Revelation of John 13
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea - Before we can proceed in the interpretation of this chapter, it will be highly necessary to ascertain the meaning of the prophetic symbol beast, as the want of a proper understanding of this term has probably been one reason why so many discordant hypotheses have been published to the world. In this investigation it is impossible to resort to a higher authority than Scripture, for the Holy Ghost is his own interpreter. What is therefore meant by the term beast in any one prophetic vision, the same species of thing must be represented by the term whenever it is used in a similar manner in any other part of the sacred oracles. Having therefore laid this foundation, the angel's interpretation of the last of Daniel's four beasts need only be produced, an account of which is given in the seventh chapter of this prophet. Daniel being very desirous to "know the truth of the fourth beast which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, and of the ten horns that were on his head," the angel thus interprets the vision: "The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise," etc. In this scripture it is plainly declared that the fourth beast should be the fourth kingdom upon earth; consequently, the four beasts seen by Daniel are four kingdoms: hence the term beast is the prophetic symbol for a kingdom. As to the nature of the kingdom which is represented by the term beast, we shall obtain no inconsiderable light in examining the most proper meaning of the original word חיה chaiyah. This Hebrew word…
Open source ↗VISION OF THE BEAST THAT CAME OUT OF THE SEA: THE SECOND BEAST, OUT OF THE EARTH, EXERCISING THE POWER OF THE FIRST BEAST, AND CAUSING THE EARTH TO WORSHIP HIM. (Rev. 13:1-18) I stood--So B, Aleph, and Coptic read. But A, C, Vulgate, and Syriac, "He stood." Standing on the sand of the sea, HE gave his power to the beast that rose out of the sea. upon the sand of the sea--where the four winds were to be seen striving upon the great sea (Dan 7:2). beast--Greek, "wild beast." Man becomes "brutish" when he severs himself from God, the archetype and true ideal, in whose image he was first made, which ideal is realized by the man Christ Jesus. Hence, the world powers seeking their own glory, and not God's, are represented as beasts; and Nebuchadnezzar, when in self-deification he forgot that "the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men," was driven among the beasts. In Dan 7:4-7 there are four beasts: here the one beast expresses the sum-total of the God-opposed world power viewed in its universal development, not restricted to one manifestation alone, as Rome. This first beast expresses the world power attacking the Church more from without; the second, which is a revival of, and minister to, the first, is the world power as the false prophet corrupting and destroying the Church from within. out of the sea-- (Dan 7:3; compare Note, see on Rev 8:8); out of the troubled waves of peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. The earth (Rev 13:11), on the other hand, means the consolidated, ordered world of nations, with its culture and learning. seven heads and ten horns--A, B, and C transpose, "ten horns and seven heads." The ten horns are now put first (contrast the order, Rev 12:3) because they are crowned. They shall not be so till the last stage of the fourth kingdom (the Roma…
Open source ↗And I stood upon the sand of the sea,.... The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions read, "and he stood", &c. and so the Alexandrian copy; meaning the dragon, said to be wroth with the woman, and to go forth to make war with her seed, in the latter part of the preceding chapter, where some versions place this clause; and the Arabic version reads expressly, "and the serpent stood", &c. And this is thought by some to be the better reading, because of the connection with what goes before, and because there is no mention of the name of John, nor of his being called or removed from heaven, where he was beholding sights, and continuing the account of them, Rev 4:1, as there is when he is shown sights elsewhere; see Rev 17:3. And besides, as the dragon was contriving a new way of persecuting the saints, and about to raise up a beast out of the sea, by which he might do it, to whom he would give his power, seat, and authority, he is represented as standing in a proper place for this purpose; it was upon the sand, which may signify a multitude of people employed by him, and also may denote the weakness and failure of his efforts in the issue; yet the Greek copies in general agree in the common reading, and refer it to John, who stood on the shore of the isle of Patmos, and in a fit place, in a visionary way, to behold the following sight: for that the next clause belongs to him is without doubt, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea: by which is meant, not the devil, because it is in Rev 13:2, distinguished from the dragon, who is the devil and Satan, as also elsewhere, Rev 16:13, nor the old Roman empire, though there are many things which seem to agree; the Roman monarchy is called a beast it is one of the four beasts in Dan 7:2; which rose up out of the sea, from a mu…
