Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures©
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21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures©
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A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
A BEASTLY GREAT OPPRESSION
[“Global Politics and Saintly Endurance”]
Key Word: Beast
Theme Verse: 5
Revelation 12:18-13:2 – The Dragon and a Sea Beast
RV12:18 (And [the Dragon] stood
upon the sand of the sea.)
| 493 | [The Dragon] stood: The Greek is ESTATHE, or “it stood.” Some use “he” (TCN, ASV, RSV, BER, NEB, NAS, NIV);
others “I”. (KJV, MOF, JMS, PME, AMP). Some view this as the beginning of a new vision in which John now stands on the seashore. “It,” the Dragon has gone off to war with the Saints. |
RV13:1 And I saw a
Wild Beast ascending out of the sea.
[Daniel 7:3] The Sea Beast
had
10 horns
[Daniel 7:7] and 7 heads
and upon the Sea Beast’s horns were 10 diadems
and upon the 7 heads blasphemous names.
| 494 | A Wild Beast ascending out of the sea: Compare the allusion to Daniel 7:2, 3 (LXX). “Sea” as in humankind in turmoil.
(Isaiah 57:20, 21; Revelation 21:1) For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Daniel. In Daniel it is very likely “the Sea” is the Mediterranean. |
| 495 | Sea Beast: The Sea Beast is likely the equivalent of the total image in Daniel chapter 2. That is, a corporate political body or governmental conglomerate incorporating all elements of Satan’s
rule from Babylon in Daniel’s day unto the Master’s Day with the contemporary emphasis on the Fourth Beast of Rome and its fragmentary states. Ask which global power has been highly associated with earth’s oceans, particularly the Atlantic
and Pacific? Which global power reigns supreme above and below the Seas? |
| 496 | 10 horns: Compare Daniel 7:7. The
European Papal States which immerged from Roman provinces particularly after the Pope was crowned in the 9th Century. These ten entities include at least England, France and Spain. For details see Nazarene Apocalypse 2000© on Daniel. |
| 497 | 7 heads: Compare Daniel 7:6. Including the three animals of Revelation 13:2. Or, 1) Assyria, 2) Egypt, 3) Babylon, 4) Persia, 5) Greece,
6) Rome (the slain), and the future Seventh which becomes a restored 8th version manifest in the Sea Beast. For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Revelation 17. |
| 498 | 10 diadems: See Revelation 12:3; 19:12. |
| 499 | Blasphemous
names: The word “name(s)” occurs at Revelation 3:12; 6:8; 8:11; 9:11; 11:13, 18; 13:1, 6, 8, 17; 14:1, 11; 15:2, 4; 16:9; 17:3, 5, 8; 19:12, 13; 21:12, 14; 22:4. |
RV13:2 And
the Sea Beast I saw was like a
leopard
[Daniel 7:6] and the feet
as a
bear
[Daniel 7:5] and the mouth
as a
lion. [Daniel 7:4] And the Dragon gave the Sea Beast power and throne and great authority. | 500 | Leopard: Note the order: leopard, bear, lion; reverse of Daniel 7:4-6, lion, bear, leopard. The difference in Daniel and John’s historical
perspective. |
| 501 | Feet: Compare Daniel 7:4, 7, 19, 23; 8:7, 10, 13. |
| 502 | Mouth: As oral commandments, decrees, pronouncements; as the mouthpiece or spokesman in a counterfeit of the Logos. Compare “mouth” and “teeth” at Daniel 7:5, 7, 8, 11, 19; Revelation 13:5, 6, 11, 14, 15. STOMA occurs 21x in Revelation. The Sea Beast speaks or commands while the Earth Beast causes these to happen. |
| 503 | Authority: Compare Luke 4:6 and Luke 12:3 with Daniel 7:4, 6, 12, 14, 25, 27. The Greek is EXOUSIAN (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #1849 = “freedom to exercise one’s mental and physical powers”; Revelation 13:4, 5, 6, 11; occurs 21x) |
Revelation 13:3-8 – Sea-beast with Dragon-authority
RV13:3 And I saw one of the heads as having been slaughtered to death
and the head was cured of the deathblow.
