During this interval, the ruler of this current seventh world empire (Church-age beast) is in a different form than the rulers of the previous six and the final eighth. Revelation 13:1 NKJV. Even more specifically, I believe what’s in view here with this beast is the actual demonic activity of the kingdom of darkness. Therefore, what we see in chapter 13 is the reign of the seventh world empire during the whole Church age—up until the end of the Church age when the “eighth king” rises to power (Rev 17:11), and Jesus defeats him. This requires steadfast endurance and faith from the saints. 2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Of this, there is no doubt. 1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. Then I stood on the sand of the sea. Thus we know Who is able to “make war with him.” We have to keep in mind that, although ruled by the ruler (king) of darkness (Satan), this beast, technically, is not a person, but an empire. Furthermore, they speak on behalf of Satan, who is their General. Version. Everything this beast stands for is in opposition to Christ and the Christian faith, which is the only truth in the world. Thus the beast is represented in the world by those who belong to him. All Scripture quotations are from the 1901 American Standard Version unless otherwise noted. However, in Rev 17:14, we see that Christ defeats this beast. (NET). Once the Roman Empire fell, the seventh empire became a composite of all four of those beasts—which is what we’re in now as the Church-age beast. Significant point: It’s important to understand that at the time of John’s revelation/writing, this sea-beast was in transition from the sixth world empire (Rome) to the seventh world empire (kingdom of darkness), which came into existence once Rome fell. They’re all the same type of being, which are fallen angels. Each head is a world empire. This may be the most talked about chapter in the book of Revelation. Satan will indwell and fully empower this eighth king. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. In other words, the kingdom of darkness casts its “image” upon the world. Revelation 13:1-18 Chapter 13 begins with a very colorful, almost overpowering, vision showing an overview of the political system that Satan works through. That’s not what this verse is referring to. Certainly not those who belong to this kingdom. We’re to “endure” and remain strong in our “faith,” knowing that the persecutions and trials of this life are only temporary, and that we have the glories of Heaven to look forward to. And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his … Most people of the world worship the devil indirectly. This sea-beast (kingdom of darkness) receives its “power” and “throne” and “great authority” from Satan, who is himself, its king. First, it’s important to understand that this “beast” is not a he, not a person, but a world power, an empire, a kingdom—or rather, a combination of empires. A worldwide assault against God’s people will not happen overnight. “mark” (“mark of the beast” verses 16:2; 19:20; 20:4). Again, not to be taken literally. This beast is limited in power and rules a kingdom that is total darkness. 2. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six - In this verse we have the very name of the beast given under the symbol of the number 666. Or rather, taking advantage of the sinfulness of humanity, who are easily influenced by evil and falsehood. Many people today love the sea, but as a whole the Jewish people in Biblical times regarded the sea as a wild, untamed, frightening plac… It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. Just as Christ – the Lamb of God – exercises power and authority over His kingdom, so does Satan and his demonic legions exercise power and authority over their kingdom. (Rev 13:7) – 7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. (Rev 13:16) – 16 And he causeth all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead; This refers to “all” unbelievers—those who belong to the kingdom of darkness. Our lives should clearly be identified (marked) with Christ and His name. It makes perfect sense that only those who belong to the kingdom of darkness (kingdom of the world), would be able to share the same belief system. We’re talking about fruit here—the fruit of salvation. Bible > NKJV > Revelation 13 Revelation 13 New King James Version: Par The Beast from the Sea. Revelation 1:13 (King James Version) A.F.V A.S.V. Book Notes Barnes' Book Notes Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Book Notes Robertson's Book Notes (NT) Commentaries Adam Clarke Barnes' Notes Forerunner Commentary Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown John Wesley's Notes Matthew Henry People's Commentary (NT) … With that understanding, the eighth king (man of sin) will be regarded as the beast itself. In other words, it transitioned from one form to another, since both empires are part of the same Church-age beast. NET Notes provide a long discussion about these two renderings, and why “if anyone is to be killed by the sword” is favored over the other—which is something you can read yourself, if so inclined. