Bible Commentaries
Revelation 13

Verse 1

^{6) (The Beast Rises Out of the Sea) v. 1-10}

^{Note: see also Introduction Revelation}

^{1) "And I stood upon the sand of the sea," (kai estathe epi ten ammon tes thalasses) "And he stood (the dragon) upon the sand of the sea;” the "he" is the dragon-serpent, the one of fury and wrath against all of Israel, as described in chapter twelve; the sea refers to the masses of humanity, as John beheld them.}

^{2) "And saw a beast rise up out of the sea," (kai eidon ek tes thalasses therion anabainon) "I recognized a beast rising up (coming up) out of (originating from) the sea," from the masses of humanity. The beast represents heathen world governments in rebellion and disarray against God and holiness.}

^{3) "Having seven heads and ten horns," (echon kerata deka kai kephalas hepta) "Having, bearing, or containing ten horns and seven heads;" These seven heads and ten horns upon the one-world-beast government seem to indicate that the fullness of the antichrist time is at hand, as described by Daniel 7:3; Daniel 8:9-14; Daniel 8:23-25; Revelation 17:3; Revelation 17:9-18.}

^{4) "And upon his horns ten crowns," (kai epi ton keraton auton deka diademata) "And on his (the beast’s) horns were ten diadems," flashy crowns, denoting temporary sovereign earthly government reign.}

^{5) "And upon his head the name of the blasphemy," (kai epi tas kephelas autou onomata blasphemias) "And upon his (ten) heads there were names of blasphemy," or blasphemous matters, blaspheming or speaking in a derogatory, demeaning, and mocking manner against the living God. Each of the ten Gentile-world-governors was in anarchy against the God of heaven, Psalms 2:1-12; Proverbs 1:22-30; Zechariah 12:8-9.}

Verse 2

^{1) "And the beast which I saw," (kai to therion hoe idon) "And the beast which I saw," arise out of the sea, had the appearance, was similar to that seen and described by Daniel 7:3-8; Revelation 12:3.}

^{2) "Was like unto a leopard," (en homoion pardalei) "Was similar to a leopard, in appearance Daniel 7:6. A leopard is beautiful, attractive in color and form of movement, stealthy and rapid in progress, crafty and bloodthirsty, springing on its victim.}

^{3) "And his feet were as the feet of a bear," (kai hoi podes autou hos arkou) "And his, the beast’s feet, were similar to those of a bear," in appearance, Daniel 7:5, embracing in pretended love, hugging to death all whom it embraces.}

^{4) "And his mouth as the mouth of a lion," (kai to stoma autou hos stoma leontas) "And his (the beast’s) mouth was similar in appearance to that of a lion," carnivorous with strong teeth, the king of the beasts of the forest.}

^{5) "And the dragon gave him his power," (kai edoken auto ho drakon ten drenomin autou) "And the dragon serpent gave to him (the beast) its power," power to make war against the remnant, remainder of natural Israel. These Gentile world governments are administered under the permissive power of the Devil, Ephesians 6:12; 1 Peter 5:8.}

^{6) "And his seat and great authority," (kai ton thronon autou kai eksousian megalen) "And the dragon gave (doled out to) the beast his throne and his great authority," his temporary world sovereignty to reek terror on men, as further described, Revelation 13:7-10; Revelation 13:16-18; Daniel 7:21-26; Daniel 9:27.}

Verse 3

^{1) "And I saw one of his heads," (kai mian ek ton kephalon autou) "And one of the heads of it (the beast)," I saw, one of the imperial rulers of the ancient one world Gentile government.}

^{2) "As it were wounded to death," (hos esphagmenen eis thanaton) "As it were having been slain to death;” this head of the beast, wearing one of the ten reigning crowns, was put out of existence, Daniel 7:8.}

