REVELATION 13: PART 1 • THE BEAST, HIS IMAGE, AND HIS MARK
Revelation 13:1
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.
“A beast rise up out of the sea”
And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. (Daniel 7:3, 17. The beasts rise out of the sea, symbolic of populated areas, and represent successive world powers.)
Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord God; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God. (Ezekiel 28:2. The kingdom of Tyrus is a symbol of Satan’s seat in the midst of seas, or many people.)
And he saith unto me, the waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Revelation 17:15. The waters, or seas, represent the nations and peoples from which this beast arose.)
The beast out of the sea represents a kingdom or power coming out from the midst of a populated area. The prophetic beasts of Daniel 7 came out of the sea in the midst of winds of war and strife, whereas the beast of Revelation 13:1 is seen coming up out of the sea in relative peace.
“Having seven heads and ten horns”
And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. (Revelation 12:3)
So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:3)
The beast of Revelation 13 is a continuation in another form of the dragon beast of chapter 12, thus the same seven heads and ten horns. In Daniel 7, we saw a ten-horned creature, which was pagan Rome, and the horns were subsequent powers that arose from it.
The beast of Revelation 13 began to develop during the last centuries of the Roman Empire, as church and state combined to form the mystery of iniquity, which continues to the end of time. Its horns are not new powers coming out of it, as was the case in Daniel 7. The horns are separate powers that work with the beast to help and sustain it. They represent the various kingly monarchies of Europe, indicated by the crowns on the horns.
Heads represent rulers or leaders, and seven is a symbol of completion or perfection. This tells us that the leaders of this system will be blasphemous in character. The dragon with seven heads and ten horns of chapter 12 represents the Roman Empire, which Satan used in an attempt to destroy Christ and the infant church. When pagan Rome fell, Satan continued his war against the truth using the beast of Revelation 13. The beast of Revelation 13 represents a continuation of the dragon’s work, though now it works in the form of a beast or kingdom that is religious in nature.
“Upon his heads the name of blasphemy”
And hath put all things under his [Christ’s] feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church. (Ephesians 1:22)
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (Ephesians 5:23)
Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. (Micah 3:9. Heads represent the leaders of the house of Jacob.)
Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war. (2 Chronicles 28:12. Heads represent leaders of the tribe of Ephraim.)
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. (Exodus 18:25. Able men were chosen to be heads over thousands, hundreds, and fifties.)
In the above Scriptures, heads represent leaders, rulers, or chiefs. The word name means character. Therefore, the heads or leaders of the beast system are represented as blasphemous in character.
Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. (Romans 2:23–24)
The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (John 10:33, 36)
And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, what reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. (Luke 5:20–24)
The heads or leaders of the beast system in claiming to serve God, while violating His law and word by teaching the commandments and doctrines of men, exhibit the spirit of blasphemy.
Prophetic Keys of Understanding:
• The beast came from from a populated area, or out of the sea.
• The beast was supported by ten horns, with crowns that represent political powers or kingdoms that supported it.
• The beast’s heads or leaders are blasphemous.
Revelation 13:2
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
“Like unto a leopard”
After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. (Daniel 7:6. The leopard represents Greece.)
“Feet as the feet of a bear”
And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. (Daniel 7:5. The bear represents Media-Persia)
“The mouth of a lion”
The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. (Daniel 7:4. The lion represents Babylon.)
This multifaceted beast is made up of portions of the various beasts introduced in Daniel 7. Here we find Babylon (the mouth), Media-Persia (the feet), Greece (the body), and Rome (the ten horns). This repeated symbolism teaches us that the beast has characteristics of these four powers in itself and that this power comes up in time after the four powers mentioned in Daniel 7.
This beast of Revelation has the body of a leopard, so we should expect elements of Grecian thought or philosophy to dominate this beast. Its mouth was lion-like; therefore, its words and teachings must have elements of the religion of Babylon. The feet that move the creature represent a two-fold power, similar to the two-fold aspect of the Media-Persian kingdom. This beast is a kingdom in which church and state are blended. Like the kings of Media-Persia, certain decrees of the heads of the beast are unchangeable.
The ten horns on the Roman beast in Daniel 7 were at first a part of it, but eventually became separate kingdoms. The ten horns on the beast of Revelation 13 show the beast’s relationship to the pagan Roman Empire.
The ten horns are separate kingdoms who assist and aid the beast. This beast existed in the past, is with us presently and it will also have a place in the last days of earth.
