Revelation 13
1. What does the beast coming out of the sea represent?
2. What does the fatal (but healed) wound mean?
3. When was/is this 42 month period and what are its characteristics?
4. What does the beast coming out of the earth represent?
5. What is meant by the powers he possesses (13-15)
7. What is the mark of the beast?
Futurist-Prophecy yet to be fulfilled
1. The beast resembles the 4th beast in Daniel (Rome) and is said to come out of the sea (gentiles). Generally, it represents secular power. More specifically it represents the coming revived Roman Empire. Most specifically it represents the future (and satanic) dictator of that coming empire. The 10 horns are 10 kingdoms that will be under his authority. The 7 heads represent types of government.
2. The majority view of futurists is that this coming dictator will be assassinated, but will come back to life. This will make him the admiration of the world. The minority view, however, holds this to be a reference to the fact that the Roman Empire seemed to be dead, but will be revived during the tribulation.
3. The 42 months mentioned here is the 2nd half of the 7-year tribulation. During this period, the antichrist will increase in power (becoming a world dictator), be worshipped (voluntarily and/or involuntarily), and make war with believers. But God will not allow this to continue forever. Justice will prevail (v. 10)
4. This beast looks more peaceful (less horns), but is still evil (speaks like a dragon). Most futurists believe this will be a ‘spiritual’ leader (false prophet) of a coming 1 world religion (perhaps the last Pope).
5. The fire from heaven shows the world that he can match the now departed witnesses. The image is seemingly brought to life either by miracle (satanic) or by slight of hand/technology. Eventually (so say many futurists) this image will be set up in the rebuilt temple, constituting the abomination of desolation.
6. Many see this as an implanted computer chip or a laser tattoo used for commerce in, what will basically be, the antichrist’s labor union. But the majority of futurists don’t view this as a literal mark, but the acceptance of the beast’s leadership. The number 666 has been said to represent Rome, specific individuals, or simply the number of ‘mankind’ (humanism)
Historicist-Prophecy fulfilled throughout the church age
1. The beast is clearly Rome. It’s description matches up with Daniel’s 4th beast (Daniel 7). The 7 heads are symbolic for the ‘city upon seven hills’ (Rome) and the 7 forms of Roman government (king, consul, dictator, decemvirs, tribune, imperial…the 7th being Diocletian).
2. The last heathen emperor fell and the evil of Rome was thought to be finished, but its evil was brought back to life through the papacy.
3. This is the 1260 years in which the Papacy battled true Christianity. In the NT, blasphemy was making oneself equal to God (John 10:33) and claiming to be able to forgive sin (Luke 5:21). Historicists believe the Pope’s have done just this.
4. The majority views the second beast with the priesthood of the R.C. Church. Bishops actually wore lamb’s wool and abbots wore a headdress with 2 points.
5. The Catholic church, of course, has claimed many signs and miracles…many of which include statues acting ‘alive’
6. This is the numerical value of the Greek word for Latin, which is the mark of Catholic church and, to the historicist, the mark of allegiance to satan. The Latin title for the Pope’s (Vicar of the Son of God) also has a value of 666.
Preterist-Prophecy fulfilled in distant past
1. Satan could not defeat the seed of the woman, so he waits for opportunity to use the sea (gentile world) in order to pursue her offspring (Christ’s followers). In the broadest sense the beast that responds is the Roman Empire as described in Daniel 7. More specifically, however, it represents Emperor Nero (whom Paul once described in terms of a lion – 2 Tim. 4:17).
2. After Nero’s death in AD68 the Roman Empire was thrown into chaos (3 emperors in 1 year), but eventually regained it’s stability under Vespasian.
3. Nero persecuted the church from AD64-68, but the 42 months is more symbolic of a (relatively) brief period of persecution in general. All the Roman Emperor’s blasphemed because they encouraged and enforced emperor worship.
