Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God...(Acts 20:26,27). “Come now, let us reason together...” (Isaiah 1:18).
Revelation 07
THE BEGINNING - Chapter Twelve
Revelation 11:19
(1) And (2) the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and (3) the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple, and (4) there were flashes of lightning and sounds and peals of thunder and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm.
1. The placement of Revelation 11:19 has caused no little debate. Is it the summary of chapter 11 or the introduction of chapter 12? Or is it a transition from chapter 11 to chapter 12? The reader must keep in mind that the chapter divisions are contrived by men. Therefore, discretion is in order. The key to understanding the placement of this verse is the reference to the temple and the ark. Both symbolize the manifest presence of God among His people.
2. The temple of God which is in heaven was opened = indicates that God has come forth from His dwelling-place. An opened door indicates either entrance or exit. Here it indicates exit. With the reversion of earth to God’s direct rule, He will destroy those who have ruined the people of the earth. Future wrath (the bowls) will be executed from the temple of God.
3. The ark of His covenant appeared in His temple = indicates the localized presence of God. Where the ark is, there either is blessings or curses (1 Sam 5-6). God is about to pour out curses upon the wicked earth-dwellers.
4. There were flashes…hailstorm = indicates the imminent outbreak of God’s wrath. At each point, just prior to the outpouring of God’s wrath, there are heavenly disturbances to indicate the outbreak of God’s wrath (Rev 6:12-17; 8:1-5; 11:19). Some are tempted because of this recurring pattern to see recapitulation throughout the Revelation. They see an overlap between, the seals, trumpets and bowls. However, this conclusion is simplistic and is built upon an exaggeration of textual generalities to the exclusion of textual details. The trumpets and the bowls do have common straits, but the differences are major.
Revelation 12:1-2
(1) A great sign appeared in heaven: (2) a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under here feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and (3) she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.
1. A great sign appeared in heaven = is problematic. First, no grammatical connection is indicated between verse one and Revelation 11:19. Second, John does not identify the literal referent of the woman who is described in symbolical language.
The relationship between Revelation 11:19 and 12:1 is a logical one. Having been instructed to prophesy against "many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings", John gives three reasons for God’s prophetic program against the living wicked earth-dwellers (peoples, nations, and tongues). First, they dishonored his house of worship. Second, they abused His holy city. The third reason involves the persecution of the righteous by the wicked. The fourth reason John must prophesy again concerns the kings. Thus, in Revelation 12-13, the prophecy turns against the kings. John will focus on the kings who led the nations against the interests of God. The living wicked earthdwellers refused to worship God, but chose to worship the Dragon and his beast-king who are God’s temporal enemies. The final outbreak of God’s wrath is justified against the living wicked earthdwellers and their kings because they are guilty.
In true apocalyptic fashion, John does not state any details explicitly that would give the wicked grounds to further persecute the people of God. Given the outcome, it would not be wise to trumpet too loudly the ultimate victory of the righteous over the wicked. Apocalyptic literature allows the prophet of God to trumpet loudly the ultimate victory of God and His people in a way that the wicked miss the obvious. Therefore, the woman and the child will not be explicitly identified. However, those who know Scripture will find the correct interpretation, easily.
A great sign signals a requirement for the reader to put on special glasses to see beyond the apocalyptic language. The literal event depicted is not the theologically significant event intended. The sign has deeper significance. There are three signs: (1) the woman who gives birth to a special child (Rev 12:1-2); (2) the Dragon who seeks to destroy the special child at birth (Rev 12:3-13:18); and (3) the seven angels who destroy the Dragon and his kingdoms (Rev 15-19). The verb appeared is often used in the Old Testament to introduce an appearance of God (Gen 12:7); an appearance of an angel (Ex. 3:2); and a prophetic vision (Dan 8:1). All three events are depicted in Revelation 12-20. First, a prophetic vision is given of a woman who bears a special child who will rule the nations (Rev 12:1-2). Then an angelic being is introduced who seeks to devour the special child to prevent his rule over the earth (Rev 12:3-13:18). Finally, God appears to put down the rebellion of the Dragon (Rev 15-20).
2. A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars = identifies what the first great sign is. The identity of the woman is not explicitly stated, which is consistent with the nature of apocalyptic genre. However, John gives more than enough information to make her identity known.
First, the woman has cosmic significance. She is clothed with the sun. She stands upon the moon. She wears a crown of twelve stars. Genesis 37:9-10 records that Joseph had a dream similar to the first vision of Revelation 12. The dream indicated that "the sun (Jacob) and the moon (Rachel) and eleven stars (Joseph’s brothers) were bowing down" to Joseph. Jacob the father of Joseph states, "What is this dream that you have had? Shall I and your mother and your brothers actually come to bow ourselves down before you to the ground?" The woman is exalted among the sun, moon and stars.
Second, the woman gives birth to a significant child. A child "who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron". This is a direct allusion to Psalms 2:9, which indicates that this child is a king, a Son of God.
Third, God divinely protects the woman for three and a half years from the Dragon. These three facts make the woman’s identity clear. She can be none other than the remnant of Jews divinely elected by God to survive the last three and a half years of the age.
Israel (the nation) is clearly not all divinely protected during the time of distress (Rev 7:1-8; Dan 12:1). Therefore, "the woman" cannot be every single member of the twelve tribes of Israel. Messianic Jews will be taken in the Rapture and will not need divine protection for three and a half years. Similarly, messianic Jews (in the historical sense) did not exist before the birth of Christ. Therefore, they could not have given birth to the Son. That leaves the saved remnant of Jews of the Old Testament and the soon-to-be-saved remnant of Jews present on earth after de rapture.
Depending on the emphasis, a list of the twelve tribes of Israel may or may not contain Levi, Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim. Thus, the twelve stars on the woman’s head represent the twelve original tribes, minus Manasseh and Ephraim. The moon is Rachel, the mother of Judah who anchors the family as Jacob’s first wife. The sun is Jacob who covers the twelve tribes. The remnant of Israel is that elect group of Jews who experience God’s mercy in every generation. Thus, the remnant is the woman who ultimately gave birth to the Son who will rule the world as prophesied by Jacob in Genesis 49:9.
3. She was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth = bring us to the point of delivery. Conception and pregnancy is not in focus. This indicates that the author’s interest in this story is summary in fashion.