Daniel saw these powers in this order: lion, bear, leopard, the fourth beast, and then the little horn. At the time that John wrote, Babylon was gone, as was Media-Persia and Greece. He lived under the rule of the Roman Empire, the fourth beast. Daniel’s little horn in chapter 7 and the beast out of the sea in Revelation 13 represent the same power, and were future to John’s day.
“The dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority”
Seat—by implication, power or authority1
Authority—the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege). The power of rule or government (the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed)2
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:9)
And to him the dragon gave his [own] might and power and his [own] throne and great dominion. (Revelation 13:2 AMP)
Pagan Rome was the earthly kingdom that Satan the dragon used in Revelation 12 to seek to destroy the man-child (the Messiah) and the woman (Christ’s church). As the Western Roman Empire decayed and grew weaker, the beast of Revelation 13 increasingly filled the vacuum to take upon itself the influence power, and dominion of Rome.
Prophetic Keys of Understanding:
• The beast comes up in time after Babylon (the lion), Media-Persia (the bear), Greece (the leopard), and the fourth beast (pagan Rome, the power in Revelation 12, which the dragon Satan used). The beast of Revelation 13 would also have characteristics of these beasts.
• The beast receives his power, dominion, and throne from the pagan Roman Empire. Thus the power exercised by the beast, the territory or dominion over which it exercised that power, and the location or throne from which that power was exercised were obtained from the pagan Roman Empire.
Revelation 13:3
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.
“One of his heads as it were wounded to death”
And one of his heads seemed to have a deadly wound. (Revelation 13:3 AMP)
One of the heads of the beast seemed to have been fatally wounded. (Revelation 13:3 TEV)
The heads of the beast represent its rulers or leaders. This indicates that the beast is a kingdom rather than an individual. One of the leaders of the system is wounded, apparently endangering the whole beast. But there is a recovery.
“His deadly wound was healed”
One of its heads appeared to have been wounded to death but the mortal wound had healed. (Revelation 13:3 Phillips)
He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. (Psalm 110:6)
And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh’s arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man. But I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and the arms of Pharaoh shall fall down; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall put my sword into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall stretch it out upon the land of Egypt. (Ezekiel 30:24–25. God brought a wound upon Egypt at the hands of another pagan country so that all might know that He was God.)
[O king of Assyria] there is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit [report] of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually? (Nahum 3:19)
God foretells the wound to the beast in order that all could believe His prophetic Word. Jesus said, “Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am He” (John 13:19). Unlike most deadly wounds inflicted upon kingdoms, this beast was to recover.
“And all the world wondered after the beast”
Wonder—marvel, to be wondered at, to be had in admiration3
And he [the second beast] 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. (Revelation 13:12)
The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Revelation 17:8)
And the whole earth went after the beast in amazement and admiration. (Revelation 13:3 AMP)
As the beast begins to recover from the deadly wound, its healing would allow it to gain worldwide admiration and influence, climaxing at a point in the future when “all the world wondered after the beast.” Then the power and influence the beast exercised in the past will be repeated on a worldwide scale.
Prophetic Keys of Understanding:
• The beast appears to receive a mortal wound, but the wound is “healed.” What appeared to be sure death is, in fact, only apparent, for the head of the beast system recovers.
• This system will be admired by all the world and will have global influence.
Revelation 13:4
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?
Worshipped—(meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand.) Among the Orientals, especially the Persians, to fall upon the knees and touch the ground with the forehead as an expression of profound reverence. In the NT by kneeling or prostration to do homage (to one) or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication. Used of homage shown to men and beings of superior rank.4 Adored; treated with divine honors; treated with civil respect.5
“And they worshipped the dragon”
They [Jeshurun] sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. And when the Lord saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters. And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. (Deuteronomy 32:17–20)
Whereupon the king [Jeroboam] took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eight month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that is in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, even in the month which he had devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel; and he offered upon the altar, and burnt incense. (1 Kings 12:28–29, 32–33. Jeroboam counterfeited the feast of tabernacles, which was in the seventh month.)
The following points highlight Jeroboam’s system of false worship.
• The king sought counsel from men while rejecting the counsel of God in His Word.
• He set up a system of worship that did not seek to obey and serve God, but rather its motive was to make things easy.
• He opened two centers of worship: one in Bethel, close to the true temple in Jerusalem, and one in Dan, far from the center of true worship. This worship counterfeited God’s way but was not true at all.
