Revelation 13

Revelation 13:1

ANd I stood upon the sand of the sea] Or, I was set. John was removed by the spirit to a convenient place, where he might see the beast arise out of the sea. See the like removes, chap. 17. 3. & 21. 10. Ezekiel 8:3. Daniel 8:2. Others read it, And he stood; that is, the dragon; and so annex it to the end of the former chapter. But that cannot be; for the dragon was gone away, to sight with the rest of the saints, chap. 12. 17. Neither need he stand there to see the originall of the beast, which he knew very well. Neither are these revelations shewed to the dragon, but to John.

a beast] A great empire, Daniel 7:3. It is no news in Scripture, especially in Daniel, and in the Revelation, for such fierce and cruell empires to be compared to wilde-beasts; as leopards, and bears, &c. Some conceive this beast and the other, v. 11. to be all one. Others interpret this of the popish Romane empire, and the other of the pope, who is the antichrist.

rise up.] It is not said to be raised up, but to rise up, and to ascend; for this beast was very greedy of supremacie, and sought it by his own strength, as well as by his friends. He seeth it ascend up by little and little, till it came quite out of the sea. So did the western emperour and the pope grow up by little and little, till they got free of, and power over many nations. He is properly said to ascend out of the sea, because the shore is higher then it, and keepeth it in, Psalms 24:2. Therefore mariners are said to go down into the sea in ships, Psalms 107:23. Isaiah 42:10. Or, to ascend, by an usuall Hebrew phrase, is to come from, or come forth of, Revelation 7:2. & Revelation 10:9. Jeremiah 34:21. & Jeremiah 35:7.

out of the sea] Out of many nations, chap. 17. 15.

seven heads, and ten horns] See chap. 12. 3.

vpon his horns ten crowns] For ten crowned kings were afterward subject unto the popish empire, or antichrist, which had not yet received their crowns, chap. 17. 12.

upon his head the name of blasphemy] Or, names. Monuments of idolatry were on the seven hills of Rome: or, their severall governours were idolaters.

Revelation 13:2

like unto a leopard] A fierce beast, hating man so much, that he first fleeth upon his eyes, to pull them out; and in his rage will tear the very picture of a man out of paper. Or, as a leopard which lieth in wait for his prey, Jeremiah 5:6. Hosea 13:7. A note both of fiercenesse and subtilty. This empire was divided into many kingdoms, like the Grecian, typified by a leopard, Daniel 7:6. & 8. 8, 22.

as the feet of a bear] Ravenous, like the Persian empire, Daniel 7:5.

as the mouth of a lion] Made idolatrous and cruell decree; as the Babylonian empire did, Daniel 7:4. & 3. 1, &c. Thus this representation is formed of divers beasts, because no one was bad enough to set out the evil qualities of this dominion.

the dragon gave him his power] Gr. his own power. The devil gave him the power that he had given the heathen Romane emperours before, which they had lost in Constantines time. The devil gave him strength to manage his dominion, set him in Rome, where Satans throne was before, and gave him authority over many kings and kingdoms. All these are needfull to uphold an empire. Authority must be backed with honour, and honour with strength; else an empire will not stand.

Revelation 13:3

one of his heads] The western Romane emperour was grievously spoiled by the Goths and Vandals: or the pope weakned, and brought very lowe, like one wounded in the head.

wounded] Gr. slain.

was healed] By raising up of the French or Germane empire, under the title of the Romane. So that now it seemed like a body which had been mortally wounded, and yet flourisheth again, to admiration.

wondered after the beast] Chap. 17. 8. Submitted themselves to the beast wholly, and wondered at his raising again, and followed him with great admiration.

Revelation 13:4

worshipped the dragon] In obeying the emperours or popes idolatrous decrees, they not onely worshipped them, but also the devil in them, chap. 9. 20. 1 Corinthians 10:20. For the dragon gave them that power, and his work they did. Therefore John setteth them all out, as falling down on their knees before the dragon. Not that these emperours or popes would confesse they had their power from the dragon, or that this people thought they had it from him, or worshipped the dragon visibly: but when they thought they worshipped God, who in their conceit had set up his dominion, they did closely worship Satan, who set it up indeed. Or, as the Romane eagle was carried before the army, whereby the beast was followed and worshipped, even with perill of life: so some write that they carried dragons before every troop; and they that carried them were called Dragoons. Thus they followed the dragon.

saying] Here they expresse their admiration, and their fear accompanying it, in the words following. They worshipped them in words, as well as gestures: as the elders worshipped God, chap. 4. 10, 11.

Revelation 13:5

there was given unto him] By the devil, who gave him his power, v. 2. Or, he was permitted by God to blaspheme.

a mouth speaking] Daniel 7:8. 11, 25 & 11. 36.

great things and blasphemies] He boasted of his own greatnesse, and vilified all others, even God himself, vers. 6. Psal. 12. 3, 4.

to continue] Or, to make war; as v. 7. Gr. to do great things. Or, to do what he list for a time, Daniel 8:4; Daniel 8:12. Or, to abide, James 4:13.

fourty and two moneths] See chap. 11. 2. The power of antichrist, and the papists, is reckoned by moneths; for they are works of the night, guided by the unconstant moon: but the course of Gods people is guided by the sun, and set out by days, chap. 11. 3.