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. The phrase behind this translation is ὡς ἐσφαγμένον (Jw” ejsfagmenon). Salem Media Group. (NASB), (2 Cor 4:3-4) – 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 13 1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. It’s a conflict between two kingdoms, as I talk about throughout this chapter. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. That’s all part of the deception. All the voices of false religion, anti-Christian philosophies, anti-Christian government, worldly values, sinful pleasures, etc., speak “blasphemies” against God. Revelation 17:10-11 refers to the seventh and eighth kings of this empire. We see that this beast is being compared to a “lamb,” probably with Christ is view. Cancel. Both Christians and non-Christians alike are involved in spiritual warfare. Dispensational Premillennialism commonly teaches that this chapter is about “the Antichrist,” who appears on the world stage during the so-called “seven year tribulation period” prior to the return of Christ and His so-called “earthly millennial kingdom,” who forces everyone to have a physical mark in order to buy or sell anything during that brief period of tribulation. 13 Then 1I stood on the sand of the sea. “authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation”. The similar number of heads and horns reveals that the beast is from the dragon and like the dragon in wickedness. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. I believe 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 provides solid evidence that the “man of sin” is the eighth king. Revelation 13 New King James Version (NKJV) The Beast from the Sea 13 Then [ a]I stood on the sand of the sea. There shouldn’t be any doubt that the beast of the Church age is the kingdom of darkness, the spirit of the antichrist, which stands in opposition to the kingdom of light, the Kingdom of Christ. However, this worldwide authority doesn’t allow this beast to make war with all the saints. NET – 10 If anyone is meant for captivity, into captivity he will go. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. Revelation 13 1 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. Revelation 13 is the thirteenth chapter of the Book of Revelation or the Apocalypse of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.The book is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle, but the precise identity of the author remains a point of academic debate. If we’re to see the full scope of this revelation, we must see it through the overall message of the New Testament—which is what I’ve strived to do throughout this commentary. It’s about the conflict between light and darkness, between the, The idea that the book of Revelation is about a mere seven year period, fails to capture the greater message and full significance that this book actually conveys. The period of the sea-beast extends throughout the whole Church age, but will be ruled by the “eighth king” (Rev 17:11) at the end of it. A common understanding is that the beast of this chapter (Rev 13) is a composite of the evil and dreadful characteristics of those four beasts, which were these empires: Note that John only saw the first three beasts in Daniel’s vision. ESV – 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. He does this through anti-Christian or non-Christian government, false religion, worldly philosophies, worldly values, worldly pleasures, etc.—in general, all the anti-Christian ways of the world (see “image” vs. 14). 13 “I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And I saw a a beast rising up out of the sea, b having 2 seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a c blasphemous name. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. The seventh empire (Church age) is ruled by Satan himself, up until the end of this empire when the world is once again ruled by a human king—the “eight king” (Rev 17:11), whom I believe to the “man of sin” of 2 Thessalonians 2:3. No other interpretation has such worldwide influence as the domain of Satan (1 Jn 5:19), as the next verse confirms. If our lives as Christians do not clearly identify us (mark us) with Christ (Gal 6:17), then there’s something wrong. Revelation 13 King James Version << Revelation 12 | Revelation 13 | Revelation 14 >> The Two Beasts. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. Yet, together they are one number: the number 666. These “ten horns” represent a confederation of nations that will arise just before the return of Christ (Rev 17:12-17). Then I stood on the sand of the sea: In Revelation 12, John’s vision mainly had heaven in view. Romulus, the last of the Roman emperors in the west, was overthrown by the Germanic leader Odoacer, who became the first Barbarian to rule in Rome. We serve the King of kings and the Lord of lords. (Rev 13:15) – 15 And it was given unto him to give breath to it, even to the image of the breast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as should not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 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