^{3) "And his deadly wound was healed," (kai he plege tou thanaton autou etherapeuthe) "And the strokes of its death was healed;” there was, as he beheld, or is to be, an healing, recovery of health to the one world Gentile empire, at the end of the church and Gentile age, empowered by the spirit of the dragon, the Devil, who gives life to the beast.}

^{4) "And all the world wondered after the beast," (kai ethaumasthe hole he ge opiso tou theriou) "And the whole earth (land) marveled after the beast," that had arisen out of the sea and been given his power (dynamics) by the Dragon, that old serpent, the Devil. The world followed after him in admiration, to worship him, "the Dragon", or it -the beast", that embodies the passions of the Devil, Revelation 12:9; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 13:1.}

Verse 4

^{1) "And they worshipped the dragon," (kai prosekunesan to drakonti) "And they (of all the land, earth) worshipped the dragon," the serpent, the devil, who empowered the beast, as Nebuchadnezzar required worship of his mighty Image, Daniel 3:4-6.}

^{2) "Which gave power unto the beast," (hoti edokenten eksousian to therio) "Because he gave administrative power to the beast," to operate his oppressive government of slavery over the bodies and souls of men, Revelation 13:2.}

^{3) "And they worshipped the beast," (kai prosekunesan to therio) "And they (of all the earth) worshipped the beast;” the one world government that was empowered by the Dragon – Revelation 13:2 - Note: such is devil worship, 1 Corinthians 10:20-21.}

^{4) "Saying, who is like unto the beast?" (laloun tis homoios to therio) "Saying, (challenging rhetorically) Who is (exists) like the beast?", as if to say "no one does”. These seem to be given over to a seared conscience, that they all might be damned, 2 Thessalonians 2:4-12.}

^{5) "Who is able to make war with him?" (kai tis dunatai polemesai met’ autou) "And who is (exists) dynamic enough to make war with him?" To encounter the beast in battle? These are of the kind of ancient rebels whom God gave over to a reprobate mind, who loved and served the creation, rather than the creator, deviates and deviators from God and truth, Romans 1:2; Romans 1:5; Romans 1:28-32.}

Verse 5

^{1) "And there was given to him a mouth," (kai edothe auto stoma) "And there was given to him (the beast)’a mouth," a capacity to speak, to bellow forth, spew forth devilish words.}

^{2) "Speaking great things and blasphemies," (laloun megala kai blasphemias) "Continually speaking great things and blasphemies," things of impiety, matters of derision against the living God, Daniel 7:8; Daniel 7:25.}

^{3) "And power was given unto him," (kai edothe auto eksousia) "And there was given over (doled out) to him administrative authority," by Divine permissive will, even though he was base.}

^{4) "To continue forty and two months," (poiesai menas tesserakonta (kai) duo) "To act (to do his thing in blasphemies) for a period of forty and two months," the last half of Daniel’s seventieth week; to go on in rebellion until the end of the 70th week of Jacob’s trouble, Daniel 9:26-27; Daniel 11:36-39; Daniel 11:44-45; Daniel 12:6-12.}

Verse 6

^{1) "And he opened his mouth in blasphemy," (kai enoiksen to stomata autou eis blasphemias) "And the beast opened his mouth in blasphemies," in pouring forth profanity, blasphemies, derisions against heaven and the Holy God, Mark 3:28.}

^{2) "Against God, to blaspheme his name," (pros ton theon blasphemesai to onoma autou) "Toward and directed against God to blaspheme his name continually," to speak against the living God, Daniel 8:10-11; and to incite others to blaspheme, Revelation 16:9; Revelation 16:11; Revelation 16:21.}

^{3) "And his tabernacle," (kai ten skenen autou), "And the tabernacle (worship place) belonging to him, known as his," the place where Israel had restored her worship with morning and evening oblation, Daniel 9:26-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:4-12.}