• He intended to counterfeit the true, saying his form of worship was “like unto the feast that is in Judah.”
• He provided gods of his own choosing, “sacrificing unto the calves that he had made.”
• He created a religious system based on man’s ideas, “which he had devised of his own heart.”
• He created priests or a ministry that had no divine authority only human authority: “And he placed in Bethel the priests.”
• He changed God’s place and time of worship.
All this false worship, instigated by the apostate king Jeroboam, was in reality the worship of devils. Through a false system of worship, the beast leads the world, though they know it not, into worshipping the dragon, or Satan.
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Revelation 16:13–14. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew12:34), and out of the mouths of these three religious entities come teachings, doctrines, and philosophies that lead the world into deception.)
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44. Here Jesus addresses those who are filled with hatred and jealousy, and the spirit of murder and lies, who follow the lusts of their own hearts, thereby worshipping the devil.)
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:16. Whether we live in sin or in righteousness is determined by whom we obey—God or the devil. And the one we obey is the one we worship.)
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1 John 3:8, 10. To worship the devil is to continue living in and loving sin.)
The texts quoted above give characteristics of what it really means to worship the dragon or Satan, which most of mankind does, even though they do so unknowingly. Why is this? “And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome the Truth but refused to love it that they might be saved. Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false” (2 Thessalonians 2:10–11 AMP).
The vast majority of the world is drawn to the beast. Knowingly or not, they admire and are influenced by the beast, while in reality they are worshipping the devil. For thousands of years Satan has been developing his counterfeit systems of worship and has been manipulating the hearts and minds of men. Thus he is an expert at it. His deceptive and subtle workings through the ages—especially here at the end of time—link the human mind with his own and lead mankind to follow his thoughts. His manner is so deceptive that most of those who accept his guidance do not acknowledge Satan as lord. Nevertheless, they are being led by him. This is the essence of devil worship, which influences most of mankind.
The great deceiver confuses man’s thinking so that only his voice is heard. This deception is in contrast to what Jesus declared of His followers: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). All who do not truly follow Jesus hear another voice and thus worship the dragon. This is the fundamental nature of devil worship; it is the worship of the false in the place of the true, and the love of sin rather than righteousness. In this way most of mankind worships the dragon, or the devil.
Most of the beast’s actions described in Revelation 13 occurred in the past, but the beast is also a power that continues to the coming of the Lord. The dragon is Satan, who, as described in Revelation 12, used the Roman Empire to attack Christ and the early church. Therefore, in a secondary sense, the Roman Empire also symbolizes the dragon, for it was Satan’s instrument and the power that gave the beast its authority. In the end of time, another global system will enable and empower the beast. A deceived world will accept this political power and will, as in the past, strengthen the beast. (See Revelation 13:11–12.)
“And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast” (Revelation 17:12–13).
Thus the words of Solomon will be proven true regarding the past and future of the beast of Revelation 13. “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
Understanding who the beast was helps us to understand who it is currently and what role it will play in the future.
“Who is like unto the beast”
Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high. (Psalm 113:5)
Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? (Exodus 15:11)
Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. (Deuteronomy 33:29)
To the world at large the beast will be recognized as having authority that stands in the place of God. The people of the planet will accept the beast as God’s representative on earth. Thus the world asks, “Who is like the beast?”
“Who is able to make war with him”
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? (Proverbs 27:4)
And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God? and to whom shall he go up from us? (1 Samuel 6:20)
This expression “who is able” indicates the utter inability, even an unwillingness, to fight against this beast. And why? Because fighting against this power will be perceived as fighting against God. Because this power is religious in nature, it commands no armies to fight against. “His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; and he shall corrupt and destroy astonishingly and shall prosper and do his own pleasure” (Daniel 8:24 AMP).
Prophetic Keys of Understanding:
• The beast has influence and power because the world is in reality worshipping, or under the influence of, the dragon, or Satan.
• As it was in the past, so it will be in the future: the dragon or Satan sustains the beast and uses the power of the state to support the beast.
• The beast will command such awe and respect that people dare not stand against it, for to do so will be thought of as standing against God’s kingdom.
Revelation 13:5
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.
Verses 5 to 7 describe the historical activities and general characteristics of the beast, past and present. These verses are similar to the description in Daniel 7 of the “little horn,” for the beast of Revelation 13 and the little horn of Daniel 7 are the same power seen under different symbols.