And the whole earth was made to wonder
and they are behind the wild Sea Beast.
| 504 | Slaughtered to death: Compare Daniel 7:11 with Revelation 13:3, 12, 14 and Revelation 17:8, 11. Is it possible this is the “slain”
beast of Daniel 7:11 but which the Apocalypse reveals to be “cured” or “revived”? Is this judgment on the “slain” beast of Daniel the heavenly pronouncement of Psalm 2:5? This is more than one possibility to the identity
of this “slain” beast. It is also possible that the slain head is the Seventh Power which experiences death in the abyss and then revives in a new world order as an 8th and final world power. |
| 505 | Cured of the deathblow: The “slain” beast is “cured” (Revelation 13:3, 12) or “lived” (Revelation 13:14) and is possibly the same as that experience of going into the abyss and coming back out in Revelation 17:8, 11. |
| 506 | The whole earth was made to wonder: Global awe or amazement. The Greek is ETHAUMASTHE, (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #2296) occurs 4 times (Revelation 13:3; 17:6, 7, 8) along with “worship” PROSKYNESAN. (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4352 = before + kiss.) |
| 507 | They are behind the wild Sea Beast: As in support or following. AMP: went after. There is global support from earth’s population, backed by the ten kings who share their authority with the Sea Beast for one hour. |
RV13:4 They gave worship to the Dragon
because of the authority the Dragon gave to the wild Sea Beast. And the whole earth said: “Who is like
the wild Sea Beast?”
[Daniel 7:24]
| 508 | Dragon: Compare Revelation 12:3: the original Serpent of Eden. (Genesis 3:1) The word occurs Revelation 12:3, 4, 7, 9, 13, 16, 17;
13:2, 4, 11; 16:3; 20:2. |
| 509 | Who is like the wild Sea Beast: Global declaration or acknowledgment of the martial
power of the Sea Beast. The asked may finds its roots in Daniel 7:24 where the 11th Small Power is described as “different” from all the previous European powers. Whatever form the 8th world power takes it will be very different
from the previous seven world powers. |
RV13:5 A Mouth speaking great things and blasphemies
[Daniel 7:8] was given to the Sea Beast. And authority to act
42 months
[Daniel 7:25] was given the Sea Beast.
RV13:6 The Sea Beast opened its mouth in
blasphemies
[Daniel 7:8] against The God, to blaspheme the Name of The God,
and the Dwelling of The God,
and those dwelling in heaven.
| 510 | The Sea Beast opened its mouth in blasphemies: Compare Revelation 12:16 and the allusion to Daniel 7:20. This confirms that the Small
Power of Daniel 7 is the same as the wild Sea Beast. |
| 511 | The Name of The God: This phrase regarding God occurs
Revelation 3:12, 14:1, 15:4, and 16:9. It is possible YHWH would occur in Revelation 15:4. Here in Revelation 13:6 it is God’s “name” without any mention of YHWH. In the Apocalypse the divine Name may only come from the mouth of celestial
beings. Likely the word “name” here infers the character, attributes, or reputation. |
| 512 | The Dwelling
of The God: Or, God’s tent. The Greek is SKENEN as at Revelation 7:15 and Revelation 21:3. A form of the word also occurs Revelation 12:12 and Revelation 15:5. Compare Hebrews 8:2, 5. God resides in heaven. [Isaiah 66:1] |
| 513 | Those dwelling in heaven: The angels, for no Christian Saint has yet attained the celestial realms. (1 Corinthians 15:23) |
RV13:7 And to the Sea Beast was permitted
to make war with the Saints
[Daniel 7:25]
and to conquer them.
And the Sea Beast was given authority
over every
tribe and people and tongue and nation.
[Daniel 7:14]
| 514 | To make war with the Saints: A strong allusion to Daniel 7:21 where it is the Little Horn [the Small Power] that wars with the Saints.
Here the Sea Beast is given authority or permission but uses another agency to actually carry this out. This is the same “trampling” of Revelation 11:2, 3. |
| 515 | To conquer them: A strong allusion to Daniel 7:21. The Beast is not victorious as Revelation 15:2 shows. (Revelation 12:11) |
| 516 | Was given authority: As in the KAI EDOTHE AUTO EXOUSIA of Daniel 7:6. (LXX) |
| 517 | Over every tribe and people and tongue and nation: Global authority. |
RV13:8 And all those dwelling upon the earth
will worship him. Not one of their names from the world’s foundation
has been written in the Lamb’s Little
Book of Life
[Psalm 69:28] – that
Lamb who was slaughtered
[Isaiah 53:7].| 518 | Those dwelling upon the earth: Global worship. Compare the Greek phrase in Daniel 7:14 with Revelation 5:9 and
Revelation 7:9. |
| 519 | World’s foundation: It may be the Lamb who has existed from the foundation of the world.