Revelation 12:3
(1) Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, (2) a great red dragon (3) having seven heads and ten horns, and (4) on his heads were seven diadems.
1. Then another sign appeared in heaven = is the second of three great signs that provide the structure of Revelation 12-19. This sign features the antagonist—the composite dragon (seven satanically inspired kingdoms and ten kings) whose primary agenda will be the prevention of the temporal reign of the Son.
2. A great red dragon = is the focus of this second sign. Unlike the woman and the child who will remain without explicit identification. The great red dragon will be specifically identified. The Greek term drakon can be used to translate two Hebrew words. The first is the Hebrew word for Leviathan (Job 40:25) and the second is seamonster (Ex. 7:9-12). However, the context is clear that a literal monster is not intended. Rather, the great red dragon represents hostile kings and kingdoms that seek to prevent the rule of the woman’s Son on earth. This is a composite dragon (seven kingdoms and ten kings) versus the dragon (Satan).
What does the great red dragon represent?
The great red dragon from heaven (Rev 12:3), the beast from the sea (Rev 13:1), and the scarlet beast (Rev 17:3) are described as having "heads, horns, and crowns". However, there are differences between the great red dragon, the beast, and the scarlet beast:
Each is presented as both a composite and a singular entity. Revelation 12 is confusing because the great red dragon from heaven is the personification of the dragon (Satan). The relationship between the two is such that to speak of one is to speak of the other.
3. Having seven heads and ten horns = is the specific composition of the great red dragon. Daniel 7 is helpful at this point concerning the interpretation of the heads and horns. It must be kept in mind that John is describing the composite dragon here.
Daniel indicates that a beast with ten horns would figure prominently in the eschatological end when the Son of Man comes. In Daniel 7, the ten horns represent ten kings (Dan 7:24) who rule at the same time. In Daniel 7, a beast can represent a kingdom or the king that rules over that kingdom. A horn can represent a king (Dan 7:24) or a kingdom (Dan 8:22). John sees a dragon with seven heads. The heads represent kingdoms. The composite red dragon also has ten horns. In both Daniel and the Revelation, horns can represent kings or the authority of kings. However, with regards to the composite dragon, the horns represent kings without kingdoms. This is why unlike the ten horns of the beast from the sea the ten horns of the dragon do not have crowns.
4. On his heads were seven diadems = indicates the authority of royalty. The composite dragon has seven heads because seven kingdoms had the primary satanically inspired intent to prevent the temporal reign of the Son. It is critical that the readers recognize this important detail. There are only seven kingdoms that constitute the satanically inspired conspiracy to destroy the Man-Child. All seven existed before the birth of the Child. Once the Child is born and caught up to heaven, the strategy to destroy Him at birth ends. The seven kingdoms of the composite dragon are Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, Greece and Rome.
The composite dragon pictures Satan’s attempt to prevent the reign of the Son by using seven beast kingdoms: Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Midia, Persia, Greece and Rome. Each of these empires ruled the entire known world. Behind their world dominance was Satan with his agenda to prevent the temporal reign of the Son.
Revelation 12:4
(1) And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and (2) threw them to the earth. (3) And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, (4) so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.
1. And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven = suggests a very powerful dragon. Continuing his figurative description of the composite great red dragon, John indicates that the dragon caused a third of the stars of heaven to be thrown down to earth. This suggests a supernatural element to this beast. Who or what the stars are is not explicitly defined.
2. Threw them to the earth = has been interpreted by some to suggest that this refers to the fall of Satan and one-third of the angelic host. However, this conclusion is not supported by the text.
3. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth = focuses the primary objective of the composite great red dragon. Given that the child is caught up to heaven, we are safe to assume that the composite dragon is standing on the earth.
4. So that when she gave birth he might devour her child = indicates the purpose of the composite great red dragon’s actions. Why the dragon seeks the death of the child is not indicated yet. There is clearly more to this story than is told because the dragon, as such, could devour both the child and the mother. Why must he wait until the child is born? It is important to understand that the composite great red dragon exists before the birth of the child. The heads must wait for the birth of the child before they can destroy it.
Each dragon inspired empire attempted to destroy the Male-Son. This satanically inspired strategy dates back to the very beginning of Scripture. Genesis 3:15 indicates a struggle between the serpent and the woman. The woman’s seed eventually will crush the head of the serpent. To prevent the seed from His ordained destiny, the serpent has attempt to destroy the seed/Male-Son.
Revelation 12:5
(1) And she gave birth to a son, a male, (2) who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and (3) her child was caught up to God and to His throne.
1. And she gave birth to a son, a male child = is interesting. The text says literally, a male son, which appears redundant and unnecessary. One cannot have a son without it being a male. The point seems to be that this is a special son.
2. Who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron = gives the purpose of this special child. That the composite great red dragon seeks to kill the child has already alerted the reader that this child is special. The indication that this child "is to rule the nations" explains why this child is the object of the dragon’s attention. All authority will be subject to this child and those who resist will meet destruction. The nations seek to prevent the Son from reigning over the earth by killing him at birth. This child will rule the all nations with a rod of iron. This is an allusion to Psalms 2:9. This is the second allusion to this passage in the Revelation. The first occurred in Revelation 2:27. There, overcomers are promised the authority to rule over the nations. The One making the promise is The Son of God. To rule with a rod of iron represents a strict demand of obedience. This ruler will not allow any rebellious or disobedience on the part of His kingdom constituents.
All the nations as a biblical phrase has a long history throughout Scripture. It appears more than sixty times in the Old Testament. It occurs five times in the Revelation (12:5; 14:8; 15:4; 18:3, 23). The phrase may or may not include the Jews, but it always represents all the Gentiles nations of the known world. These nations will be under the control of the Son. This explains why the composite dragon satanically inspired by the dragon (Satan) will seek to keep the Son from His destiny. This Son will replace the dragon as king of the earth and will demand the submission of all earthly authority to Himself. 3. Her child was caught up to God and to His throne = explains how the child escaped the death trap of the composite great red dragon. The "was caught up" is the same verb used to describe what will happen to the "dead in Christ" and those living when He comes in the air (1Thess 4:16). Since the great red dragon was in wait to kill the Son, the language communicates urgency—to snatch away. The fact that this child is caught up to God and to His throne heightens the significance of the child. God’s throne throughout the Revelation indications the place of absolute power and authority. It is the central focus in heaven.