^{4) "And them that dwell in heaven," (tous en to ourans skenountas) "And even those who continually were yet dwelling in heaven," from which the Devil, who gave him his authority, had been cast (tossed) out, Revelation 12:7-14. How appropriate it is to observe our Lord’s statement. "He that is not with me is against me," Matthew 12:30.}

Verse 7

^{1) "And it was given unto him," (kai edothe auto) "And there was given over (doled out) to him," given by the permissive will of God, to the beast that came up out of the sea, from among the masses of humanity, who was empowered by the dragon who was cast out of heaven, Revelation 13:1.}

^{2) "To make war with the saints," (poieasi polemon meta ton hagion) "To make war with the saints;” the redeemed of Israel who had not been sealed from death, as the hundred and forty-four (144,000) thousand in the desert, Revelation 7:3-8.}

^{3) "And to overcome them," (kai nikesai autous) "And to conquer (overcome them)" and their restored tabernacle, Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:7; Daniel 7:21.}

^{4) "And power was given him," (kai edothe auto eksousia) "And there was given over to him, the beast, (by the dragon) administrative power and authority," Revelation 13:4-5.}

^{5) "Over all kindreds," (epi pasan phulen) "Upon every}

^{family tribe," (kai) "and people," the common laity.}

^{a) "and tongues, (kai glossan) "And upon or over all, all languages and dialects," to subdue them.}

^{b) "and nations," (kai ethnos) "And upon or over every nation or race," Revelation 17:15. This certifies that the beast (one world Gentile government), empowered by the Dragon, shall in his own name, lead all nations into war, especially against the remnant of Israel during that final 42 months Revelation 13:5, of Satan’s work on earth, before being cast into the bottomless pit, Revelation 12:9-12; Revelation 12:14-17.}

Verse 8

^{1) "And all that devil upon the earth shall worship him," (kai prosksenesousin auton pontes hoi katoikountes epi tes ges) "And all those who dwell upon the earth will worship him," bow down to him as if he were God, an object or person of worship.}

^{2) "Whose names are not written," (hou ou gegroptai to onoma autou en to biblio zoes tou arniou) "Whose name has not been written (by that time) in the Lamb’s scroll (book) of life;” That none shall be redeemed after the appearance of the beast; is here made clear, Revelation 21:27.}

^{3) "In the book of life of the Lamb," (entobiblioteszoes tou arniou) "in the book of Life of the Lamb," that book inscribed with the names only of those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; The book has existed from "the foundation of the world," Revelation 17:8.}

^{4) "Slain from the foundation of the world," (esphagmenou apokataboles kosmou)"Of the one having been slain from the foundation (laying of the foundation) of the created universe," Daniel 12:1; Philippians 4:3; 1 Peter 1:18-21; Revelation 21:27.}

Verse 9

^{1) "If any man have an ear," (eis tis echei ous) "If anyone has an ear," is a hearing person, a responsible person - This denotes universal accountability of every responsible person toward God, Romans 14:11-12.}

^{2) "Let him hear," (akousato) "Let him hear, give heed, give attention to or obey," Matthew 11:15; Matthew 13:9; Mark 4:9; Revelation 22:17. Each person is not only to hear for salvation but also because of accountability for service, 2 Corinthians 5:10.}

Verse 10

^{1) "He that leadeth into captivity," (ei tis eis aichmalosian) "If anyone should lead or leads into captivity," takes the initiative of conquering men, subjecting them to bondage or slavery.}

^{2) "Shall go into captivity," (eis aichmalosian hupagei) "into captivity he (himself) goes;” he will simply "reap", what he sows. The use of physical force is not in man’s commission (thru the church) to spread the gospel, Galatians 6:7-8; James 4:1.}

^{3) "He that killeth with the sword," (ei tis en machaire apokteinei) "If any kills by means of a sword; If any takes it to himself to spread the gospel or enlarge the church through carnal warfare, through murder, he must and shall suffer a similar recrimination from men, Genesis 9:6; Matthew 13:52.}