Revelation 13:6

he opened his month, &c.] At first he counterfeited himself holy, when the power was newly given him; but now by degrees he cometh to blaspheme God himself, with full month, Psalms 73:9. 2 Thess. 2. 4. Opening the month, is the beginning to speak. Matthew 5:2.

his Name] God himself, and his power, Acts 2:21. & 3. 12, 16. & 4. 12. Romans 10:13. Psal. 74. 10, 18.

his tabernacle] His Church, Psalms 76:2. & 87. 1, 2. and his ordinances.

them that dwell in heaven] That serve God in his Church, as fellow-citizens of heaven, and being of Gods houshold, Ephesians 2:19. where God dwelleth as a Master, Psalms 76:2. and a Father, Matth 6. 9. These then, in regard of their simplicity and weaknesse, lie open to all reproaches and injuries from their powerfull enemies.

Revelation 13:7

to make war with the saints] With Gods servants, who are sanctified, Daniel 7:21. Chap. 11. 7.

to overcome them] By subduing or slaying them, v. 10.

power] See v. 5.

all kinreds, &c.] See chap. 5. 9. & 7. 9. & 11. 9.

Revelation 13:8

all that dwell] The greatest number; as Luke 2. 2. Romans 11:26. So that the rest were so few, in comparison of the idolatrous Christians, that they are of no reckoning.

upon the earth] In the world, except such as here excepted, chap. 3. 10.

whose names] Whom God maketh no account to save. Lest, because the followers of the beast are so many, therefore we might think, none should be saved; John, assureth us, that none of Gods elect shall perish, Matthew 24:24. They shall be kept from this idolatry, Romans 11:4-5.

in the book of life of the Lamb slain] Exodus 32:32. Philippians 4:3. Chap. 3. 5. and 20. 12. and 21. 27.

from the foundation of the world] By vertue of whose Blood, they were saved who lived before his incarnation, as well as they who lived after it. Or, whose names are not written, from the foundation of the world, in the book of the Lamb slain: that is, who are not predestinated, from all eternity, to be saved by the death of Christ. See chap. 17. 8.

Revelation 13:9

If any man have an ear, &c.] Let every man observe this beast, that he be not deceived by him; for he cometh not now in the shape of the dragon, but is a Christian by profession. See chap. 2. 7. Matthew 13:9. yet, by the former description, he may be known and avoided.

Revelation 13:10

into captivity] The two things to be expected from this beast by the people of God, are slavery and death: which calamities, as they inflict upon others; so they shall by others be inflicted on them, Isaiah 33:1.

he that killeth, &c.] Genesis 9:6. Matthew 26:52.

here is the patience] Chap. 14. 12. Here is the main matter, wherein the patience and faith of Gods servants shall be exercised, 1 Peter 1:6-7. Or, here is good ground for patience and faith in Gods servants: to wit, that God will certainly destroy their persecutours, that make them slaves, and kill their brethren, and seek to destroy them daily. The certain hope of antichrists ruine, should uphold all Gods people that are persecuted by him.

Revelation 13:11

another beast] Either the same in another shape, if both be meant of the pope, as some think, because there is but one beast mentioned, chap. 17. 8. but here represented by two beasts: the former, in regard of that temporall power, the later, in regard of that spirituall power, he challengeth to himself. Or else the former is the French or Germane emperour ruling over many kings, and this is the pope or false prophet, chap. 19. 20. One the politicall beast, the other the ecclesisticall.

coming up] See notes on v. 1.

out of the earth] From mean beginnings; and spreading far, Genesis 2:9. Or, not coming from heaven, but from hell; as chap. 11. 7.

two horns like a lamb] He seemed to be meek. Or, he was a Christian by profession, and called himself Christs vicar.

spake as a dragon] As he that was represented by the dragon; for dragons cannot speak. He set up idolatry by his command, as the heathen emperours had done.

Revelation 13:12

all the power of the first beast] Took on him civill authority.

before him] In the citie of Rome, which was the seat of the emperour, where he was wont to keep his court.

the earth, &c.] See chap. 12. 12. Unlesse it be taken for the generality, as the world is, v. 3.

to worship the first beast] To acknowledge a Romane empire again, after the incursion of the Goths: and to make the Romane citie to be accounted holy, that all might flock to it. He doth not at first set up his power, but the emperours again, which was a thing more faisable; and afterwards weakeneth him, to set up himself.

whose deadly wound was healed] See notes on v. 3.