Open source ↗We have here an account of the rise, figure, and progress of the first beast; and observe, 1. From what situation the apostle saw this monster. He seemed to himself to stand upon the sea-shore, though it is probable he was still in a rapture; but he took himself to be in the island Patmos, but whether in the body or out of the body he could not tell. 2. Whence this beast came - out of the sea; and yet, by the description of it, it would seem more likely to be a land-monster; but the more monstrous every thing about it was the more proper an emblem it would be to set forth the mystery of iniquity and tyranny. 3. What was the form and shape of this beast. It was for the most part like a leopard, but its feet were like the feet of a bear and its mouth as the mouth of a lion; it had seven heads, and ten horns, and upon its heads the name of blasphemy: the most horrid and hideous monster! In some part of this description here seems to be an allusion to Daniel's vision of the four beasts, which represented the four monarchies, Dan 7:1-3, etc. One of these beasts was like a lion, another like a bear, and another like a leopard; this beast was a sort of composition of those three, with the fierceness, strength, and swiftness, of them all; the seven heads and the ten horns seem to design its several powers; the ten crowns, its tributary princes; the word blasphemy on its forehead proclaims its direct enmity and opposition to the glory of God, by promoting idolatry. 4. The source and spring of his authority - the dragon; he gave him his power, and seat, and great authority. He was set up by the devil, and supported by him to do his work and promote his interest; and the devil lent him all the assistance he could. 5. A dangerous wound given him, and yet unexpectedly healed, Rev 13…
Open source ↗13:1-10 The first beast is the second member of the evil trinity (see study note on 12:18–13:18) and should probably be identified with Roman power (see “Four World Empires” Theme Note). 13:1 The beast emerges from the sea (symbolizing evil). Like the dragon, it has seven heads and ten horns (see 12:3). The crowns represent its political and military power (cp. 17:3, 7-11; Dan 7:7, 19-20) and indicate that Satan is the head of this beast’s empire.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἵστημι (hístēmi, G2476) — to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ἄμμος (ámmos, G285) — sand (as heaped on the beach) θάλασσα (thálassa, G2281) — the sea (genitive case or specially) εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… θηρίον (thēríon, G2342) — a dangerous animal ἀναβαίνω (anabaínō, G305) — to go up (literally or figuratively) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… ἑπτά (heptá, G2033) — seven κεφαλή (kephalḗ, G2776) — the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively δέκα (déka, G1176) — ten κέρας (kéras, G2768) — a horn (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… θηρίον (thēríon, G2342) — a dangerous animal ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ἦν (ēn, G2258) — I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were) ὅμοιος (hómoios, G3664) — similar (in appearance or character) πάρδαλις (párdalis, G3917) — a leopard αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… πούς (poús, G4228) — a "foot" (figuratively or literally) ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) ἄρκτος (árktos, G715) — a bear (as obstructing by ferocity) στόμα (stóma, G4750) — the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations);… λέων (léōn, G3023) — a "lion" δράκων (drákōn, G1404) — a fabulous kind of serpent (perhaps as supposed to fascinate)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… μία (mía, G3391) — one or first αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… κεφαλή (kephalḗ, G2776) — the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) σφάζω (spházō, G4969) — to butcher (especially an animal for food or in sacrifice) or (generally) to slaughter,… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… θάνατος (thánatos, G2288) — (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively) πληγή (plēgḗ, G4127) — a stroke; by implication, a wound; figuratively, a calamity θεραπεύω (therapeúō, G2323) — to wait upon menially, i.e. (figuratively) to adore (God), or (specially) to relieve (of… ὅλος (hólos, G3650) — "whole" or "all", i.e. complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter)… γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… θαυμάζω (thaumázō, G2296) — to wonder; by implication, to admire
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… προσκυνέω (proskynéō, G4352) — to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do… δράκων (drákōn, G1404) — a fabulous kind of serpent (perhaps as supposed to fascinate) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… ἐξουσία (exousía, G1849) — privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively)… θηρίον (thēríon, G2342) — a dangerous animal λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or… τίς (tís, G5101) — an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions) ὅμοιος (hómoios, G3664) — similar (in appearance or character) δύναμαι (dýnamai, G1410) — to be able or possible πολεμέω (poleméō, G4170) — to be (engaged) in warfare, i.e. to battle (literally or figuratively) μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… στόμα (stóma, G4750) — the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations);… λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words μέγας (mégas, G3173) — big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) βλασφημία (blasphēmía, G988) — vilification (especially against God) ἐξουσία (exousía, G1849) — privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively)… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) τεσσαράκοντα (tessarákonta, G5062) — forty δύο (dýo, G1417) — "two" μήν (mḗn, G3376) — a month
