Revelations Chapter 13
I. Crowns transferred from heads to horns
(Rev 12:3 KJV) And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
(Rev 13:1 KJV) And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
One difference between the Dragon of chp 12 and the Beast of Chp 13 is the crowns. The dragon had the crowns upon his heads, while the beast has his crowns upon his horns. I believe this to signify the transfer of civil authority from the heads to the horns (i.e.… the civil government resting at this time in the minor kingdoms, rather than Rome). I believe this again would reinforce to us that the dragon and the beast are indeed the same in essence, differing only in form.
II. The head wounded unto death and then healed
(Rev 13:3 KJV) And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Having failed in his direct attacks against the Christian church, with the accession of Constantine in 313AD , who established Christianity as the State religion, the dragon soon clothed his pernicious principles in a Christian garb and continued his war against God’s saints through the rising hierarchy , under the name of Christianity. Meanwhile, the Roman Empire continued to decline. Odoacer, in 476 AD , overthrew the old empire of the West and established the kingdom of the Heruli in Italy. Seventeen years laters it was subverted by Theodoric, who established the kingdom of the Ostrogoths, which continued for about 60 years. This kingdom was succeeded by the Lombards. The Lombard kingdom was subverted by Charlemagne in the late 700’s. In 774 Charlemagne completed the overthrow of the Lombards and received the title of Patrician of Rome. This lasted for 26 years as Charlemagne extended his conquests over all the western part of Europe. In 800 AD Charlemagne assumed the Imperial title, thus reviving the empire of Rome.
We will at this point take up the unfinished business of the seven heads, or the seven forms of government of the Roman Empire. Let’s look again at Revelations the 17th chapter.
(Rev 17:10 KJV) And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
(Rev 17:11 KJV) And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
We see now that the 7th head or form of government was the Patrician rule of Charlemagne. This began in 774 AD and lasted 26 years ( a short space). The eighth is really of the seven, that is, not a distinctly different form, but rather the return to the Imperial form of government. This occurred when Charlemagne was crowned Emperor in 800AD .
III. Three horns plucked up by little horn
(Dan 7:8 KJV) I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
(Dan 7:24 KJV) And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
If we again refer to the brief history of Charlemagne, the conquests of Charlemagne included the area held by the kingdoms of the Heruli’s, the Ostrogoths and the Lombards. This was more or less the region of Italy. Upon ascension to power, this area was given to the Pope of Rome, thus giving the civil power to the Pope for the first time.
IV. Influence of Pagan worship upon Papal worship
1. High Priest of Pagan religions was called Pontifex Maximus, and claimed spiritual and
temporal authority. The Pope also wears the same attire as the Pagan Pontiff.
2. Wearing of metals and images to shield them from common ills and dangers in life.
3. Deification - raising ones to position of honor and worship
Canonization - same , and offers prayers to the ‘saints’
4. Adoration of idols and images
27 BC, Pagan temple built by Marcus Agrippa in Rome
610 AD, Reconsecrated by Pope Boniface IV to “the blessed Mary and all the Saints”
Worshippers prayed to the very same idols only called them by different names.
5. Road God’s and saints in Catholic countries
6. Processions of worshipers and self-whippers in Catholic countries
7. Vestil Virgins of Paganism , Monks and Nuns
V. Blasphemy
(Rev 13:5 KJV) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
(Rev 13:6 KJV) And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
The Pope of Rome has assumed many blasphemous titles , including Lord God the Pope, Holy Father, and Vice-Gerent of the Son of God(managing instead of). The Pope also claims infallibility, the power to dispense with God’s Laws, forgive sins, release from purgatory, to damn and to save. Indeed, Pope Innocent proclaimed himself to be the one before whom every knee should bow. The history of this blasphemy is to great and long to be recounted here, but this should suffice to show the fulfillment of this symbol.
VI. Persecution
(Rev 13:7 KJV) And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
(Rev 13:8 KJV) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
(Rev 13:9 KJV) If any man have an ear, let him hear.
(Rev 13:10 KJV) He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Great persecution
Make war and overcome the saints
Ruled all nations
Kings and Princes bowed to him,
All worshipped him, except those who were truly saved
vs 10. Violence would be revisited upon the beast
VII. Time Period, Duration
(Dan 7:25 KJV) And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
(Rev 12:6 KJV) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
(Rev 12:14 KJV) And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
(Rev 13:5 KJV) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
All of these references to time refer to the same period of time, namely 3 ½ years, or 1260 days. In symbolic terms, one day will be accounted to be one year, thus the time period of 1260 years. We see several things being prophesied to be fulfilled during this time. First, in chapter 12 of Revelation, we see the woman (the true people of God) fleeing into the wilderness. During this period of time, the true church was in obscurity, not readily visible to the world. We see also, however, God’s sustaining care of His own people during this time.
During this same period of time, we see the beast, or little horn of Daniel, ruling and exercising power. As we have already seen, this represents Papal Rome. The exact beginning and end of this period of time is a little harder to place, however the end is the easier of the two. Just as the dragon was not completely destroyed upon defeat, so the beast also. The beginning of the end of Papal Rome can be seen to occur in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg chapel. This would make the beginning of the period to be in the middle to late 3rd century, with the rise of hierarchy in the church. Both the beginning of the great apostasy and the end were gradual, but I find this timing to be the most satisfactory to my own mind.
This period of time is the great apostasy. Even secular history refers to it as the dark ages. Indeed it was a time of great wickedness and spiritual darkness, but I thank God it is in the past, and we can look forward to the light shining brighter unto the end.