Revelation 13:13

great wonders] Matthew 24:24. 2 Thess. 2. 9. Now he sheweth how this second beast worshipped the first; namely, by working miracles; which the first beast could not do, though he had much power given him, v. 2. Yet these were no true miracles, but jugling, whereby he deceived the people, v. 14. Chap. 18. 23. Lying wonders, 2 Thess. 2. 12.

so that he] That is, such great ones, that he may seem to be able to do the greatest of all. Like that phrase of removing mountains, Matthew 17:20. Fire from heaven is named, because signes from heaven affect men most, Matthew 16:1. and because the pope would endeavour to confirm his worship by fire from heaven, as God did his, Leviticus 9:24. 1 Kings 18:38. 2 Chronicles 7:1. and be in shew as great a prophet as Elias, 2 Kings 1:10; 2 Kings 1:12.

maketh fire come down from heaven] By sorcery; for some popes have been conjurers, and have made some such shews to the people: as pope Zachary had fiery armies going before him to Ravenna, that he might be thought to be another Elisha, 2 Kings 6:17. When pope Steven went into France, to get help of king Pipin, balls of fire were seen running up and down in the air. Such other stories the popish writers have store of, to prove their pope to be antichrist. Or, he excommunicateth men, as if he did thunder and lighten on them.

in the fight of men] Publikely, to seduce men the more.

Revelation 13:14

deceiveth] All is set down in the present tense. He exerciseth, doeth wonders, deceiveth; either because John now saw some such thing in the vision, or else because it would be done as surely, as if the pope were then doing it.

on the earth] See v. 8.

miracles] Look on v. 13.

in the sight of the beast] See on v. 12.

make an image to the beast] Set up a Romane emperour, that should have nothing to do in Rome, and should be like the former emperours, in setting up idolatry again.

by the sword] By warlike incursions of barbarous people invading the empire, v. 3.

and did live] Or, recovered, Isaiah 38:21. & Isaiah 39:1. Though he were mortally wounded, v. 12. yet this beast maketh him live still, that men might think he had life and death in his power.

Revelation 13:15

to give life] Gr. breath. He saw, by the raising of the ruine, of the Romane empire, he had prevailed much; and now he maketh these later emperours act according to his will, that he may raise himself.

to the image of the beast] For the Germane Cesar was not Romane emperour, till he was confirmed by the pope.

speak, &c.] Should make laws, and punish such as did not acknowledge him to be emperour, or himself to be Christs vicar. Others think it is an allusion to their jugling tricks, making their images to speak, thereby to seduce the people to idolatry.

image of the beast] Before, it was an image made to the beast, to uphold the state of Rome: now, it is the image of the beast. The pope will have it acknowledged to be so.

should be killed] Now he addeth cruelty to his subtilty, and dealeth by open force, having strengthened the Romane empire again. So did Nebuchad-nezzar rage, Daniel 3:6; Daniel 3:20.

Revelation 13:16

all] All sorts of men, small and great, &c. This sheweth the largenesse of his dominion: and also his care, not onely to oblige the great ones to him, that might be most usefull to establish his kingdom; but also the meanest: for he knew that mean ones may raise great stirs in a state, as a little spark may set on fire an house; and cities are taken often, where men least suspect. So are states ruined.

to receive] Gr. that he may give to them. And by consequence, that they may willingly take it at his hands.

a mark in their right hand] Not that he stamped a visible mark upon them, but obliged them, by some externall band, to serve and fight for the sea and state of Rome. To fight for him, as souldiers were wont to do for their emperour or generall, whose mark they had in their right hand, where with they used to fight.

or in their foreheads] To serve him, as servants did their masters; whose they were known openly to be, by wearing their marks on their foreheads.

Revelation 13:17

buy or sell] Either civil, by way of trading; or spiritually, by buying and selling pardons. It had been too cruell to have killed all at first, who refused his authority: therefore he forbiddeth them all trading, without which men cannot live; and so compelleth multitudes to come in to him.

mark] Except he be a sworn servant of the pope. See v. 16. This maketh the full and proper subjects of that kingdom, and therefore caused all he could to receive this mark, v. 16. and they are threatned with damnation, who receive it, chap. 14. 9, 11. Neither of these is spoken of those who received the name, or the number.

or the name of the beast] Or, were a papist in religion. By the beast here is meant, the first beast. The Romane state or emperours, whom the pope made men to serve, and whose authority he used, till he could raise himself to his height, v. 1, 12. Chap. 16. 2.

or the number of his name] Or, were esteemed so to be, and numbred among such.

Revelation 13:18

Here is wisedom] It is an hard thing to finde out this mark or name.

for it is the number of a man] It is not onely known to me by revelation, but also may be found out by humane wisedom. Let wise men therefore seek to finde it out.

and his number] It is to be found in the numbers of the Greek letters of his generall name: for mens names in Greek, contained numbers in the letters. They had not other figures, as we have, but counted by letters.

six hundred threescore and six] Saint John would not plainly set down the name, lest he should make the Romane emperours offended with the Christians; as saint Paul doth not name him that letteth, 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7. yet such plain tokens are set down by both, that he, and antichrist his upholder, might be known when he cometh. The truth is, this is the name of the beast, not of antichrist; and so a nationall name, describing that state where antichrist should rise and reign: and therefore though it is like to be comprehended in Greek letters, in which language John wrote; yet it is not likely to be a Greek word originally. Ireneus, and the ancients, take it for the word Lateinos, which, in Greek letters, maketh six hundred sixty and six: shewing, that antichrist should be a Romane, or one of the Latine Church. Others suppose his power should begin in the yeer of Christ six hundred sixty and six. Others, that it should last so many yeers in the height of it.