^{4) "Must be killed with the sword," (dei auton en machaire apoktanthenai) "it becomes him (is proper for him) to be killed by a sword;” This is the "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth," readministration principle of the Law of Moses. The fate of the persecutor of God’s people shall have a similar fate to recoil upon them, Matthew 13:52.}

^{5) "Here is the patience," (hode estin he hypomone) "here, at this point, is (or exists) the endurance," the reliance, or confidence in God, the kind our Lord desires his people to have and hold, Hebrews 10:35-36; Matthew 5:12; Matthew 13:52.}

^{6) "And the faith of the saints," (kai he pistis ton hagion) "Even the existence of the saints," the redeemed of Israel, not sealed against death, during the latter forty two months of Daniel’s seventieth week - the time of Israel’s desolation or trouble, Revelation 14:12.}

Verse 11

^{1) "And I beheld another beast," (kai eidon allo therion) "And I recognized (saw) another beast," one other than, and in addition to, the one that arose out of the sea, Revelation 13:12, -but one of similar nature.}

^{2) "Coming up out of the earth," (anabainon ek tes ges) "Coming or rising up out of the earth," the land; This one was also Devil empowered and had a one-world religious regime that he directed.}

^{3) "And he had two horns like a lamb," (kai echen kerata duo homoia arnio) "And he had (upon his head)two horns similar to a lamb or ram;" while simulating an appearance of Christ, with a wolf - in-sheep-clothing veneer, his words betray his devilish nature, Matthew 7:13-22.}

^{4) "And he spake as a dragon," (kai elalei hos drakon) "And he spoke like a dragon," a serpent, with the craftiness, venom, poison, bitterness of the Devil himself, against God. The two beasts that arise 1) out of the sea, and 2) out of the earth, represent universal Gentile World governments in disarray and confusion turning to the dragon, that is the Devil, for both civil and religious power and direction, John 5:43.}

Verse 12

^{1) "And he exerciseth all the power," (kai poiei pasan ten eksousian) "And he (the second beast, the one arising out of the earth) does, or exercises, all the jurisdictional power or authority,"}

^{2) "Of the first beast before him," (tou protou theriou enopion autou) "Of the first (in order) beast before him," or in the presence of him, Revelation 13:1-2.}

^{3) "And causeth the earth and them that dwell therein," (kai poiei ten gen kai tous en aute katoikountas) "And he makes (or causes)the earth, that is those who dwell in it," he influences the world, except those who were already redeemed, Revelation 13:7-8.}

^{4) "To worship the first beast,"(hina proskunesousin to therion to proton) "To worship, to do obeisance to the first (of the two) beasts, the one preceding him," the one world government as a purported source of physical, emotional, and spiritual provision for every need, Revelation 13:1-4.}

^{5) “Whose deadly wound was healed,” (hou etherapeuthe he plege tou thanatou auton)’Whose stroke of death (death wound) had been healed," had been therapeutically healed. This seems to allude to, refer to, a one-world Gentile government formerly and lastly administered by the Roman Empire whose chief object of worship was idolatry and materialism.}

Verse 13

^{1) "And he doeth great wonders," (kai poiei semeia megala) "And he (the second beast) makes or does great signs, or wonders;” Deeds of mysticism that appeal to minds of spiritual darkness, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.}

^{2) "So that he maketh fire come down from heaven," (hina kai pur poie ek tou ouranou katabainein) "in order that he even makes (causes) fire to come down out of heaven;” as it fell on Sodom and Gomorrha; Except these miracle-like-demonstrations are permitted for the purpose of further searing the conscience of those who had rejected the testimony of the two witnesses of God during the previous months, Revelation 11:1-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:4-11.}