“Mouth speaking great things and blasphemies”
I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, … and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.… And he shall speak great words against the most High. (Daniel 7:8, 25)
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4)
Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. (Daniel 8:11)
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. (Matthew 23:8–10)
The great things that are spoken attract the world’s attention, and may be good and noble. At other times the words lessen the glory and truth of God. The great words the beast speaks are also tantamount to blasphemy because the glory, character, and truth of God is obscured and substituted for falsehood by the blasphemous heads of the beast, who claim to be the spiritual guardians or fathers of the people. However, they are guilty of “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:7).
“Power to continue forty and two months”
And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Daniel 7:25. The little horn ruled for a time, times, and half a time, or one prophetic year plus two prophetic years and half of a prophetic year, or 1,260 literal years.)
And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. (Revelation 12:6, 14. The devil or the serpent used a political and religious institution to persecute God’s people)
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (Revelation 11:2–3. God’s people and His truth were cast down and persecuted during the forty-two months, equal to 1,260 prophetic days.)
The time periods in Daniel and Revelation of 1,260 days, “times, time, and half a time,” and forty-two months all speak of the time when the beast will rule and reign. Each of these times is a period of 1,260 years. This day-for-a-year principle is established in the following verses.
After the number of the days in which ye [the Israelite spies] searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise. (Numbers 14:34)
And when thou [Ezekiel] hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year. (Ezekiel 4:6)
The simple code of a day for a year, when it comes to the symbolic prophecies of Daniel and Revelation, is one of the keys in understanding who the powers in prophecy are. This time is not three and half years of literal time way back in the past or at some point in the future. It is a period of 1,260 years during which the beast of Revelation, and the same power under the symbol of a little horn in Daniel 7, was to be a dominant power. The prophetic keys we are establishing clearly show us who the beast was, who it is now, and the role the beast will play in the future.
Prophetic Keys of Understanding:
• The beast is a power that speaks great words, which attract the attention and even admiration of the world. Through its teachings it also speaks words that are blasphemous.
• The beast power occupied a position of prominence in the world for a period of 1,260 years.
• The wound one of its heads or rulers receives (as described in verse 3 marks the end of the 1,260 years of dominance.
Revelation 13:6
And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
“He opened his mouth”
All thine [Jerusalem’s] enemies have opened their mouth against thee: they hiss and gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up: certainly this is the day that we looked for; we have found, we have seen it. (Lamentations 2:16)
The opening of the beast’s mouth is the pouring forth of words and speech, doctrines and decrees that are against God. Such speaking undermines or substitutes His Word, for the ideas of man and thus are blasphemous in nature.
“In blasphemy against God”
Blasphemy—vilification (especially against God), impious (against God).6 Blasphemy is an injury offered to God, by denying that which is due and belonging to him, or attributing to him that which is not agreeable to his nature.
That which derogates from the prerogatives of God. Derogate means, to take away; to detract; to lesson by taking away a part.7
And when he [Jesus] saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? (Luke 5:20–21)
[Jesus said,] I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. (John 10:30–33. Being a man that attempts to take the prerogatives of God is blasphemy.)
The beast power thinks it has the authority on earth to take upon itself the prerogatives of God or to speak and teach in such a way as to dishonor God and His laws. This is why Daniel’s prophecy describes the little horn as a power that “shall speak great words against the most High … and think to change times and laws” (Daniel 7:25).
Changing, distorting, or obscuring the words and commands of God is to take upon oneself the role of God, and that is blasphemy.
“Blaspheme his name”
Name—authority, character8
And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him [Moses] there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. (Exodus 34:5–6)
I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. (Isaiah 42:8)
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deuteronomy 32:2–4)
If we have forgotten the name [honor, authority, character] of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. (Psalm 44:20–21)
The beast, as well as many of the religions of this world, work to cause people to forget the name of God while professing to serve Him. This is done as God’s authority and His word and moral law are substituted, or their influence lessened, by the ideas of men.
The result of the blasphemy of the beast is that people don’t have a clear concept of the nature of God, His truth, and His law. This power will also blaspheme God’s tabernacle.
“He opened his mouth in blasphemy against … his tabernacle”
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14, 16)
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. (Hebrews 8:1–2)
So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28)
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
In blaspheming God’s tabernacle, the beast does not defile a physical structure or a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. Rather, the beast undermines the ministry of Christ for the salvation of men, typified in the sanctuary service.
