Revelation 13

Revelation 13:1

Twenty-nine years before Christ came as the Babe of Bethlehem, the worship of Caesar had been instituted throughout the Roman Empire. Initially, the Caesars viewed this as little more than a way to stir up feelings of patriotism within the people of the empire. But at the end of the first century, Caesar Nero actually believed his press clippings and truly believed he was God in the flesh. Thus, beginning with his reign, every subject within the Roman Empire was required to go to one of the pagan temples, stand before a priest, and confess on a yearly basis that Caesar was Lord. For most, it was merely an annoyance. Not so for the believers. They wouldn’t play the game. As a result, most historians believe that the number of Christians killed in the ten waves of persecution that followed exceeded six million. Consequently, what John writes about here is not only for us in these last days in terms of prophecy and eschatologybut for the hearts of his flock, who themselves were face-to-face with the beast of Roman persecution. You see, John the prophet is also John the pastorsharing his heart with any and all facing hard times… The beast John sees is Antichrist. “Antichrist” literally meaning “in place of Christ,” John would go on to write that there are many antichristsnot the Antichrist, but anything that takes one’s focus off Jesus (1Jn_2:18). Here in Revelation 13, however, the reference is to the Antichrist. “The sea” in Bible typology always referring to Gentile nations as opposed to “the land” referring to Israel, the mention of the sea here indicates that Antichrist will not come from Israel. In fact, chapter 17 goes on to say that the beast will come from the ten Gentile nations that stem from the old Roman Empire and that make up the last world empire. But this doesn’t necessarily mean Antichrist will be a Gentile, for he could be a European Jew. Revelation 17 identifies the seven heads as the seven mountains of Rome. Thus, Antichrist’s government will initially be based in the city of Rome. There are ten crowns on only seven heads because, according to Daniel 2 and 7, when Antichrist comes to power, he will initially grab the reigns of three nations from the ten-nation confederation. As you study history, you catch glimpses of men who wanted to revive the glory of Rome. But it won’t happen until Antichrist comes, for he alone will be able to reignite the fire of the Roman Empire. The beast has blasphemy upon his heads because he has rebellion on his mind. The image of a seven-headed, ten-horned beast is meant to be monstrous and hideous, for such is the nature of the one who is rebellious, who is blasphemous, who isas we shall seethe devil incarnate.

Revelation 13:2

The four successive empires that would rule during the time Israel was a nation are described as a glorious statue in Daniel 2. Such is man’s perspective. God’s perspective, however, is seen in Daniel 7 through a series of monstrous beaststhe same beasts described here, although in inverse order: the leopard symbolizing Alexander the Great’s ability to pounce; the bear symbolizing the Medes and the Persians, the lion symbolizing Babylon. Why is the order inversed in Daniel? Because Daniel is looking ahead, while John is looking back.

Revelation 13:3

At this point in the Tribulation, Antichrist is mortally wounded. According to Zec_11:17, there will be an assassination attempt on Antichrist that will evidently cause his eye to be poked out and his right arm to be paralyzed. Because the Greek text can either be rendered “wounded to death” or “wounded to the appearance of death,” there are those who believe Antichrist will only appear to be dead as a result of this wound. My opinion, however, is that he truly will die and descend to hell (Rev_17:8).

Revelation 13:4

At the point this popular, powerful figurewho captures the affection and imagination of the entire world with all of his grand ideas and peace programsascends from hell, he truly is the incarnation of Satan. Just as Jesus Christ comes from heaven and is God, it would seem as though Antichrist will truly be the incarnation of the dragon, of Satan. Put yourself in the shoes of those who will see this great leader come back to life after being assassinated, and you will understand why they will give Satan what he has desired ever since he was cast out of heaven before the fall: worship.

Revelation 13:5

Antichrist is on a roll. He’s on Larry King, Oprah, World News Tonight declaring that he truly is deity. How long is forty-two months? Three and a half years, 1,260 days, or “a time, times and a half time.” All of these phrases pop up throughout Revelation and describe the last half of the Tribulationthe Great Tribulation. And now begins the hellish last half of Antichrist’s seven-year reign…

