This symbolism identifies the beast as the Roman Empire. The Roman emperors were called divus or sebastos , words that referred to a divinity they claimed or accepted for themselves.
Such titles were sacrilegious or blasphemous because only God is divine and only Jesus is Savior. The Roman Empire, as symbolized in its emperors, considered itself to be a kind of savior of the world.
Meanwhile, it ruled unjustly, usurped godly prerogatives and persecuted the church. The cult of the emperor in the cities of the Roman province of Asia and other blasphemous worship therein had real consequences for the Christians to whom the book was written. The Asian cities were among the foremost exponents of the emperor cult because they wanted to be seen as loyal supporters of Rome.
They were keen to praise the Roman emperor as Lord and deity because they felt indebted to the empire for their prosperity and protection. It would have been considered unpatriotic to not participate in paying homage to Rome and the emperor, and atheistic to not pay homage to local Asian deities. This was the circumstance in which the Christians of Asia found themselves. Revelation shows that the power behind the throne of the Roman Empire or the beast was the devil himself Revelation The similarity of the dragon and beast from the sea both have seven heads and ten horns with , implies that a relationship exists between the two.
The dragon works behind the scenes through the beast, and he will not be mentioned much until chapter We can then define the beast from the sea or the Roman Empire as the agent of the dragon on earth.
The beast is further identified as a political, military, social and economic power of universal proportions, which dominates the world ; , In Revelation, waters stand for nations under the sway of the monster from the deep In vision, John sees a remarkable tragedy strike the beast. One of his heads is struck with a sword and receives a mortal wound. The blow apparently kills the beast verses 3, The beast has been resurrected from the dead, as it were!
What does this strange scene from Revelation 13 mean? Nero is the usual choice because of the bizarre myth that arose after his death. Nero committed suicide in June of AD It was said that one day Nero would return at the head of Parthian armies to destroy Rome.
By the turn of the first century a further twist was added to the Nero legend. It was said he would actually rise from the dead, return to Rome and seize the empire. It was in this context that Revelation was written. Here the triumphant Nero was sometimes even pictured as the antichrist Ascension of Isaiah ; Sibylline Oracles ; , There may, indeed, be a direct though symbolic reference to him in Revelation He would simply be a type of the empire to whom John could point.
Church members in Asia, of course, would have been quite aware of the Nero myth. Remember that it is the beast itself who is said to receive the fatal wound, even though only one of its heads receives the mortal blow verses 12, In one year, three emperors assumed the throne and were deposed. Civil war was rampant. It appeared as though the Roman Empire was about to disintegrate. But the succeeding emperors, Vespasian AD , and his son, Titus , brought stability.
Rather than disintegrating, the empire went on to unprecedented heights of power that shocked the various kingdoms and nations that fell under its military, political and economic sway. Yes, this restored beast inspires awe in the citizens of Asia, and of the world. How they worship the empire in Asia! Some have speculated that the wounding of the beast refers to the destruction of the Roman Empire in AD Of course, we cannot demonstrate such an assertion from the context of Revelation Yet, the book was written to them.
This means we are advised to look for an interpretation of the symbols of Revelation 13 in terms of the understanding of the Christians in Asia who lived around this time. Is there an eschatological or end-time fulfillment to Revelation 13 as well?
Chapters 19 and 20, for example, point to a time when the Lamb will return as a victorious king and the people of God will be given their reward. As long as we do not go beyond a general assertion of the following New Testament truths, we are on safe ground: Jesus will return again, the dead in Christ will rise, God will judge the world, his kingdom will fill the earth in all its fullness.
Nor do we know when such events may occur Mathew ; Acts This second beast comes out of the earth, which many agree means that it is coming out of Israel. This beast will also have power and if you notice they will cause people to worship the first beast or Antichrist.
Because this leader will be some type of religious leader he is often referred to as the False Prophet. We have answered the question of what the two beasts in Revelation 13 are, seeing that they are the Antichrist and the False Prophet. We also know that the dragon is Satan.
One of the things Satan loves to do is to mimic, imitate or copy God. During this period of the Great Tribulation he forms this version of an unholy trinity. Satan goes so far as even mimicking the death and resurrection of Jesus because this Antichrist will be struck with what appears to be a fatal blow and will then be resurrected. Because Satan is a deceiver and does not have the power to bring people back to life, I believe this will not be an actual death and resurrection, it will only appear to be.
One of the things you will also notice about the False Prophet is that he will direct people to worship the Antichrist. In essence, he is pointing people to worship and follow him. I hope this sounds familiar to you because this false prophet is mimicking one of the works that the Holy Spirit does.
The Holy Spirit points and directs people to Jesus. In effect this unholy trinity will take center stage during this period of the Great Tribulation and as true to form will deceive many, especially those who have turned their hearts away from the true and living God.
I heard Pastor Greg Laurie say this a very long time ago. Either way I believe we should look to the return of Jesus Christ because he is our true eternal hope and savior, regardless of what happens in the earth. It is not uncommon for people to be worried or fearful about the prophecies of Revelation or the condition of the world we live in.
However, as important as it is for us as Christians to know these things, they should not be causes for worry, they should be reasons for rejoicing. When you get to the end of Revelation Jesus wins and if you are on his side that means you win too. That is reason for comfort and rejoicing because as the days draw nearer, the time of our redemption and ultimate victory is truly at hand. That great day draws closer every moment and that my friend is reason for great hope and great rejoicing.
Clarence L. Haynes Jr. He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. By lying wonders, pretended miracles. And by severe censures. Also by allowing none to enjoy natural or civil rights, who will not worship that beast which is the image of the pagan beast. It is made a qualification for buying and selling, as well as for places of profit and trust, that they oblige themselves to use all their interest, power, and endeavour, to forward the dominion of the beast, which is meant by receiving his mark.
To make an image to the beast, whose deadly wound was healed, would be to give form and power to his worship, or to require obedience to his commands.
To worship the image of the beast, implies being subject to those things which stamp the character of the picture, and render it the image of the beast. The number of the beast is given, so as to show the infinite wisdom of God, and to exercise the wisdom of men.
The number is the number of a man, computed after the usual manner among men, and it is What or who is intended by this, remains a mystery. To almost every religious dispute this number has yet been applied, and it may reasonably be doubted whether the meaning has yet been discovered.
But he who has wisdom and understanding, will see that all the enemies of God are numbered and marked out for destruction; that the term of their power will soon expire, and that all nations shall submit to our King of righteousness and peace.
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