Some argue that this text should only be applied to Jesus in a secondary sense, since Jesus did in fact die on earth. The fact that this child is caught up to heaven (presumably) immediately after birth argues against a primary application to Christ, some would say. However, John is not given a strictly literal interpretation of the events connected with the birth, ministry and death of Christ. Rather, he is focusing on the satanic system that culminates in the eschaton with the worst persecution of God’s people the world will ever know, which justifies God’s wrath that follows.
Some would reject the interpretation that a time gap exists between Revelation 12:5 and 6. They do so at the expense of a literal face value interpretation of the text. The catching up of the Son and the protective custody of the woman that follows must involve some gap in time. Only by spiritualizing the text or playing down the textual details, while emphasizing textual generalities can one escape this conclusion. The woman has a future that is insured by God.
Revelation 12:6
(1) Then the woman fled into the wilderness (2) where she had a place prepared by God, (3) so that there she would be nourished (4) for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
1. Then the woman fled into the wilderness = indicates that the safety of the Son in heaven is followed by the safety of the woman in the wilderness. This confirms that the Son was caught up from the earth. The wilderness has a rich tradition as a place of safety from trouble as well as a place of temptation and testing. Unlike Jesus who went to the wilderness to be tempted and Israel who went to the wilderness to be tested, the woman flees to the wilderness to be "saved". First, she will be saved physically and then spiritually, as with Elijah whom God protected and fed in the wilderness for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1-7; 19:3-4).
2. Where she had a place prepared by God = explains why the woman flees into the wilderness. We are not told how the woman knows that God has a place prepared for her. The notion of a prepared place is reminiscent of John 14:2-3.
3. So that there she would be nourished = indicates a result of the prepared place. Not only will the woman receive protection, but she will also receive nourishment (food and water) to sustain her life during the time of protective custody.
4. For one thousand two hundred and sixty days = is the exact amount of time the beast (Antichrist) is given authority to persecute the woman and her offspring (Rev 12:13-17). The woman (the remnant) will be protected from the persecution of the beast (Antichrist).
Revelation 12:7-8
(1) And there was war in heaven, (2) Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon (Satan). The dragon (Satan) and his angels waged war, and (3) they were not strong enough, and (4) there was no longer a place found for them in heaven.
1. And there was war in heaven = appears at first glance to be an intrusion into the narration of the woman and her Son’s miraculous rescue from the composite great red dragon. However, when the reader understands that Revelation 12:1-6 focuses on the composite dragon (empire) and Revelation 12:7 and following focuses on the singular dragon (Satan) the problem is solved. The resumption of the woman’s rescue in Revelation 12:13 also underscores this point. The text indicates a war started in heaven. A war usually consists of more than one battle. So here, for the war will begin in heaven with a decisive battle that will finish on earth at Armageddon. This war is a cleansing war. First heaven will be cleansed of Satan. Then the earth will be cleansed of all evil doers—Satan and followers.
2. Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon (Satan) = defines the combatants of the battle in heaven. It is important that the reader understands that the Greek supports the conclusion that Michael initiates this battle. Once the Son is caught up to heaven all hope is lost that the composite dragon will devour the child. The battle is not the result of the great red dragon pursuing the child to heaven.
The importance of Michael to the eschatological end times cannot be over-stated. His voice will be heard at the Rapture (1 Thess 4:16). His actions will initiate the final unparalleled persecution of Israel (Dan 12:1). He initiates the battle that ignites the final conflict prior to the coming of the Son to rule all the nations (Rev 12:7). There is every possibility that he is the restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7. The former three passages mentioned all deal with the beginning of the forty-two months; time, times and half a time; and, one thousand two hundred and sixty days, which mark the eschatological period just prior to the Lord’s return at Armageddon.
3. They were not strong enough = pertains to Satan. That is, he and his angels were not strong enough to prevent Michael and his angels from carrying out their orders to cast Satan out of highest heavens. 4. There was no longer a place found for them in heaven = that is, they no longer had a purpose in highest heaven. This suggests that a very important point in the history of mankind has indeed come about. Satan no longer has a purpose in the highest heaven.
Revelation 12:9
(1) And the great dragon was thrown down, (2) the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and (3) his angels were thrown down with him.
1. And the great dragon was thrown down = summarizes the outcome of the battle in heaven. Notice Satan is not the great red dragon. John has changed the referent at this point. This undoubtedly must have been the original order to Michael and his angels. At this point, we are not told where he is thrown down to.
2. The serpent of old = begins a detailed identification of the dragon. This is necessary to distinguish him from the composite dragon of Revelation 12:1-6. The serpent is known as the deceiver of Eve (2 Cor 11:3, Gen 3:1). However, the serpent has never been explicitly identified as Satan.
Two clauses will further explain exactly who this serpent is: First, he is described as he "who is called the devil and Satan". The devil is his Greek name. Satan is his Hebrew name. Second, the serpent is identified as he "who deceives the whole world". Deception is the major tool of Satan especially in connection with end times. Jesus warned believers, "See to it that no one misleads you (Matt 24:4)". The apostle Paul warned believers, "Let no one in any way deceive you (2 Thess 2:3a)". Both warnings occur in the context of end time discussions.
3. His angels were thrown down with him = makes clear that Satan is not allowed in heaven once it is purged. All the fallen ranks of the satanic order are limited to earth for a short time (three and a half years).
Revelation 12:10-11
(1) Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, (2) "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, (3) for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, (4) he who accuses them before our God day and night. (5) And they overcame him (6) because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.
1. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying = as before, the speaker who proclaims loudly in heaven information relative to a previous event is not explicitly identified.
2. Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come = begins this praisefest. God and His Messiah are praised because of the historic importance of Satan’s expulsion from heaven to the earth. The cleansing of heaven of satanic influence is the first step in the final process that will bring about the actualization of God’s physical reign on the earth. Salvation is not spoken of in a spiritual sense, but physical. God is praised because of His victory over Satan that brings about the cleansing of the heavens. Power (dunamis) of God in contrast to the weakness of Satan brings praise of God’s power. The kingdom (reign) of our God is the third attribute praised in light of Satan’s explosion from heaven. In our western mindset, kingdom is generally associated with a geographical domain. However, closer to the biblical sense is the idea of "reign" or "exercise of power and authority".