The beast, as well as all false religions, set before the people substitutions or an additional mediator besides Christ, which lessens in the minds of people the true work of Jesus This has the effect of leading people away from salvation and eternal life. Saints, relics, statues, salvation by works, churches, holy men or women, and religious leaders are but some of the substitute mediators of false religion. All substitutions for the intercession of Christ are blasphemy in God’s sight. God calls us to separate from all these practices.
“To blaspheme … them that dwell in heaven”
And of the angels he [God] saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:7, 14)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. (Titus 3:4–6)
We see from the above texts that the godhead and the angels are all actively engaged in working for the salvation of men. The beast blasphemes those who dwell in heaven, through substitution of God’s truth. This substition of falsehood for biblical truth, undermines the great work of salvation undertaken by the godhead and the work of the holy angels, who are sent as ministering spirits.
Prophetic Keys of Understanding:
• The beast opens his mouth and, through his teachings and doctrines, speaks blasphemy against God’s authority and character.
• The beast, through his speaking or doctrines and teachings, obscures the work of Christ as our High Priest in the heavenly tabernacle, substituting something in its place to set human ideas in the place of God’s truth.
• The beast, by substitution and addition, works to undermine the great work of salvation undertaken by the godhead and the ministering angels.
Revelation 13:7
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.
“Given unto him to make war with the saints”
I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High. (Daniel 7:21, 25)
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. (Revelation 17:6)
And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. (Daniel 8:24)
This zeal to persecute the saints comes about because of the delusion of false worship. “Yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service” (John 16:2).
The persecution becomes more deadly and more unreasonable due to the fact that those who engage in the persecution think they are doing so in the name of God. Jesus said the reason for their self-deception is that “these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me” (John 16:3). The beast power has persecuted in the past, and prophecy reveals that it will do so in the future.
“Power was given unto him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations”
And power was given him to extend his authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. (Revelation 13:7 AMP)
She [Babylon] made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. (Revelation 14:8)
And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Revelation 17:15)
For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. (Revelation 18:3)
For thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. (Revelation 18:23)
The beast arose in the sea of the people of Europe, supported over time by the crowned heads, thus dominating much of that area. Unlike other prophetic beasts of prophecy who engaged in war and conquest, killing many, the beast is noted in prophecy for directing its rage toward the saints, the children of God. This focus on the saints establishes that this beast or kingdom is largely religious in nature. Revelation 13:7 is descriptive of the history of the beast. The dominance it had in Europe will be the dominance it exercises in the future as “power is given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”
After the head of the beast has his deadly wound healed, the beast will, over time, come to influence the world at large. In Revelation 13:3 we learn its power was derived from the dragon, which is a symbol for Satan, and secondarily the Roman Empire. As it was in the past, so the beast’s future dominance and power are given to it rather than its power being gained by conquest. The power that enables the beast to exercise its past authority is described in Revelation 13:12: “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.”
Prophetic Keys of Understanding:
• The beast was a persecuting power in its past and will be again in the future after the wound is fully healed.
• The beast in the past dominated much of western Europe’s nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples, and will accomplish the same in the future, worldwide before the end of time And in each case power was given to him.
Revelation 13:8
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.
“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him”
They that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. (Revelation 17:8)
And he [the second beast] 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. (Revelation 13:15)
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. (Psalm 22:27)
All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. (Psalm 66:4)
This beast is a kingdom like no other prophetic kingdom, for it derives most of its power and sympathy from its religious influence, although it is a counterfeit religion. This beast is a church and it also functions as a state. Prophecy has declared that the entire world will come to follow and, in essence, worship this beast, in contrast to God’s command that the world should worship Him. (See Psalm 22:27 and 66:4, quoted above.)
“Names in the book of life”
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Revelation 3:5)
And there shall in no wise enter into it [the holy city] any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:27)
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)
The whole world is depicted here as being deceived except those whom Jesus called the elect, those saints whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Why will the rest of the world be deceived and follow the beast? “They have said “no” to the Truth; they have refused to believe it and love it, and let it save them, so God will allow them to believe lies with all their hearts, and all of them will be justly judged for believing falsehood, refusing the Truth, and enjoying their sins” (2 Thessalonians 2:10–12 TLB).
A love of sin and rejection of the truth will lead the world to worship the beast, thinking they are worshiping the true God. However, the wonder, admiration, submission, and worship given to the beast cannot save, for the beast wars against the truth of God.