^{3) "On the earth in the sight of men," (epi tes gen enopion ton anthropon) "Upon the earth (or land) in the presence of men," before the sight of men; Let it be clearly understood that Satan is a religious imitator and deceiver, as well as a liar and the father of it, with a dedicated desire to defy God and destroy the souls of men who bear his image, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Revelation 16:13-14. Because men believe not and receive not the truth, God delivers them over or releases them, without any restraint of his Holy Spirit, to believe and enhance a lie, that they may all be damned in pursuit of their own obstinate, adamant will, Proverbs 1:23-30; Proverbs 29:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12; 1 Timothy 4:1-2.}

Verse 14

^{1) "And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth," (kai plana tous katoikontas epi tes ges) "and he deceives or deludes those dwelling on the earth, the land;” The deception of Satan begun against Adam and Eve in Eden is to be prominent among men over all the earth under this coming era of Satan’s reign, Revelation 12:9.}

^{2) "By means of those miracles which he had power to do," (dia ta semeia ha edothe auto poiesai) Because of the signs or wonders which power was doled out to him to perform," doled out by the dragon, that old serpent, the Devil; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, describes this power, signs, and lying wonders as coming from Satan, thru that wicked one, the antichrist, John 8:41; John 8:44.}

^{3) "In the sight of the beast," (enopion tou theriou) "in the sight or presence of the (first beast," which is the merged one world heathen government; It shall rise again to be presided over by the Satan-empowered antichrist, John 5:43.}

^{4) "Saying to them that dwell on the earth," (legon tois katoikousin epi tes ges) "Telling those who dwell on the earth," instructing, directing them, as servants, slaves, or peons of this demon-controlled ruler, Romans 6:16; Satan even directed Jesus to fall down and worship him, Matthew 4:9-10.}

^{5) "That they should make an image to the beast," (poiesai eikona to therio) "To make, form, or fashion an icon (image or statue) of the beast," the first beast, similar to that one made by Nebuchadnezzar, representing and requiring worship of his image, Daniel 1:18.}

^{6) "Which had the wound by a sword " (hos echei ten piegen tes machaires) "Who has (had) the stroke-wound of the sword," from the time of the fall of the Babylonian to Roman Empire.}

^{7) "And did live," (kai ezesin) "And lived (again)," The sword-wound it is certified that divided the one world Gentile Babylon-to-Roman empire shall rise and live again.}

Verse 15

^{1) "And he had power," (kai edothe auto) -And there was given over (doled out to (it) or him," the second beast. All that men and Satan have, hold, or possess is given to them by the direct or permissive will of God, Romans 13:1.}

^{2) "To give life unto the image of the beast," (dounai pneuma te eikoni tou theriou) "To continually give out a spirit (of life) to the ikon-image of the beast;” For "there is or exists no power but it is given of God," though man and Satan may pervert its usage, John 19:11.}

^{3) "That the image of the beast," (hina eikon tou theriou) "in order that the image (ikon-likeness) of the (second) beast," like that of Belshazzar, an object of self-worship, Daniel 3:1-18.}

^{4) "Should both speak and cause," (kai lalese kai poiese) "Might both speak (direct, order) and ca use or make," that is he could influence and act so that the following was a fixed consequence.}

^{5) "That as many as would not worship," (hina hosoi ean me proskunesosin te eikoni tou theriou) "It so that as many as (would) or might not worship or bow down before the image," as the three Hebrew children were commanded, Daniel 3:1-18.}

^{6) "The image of the beast," (te eikoni tou theriou) "The image (statue) of the (second) beast," the organized one world object of worship or adoration of the Devil, Matthew 4:9-10.}

^{7) "Should be killed," (apoktanthosin) "Should be killed," much like the image worship demanded of Daniel and the three Hebrew children, Daniel 3:1-18; Daniel 6:1-28.}

Verse 16

^{1) "And he causeth all," (kai poiei pantas) "And he makes (causes or requires) all," all people on earth, he influences all by means of recrimination, death threats.}