The authority of His Christ have come is the final element of this praisefest. This is the only place in the Revelation to speak of the authority of Christ. After His resurrection, the Lord Jesus declared, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth". The expulsion of Satan from heaven will be an overt expression of the Lord’s authority over heaven. The expulsion of Satan from the earth will be an overt expression of the Lord’s authority over earth.
Some argue that this proclamation is in contradiction with the similar proclamation in Revelation 11:15. This, they argue, adds support to their claim that the book of Revelation either recapitulates or speaks of events as completed before they actually occur (proleptical). However, such conclusions overlook the obvious. The proclamation in Revelation 11:15 concerns God’s reign on earth. The proclamation in Revelation 12:10 concerns God’s reign in heaven. God has always reigned in heaven. Therefore, in what sense has His reign in heaven come?
3. For the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down = explains another reason for the praisefest in heaven and the sense in which God’s reign in heaven has come. Accuser is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word satan, which is transliterated in English. This explains why Satan no longer had a place (purpose) in heaven. Therefore, he was thrown down. There is a problem here. The phrase our brethren suggests that the loud voice in heaven are peers with those accused by Satan. It is clear that those accused by Satan are human for they face death. However, the issue is resolved when once it is understood that the loud voice in heaven must be human as well. There is nothing about the voice or what is said that would limit it to an angelic host. In other words, it could be the voice of a man or men.
4. He who accuses them before our God day and night = explains Satan’s purpose in heaven. However, with his defeat, he lost his job. His day and night (it means continually) job of complaining to God about the righteous has ended.
5. And they overcame him = continues the explanation concerning why Satan is thrown down from heaven to earth. The pronoun they refers to the brethren on earth. The brethren conquered Satan. Three reasons are given as the basis of their victory.
First, because of the blood of the Lamb, they conquered Satan. The blood of the Lamb refers to His death. Because of the death of Jesus, the brethren conquered Satan. They believed that Jesus is Lord.
Second, because of the word of their testimony is the second reason the brethren conquered their accuser. Because of the word, namely their testimony to Jesus, the brethren were victorious. The brethren defeated Satan because they professed Jesus as Lord.
Third, [because] they did not love their life even when faced with death is the third reason the brethren were victorious over their accuser. Some have taken this clause to mean that the brethren were martyrs. However, it does not say they died, but that they were willing to die, if necessary. They would not renege concerning the Lordship of Christ. Instead, they resisted up to and if necessary, death. This is a wonderful testimony to the power and grace of God in the lives of those who truly know the Lord. The apostle Paul states, "no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed"; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord", except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3)". They would not deny that Jesus is Lord.
Revelation 12:12
(1) For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. (2) Woe to the earth and the sea, (3) because the devil has come down to you, (4) having great wrath, (5) knowing that he has only a short time".
1. For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them = is a call for celebration in heaven by her residents. The reason they are to celebrate is twofold: (1) Satan purpose in heaven is over; and (2) the brethren on earth render his accusations baseless.
2. Woe to the earth and the sea = is the second of two results of Satan’s expulsion from heaven. Woe indicates that a grave situation stands in the path of those trying to reach tomorrow. As with the above statement, both heaven and her inhabitants are to celebrate, in contrast the earth and the sea [and those who dwell in them] are to anticipate trouble.
3. Because the devil has come down to you = is the reason for the pronouncement of "woe". However, it is not the fact that he has come down that is critical.
4. Having great wrath = is the reason the earth and the sea [and those who dwell in them] should be sober. The term wrath (thumos) is "a state of intense anger, with the implication of passionate outbursts — ‘anger, fury, wrath, rage (Louw-Nida, § 88.178).’" This same term is attributed to God in Revelation 15:1. The wrath of God mentioned in Revelation 15:1 is defined by the bowl judgments of Revelation 16-19. It is therefore easy to understand why the loud voice in heaven warns the inhabitants of the earth and sea. Satan’s outbursts of anger and rage may not equal God’s rage in intensity and scope, but those who suffer it will be just as dead.
5. Knowing that he has only a short time = suggests a temporal limit between the cleansing of heaven and the cleansing of earth of satanic influence. It is the destiny of the devil along with his expulsion from heaven and his defeat by the sinning but victorious brethren that fuels Satan’s rage.
The length of Satan’s temporal limit is described as "a short time". According to Revelation 12:14 the woman will be protected from the dragon for time, times and half a time, which equals forty-two months or one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
This conclusively proves that the wrath that the followers of Christ will experience on the earth during the "short time" of Satan’s anger outbursts is not the wrath of God. The overwhelming part of the time called "the great tribulation" is the wrath of Satan against God’s elect.
Revelation 12:13
(1) And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, (2) he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child.
1. And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth = speaks to the consequence of Satan’s expulsion from heaven.
2. He persecuted the woman = is the first victim of Satan’s wrath. However, the NASB’s translation is a bit misleading at this point. The verb to persecute (dioko) is better translated here, to pursue after. The dragon’s intent is certainly to persecute, but the woman will be delivered before he is able to accomplish his plans. He is pursuing the woman to persecute here.
Revelation 12:14
(1) But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, (2) so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, (3) where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time, (4) from the presence of the serpent.
1. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman = explains how the woman escapes the dragon. In Revelation 12:5, we were told that the woman fled into the wilderness, but we were not told how she fled, how she knew to flee, or how she knew where to flee. Those details are now explained. John states that "the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman". Does John suggest that the method of escape is well-known to his readers—this is the importance of the article. This is clearly a figure of speech. There is no literal eagle here. However, Scripture speaks of an eagle of deliverance. The eagle metaphor of deliverance to safety is expanded in Deuteronomy 32:10-14. In this passage, God is compared to an eagle in His care for the Jews. However, in Exodus 19:4 God calls Himself an eagle. It states, "You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself". God compares His deliverance of the Jews from Egypt to that of an eagle who carries her babies in safety when teaching them to fly. Closer examination of John’s statement reveals that the woman is given "the two wings", which perhaps suggests the surety of the deliverance.
Notice that there is no difference between the agenda of the composite dragon and the dragon. The composite dragon is so identified with the dragon that one is able to speak of them interchangeably.