Or, names from the world’s foundation. Compare Matthew 13.35; 25:34; Luke 11:50; John 17:24; Ephesians 1:4; Hebrews 4:3; 9:26; 1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8; 17:8. The phrase refers to the beginning of humanity with the birth of Adam’s children. |
| 520 | Book of Life: Compare Revelation 3:5, 13:8, 20:15, 22:19; Philippians 4:3. None of the worshippers will gain heaven. It does not necessarily
follow that all is absolutely lost. They may be among the survivors living into the Thousand Years. Compare Zechariah 14:16 with Revelation 11:2, 3 and Revelation 21:24 KJV. |
| 521 | Lamb who was slaughtered: An alternative reading: it is the Lamb slaughtered once from the founding of the world. Compare Hebrews 9:26. |
Revelation 13:9-10 – Endurance of the Saints
RV13:9 If anyone has an ear,
let him hear:
[Matthew 13:9]
| 522 | If anyone has an ear: Judging from the phrase which follows, so common to the Nazarene Master, this is a parenthetical warning to
the Saints alive at this particular time. They are “we the living” of 1 Thessalonians 4:17. |
| 523 | Let him
hear: Compare Matthew 13:9 and Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 24; 3:6, 13, 22. |
RV13:10 “If anyone is for prison, to prison he goes. If anyone is for execution,
he will be executed. [Jeremiah 15:2] Here is the endurance
and the Faith
of the Saints!” | 524 |
If anyone is for prison, to prison he goes. If anyone is for execution, he will be executed: Or, sword and captivity. Compare Luke 21:24 and Jeremiah 15:2. This infers history’s greatest holocaust with executions and concentration camps.
(Matthew 26.52) |
| 525 | Endurance: The word occurs 7x: Revelation 1:9; 2:2, 3, 19; 3:10; 14:12. Interestingly, this
warning comes just before the Earth Beast exercises all the authority of the Sea Beast in its three and a half years oppression against the Saints. |
| 526 | Faith: The word group occurs 13x: Revelation 1:5; 2:10, 13, 19; 3:10, 14; 14:12; 17:14; 19:11; 21:5, 8; 22:6. |
| 527 | Saints: The word occurs 13x: Revelation 5:6; 8:3, 4; 11:18; 13:7, 10; 14:12; 16:6; 17:6; 18:20, 24; 19:8; 20:9. |
Revelation 13:11-13 – Earth-Beast & Global Worship
RV13:11 And I saw another wild beast ascending out of the earth
having 2 horns
like a lamb
and the Earth Beast was speaking like a Dragon.
| 528 | Another wild beast ascending out of the earth: The word “earth” occurs 85x between Revelation 1:5 and Revelation 21:24.
The source or origin of this beast does not rise out of the sea but the earth. |
| 529 | 2 horns: Compare Daniel 8:3
where the two horns may refer to a dual rulership. Horns are a symbol of power and the fact that these are the tiny horns of a lamb indicates its immature, natural power |
| 530 | Like a lamb: The Earth Beast is compared to a lamb which makes it extremely unique compared to those of Daniel 7:1-9. The only other “lamb” in Revelation is the Lamb. The word occurs 28x beginning Revelation
5:6. Either the Earth Beast gives a harmless initial appearance or it is some how associated with the Lamb as a professed or counterfeit Christian power. |
| 531 | The Earth Beast was speaking like a Dragon: The Earth Beast speaks as a False Prophet, the true Mouthpiece of the Sea Beast. [Revelation 16:13; 19:20; 20:10] Despite its misleading appearance the Earth Beast speaks as
the Dragon, and because it is a False prophet, it is a liar. |
RV13:12 And the Earth Beast had all the authority of the first wild Sea Beast.
The Earth Beast was performing [signs] right before the Sea Beast.