Revelation 13:6

Some people believe that the church must be on earth during the Tribulation in order for Antichrist to “make war with the saints.” But they fail to understand that there are three groups of people in the Bible referred to as saints: Simply meaning “separated one,” throughout the Old Testament the word “saints” refers to Israel. In the New Testament it refers to the church. And after the church is raptured, it refers to those who are saved in the Tribulation. “I will build My church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” Jesus said (Mat_16:18). The church will not be overcome. Therefore, this passage cannot refer to the church. “Dwell” meaning “to be at home with,” and earth referring to the world system, those who are comfortable with the worldly scene will end up worshiping Antichrist. The book of life includes the names of those who get saved during the Tribulation. The book of life belongs to the Lamb slain from the foundation of the worldor from before the foundation of the world, as the newer translations render this verse. Too many people have far too small a view of what Christ did in dying for the sin of humanityincluding me. Growing up, I was under the distinct impression that Jesus died on the Cross and remained there for six hours, paying the price for my sin. While that is true, it’s not the full picture. You see, the Old Testament makes unmistakably clear the fact that every sin needs to be dealt with individually. That is why Old Testament believers were required to lay their hands on the animals they sacrificed and confess their sins specifically (Lev_1:4). Yes, there was Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement for the nation, but every individual was still required by the law to make sacrifice for his personal transgressions in the trespass offering. Multiply all of the sins of those in your churchadd to that the sins of all of the people in our country, all of the folks who have lived throughout historyand the amount of sin staggers the imagination. That is why I believe that when the Word speaks of Christ being slain before the foundation of the world, only heaven will allow us to understand that He was slaughtered and slain in a way we cannot understand in the time/space continuum in which we live. Consequently, when we see Him, we will worship Him with an intensity and an explosion of praise never before experienced because we will at last see Him as a Lamb having been slainnewly slain. “I thought He was on the Cross for a few hours one Friday,” we’ll say. “I had no idea what my sin cost Him.”

Revelation 13:9

What is John saying? I can hear his heart, can’t you? He’s saying to those in his day, just as he would say to me and you today who are in tribulation or difficulties, “The one putting you in prison, unsheathing the sword, marching you into the coliseum is himself going down.” Do you realize how blessed we are because we know the end of the story? You may be in a difficult marriage, persecuted on the job, fighting illness, undergoing severe pressures financially, or weary of your flesh that rears its ugly head constantly. But we know one day it will all be solved. That’s what John told his people. And that’s what the Spirit would say to us. We who have been saved awhile take this for granted. But what if this was the first time you understood that everything that plagues you presently will be gone in a heartbeat; that you’re going to heaven, where everything will be wonderful forever and ever? “If any man has an ear, let him hear. Listen up,” says Pastor John. “I don’t care if you miss everything else, get this: The forces against you are soon going to be done away with: The beast, persecution, problems, will undo themselves.” That’s why I need to read the Book of Revelation over and over again. It’s not about deciphering the mark of the Beast. It’s not written to help us figure out who the false prophet or Antichrist is. It’s written to give us hope and to bring us back constantly to the fact that life is short and we’ll be in heaven soon. The person who doesn’t understand the Book of Revelation will go through life in his own personal tribulation. The person who grabs hold of Revelation, on the other hand, will live in a state of anticipation and celebration. Every single one of us will either go through this week in tribulation or celebration. Life is short. The Lord is in control. We’re going to heaven. That’s what this book is about.

Revelation 13:11

When Jesus ascended to heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity (Joh_14:16). The other beast named herethe false prophet, as we shall seeis to Antichrist what the Holy Spirit is to Jesus. Minus the horns or crowns of Antichrist, the false prophet comes across like a lamb. He seems to be so humble and gentle. Whereas Antichrist is the political leader, the false prophet is the religious leader who will unify the world religion as the public relations man for Antichrist.

Revelation 13:12

Who’s the first beast? Antichrist. The ministry of the Spirit is to put the focus on Jesus. The ministry of the false prophet is to put the focus on Antichrist. The parallel is exact.

Revelation 13:13

Although this false prophet will appear to be as gentle as a lamb, he’ll also have the ability to call fire down from heaven. This should be a practical word of warning to you and me. You see, there are those who come on the scene appearing to be so spiritual and so “on fire.” But Pastor John the Revelator would have us be aware of the very real ability of Satan to transform himself into an angel of light and to perform all kinds of miracles. Gang, whenever someone comes on the scene pointing to some movement, man, mantra, or method, saying, “This is the hot thing"I would encourage you to run in the opposite direction. When a person or group is more excited about what’s happening in Canada or Korea than they are about the character, work, or Person of Jesusstay away. You can always spot a counterfeit. Like the false prophet, a counterfeit calls attention to “Antichrist,” to something “in place of Christ.”

Revelation 13:15

What is this statue evidently erected in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem? Computer chips are presently based on sand, on silicon. But the new computer chips will be based on living matter, on protein. When these protein-based computer chips finally get perfected, the computing power will immediately increase fifty thousand times. So it could be that this image is a sophisticated automaton. Or it could be an image that is powered demonically. Whatever it is, it will appear to have life.

