In his campaign to make war on the woman's offspring, the dragon employs two agents: the beast from the sea and the beast from the earth
John's beast from the sea sums up characteristics of all four of Daniel's (Da 7). It represents every empire. The beast from the earth is elsewhere called the false prophet (16:13, 19:20, 20:10).
Greek has two words for another. One means "another of the same kind" and the other means "another of a different kind." In Revelation 13:11, the word refers to another beast of the same kind as the first one. In a similar way, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be "another Counselor" like Himself (John 14:16)
8. As Christ is God's representative, so the sea beast is Satan's. He is often called the antichrist for this reason: he is a gross parody and opposite of Christ. Below, describe the ways in which the beast distortedly mimicks what Christ is and does.
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Christ
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The beast from the sea
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“On his head are many crowns (stephanos)” (19:12) - a sign of triumph/victory
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13:1 "ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems (diadema) on its horns" - a sign of political power
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“He has a name written on him” (19:12, 16)
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13:1 "and blasphemous names on its heads."
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He shares the power and kingdom of God (12:10)
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13:2 " to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority"
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He “died and came to life again” (2:8)., He “had been slain”
but stands (5:6)
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13:3-4 "One of its heads seemed to have a mortal/fatal wound, but its mortal wound was healed'
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He “made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and
Father” (1:6)
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13:4 "And they worshiped the dragon..., and they worshiped the beast," They who worship political entities worship Satan. "who is like the beast" echoes Ex 15:11. cf. Michael's name.
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v.6 and v.8 contrasts those who dwell on earth with those who dwell in heaven
v.7 indicates that the plan of redemption based on the death of the Lamb was in God's mind from the beginning of creation.
v.9 "if anyone has an ear" emphasizes the certainty of the faithful, (cf. Jer 15:2 ‘Those who are for pestilence, to pestilence,
and those who are for the sword, to the sword;
those who are for famine, to famine,
and those who are for captivity, to captivity.’). We accept these as our lot.
9. How does the second beast parody Christ, as well as the Holy Spirit who
inspires true prophets?
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Christ and the Spirit
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The beast from the earth
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A “Lamb” with “seven horns and seven eyes” (5:6)
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13:11 "It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon"
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7:2-3 “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.”
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13:16-17 "Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead,"
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11:5-6 "And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. 6 They have the power
to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their
prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood
and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire."
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13:13 " It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people"
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John 16:14 "He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you."
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13:12, 14-15 "It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast. by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 And
it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the
image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain"
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The second beast gives spiritual authority to temporal powers. It represents religious gentleness with demonic authority.
The universal nature of the beasts’ domination is expressed in the ‘gradable antonyms’ great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, which were previously used to express the universal reach of God’s judgment (6:15) and the universal invitation to redemption (11:18)
v.18 'hexakosioi hexēkonta hex' .Gematria (the Hebrew term, in Greek isopsephia), whereby the numerical value of names and titles was calculated by adding up the values of the individual letters, was widespread. The variant reading 616 also adds up to Nero Caesar if a variant spelling of the name without the final 'n' is used.
{Paul, Tyndale NT commentaries)
For Further Study: Research marks in the Old Testament.
a. How did God want His people to mark themselves (Genesis 17:9-14, Deuteronomy 6:4-5)?
Circumcision, to show that they belonged to His covenant.
b. What kind of marks did He forbid, and why (Leviticus 19:28)?
Cuts and tattoos, because it was the practice of the Canaanites - the surrounding culture. Also hairstyles.
c. How do these references, as well as Ezekiel 9:4, help you understand the good and bad marks in Revelation?
Marks were signs of ownership, allegiance, and conformity. The mark of the beast permits inclusion into the economic processes of this world. Those without it will suffer.
For Thought and Discussloa:
Does
Satan really control the earth? Why does he have power over the world
to give to the beast (13:2)? See Psalm 24:1; Matthew 4:8-10; John 8:44,
12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4.
Satan is truly the "god of this world". His power and authority are great. But his authority is delegated.
For Further Study: What do I John 2:18-23 and 2 John 7 say about the Antichrist and antichrists?
There are many antichrists, coming from within the visible church.
Known by their theology and denial about the nature and status of the Son
Deceiver
Antichrists come, die and live again
10. "Patient endurance" is a theme of Revelation (1:9, 13:10). According to 13:1-18, what will (or do) the saints have to endure patiently?
13:4, 8 not worship the dragon or the beast, but fight against them
13:5-6 not blaspheme
13:7 endure war and conquest (cf. the 2 witnesses in 11:7)
13:9 captivity and violent death. We need endurance and faith
13:14-15 not be deceived by signs
13:16-17 not receive the mark, financial hardship.
•“Steadfastness”, “endurance”, “patience” (Gk hypomone). Is “The characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings.” (Strong’s Greek Lexicon)
11. Why is it important for you to know this?
There will be times when faithfulness is extremely difficult and all will seem lost.
We may lose freedom and life.
We will be tempted to be misled
We must not conform to the ways of the world
We now live in a time of suffering and victory, when we are called to be faithful in testimony and endurance.
12. What is the significance of the fact that the beast "was given" his mouth and his authority for a limited period (13:5,7)? Who do you think gives the beast this power, and why is this important?
God, who permits Satan's activities for His own good and holy purposes.
Satan is used to refine the saints and punish sinners.
13. What would you say is the overall message of 12:1-13:18?
Tbere will be times of war and persecution, but God knows and ultimately protects His own. We are not to be discouraged or fearful, but respond with faithful witness to death. We are called to be distinct from the world.
14. What one insight from 12:1-13:18 currently seems most personally relevant to you?
Martydom is normal
15. How would you like this to affect your actions and attitudes?
Be riskier in witness.
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