2. So that she could fly into the wilderness to her place = continues the metaphor of miraculous deliverance. With the eagle’s wings, the woman is able to fly to safety. The exact literal way God will deliver His people is not indicated, however the eagle metaphor suggests that it will be supernatural much like the way God delivered the children from Egypt. The Jews walked out of Egypt under the divine protection of God. They had a pillar of fire between them and their enemies.
3. Where she was nourished for a time and times and half a time = is clearly an allusion to Daniel 7:25. The time reference only occurs in the books of Revelation/Daniel and deals with the persecution of the Jewish people by the beast. Daniel does not indicate a miraculous deliverance by God, but does indicate that the people will survive to receive an eternal kingdom.
4. From the presence of the serpent = is the ultimate goal of God’s miraculous deliverance of the woman/the remnant.
Revelation 12:15
(1) And the serpent poured water like a river out of his month after the woman, (2) so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood.
1. And the serpent poured water like a river out of his month after the woman = indicates Satan’s response to God’s miraculous deliverance of the remnant. It also suggests something about the way God will deliver the people. It would make no sense to send water after the woman unless the woman is fleeing in such a matter that water could deter her escape. However, in keeping with the metaphor, the serpent poured water out of his month. This is obviously a figure of speech. Literal water is not intended here.
2. So that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood = indicates the intended outcome of the serpent’s actions. Obviously, his purpose is to destroy the woman.
One cannot be dogmatic at this point, but it would seem that John is clearly relating this event to the most important deliverance event in the history of Israel. The Egypt/Israel conflict and God’s special deliverance is the single most important event for the Jewish people in Old Testament history. God delivered the woman (Israel) by destroying the Egyptians with a flood. Exodus 15:12 specifically says, "The earth swallowed them (the Egyptians)". Rather, God will more than likely walk the people out of Jerusalem under His divine protection as Israel came out of Egypt. The serpent will send an army after the Jews, but will not be successful because of God’s divine intervention.
Revelation 12:16
(1) But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon poured out of his mouth.
1. But the earth helped the woman = indicates the nature of the woman’s miraculous escape. Like Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, the earth will swallow the woman’s enemies (Num16:32-34). John has clearly modeled this deliverance after the deliverance from Egypt. This will be the second time that God used nature to defeat the enemies of the woman/Judah.
This also indicates that the dragon will lose a major army just prior to Antichrist’s reign of terror.
Revelation 12:17
(1) So the dragon was enraged with the woman, and (2) went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
1. So the dragon was enraged with the woman = indicates the response of the dragon to the woman’s miraculous escape and his loss of an army. Was enraged translates the Greek verb orgizo, to be furious.
2. Went off to make war with the rest of her children = indicates that the dragon, unable to persecute the woman, turns his attention to her children.
This is a critically important phrase. Who exactly are the children of the woman? The Greek literally says, "her seed". Since "seed" is normally spoken of in relation to a man rather than a women, this perhaps is a clue that John is alluding to Genesis 3:15. There it is the seed of the woman that will bruise the heel of the serpent. The apostle Paul states in Galatians 3:16 that the seed of the woman referred to Christ.
The correct identity of the offspring of the woman would perhaps have remained unclear, if not for the details John offers. Two relative clauses make their identity certain. First, the seed of the woman refers to those "who keep the commandments of God". This phrase is clearly a defining strait of those who are born again, i.e. Christians. It will be repeated again in Revelation 14:12. I John 5:3 states, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome". To keep God’s commandments is the true mark of a believer. The second relative clause that defines the "seed" are those "[who] hold to the testimony of Jesus". This statement removes any doubt that believers in Jesus Christ are the offspring of the woman that the dragon seeks to persecute.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END - Chapter Thirteen
Revelation 13:1
(1) And the dragon stood on the sand of the (2) seashore. (3) Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, (4) having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and (5) on his heads were blasphemous names.
1. And the dragon stood on the sand = opens Revelation 13. Some translations include this verse in chapter 12. Other translations understand John to be the seer standing on the sand, thus the translation in the NKJV "And I stood". However, given the relationship between chapters 12 and 13, it is more probable that the dragon is standing on the seashore. Having failed to destroy the Male-Son at birth, he brings together the final Beast Empire that will attempt to prevent the reign of the Son by resisting His takeover of earth. Chapter 13 continues the reasons John must prophesy against "peoples, nations, tongues and kings". He will now focus on the kings, particularly, the kings who will form the power base of the final restored Beast Empire.
2. Seashore = or sea as the Greek literally says.
3. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea = seems to be the reason the dragon is standing on the seashore. John has already referred to one beast in Revelation 11:7. There he indicated that that beast (ruler) comes up out of the abyss and finally is able to kill the prophetic witnesses of God. In Revelation 11:7 John says "the beast". Here, in Revelation 13:1, John says, "a beast". This has led some to conclude that John is not referring to the same entity as in Revelation 11:7. Revelation 11:7 refers to a beast (an individual) with whom the people were very familiar—the eschatological beast of prophecy who comes from the abyss. The people were familiar with his role, but they did not know his name just as we do not know his name, but are familiar with his role. Revelation 13:1 refers to a beast (a composite of all beast kings).
In Revelation 11:7, John is referring to the beast with whom his audience was familiar as to his eschatological role, not the particular individual himself. In Revelation 13:1 John has a different agenda, which controls his description. Like Revelation 12, John opens with a composite figure that parallels the individual. Like the composite dragon, the composite beast is composed of heads, horns and diadems. The composite beast is a personification of the final beast (Antichrist) as was the composite dragon of Satan.
However, there is a difference. The composite dragon had seven diadems on seven heads and ten horns. The horns of the dragon did not have diadems. Daniel 7:24 tells us, "As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom (fourth kingdom in Daniel and the seventh kingdom of the dragon) ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them…". The strategy of the ten-horn phase of the dragon is different from the strategy of the seven satanically inspired Beast Empires.
The composite beast has seven heads and ten horns with ten diadems. The emphasis of the composite dragon is the seven satanically inspired kingdoms whose primary intent was the prevention of the temporal reign of the Son by killing the Male-Son soon after birth. The primary emphasis of the composite beast is the ten kings that arise out of the final Beast Empire.
