Revelation 13

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.

13:2 Satan makes the beast a pseudo-deity by giving it his power, throne, and authority. In the first century, Roman emperors increasingly claimed divinity.

13:3 Satan often imitates God. Here the beast mimics the death and resurrection of Jesus. • That one of the heads had been fatally wounded but was healed has led to its identification with Nero. A tradition emerged that the emperor Nero (AD 54–68) was so evil that he either did not really die or would be reincarnated as another tyrant like Domitian (AD 81–96). In 17:9-10, the beast’s seven heads are linked both to seven hills (Rome) and to seven kings.

13:5-8 The four characteristics of the beast are that he (1) blasphemes God, (2) has authority for a limited time, (3) makes war against God’s people, and (4) rules the world. But God is in control.13:5 The forty-two months are the three and a half years of persecution and evil domination (see study note on 11:2-3).

13:7 The beast’s authority extends over all the people of the world.

13:8 Those who worshiped the beast receive its mark (13:15-17) and are not listed in the Book of Life (see 20:12).

13:9-10 The scene (13:1-10) ends with a dramatic conclusion patterned on Jer 15:2; 43:11. Anyone with ears to hear must pay attention, because judgment is coming (cp. Rev 2:7, 11, 17).

13:10 God’s holy people are summoned to endure and remain faithful while experiencing temporary persecution.

13:11-18 another beast: This second beast, the third member of the evil trinity (see study note on 12:18–13:18), is later called the “false prophet” (16:13). As a high priest of false religion, he leads the world into worshiping the first beast and the dragon (see also 16:13-14).13:11 The beast is portrayed as a lamb, the same symbol used to represent Christ (see 5:6-13; 7:9-17; 14:1-4), but this lamb spoke like a dragon. The image is of a fraudulent messiah. • The two horns might stand for two emperors, perhaps Nero and Domitian.

13:12-15 The second beast derives its power from the first beast, which in turn answers to the dragon (13:4).13:12 he required . . . people to worship the first beast: Imperial Rome demanded worship of the emperor Domitian. • whose fatal wound had been healed: This description might refer to Domitian, who was viewed as the reincarnation of Nero (see study note on 13:3). The image is a picture of the constant reemergence of evil, particularly in the latter days (see study note on 17:8).

13:13-15 In New Testament times, false prophets astounded people with reports of divine visitations and of idols speaking for the gods they represented (see Acts 16:16-18; 1 Cor 12:2-3). Such practices involved worship of demons (see 1 Cor 10:20-21) and were epitomized in the Roman emperor cult. Those who refused to conform were put to death.

13:14-15 he was allowed. . . . He was then permitted: God never relinquishes ultimate authority. These creatures of evil have been allowed to rebel against God, but they are not in control.

13:16-17 small and great, rich and poor, free and slave: All humanity is required to accept the beast’s evil mark of ownership (see 14:9, 11; 19:20; 20:4), a precondition for all commerce (the right to buy or sell). The text does not explicitly tell us what the mark is or looks like. • On the right hand or on the forehead suggests the branding of slaves—the beast owns them. • the number representing his name: In both Hebrew and Greek, letters of the alphabet represent numbers, which gave names a numerical value (13:18).

13:18 Wisdom is needed: John is giving a clue to help his readers solve the meaning of the beast’s number. • of a man: John hides the man’s identity, perhaps because revealing the name would place him and his readers in danger (cp. use of Babylon as a symbol for Rome, 17:9). • The number 666 represents supernatural evil (see “Symbolic Numbers” Theme Note). John might have used the transliteration Caesar Neron (a Hebrew spelling of the name) to arrive at the number 666. Later scribes, who spoke Greek but not Hebrew, corrected the number to 616 in some manuscripts, probably to match the name’s numerical value in Greek.