4. There are 3 leading theories as to the identity of the 2nd beast. 1. This beast represents the religious beliefs of the Roman Empire that Caesar was equal to God. 2. This beast represents the Roman Governor of Judea under Nero (Gessius Florus). 3. This beast represents the false prophets of Judaism who united in purpose with the Roman Empire to destroy Christ’s followers.
5. These are simply symbolic of Israel’s rejection of Christ and ‘teaming’ with Rome in persecution.
6. The numerical value of Nero’s name is 666 in Hebrew. This code, then, was decipherable to Jewish converts, but not to Roman authorities. Both Jewish and Roman leaders organized economic boycotts of Christians.
Spiritualist-Prophecy provides principles applicable many times
1. Satan calls for assistance from the sea (world). The beast out of the sea represents any government that opposes God. Satan works through government and religion. The first beast is his use of government. For John, the Roman Empire
2. The 7 heads represent Old Babylon, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. In John’s day, Rome would recover from the death of Nero. The world is always amazed by the power of government. You can’t fight city hall (v. 4).
3. 42 months is a symbol for a specified period based on past events like the drought in Elijah’s day, persecution under Antiochus Epiphanes, persecution under Nero, and the duration of Jesus’ ministry. There were about 42 months b/w Jesus baptism and ascension, many spiritualists compare the 42 months, then, to the period of time b/w the beginning of the church and the return of Christ. The entire church age will be marked by persecution.
4. The second beast is the false prophet. It symbolizes false religion/philosophy which government (the first beast) has used throughout history. In John’s day this was emperor worship.
5. False religions have always been able to come up with ‘signs and wonders’ whether by trickery or by satanic power. False religions are almost always intolerant of Christianity, to the point of death.
6. Receiving the mark is synonymous with worshipping the beast. It is not a literal mark. Any who do not align with their nations government and popular religious beliefs can expect persecution to follow. The number 666 probably alluded to Nero in John’s day. But it generally represents man’s imperfection, evil government, and false religion.
2. What does the fatal (but healed) wound mean?
3. When was/is this 42 month period and what are its characteristics?
4. What does the beast coming out of the earth represent?
5. What is meant by the powers he possesses (13-15)
7. What is the mark of the beast?
Futurist-Prophecy yet to be fulfilled
1. The beast resembles the 4th beast in Daniel (Rome) and is said to come out of the sea (gentiles). Generally, it represents secular power. More specifically it represents the coming revived Roman Empire. Most specifically it represents the future (and satanic) dictator of that coming empire. The 10 horns are 10 kingdoms that will be under his authority. The 7 heads represent types of government.
2. The majority view of futurists is that this coming dictator will be assassinated, but will come back to life. This will make him the admiration of the world. The minority view, however, holds this to be a reference to the fact that the Roman Empire seemed to be dead, but will be revived during the tribulation.
3. The 42 months mentioned here is the 2nd half of the 7-year tribulation. During this period, the antichrist will increase in power (becoming a world dictator), be worshipped (voluntarily and/or involuntarily), and make war with believers. But God will not allow this to continue forever. Justice will prevail (v. 10)
4. This beast looks more peaceful (less horns), but is still evil (speaks like a dragon). Most futurists believe this will be a ‘spiritual’ leader (false prophet) of a coming 1 world religion (perhaps the last Pope).
5. The fire from heaven shows the world that he can match the now departed witnesses. The image is seemingly brought to life either by miracle (satanic) or by slight of hand/technology. Eventually (so say many futurists) this image will be set up in the rebuilt temple, constituting the abomination of desolation.
6. Many see this as an implanted computer chip or a laser tattoo used for commerce in, what will basically be, the antichrist’s labor union. But the majority of futurists don’t view this as a literal mark, but the acceptance of the beast’s leadership. The number 666 has been said to represent Rome, specific individuals, or simply the number of ‘mankind’ (humanism)
Historicist-Prophecy fulfilled throughout the church age
1. The beast is clearly Rome. It’s description matches up with Daniel’s 4th beast (Daniel 7). The 7 heads are symbolic for the ‘city upon seven hills’ (Rome) and the 7 forms of Roman government (king, consul, dictator, decemvirs, tribune, imperial…the 7th being Diocletian).