4. Having ten horns and seven heads and on his horns were ten diadems = is the same characteristics ascribed to the composite dragon in Revelation 12:3 with a different emphasis. Not only is the word order different, but this composite beast has ten diadems on the horns.
The heads represent empires. The horns represent kings. As in Daniel 7, the beasts (four king/kingdoms) and ten horns (ten kings) have eschatological significance. The beasts (kingdoms) follow one after the other, however, the ten horns (kings) rule at the same time. Daniel 7:8 states,
I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots.
The ten-horn phase of the fourth Beast Empire is directly connected with the end-time scenario that eventuates into the kingdom of God. The composite beast of Revelation 13 pictures the second phase of the dragon’s plan. The fourth Beast Empire of Daniel 7 (the seventh empire of the dragon) is part of the first phase. The fourth Beast Empire eventuates into ten horns/kings. This is the second phase, which is pictured in the Revelation as "the beast who rises from the sea". This explains why the composite beast has ten crowns on the ten horns. The kings are in focus and not the seven satanically inspired kingdoms that failed to prevent the rapture of the Male-Son to heaven after His birth.
5. On his heads were blasphemous names = is a new characteristic for the composite beast that is not included with the composite dragon. What the names are is not indicated, but each of the seven heads has a name. The names are blasphemous, which indicates that they violate the name of the one true God. Since the seven satanically inspired empires failed to prevent the rapture of the Male-Son to heaven the blasphemous names probably express the contempt they have for God.
Revelation 13:2
(1) And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his (its) feet were like those of a bear, and his (its) month like the mouth of a lion. (2) And the dragon gave him (it) his power and his throne and great authority.
1. And the beast which I saw = continues a description of the composite beast who comes from the sea. The Greek word tharion (beast) is neuter in gender; that is it is not a masculine beast or feminine beast. Therefore, all the pronouns that refer to it are neuter until we get to verse eight. That this beast is a composite is proven by this description. This beast is the sum total of the previous kingdoms hostile to the eternal rule of God. John says that the beast he saw "was like a leopard". He had feet as a bear and a mouth like a lion. These animal-like-characteristics are not literal but symbolical. They represent characteristics that the beast has. The leopard is known for its speed. The bear is known for its powerful feet to kill and the lion for its sound of terror. This beast is speedy. He is both powerful and has a sound of terror.
What John ascribes to this single composite beast, Daniel individualized to three beasts. Daniel 7:1-9 recounts a vision involving four king/kingdoms: A lion (Babylon), a bear (medo-Persia), a leopard (Greece), and an indescribable iron teeth beast (Rome). The biblical importance of these kings/kingdoms relates to Israel. The eschatological agenda of the composite beast involves the historical agenda of each of these previous kings/kingdoms—the prevention of the temporal reign of the Son. What Daniel saw individually, John sees in composite.
Absent from John’s composite beast is an explicit reference to the indescribable fourth kingdom with feet of iron and clay. However, the ten horns with diadems indicate that Daniel’s prophecy of ‘ten horns’ is finding fulfillment. Daniel’s fourth beast empire with ten horns is John’s composite beast with seven heads and ten horns with diadems. Daniel emphasized the fourth beast kingdom and John emphasizes the ten horns. Daniel emphasized the original beast kingdom. John emphasizes the restored beast kingdom, which is evidenced in the ten kings.
2. And the dragon gave him his power…throne and great authority = indicates the source of the composite beast’s power. Literally, the Greek says, "And the dragon gave it his power…". The dragon (singular) empowers the composite beast. All that the composite beast is, he owes to the dragon/Satan. Luke 4:6 states, "And the devil said to Him (Jesus), "I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish". What he promised to Jesus, he gives to the composite beast. On earth, there will be no equal to the composite beast.
This section is confusing because at first glance it appears that John is describing the conduct of the beast instead of the conduct of the composite beast. As well, it appears that what John ascribes to the composite beast is what actually happens to the beast. However, the composite beast and the beast/Antichrist are synonymous. After the beast/Antichrist subdues three of these kings, he and the remaining seven become one in purpose and intent.
Revelation 13:3-4
(1) I saw one of his (its) heads as if it had been slain, (2) and his (its) fatal wound was healed. (3) And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; (4) they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and (5) they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him (it)?"
1. I saw one of his (its) heads as if it had been slain = is perhaps not the best translation of the original Greek. This translation might give the reader the impression that the head was not really slain. However, this is not the case. Literally, the Greek says, "and one of its heads as it had been slain to death, but the wound of its death was healed". The phrase "as having been slain" is the same phrase used for the Lamb (Jesus) in Revelation 5:6. As Jesus was truly put to death, so will one of the heads of the composite beast. How the head was put to death is not indicated at this point.
2. His (its) fatal wound was healed = confirms that a literal death occurred. Literally, the Greek says, "but the wound of his death was healed". As the reader is no doubt aware, the Greek language is much more precise than the English translation. For example, the possessive pronoun his in the sentence, "the wound of his death was healed" does not refer to his head, but the beast. That is, the beast was healed. The issue is not the healing of the wound itself, but the fact that the composite beast lived after death.
3. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast = further confirms that something supernatural happened to the composite beast. The whole earth is a figure of speech. It does not mean every single individual to the last man on the face of the earth. Rather, it means mankind in general. An overwhelming majority of the living earth-dwellers will be amazed by the composite beast’s ability to come back to life after death. The reader will notice that the phrase and followed is in italics in the NASB. That’s because it does not appear in the original Greek. The sense of the text is this: a majority of the people became followers of the composite beast following his restoration.
4. They worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the
beast = explains the result of the people’s amazement and
commitment to the composite beast. The dragon gave the rule of
earth to the beast and the people respond with worship to it.
5. They worshiped the beast = also receives worship from the people on the earth. He is worshiped for his sovereignty. They express their attitude by saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with it?" The rhetorical question suggests that no one (human) is like the composite beast. The second rhetorical questions states, "who is able to wage war with it". Since the composite beast is restored from the dead who would wage war with it. An enemy that cannot be killed cannot be defeated. War is useless. Notice, "who is able to wage war with it?" This reflects the fact that the pronoun it is neuter in the original Greek text. The composite beast is referred to here and not the beast/king.
Revelation 13:5
(1) There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and (2) authority to act for forty-two months was given to him.