1. Beast with 2 horns
We see another beast arising at this conclusion of the 1260 year period. You will recall that this 1260 year period limited the beast in prevailing against the saints, and also brought to a conclusion the period of time the woman was in the wilderness. Thus, we can expect God’s true people and God’s work on earth to again come into view. Thank God, this occurred during the Reformation of the 16th century. Glorious truth and light broke forth and the power of darkness was broken. It is during this time that we see the second beast arise. This beast has 2 horns as a lamb but spoke as a dragon. We can see this beast to be a continuation of the work of Satan, as again it’s speak betrays it. We are going to identify this second beast as Protestantism, and I hope this interpretation becomes clearer as we progress through this passage. Shortly following the Reformation, Protestant state churches began to arise. If we remain consistent with the horns representing kingdoms, these two horns are undoubtedly England and Germany. These countries quickly embraced Protestantism and elevated it to the same position previously held by Roman Catholicism, thus exercising the same power as the first beast. We will mark the time of the rising of this beast to be 1530, when the first Protestant creed was written. You may find it at first hard to conceive of Protestantism in its many forms being represented by a single symbol. However, just as the many forms of Pagan religion can be rightly represented by a single symbol in the dragon, so from God’s view all who possess the same spirit and error found here can also be seen as one work of Satan.
This beast is deceptive. It deceives by the means of the great wonders and miracles it does, in so much that it even makes fire come down from. Whether this refers to real miracles, or supposed miracles, I am not certain. Almost every Protestant sect began with a real awakening and movement of God’s Spirit and later degraded into yet another sect. Some interpret the miracles and wonders in this light, but I am not thoroughly convinced this is a correct interpretation. Either way, this beast is very deceptive. In subsequent chapters, this beast is referred to as the false prophet.
2. Image of the Beast
(Rev 13:14 KJV) And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
(Rev 13:15 KJV) And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
Image is defined to be “ an imitation, representation, similitude of any person or thing; a copy, a likeness, an effigy”. This second beast, then, is to create something in imitation of the first beast. This I believe to be the ecclesiastical organizations in imitation of the hierarchy of Rome. In chapter 17, they are referred to as the harlot daughters of their prostitute mother. Life was given to the image, that is to say it had a life of its own, self perpetuating. These organizations are not dependent upon the Spirit of God for life, but rather the organization reproduces like kind and continues. They are self governing and their decrees possess authority.
You will notice the beast also has power to cause all who will not worship the image to be killed. The history of Protestantism also contains shameful persecution of those who differed with their creeds. A notable history familiar in our area is the persecution of the Anabaptists.
This beast is also said to cause people to worship the first beast. In what manner does Protestantism cause its adherents to worship the Church of Rome? In the same manner that Catholicism caused its followers to worship Paganism, namely by accepting its doctrines and practices. The most universal error is that a human organization is necessary to complete the church of Christ on earth.
3. Mark of the beast
(Rev 13:16 KJV) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
(Rev 13:17 KJV) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
This mark is to be received in the forehead or right hand. Without it, or the name of the beast, you cannot buy or sell. I believe this mark in the forehead to be the creeds of these sects (i.e.…you must accept their doctrine as your rule of faith and belief). The mark in the right hand is the symbol of fellowship. Without their name, an affirming of their doctrine, an acceptance into their fellowship, you cannot “buy or sell” spiritually, you cannot have part in their religious activities.
4. The number of the beast
(Rev 13:18 KJV) Here is wisdom. 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.
Much significance has been given this verse and the number 666. None of the explanations are satisfactory to my mind , thus I will simply say this remains a mystery to me. Perhaps someone else will care to enlighten us on this matter.
1. Beast with 2 Horns
Arises at end of 1260 year period
limited beast prevailing against the saints
period of time when woman(God’s True People) was in the wilderness
expect God’s work to be visible once again
Reformation of the 16th century
Second beast with 2 horns arises at this time
2 horns as lamb
spoke as dragon, betrayed its true character
continuing work of Satan to deceive
Protestantism (don’t confuse with Reformation)
2 horns - England & Germany
exercised same power as previous beast
1st creed - 1530, gradual development
single symbol - same as in case of the dragon - single work of Satan to deceive
Second beast is deceptive
Wonders, miracles, fire from heaven
Real or supposed
almost every sect began with a real move of God
very deceptive mix of truth and error
referred to in chapter 16 as the false prophet
2. Image of the beast
(Rev 13:14 KJV) And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
(Rev 13:15 KJV) And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
Image of the beast
imitation of 1st beast
ecclesiastical organizations like the hierarchy of Rome
chapter 17, harlot daughters of their prostitute mother
Life given
self governing , self perpetuating
decrees possess authority
Power to kill - Anabaptists
Cause to worship 1st beast
error - human organization is necessary to complete church of Christ on earth
3. Mark of the beast
(Rev 13:16 KJV) And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
(Rev 13:17 KJV) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Forehead - creeds , beliefs
right hand - fellowship
Name of the beast
4. Number of the beast
(Rev 13:18 KJV) Here is wisdom. 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.
Vicarius Filii Dei
Vicar of the Son of God
V 5 F 0 D 500
I 1 I 1 E 0
C 100 L 50 I 1
A 0 I 1 _______________
R 0 I 1 Total 666
I 1
U 5
S 0
·
Vicar, or governor
True “ vicars” - Word and Spirit