And the Earth Beast is making the earth
– and those dwelling in the earth – so that they will worship the former wild Sea Beast
which was cured of the deathblow.
| 532 | The Earth Beast had all the authority of the first wild Sea Beast: Whereas we see the Sea Beast with the authority, it is the Earth
Beast that actually “makes” things happen. (Revelation 13:12, 13, 14, 15, 16) |
| 533 | Right before the Sea
Beast: Or, in sight of. The Earth Beast exists contemporaneously with the Sea Beast in its 8th political manifestation, revived following a death-stroke. In Daniel’s dream image there is a matrix of iron of imperial rule and the clay of
the democratic Mass Man. Here in this vision are the elements needed to make clay: seawater and earth. Whoever or whatever the Earth Beast proves to be, it has global authority. The Earth Beast is a “doer.” |
| 534 | Making the earth: Global authority to act or to make others do things which blaspheme God. |
| 535 | Worship the former wild Sea Beast: The Greek rendered “worship” is PROSKYNEO (before + kiss). This is a political entity and the “worship” may
be so related as in the case of Daniel chapters 3, 5, 6. |
| 536 | Which was cured of the deathblow: It would seem clear that these events occur after the healing or reviving of the Sea Beast. One of the heads, one of the seven [likely the 7th], had the deathblow and yet was cured or revived. It is dead in the abyss and then is restored. The slain beast in Daniel is possibly Rome, though Daniel does not suspect such a revival. (There are other possible scenarios to the identity of this “slain” beast. It may be a revived Rome. On the other hand, it may be a revived Seventh Head, which then becomes an Eighth.) If the Second Psalm fulfills Daniel 7:11, contemporary with the enthronement of Christ, then Rome received its judgment in the early First Century and this condemnation leads to its demise in the following centuries. There is to be a restoration. That is, something of imperial Rome with a global tyranny is to raise its ugly head. This revivification is possibly the same as that described experience of “was, and is not, and is about to ascend out of the abyss.” In Revelation 11:7 it is the Wild Sea Beast that ascends out of the abyss who makes war on the Saints. It is one of the 7 heads of the Sea Beast which has the deathblow and then is cured. Possibly we are looking at the full image of Daniel chapter 2 in this vision of the Sea Beast with other elements highlighted. [Note: The Russian title Czar means “Caesar” as does the German Kaiser. Nazi Germany under Hitler considered itself the “Third Reich” as a restoration of the Roman Empire.] |
RV13:13 And it is performing great signs
so that the Earth Beast will make fire descend out of heaven in the sight of mankind. | 537 | It is performing great signs: These “signs” must be impressive and globally discernible in order to move earth’s inhabitants to the response that follows. Signs are the power
of the False Prophet in Revelation 19:20. Though the expression “descend out of heaven” is used of God’s dwelling, it is possible this is limited to space or the atmosphere. It may be a “sign” which gives every indication it is
from God’s own heaven which is in keeping with the Earth Beast’s appearance as a lamb. From what does it mislead earth’s inhabitants? From fearing God as Revelation 14:6, 7 has it. The sign must be of a lying or deceptive sort. (Revelation
16:13, 14) |
| 538 | In the sight of mankind: This is something the entire globe witnesses and so is deceived. |
Revelation 13:14-15 – A Global Image
RV13:14 And the Earth Beast is causing those dwelling on earth to stumble in error by means of these authorized signs of the Earth Beast, signs performed in sight of the wild Sea Beast telling those dwelling upon earth to make an Image to the wild Sea Beast
who suffered the sword blow and came to life.
| 539 | Make an Image to the wild Sea Beast: It is earth’s inhabitants who make the Image to the Sea Beast, or that Head which received
the Deathblow and yet revived. The Earth Beast does not force humanity to worship and image of itself, but rather the Sea Beast. |
| 540 |
Who suffered the sword blow and came to life: Compare the sword blow from which there is a revival with the deathblow which is cured in Revelation 13:3. This phrase is the same as the wild beast ascending out of the abyss. [Revelation 11:7] |
RV13:15 And it was given to her
to give spirit to the Image of wild Sea Beast
so that the Image might speak.
