but then Paul had not inflicted these on himself.

The fact that no person is permitted to buy or sell without the mark (v.17) is clearly indicative of a totalitarian state. Be warned – those who receive the mark will, together with the beast itself and the false prophet, be cast into the lake of fire. (19: 20)

“And thou, O deadly wounded wicked one, the prince of Israel, whose day is come, in the time of the iniquity of the end.” (Ezek.21: 25 RV)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTES

1 The swine (beast) in the parable of legion drowned in the sea (thalassa – Mk.5: 13) in the synoptic account this becomes the abyss (abussos – Lk.8: 31) : this was the sea of Galilee in Galilee of the Gentiles. Therefore the sea represents the Gentiles – the wicked are like the sea and have no peace (Isa.57:20) which is proscribed within limits, thereby revealing earth [Israel]. (Gen 1: 9) Revelation 13 describes, “the distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and waves roaring” (Lk.21: 25) - this sea can only be calmed (Peace be still Mk.4: 39) when Jesus returns and joins his disciples in the boat (ecclesia) – “and immediately the boat was at the land whither they were going.” (John 6: 17-22)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 Exploring the Apocalypse and the Future - page 64.

NOTES

1 “For they have taken of their daughters for themselves , and for their sons; so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands.” (Ezra 9: 2) “Ephraim he hath mixed himself among the peoples.” (Hos.7: 8) The phrase mingled people (Jer 25: 20) is the Hebrew [ereb] – Arabia – the mingled people.

NOTES

1 This is probably the, “blasphemy of those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” (Rev.2: 9) Paul argues that the failure of the Jews to keep the law causes the name of God to be blasphemed amongst the Gentiles.(Rom.2: 24-29 see also Isa.52: 5; 2 Sam.12: 14; Ezek.36: 20,23) “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly” External rites like circumcision do not make one Jewish (those who say they are Jews) – to claim to be a Jew, and then not keep the law is blasphemy. Making covenants with the surrounding nations and worshipping idols [image of the beast] is blasphemy, for the essence of the law, is to love God, and to love God, is to love the one that he sent.

NOTES

1 The two main schemes of interpretation for the book of Daniel are – the Grecian scheme and the Roman. The Grecian scheme equates the iron legs with the Grecian Empire of Alexander and his successors. In this scheme the ten kings are the Greco-Syrian predecessors of Antiochus Epihanes – the little horn persecutor of the Jews. In the Roman scheme the iron legs are the Roman Empire and the feet and toes are a subsequent phase after the disintegration of that empire. According to this scheme the little horn is still Antiochus Epiphanes, but chapter (8) is a detailed reflection of the situation after the disintegration of the Grecian Empire and this little horn (Antiochus : which sprang up amongst four horns) is not to be equated with the little horn of chapter 7 (which sprang up among ten horns – still future). In the Roman scheme chapter 8 is an expansion of the Leopard – phase (Greek) of chapter 7, and therefore subordinate to it. It must also be remembered that the text (especially the Septuagint version) has been substantially corrupted by the Jews of the Maccabean period, who saw in the person of Antiochus and the circumstances of their day, the fulfilment of Daniel’s visions. The present author holds the Roman scheme to be correct and understands the detailed prophecies concerning Antiochus as typical of the anti-Christ (as was Pharaoh and Sennacherib etc.) he also recommends the exposition: In and around the Book of Daniel by Charles Boutflower as a first class conservative exposition of the book of Daniel, and essential to any Chrisadelphian library.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 The little horn in 7: 25 is different in nature but not in substance to the little horn in 8: 25 – who is Antiochus Epiphanes. See the above note.

NOTES

1 Tempted by Satan: The present author considers that temptation always consists of an external and internal element. Scripture differentiates between temptation and sin. Temptation is not sin. In the wilderness the internal element was caused by the Lord’s (and our) human nature. The external element was Satan. Who was Satan? Satan in this instance could only have been the angel of God, sent by God, and given power by God to prove [not tempt]men. (Job 1: 12) To worship Satan is the same as indulging our fleshly nature.

NOTES

1 Babylon and Assyria (capital Nineveh) are terms that are often interchanged by the prophet Isaiah, and both cities experienced similar judgements. (see Isa.13: 19-22 and H.A.W. Isaiah pg.194-203 see also chapter note ) The Isaiah passage uses the word satyr translated as demons in the LXX of Isa.34: 14 see also the A.V. Lev.17: 7 and 2 Chron.11: 15 (same word) cp. Rev.18: 2 and 9: 20. See Andrew Perry: Demons magic and medicine pgs. 243-253.

NOTES

1 Hebrews makes a distinction between the first tabernacle (Grk., protos skê nê – Heb.9:3,7 ) and the second tabernacle (Grk., deuteros skê nê – Heb.9:6). The first tabernacle is the outer court (Hebw., hê kAl ) and the second tabernacle is the most holy place (Hebw., dê bIr ). This probably explains the choice of phrase to John’s Semitic mind (even though he wrote in Greek):

“ And the word [Grk., logos] (Hebw., dâ bâ r ) was made flesh and tabernacled [Grk., skê nê ] ( Hebw., debir ) amongst us and we beheld his glory [Grk., doxa] (Hebw., shekinah), the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1: 14)

NOTES

1 Exploring the Apocalypse. Pg. 60

NOTES

1 To be burnt with fire is the fate of a priest’s daughter who played the whore. (Lev.21: 9 see also Gen.38: 24 and Deut.22:21) The priest is Jesus Christ and the Jewish ecclesia of the latter days is his daughter. The nation was meant to cleave (in marriage) to God [and Christ] see Deut.13:4.

NOTES

1 This refers to the occasion of 1 Sam 4: 9, when the Philistines saw the ark of the covenant with the two ox-faced cherubim, (who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty gods?) they exhorted each other and rallied their courage with the words: Be strong and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines. The Jews were using the ark as a talisman, this was completely inappropriate and may indicate how the nation will abuse their heritage in the future. Paul uses similar words to exhort the brethren in 1 Cor.16: 13.

NOTES

1 Leb – kamai is an artificial name (like Sheshach), which when the consonants are exchanged according to the system called Athbash, yields KSDIM, that is, Chaldeans. Sheshach is a cyper for Babel. The letters of the alphabet were numbered both in their regular order (A=1….T=22) and in reverse order (A=22….T=1). B is the 2nd letter of the alphabet and S or Sh the 2nd from the end in reverse order. The B of Babel becomes then Sh and so forth. (Hebrew has no vowels) Sheshak suggests a wordplay on the Hebrew root shakak – to sink or bow down, implying the humiliation and punishment of Babel.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 The parallel passage in Neh.7: 18 has 667 children, no doubt a scribal alteration due to the stigma attached to this number.