^{2) "Both small and great," (tous mikrous kai tous megalous) "Both the small and the great," the high and the low, learned and unlearned, rich and poor, as they follow Satan to their common judgment, Revelation 6:14-17; Revelation 20:11-15.}

^{3) "Rich and poor," (kai tous plousious- kai tous ptochous) "Both the rich and the poor," the plutocrats and paupers - - from all levels and walks of life, where all are depraved and sinful, Romans 3:9-23.}

^{4) "Free and bond," (kai tous eleutherous kai tous doulous) "Both, free men and the slaves," those in debt and those out of debt - including all, excluding none.}

^{5) "To receive a mark in their right hand," (hina dosin autois charagma epi tes cheiros auton tes deksias) "In order that all men should be given over(yielded) to receive a mark upon their right hand," signifying total commitment of service and loyalty to him as their demon master, John 3:18.}

^{6) "Or in their foreheads," (e epi to metopon auton) "Or upon their forehead," signifying that he and his administrative power would be over them, head over them. These are given over to that reprobate mind, will, or disposition of their own long pursued choice, against the word, witness and call of God until it is too late, Proverbs 1:22-30; Proverbs 29:10; Romans 1:24-32; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11.}

Verse 17

^{1) "And that no man might buy or sell," (kai) hina me tis dunetai agroasai e polesai) "And in order that no one could buy or sell," engage in commercial exchange to sustain their livelihood, not acknowledging that in the true God men live, move and have their being or existence, Acts 17:28.}

^{2) "Save he that had the mark," (ei me ho echon to charagma) "except the one having, holding, containing, or possessing the mark," the mark or identity of ownership and allegiance to this dragon -empowered one world ecumenical Devilish despot, Revelation 13:4-5; Revelation 13:7; Revelation 13:12; Revelation 13:16; 2 Corinthians 4:4.}

^{3) "Or the name of the beast," (to onoma tou theriou) "That is, or which is the name of the beast," the sanction, authority, or "rubber-stamp", of the beast, the anti-God materialist leader and the government over which he presided.}

^{4) "Or the number of his name," (e ton arithmon tou onomatos autou) "Or the number of his name," the mathematical identity of his name, identified with him (the second beast).}

^{Note the terms, 1) Mark , 2) name, or 3) number of the name, of the beast is required to keep men from being slaughtered or starved to death. This is the kind of paymaster Satan is - he promises bread, gives a stone, promises life but leads one to death and hell, Psalms 9:17.}

Verse 18

^{1) "Here is wisdom," (hode he sopia estin) "here is (or exists) wisdom;” wisdom exists, here, as follows, by Divine admonition, Proverbs 1:7; Daniel 12:9-10.}

^{2) "Let him that hath understanding," (ho echon noun) "The one having, or he who has a mind of understanding," astuteness, a reasoning mind, one who is accountable, a child of light, comprehension, as every child of God and member of the Lord’s church should be, Daniel 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5.}

^{3) "Count the number of the beast," (psephisato ton arithmon tou theriou) "Let him count, calculate, (or mathematically identify) the number of the (second) beast;” the one requiring worship and offering food and continuing life solely on the basis of their worshipping him, Revelation 13:15-17.}

^{4) "For it is the number of a man," (arithmos gar anthropou estin) "Because it is (exists as) the number of (a) man," or it is man’s number in his unregenerate and degenerate state or condition.}

^{5) "And his number is," (kai ho arithmos autou), "And his number (is)," his identifying number, that of the "beast-man" that requires worship is -}

^{6) "Six hundred threescore and six," (heksakosioi heksekonta heks) "Six one hundreds(600) and(plus) sixty and six," or (666); In the antichrists offer of redemption of life (from death), to his slaves, he has a trinity (triune) offer that is a fake, as he offers redemption and life, for soul, body, and the spirit of man - note that the image of Belshazzar’s stature was divisible by six - which is man’s number in his depravity, Daniel 3:1; 1 Samuel 17:4.}