And the Earth Beast executes
any who refuse to
give worship to the Image
[Daniel 3:5] of the Sea Beast.| 541 | Her: This “lamb” is female or gives the overall appearance it is so submissive and docile
to the Dragon. Note Revelation 13:8 and “him.” Some mss have this “him” or “it.” KJV: he; PME, TCN: “it”; “her” in Nestle-Aland. However, see “her” or “she” in Romans 13:3,
5. Note the “she” at Daniel 7:11 in Kohlenberger III interlinear of the Aramaic. |
| 542 | The Image of wild
Sea Beast: The Image has two states: a) when it is made but before it receives life; and, b) after it receives spirit and then speaks. Note the Earth Beast is the life-giver to the Image. |
| 543 | That the Image might speak: The Image speaks, possibly the blasphemous words of the Sea Beast and the Dragon. (Revelation 13:5, 6; 16:13) Or, those commands which result in war with the Saints
and the forced labor of all earth’s inhabitants. |
| 544 | The Earth Beast executes: Or, kills. It is the Earth
Beast who kills or executes those who will not worship the Sea Beast. Here is where the Saints come in for a real test. Note Revelation 12:11; 14:12; 15:2. There is much of Daniel chapters 3, 5, 6 here. State worship and the methods used to carry it out. |
Revelation 13:16-18 – A Commercial Mark
RV13:16 And the Earth Beast forces everyone
– small and great, rich and poor, free and slave – so that they should give them an engraving
upon the right hand or upon the forehead,
| 545 | The Earth Beast forces everyone: Or, all. Can there be any question this cuts across all social boundaries? The deception is global
in keeping with the extent of the control. |
| 546 | Engraving: The Greek is CHARAGMA (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance
#5480 = a permanent mark or sculptured image). The word occurs Revelation 13:16, 17; 14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4. Compare this “mark” with the “seal” in Revelation 7:1-4 and Revelation 9:4 which appears on the foreheads of the
144,000-Saints. It is variously rendered: TCN: brand; TAY: tattooed. Slaves were anciently so marked as being the property of their masters. The 144,000 have two names on their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1) In the case of 666 some would see the hand of active participation and the forehead of mental consent. But, it all has the force of a real “engraving” which is easily identified by others, the buyer or the seller. |
RV13:17 so that none are able to buy or sell
if the person is without the engraving of the name of the wild Sea Beast, or the number of the name of the wild Sea Beast.
| 547 | That none are able to buy or sell: This is global economic pressure or oppression to force humankind to worship the Sea Beast and
thus the power behind the throne, the Dragon. Nothing could be more compelling or controlling. This presents a radical test on the 144,000-Saints and it is in this prophetic context that the parable of Matthew 25:31-46 may be read. It may be asked: What current
power would have the potential of enforcing a global economy? Are any of the wealthiest nations in harmony with such an idea? |
RV13:18 Here is the wisdom: Let those with a mind calculate the
number
of the wild Sea Beast for it is a number of a man.
And the number of the man is 600, 60, 6. | 548 | Let those with a mind calculate the number: The Greek rendered “mind” is NOUN and is variously rendered: KJV: understanding; PHM: thinking man; NEB: anyone who has intelligence; BER: who has intelligence; TCN: ability. The text does not explain the need or reason to make this calculation or computation. The word “calculate” is from the Greek PSEPHISATO (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5585 = let him count) and occurs in Luke 14:28 and Acts 26:10 as a root in the voting pebble. (Revelation 2:17) |
| 549 | It is a number of a man: A single man, either an individual man associated with the revived beast or a power named after a man. Note certain men were prominent in the beasts of Daniel: Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, Alexander the Great. Compare “man” in Daniel 7:4, 8. Some call this “man” Antichrist though there is no direct Scriptural basis for this. |
| 550 | 600, 60, 6: Or, 666. Interestingly, this number occurs in two other places: 1 Kings 10:14 (2 Chronicles 9:13 LXX) and Ezra 2:13. Many efforts of “intelligent” men to calculate or compute this number have not resulted in universal agreement. It should be obvious that when this “man” does appear then the values of his “name” or “number” will become known by the Saints so tested by it at the moment. |
Review Questions on Chapter Thirteen
- What does the Dragon do on its way to war with the Remnant?
- How is the Sea Beast described?
- What kind of authority does it have?
- Against whom does the Sea Beast war?
- What does the Earth Beast do?
- What kind of global control does the Earth Beast have?
- How is commerce controlled?
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Nazarene Commentary 2000©
Mark Heber Miller
©2000 All Rights Reserved
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