1. There was given to him (it) a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies = is a direct allusion to Daniel 7:8, 20 where the little horn is given a mouth so that it can speak and say blasphemous things. However, here the composite beast has a mouth like a lion. That is, he is able to terrorize the people with its mouth. So the phrase, "was given to it a mouth" is a figure of speech. It means the composite beast is given something to say (Louw-Nida, § 33.105). Who gave the composite beast the things to say is not explicitly indicated. However, since the dragon gave the composite beast everything else, it is safe to assume that he gave it the blasphemous language as well.
2. Authority to act for forty-two months was given to him (it) = is the second of two gifts from the dragon to the composite beast. The dragon is only able to grant forty-two months because that is the limit God set upon him.
This is also taken directly from Daniel 7. The composite beast fulfills Danielic prophecy. John is clear that the rule of the composite beast, the rule of the beast-king from the abyss, the protective custody of the woman and the ministry of the two prophetic witnesses occur at the same time.
Revelation 13:6-7
(1) And he(it) opened his (its) month in blasphemies against God, (2) to
blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. (3) It was also given to him (it) to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and (4) authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him (it).
1. And he opened his month in blasphemies against God = is the height of the composite beast’s arrogance. Unfulfilled by the worship of men that the creator alone should receive, the composite beast hurls insults to God.
2. To blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven = explains the precise nature of the composite beast’s blasphemous speech. To blaspheme God’s name is to break the third commandment—"You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain (Exod 20:7)". That is, to use God’s name for evil purposes. To blaspheme God’s tabernacle is to speak evil of God’s temple. John clarifies what he means by adding, "those who dwell in heaven". God’s tabernacle refers symbolically to God’s holy ones (angels). What exactly is said about the angels is not explicitly stated, but it insults God.
3. It was also given to him (it) to make war with the saints and to overcome them = indicates that the saints will not be given a blanket protection from the composite beast. He will overcome or be victorious over the saints. The saints are previously defined as "the rest of the woman’s children who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus".
4. Authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him (it) = defines the precise limits of the composite beast’s authority. It is global.
Revelation 13:8
(1) All who dwell on the earth will worship him, (2) everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.
1. All who dwell on the earth will worship him = indicates a significant change. It is not evidenced in the English translation. The pronoun him is masculine. This is the first time the composite beast is referred to with a masculine pronoun. This indicates that the relationship between the kings and kingdoms that constitute the composite beast and the final ultimate beast is such that they can be spoken of interchangeably. One accomplishes the purpose of the other. Another significant change is the tense of the verbs from past time to future time.
2. Everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of the life of the Lamb who has been slain = defines the all of the previous clause. This verse is similar to Revelation 17:8. In both cases, those who do not worship the beast is clear—the elect. The elect will not worship the beast, which also means they will not take his mark. Thus, they are objects of his wrath.
Revelation 13:9-10
(1) If anyone has an ear, let him hear. (2) If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; (3) if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. (4) Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints.
1. If anyone has an ear, let him hear = begins a two-verse commentary on the conduct of the saints. This hearing formula so often heard in the gospels and concluding each of the prophecies concerning the seven churches of Asia helps establish the identity of the saints.
Scholars are somewhat agreed that this hearing formula is rooted in Isaiah 6:9-10. Isaiah’s message to Judah regarded their unwillingness to hear, understand and repent of their idol worship. For this, God refused to give His word, lest it fall upon those who despise it. God, in His wisdom, saw some faithful among the wicked. Those who were faithful still very much needed God’s word. Therefore, the Lord gave His word in parabolic sayings. This enabled those who were spiritually minded to be enlightened while those who were not remained in blindness. This is the significance of the hearing formula in the Gospels. It also serves as a textual indicator that figurative language is employed and the reader will need to see beyond the obvious.
The highly figurative language depicted in Revelation 13 requires the spiritually minded readers to see, hear and understand the significance for believers. Normally, the hearing formula follows the parabolic statement to which it refers. However, that is not the case in Revelation 13:9-10. Here the reader is alerted to the need for spiritual understanding before the parabolic statement is made.
2. If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes = is the first statement that the enlightened reader must accept. Having outlined the career of the composite dragon and beast, John has instructed the reader that saints will be the target of both. God has destined certain ones to captivity during the reign of the composite beast. The captivity will probably include severe persecution, but not necessarily death. Those so destined must seek no other route. It is God’s perfect will.
3. If anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed = is the third if-statement and probably the most difficult to interpret. The difficulty is created by the very difficult Greek constructions in this verse.
The NASB translates the verse: "if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed".
The KJV says, "he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword".
The NIV says, "if anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed".
We prefer the New International Version’s translation because it naturally follows the previous statement. While some saints are destined for captivity, others are destined for martyrdom.
The sword is the instrument of death by the State (Romans 13:4).
God has destined certain ones to be martyrs by the state/government of Antichrist. This is God’s will. Those destined to die will die. This is the sense of the text. That believers will die by the sword is confirmed in Revelation 20:4. Both captivity and death by beheading is a part of God’s sovereign plan.
4. Here is the perseverance and the faith of the saints = completes the parabolic statements. This statement clarifies for anyone who might not understand how believers will face the persecution of the composite beast. For those God has destined to captivity—perseverance will win the day. For those God has destined to physical death—faith will win the day.
Revelation 13:11
(1) Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and (2) he had two horns like a lamb and (3) he spoke as a dragon.
1. Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth = begins a second unit concerning the beast empire. This is the only occasion where John will call this person a beast. He will later be identified as "the false prophet". Unlike the composite beast that arises from the sea, this beast comes from the earth. The significance of his earthly origin is not known.
2. He had two horns like a lamb = is a second characteristic of the second beast. It is generally known that lambs do not have horns. However, a ram does have horns and is the preferred translation here. Horns symbolically represent power and authority. Thus, this beast has power and authority. Two horns indicate above average.
3. He spoke as a dragon = indicates as with the composite beast that this second beast is also given a mouth "speaking arrogant words and blasphemies".
Revelation 13:12
(1) He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And (2) he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, (3) whose fatal wound was healed.
1. He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence = is the fourth characteristic of the second beast. This sentence is a bit misleading. One might think that the second beast only works in the physical presence of the first beast. However, the point is this. The second beast operates, having been empowered and authorized by the first beast.