2. The last heathen emperor fell and the evil of Rome was thought to be finished, but its evil was brought back to life through the papacy.
3. This is the 1260 years in which the Papacy battled true Christianity. In the NT, blasphemy was making oneself equal to God (John 10:33) and claiming to be able to forgive sin (Luke 5:21). Historicists believe the Pope’s have done just this.
4. The majority views the second beast with the priesthood of the R.C. Church. Bishops actually wore lamb’s wool and abbots wore a headdress with 2 points.
5. The Catholic church, of course, has claimed many signs and miracles…many of which include statues acting ‘alive’
6. This is the numerical value of the Greek word for Latin, which is the mark of Catholic church and, to the historicist, the mark of allegiance to satan. The Latin title for the Pope’s (Vicar of the Son of God) also has a value of 666.
Preterist-Prophecy fulfilled in distant past
1. Satan could not defeat the seed of the woman, so he waits for opportunity to use the sea (gentile world) in order to pursue her offspring (Christ’s followers). In the broadest sense the beast that responds is the Roman Empire as described in Daniel 7. More specifically, however, it represents Emperor Nero (whom Paul once described in terms of a lion – 2 Tim. 4:17).
2. After Nero’s death in AD68 the Roman Empire was thrown into chaos (3 emperors in 1 year), but eventually regained it’s stability under Vespasian.
3. Nero persecuted the church from AD64-68, but the 42 months is more symbolic of a (relatively) brief period of persecution in general. All the Roman Emperor’s blasphemed because they encouraged and enforced emperor worship.
4. There are 3 leading theories as to the identity of the 2nd beast. 1. This beast represents the religious beliefs of the Roman Empire that Caesar was equal to God. 2. This beast represents the Roman Governor of Judea under Nero (Gessius Florus). 3. This beast represents the false prophets of Judaism who united in purpose with the Roman Empire to destroy Christ’s followers.
5. These are simply symbolic of Israel’s rejection of Christ and ‘teaming’ with Rome in persecution.
6. The numerical value of Nero’s name is 666 in Hebrew. This code, then, was decipherable to Jewish converts, but not to Roman authorities. Both Jewish and Roman leaders organized economic boycotts of Christians.
Spiritualist-Prophecy provides principles applicable many times
1. Satan calls for assistance from the sea (world). The beast out of the sea represents any government that opposes God. Satan works through government and religion. The first beast is his use of government. For John, the Roman Empire
2. The 7 heads represent Old Babylon, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. In John’s day, Rome would recover from the death of Nero. The world is always amazed by the power of government. You can’t fight city hall (v. 4).
3. 42 months is a symbol for a specified period based on past events like the drought in Elijah’s day, persecution under Antiochus Epiphanes, persecution under Nero, and the duration of Jesus’ ministry. There were about 42 months b/w Jesus baptism and ascension, many spiritualists compare the 42 months, then, to the period of time b/w the beginning of the church and the return of Christ. The entire church age will be marked by persecution.
4. The second beast is the false prophet. It symbolizes false religion/philosophy which government (the first beast) has used throughout history. In John’s day this was emperor worship.
5. False religions have always been able to come up with ‘signs and wonders’ whether by trickery or by satanic power. False religions are almost always intolerant of Christianity, to the point of death.
6. Receiving the mark is synonymous with worshipping the beast. It is not a literal mark. Any who do not align with their nations government and popular religious beliefs can expect persecution to follow. The number 666 probably alluded to Nero in John’s day. But it generally represents man’s imperfection, evil government, and false religion.
posted by matthew at 9:48 PM
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