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀνοίγω (anoígō, G455) — to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… στόμα (stóma, G4750) — the mouth (as if a gash in the face); by implication, language (and its relations);… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… βλασφημία (blasphēmía, G988) — vilification (especially against God) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very βλασφημέω (blasphēméō, G987) — to vilify; specially, to speak impiously ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character) σκηνή (skēnḗ, G4633) — a tent or cloth hut (literally or figuratively) σκηνόω (skēnóō, G4637) — to tent or encamp, i.e. (figuratively) to occupy (as a mansion) or (specially), to reside… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) πόλεμος (pólemos, G4171) — warfare (literally or figuratively; a single encounter or a series) μετά (metá, G3326) — properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according… ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) νικάω (nikáō, G3528) — to subdue (literally or figuratively) ἐξουσία (exousía, G1849) — privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively)… ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole φυλή (phylḗ, G5443) — an offshoot, i.e. race or clan γλῶσσα (glōssa, G1100) — the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired) ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole κατοικέω (katoikéō, G2730) — to house permanently, i.e. reside (literally or figuratively) ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… προσκυνέω (proskynéō, G4352) — to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ὄνομα (ónoma, G3686) — a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character) γράφω (gráphō, G1125) — to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. βίβλος (bíblos, G976) ζωή (zōḗ, G2222) — life (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗εἴ τις (eí tis, G1536) — if any ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… οὖς (oûs, G3775) — the ear (physically or mentally) ἀκούω (akoúō, G191) — to hear (in various senses)
Open source ↗εἴ τις (eí tis, G1536) — if any συνάγω (synágō, G4863) — to lead together, i.e. collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably) αἰχμαλωσία (aichmalōsía, G161) — captivity ὑπάγω (hypágō, G5217) — to lead (oneself) under, i.e. withdraw or retire (as if sinking out of sight), literally… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἀποκτείνω (apokteínō, G615) — to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. μάχαιρα (máchaira, G3162) — a knife, i.e. dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment δεῖ (deî, G1163) — also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is… ὧδε (hōde, G5602) — in this same spot, i.e. here or hither ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are ὑπομονή (hypomonḗ, G5281) — cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ἄλλος (állos, G243) — "else," i.e. different (in many applications) θηρίον (thēríon, G2342) — a dangerous animal ἀναβαίνω (anabaínō, G305) — to go up (literally or figuratively) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… δύο (dýo, G1417) — "two" κέρας (kéras, G2768) — a horn (literally or figuratively) ὅμοιος (hómoios, G3664) — similar (in appearance or character) ἀρνίον (arníon, G721) — a lambkin λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἐξουσία (exousía, G1849) — privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively)… πρῶτος (prōtos, G4413) — foremost (in time, place, order or importance) θηρίον (thēríon, G2342) — a dangerous animal ἐνώπιον (enṓpion, G1799) — in the face of (literally or figuratively) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… κατοικέω (katoikéō, G2730) — to house permanently, i.e. reside (literally or figuratively) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) προσκυνέω (proskynéō, G4352) — to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do… ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) μέγας (mégas, G3173) — big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) σημεῖον (sēmeîon, G4592) — an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) πῦρ (pŷr, G4442) — "fire" (literally or figuratively, specially, lightning) καταβαίνω (katabaínō, G2597) — to descend (literally or figuratively) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) οὐρανός (ouranós, G3772) — the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power,… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… ἐνώπιον (enṓpion, G1799) — in the face of (literally or figuratively) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πλανάω (planáō, G4105) — to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue) κατοικέω (katoikéō, G2730) — to house permanently, i.e. reside (literally or figuratively) ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… γῆ (gē, G1093) — soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe… διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) σημεῖον (sēmeîon, G4592) — an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… δίδωμι (dídōmi, G1325) — to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or… ποιέω (poiéō, G4160) — to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct) ἐνώπιον (enṓpion, G1799) — in the face of (literally or figuratively) θηρίον (thēríon, G2342) — a dangerous animal λέγω (légō, G3004) — properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads.
And the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, where I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.
When the two witnesses have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will wage war with them, and will overpower and kill them.
Then the king will do as he pleases and will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will speak monstrous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must be accomplished.
And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and burn her with fire.
And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, beside which stood those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name. They were holding harps from God,
Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it.
And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.