2. He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast = is the fifth characteristic of the second beast that is given. The second beast makes the living earth-dwellers worship the first beast.
3. Whose fatal wound was healed = identifies the composite beast.
Revelation 13:13
(1) He performs great signs, (2) so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men.
1. He performs great signs = is the sixth characteristic of the second beast. Notice that "great signs" is plural indicating that more than one sign is done. The second beast is able to do great or impressive miracles. How he does these miracles is not explicitly indicated.
2. So that he even makes fire come down out of heaven = indicates the limit of this beast. His ability to call down fire from heaven indicates the greatness of his power. He certainly has the ability to imitate Old Testament prophets. If not for his words, his actions alone would prove him authentic.
Revelation 13:14
(1) And he deceives those who dwell on the earth (2) because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, (3) telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast (4) who had the wound of the sword and has come to life.
1. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth = is the outcome of the second beast’s campaign of impressive miracles. His miracles convince the living earth-dwellers to obey his commands.
2. Because of the signs which was given him to perform in the presence of the beast = explicitly indicates that the miracles convinced the living earth-dwellers to follow the second beast’s commands. The first beast authorized (empowered) the second beast with the ability to do great miracles.
3. Telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast = is the outcome of the convincing miracles. The living earthdwellers are instructed to make an image to the beast. To the beast indicates that the purpose of the image is to honor the beast. What the image is is not made explicit in this passage.
4. Who had the wound of the sword and has come to life = is the third attempt to identify the composite beast. Twice, the author has referred to the wound of the composite beast. However, this is the first time the instrument itself is indicated. The sword was used to cause the death of beast. The sword is the instrument of death in capital punishment.
It is difficult throughout chapter 13 to distinguish between the composite beast (kings) and the singular beast (Antichrist). Revelation 13:3 indicates that one of the heads of the beast was wounded to death. But here in Revelation 13:13, the beast itself was wounded. This only adds to the difficulty.
In the statue dream of Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar is told by Daniel that the toes of the statue would be iron and clay mixed (Dan 2:40- 43). During the iron phase of the statue, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed with a stone cut of the mountain (Dan 2:44-45).
In the futuristic beast kingdoms of Daniel 7, we learn that a fourth beast kingdom, the most dreadful of all, with its feet would trample down other kingdoms. The fourth beast kingdom will eventuate into ten kings. During the ten-king phase of the fourth beast kingdom, a final king will arise and conquer three of the ten kings. This conquering king will then persecute the people of God for three and a half years. Absent from Daniel’s account is any indication that the eleventh king is killed. This is a major point detailed in the Revelation, but absent from Daniel. The critical question at this point is this: when is the beast put to death and raised up? A second question concerns how long the two events – the death and restoration—are separated?
It is extremely difficult for this author to believe that Satan has the power to actually raise a man from the dead. It is argued by some that Antichrist will be killed and raised from the dead. However, this requires more power than either Satan or Antichrist has. That such a major point is absent from Daniel 7 is compelling. There is no biblical basis that supports the notion that Satan has the power to raise the dead. Why would Satan be content with the restoration of only one person? Why would Satan stop with the restoration of Antichrist? Why not raise all sinners? This would be a compelling reason to follow the dragon.
Since both the composite beast (Roman Empire) and the individual beast (Antichrist) come to life, it is better to understand that a kingdom is restored rather than resurrection from the dead. Given that Daniel 7 indicates explicitly that there is a relationship between the legs of iron and the toes mixed with iron and clay, a restored indescribable fourth beast empire in the form of ten toes makes sense.
Yet, Revelation 17 will make clear that the eighth beast/king will be restored from the dead. Therefore, both the king and his kingdom are restored from the dead. This will be Satan’s greatest act of deception. How he will deceive the whole world into thinking that the beast/king has been restored from the dead is not clear.
Revelation 13:15
(1) And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, (2) so that the image of the beast would even speak and (3) cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
1. And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast = signals another significant component of the second beast’s job description. Whom the second beast receives the ability from to give breath to the image of the first beast is not explicitly stated. Neither is it explained how such a thing could happen. The impossibility of humans or angelic beings giving life to inanimate objects makes a literal intent highly unlikely in this text. That some type of demonic hocus pocus is utilized is self evident. This will be a second greatly deceiving event connected with the beast/king.
2. So that the image of the beast would even speak = seems to be one goal of the second beast’s efforts. The image speaks. Whether this is the only human quality vested in the image is not explicit. Whether the image walk about, sit, or engage in any other human activities is not indicated. There is no reason to reject the notion that the speech of the image is the same as that of the first and second beast i.e. blasphemous.
3. Cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed = is a difficult clause to understand. Logically, the image of the beast both speaks and causes the non-worshipers to be put to death. However, in this case, one would expect the clause to say, " and it causes as many as do not worship it to be killed". Another way to translate this verse is this: "and he (the second beast) causes as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed". This makes the better sense of the verse. In this case, the image does not give the order of execution, but the second beast does.
Revelation 13:16-17
(1) And he causes all, (2) the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, (3) to be given a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads and (4) he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, (5) except the one who has the mark, (6) either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
1. And he causes all = continues the job description of the second beast. Most agree that the he here refers to the second beast. The all refers to the inhabitants of the earth.
2. The small and the great…the slaves = defines the perimeters of the all. These inclusive lists indicate that no segment of society will escape the notice of the beast.
3. To be given a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads = indicates the place of the mark. Clearly, the intent is for the mark to be easily seen.
4. He provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell = is the purpose of the mark. Economic sanctions will be a major issue during the persecution by the beast of the people of God.
5. Except the one who has the mark = limits who can purchase food. Starvation or worship of the beast will be the only alternatives for those who inhabit the earth.
6. The name of the beast or the number of his name = indicates what the specific mark will be.
Revelation 13:18
(1) Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixtysix.
1. Of all the verses in the Revelation, this is the most difficult to understand. The wild speculative articles written over the centuries can easily document that this is the case. There is no agreement among scholars concerning the meaning of this verse. I am content to leave it as it is. However, I am more convinced by this verse that Satan will pull off his greatest deception in connection with the eschatological beast/king.
The apostle Paul writes in II Thessalonians 2:8-12,
"And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness".
Deception, the lie, and false wonders indicate unparalleled deception.
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