“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold” (Matthew 24:12). In addition, this state of things allows “many false prophets [to arise], and deceive many” (Matthew 24:11). In contrast, the saints shall remain true to God and His word. Thus Jesus encouraged His followers that “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13).
Revelation 13:8 is future, and none but those who have committed themselves truly to God shall stand faithful and true and be saved at last. In Revelation 3:10 we read that God would have a people who obey His Word. This remnant who follow God’s Word will be kept during this testing time. A profession of religion will not suffice then; only the faithful in both word and deed will continue to resist the power of the beast.
Prophetic keys of understanding (Revelation 13:1–8):
• The beast comes from a populated area i.e. out of the sea.
• The beast has ten horns, or political powers or kingdoms, with crowns that support it.
• The beast has leaders who are blasphemous in nature.
• The beast comes up in time after Babylon the lion, Media-Persia the bear, and Greece the leopard, and after the fourth beast. The beast of Revelation 13 would also have characteristics of these beasts of Daniel 7.
• The beast receives his power, territory, and the seat of his kingdom from the pagan Roman Empire.
• One of the heads, or a leader of the beast, appears to be mortally wounded, thus endangering the beast itself. However, the wound is healed, and what appeared to be sure death is only outward and temporary, for the head of the beast system recovered.
• The beast has influence and power because the world is in reality worshipping, or under the influence of, the dragon, or Satan. Because of this, the world is readily deceived into accepting the beast as an instrument of God, to whom cooperation, respect or worship should be given.
• As in the past, so in the future: the beast is sustained by an outside power as Satan uses the state to support the religion of the beast.
• The beast will command such awe and respect that people dare not stand against it, for to do so will be deemed as standing against God.
• The beast will speak great words that attract the attention and even admiration of the world, but these words are blasphemous, in that they substitute or lessen the authority of God’s word in the Bible.
• The beast power will occupy a position of prominence in the world for a period of 1,260 years. The wound that one of its heads or rulers receives (as described in verse 3) marks the end of the beast’s 1,260 years of dominance. At the time when John wrote the book of Revelation, this 1,260-year period was in the future. Today it is in the past.
• The beast opens his mouth and, through his teachings and doctrines, speaks blasphemy against God’s authority and character.
• The beast, through his speaking (doctrines and teachings), obscures the work of Christ as our High Priest in the heavenly tabernacle by substituting something in its place. By setting human ideas in the place of God’s truth, the beast commits blasphemy.
• The beast was a persecuting power in its past and will be again in the future after the wound is fully healed.
• The beast dominated much of western Europe’s nations, kindreds, tongues, and peoples, and will accomplish the same throughout the world before the end of time.
• The beast will receive the homage and admiration or tacit cooperation of the world’s inhabitants, except for the true children of God, who will not worship the beast or his image.
Revelation 13:9–10
If any man have an ear, let him hear. 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.
If any one is able to hear, let him listen: Whosever leads into captivity will himself go into captivity; if anyone slays with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Herein is [the call for] the patience and the faith and fidelity of the saints (God’s people.) (Revelation 13:9–10 AMP)
And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Matthew 26:51–52. Jesus taught Peter, and believers through all time, that His kingdom cannot be established by force. For all who use force, or the sword of earthly might, are destined to perish in the same manner.)
Revelation 13:9–10 tells us to hear and perceive with heaven’s wisdom. The beast, and indeed all the world’s principalities and powers that align themselves against God and His truth and who use force of arms or threat of persecution to compel the conscience, will in the end reap what they have sown. “And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments” (Revelation 16:4–7).
God calls for His people to exercise consistent endurance, to resist the beast and the mark of rebellion, to believe and wait on the Lord, even though such steadfastness leads to persecution and possibly death. For God has counseled us, “As much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:18–19).
What the beast has done to the children of God it will experience. “Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double” (Revelation 18:6).
Therefore, let not any of the children of God take up the weapons of carnal warfare, but rather trust in God. “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power; when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day” (2 Thessalonians 1:6–10).
Endnotes
1. James Strong, L.L. D., S.T.D., Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1987).
2. Greek Lexicon, in The Online Bible CD-Rom, Macintosh Version 2.5.3 (Niagara Falls, NY: Cross Country Software, www.online-bible.com, 1996).
3. Ibid.
4. Greek Lexicon op cit.
5. Noah Webster, American Dictionary of the English Language (San Francisco, California: Foundation for American Christian Education, 1967).
6. James Strong, op cit.
7. Noah Webster, op cit.
8. James Strong, op cit.
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