Revelation Review Chapter 13
Weekly Wednesday writings on Revelation one chapter at a time.
John uses 3 images of Satan to convey this evil network that goes out into the world. The first image of the red dragon is in chapter 12:3, the next image is in Chapter 13:1 the sea beast, and the third image in chapter 13:11 is the other beast.
The image of the red dragon:
“And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.” Revelation 12:9
Here we read about the red dragon, we know from verses 1-6 that this image is from the time that Jesus is on earth during his bodily ministry. This a monumental time when God’s salvation is no longer addressed just to the Israelites, but God’s word is now, at Jesus’s ministry, going out to Jew and Gentile, all the earth. In Jesus’ response to the 72 who went out in Luke chapter 10 Jesus says, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”. The red dragon “thrown down to earth” brings an end to the evil work of darkness because God’s work is going out to all the earth. God’s will is greater than the work comes from evil.
The image of the sea beast:
“And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.” Revelation 13:2
Daniel 7:4 “the first was like a lion and had eagles' wings... “ Verse 5 “And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear...” Verse 6 “After this I looked, and behold, another, like a leopard, with four wings of a bird on its back… “ Verse 7 “..and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth;”
John has combined the 4 beasts in Daniels vision into one beast. These 4 beasts of Daniel represent different empires during the Old Testament and the 1st century. These include Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome, the 4 empires for a time in history require the people of the nation worship the nation instead of God. In Revelation 13:2 it says” And to it (the sea beast) the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority”, this could possibly mean that the red dragon is not directly influencing people in places of political authority, but that the red dragon channels through selfish and corrupt political nations/government/leadership to bring people away from what is good and away from that which is the work of Christ. The people are forced to worship a king, god or nation is in contrast to the people choosing worship of God.
The image of the other beast:
“Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 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. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and 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.” verses 11-14
“Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:15
“Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many” Matthew 24:4-5
Notice this other beast is imitating the image of Jesus with “horns like a lamb,” and “whose mortal wound was healed”. These are warnings to the first century church. Jesus also gave warnings to the first century believer, in the Sermon on the Mount and in Matthew 24. Again, John repeats the image of forced worship, “and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast”. This is not the message of scripture, it is an individuals own free will to choose to worship God.
“…the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth…” verse 14, “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,” verse 16.
“… but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” Revelation 9:4
In this chapter is the image of a mark given by the other beast on the right hand or forehead, in verses 16-18. Here again seem to be warnings to the first century believer. Many will be deceived. The ones who are not deceived, who remain faithful to God, will be killed yet these are the people who receive salvation.
In the letter to the Ephesians 1:11-14, is the message of a believers salvation being sealed by the Holy Spirit. The deception from the beast cannot take a believer from God. A believer is sealed and protected, not from trials of this world, but from being lost from salvation. The mark of the beast is only mentioned in Revelation, so it seems more of a warning to the generation that is reading this letter. Where the work of the Holy Spirit as he seals our hearts is repeated throughout scripture.