Revelation 13:16

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord.” This is the “shema” of Deu_6:4 that is so essential to Jewish belief that it is placed in phylacteries and worn on the head and arms of Orthodox Jews to this day. I find it interesting that even as Satan, Antichrist, and the false prophet counterfeit the Trinity, so their mark worn on the head and arm counterfeits the command of God in Deu_6:4-8. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.Deu_6:4-8 I am reminded of Pharaoh’s magicians who could do no more than mimic the miracles God did through Moses. Because God is the only Creator, Satan is left to do no more than copy. Throughout the Old Testament when God gave dietary regulations and health procedures to His people, He never explained His reasons. He simply said, “I am the Lord” (Lev_11:44). In the ensuing centuries, as scientific and medical knowledge caught up, man slowly understood the wisdom behind God’s commands. So, too, the reason God’s command in Lev_19:28 not to mark our bodies becomes ever clearer in light of the demand of Antichrist to receive his mark in one’s body. “Trust Me,” says the Lord. “I love you passionately and want nothing but the best for you eternally.” Truly, here is wisdom. The Beast Who Was Marked A Topical Study of Rev_13:16-18 John wrote this Book of Revelation while on an isolated island, wearing clothing that looked more like a towel than what we wear today, during a period in history when the highest form of technology was a mule, and when the world’s economy was based on bartering. Therefore, what makes this passage so absolutely intriguing is that John describes precisely that which is upon us economically and culturally. For centuries, this passage confused Bible scholars. While they knew it was true, exactly how it would happen was beyond their wildest imaginations. But for us, this is no big deal, for we are accustomed to buying and selling numerically. The banking industry has been pushing hard for a cashless society for many decades. Why? Every check costs a bank between thirty-five and sixty cents to process. Electronic transactions, on the other hand, cost one cent. Banks have a very real interest in seeing us move toward an electronic funds transfer system. So do small business owners, due to the multimillion-dollar price they pay for employees who steal from the till. Not only are banks and businesses eager to see a cashless society, but the IRS is as well. The government loses what is estimated to be one trillion dollars a year in the “underground” economythe system whereby employees are paid in cash in order to avoid the paper trail that would require them to pay taxes. Technology for a cashless society has been around for decades. The only reason we have not seen it implemented until recently is not due to a lack of technology, but rather to a phobia with technology. Because people my age and older are somewhat techno-phobic, we have been reluctant to embrace technology. But that’s changing. Why? It is partially due to the fact that the older generation is dying. You see, the kids who have grown up with Nintendo are not intimidated by technology in the least. Even more than this, our culture has changed in such a way that even we who are older are feeling a need to move into a cashless society. Consider the reasons why… Crime. So many people are being ripped off after withdrawing money from Automated Teller Machines, that cities like Berkeley, California, are passing ordinances making it illegal to stand within one hundred fifty feet of an ATM unless making a transaction. Drugs. Drug lords don’t write checks. The entire drug culture is based on the exchange of cash, rendering a record of such transactions nonexistent. Consequently, the most effective way to curb drug traffic would be to get rid of all cash. Taxes. On television one week was a story on the various ways the wealthy in our society legally avoid paying one penny on their vast amounts of incomeone of which is to deal solely with cash. Because the taxes of commoners like you and me go up radically as a result, people are demanding something be done to restore equity in our tax system. How can this happen? One of the easiest ways is to get rid of cash. Enter the debit card. VISA alone has issued one million combination credit/debit cards worldwide to people using numbers to buy and sell, just as John prophesied. But it gets even more amazing. There is a MARC card. MARC stands for Multi-technology Automated Reader Card. It’s given to Armed Forces personnel. In addition to accessing economic transactions a la a VISA card, the MARC card contains a computer chip with the medical and personal history of the holder, giving him clearance for all sorts of weapons and other technology. But more than that, his location can be pinpointed anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds. The practicality of this in times of war is understandablebut so are the problems. Because like a VISA card, a MARC card can be easily lost or stolen, the solution to this problem has been biometricswhere clearance to a secured area is obtained by the scanning of one’s palm. But due to even the most undetectable interference (like hand cream) biometrics has not proven to be as practical as originally hoped. Such is the reason for the introduction of an ATM that would identify customers simply by reading the iris of their eyes. However, even these can run into problems due to something as simple as a contact lens. The only solution seems to be what John prophesied two thousand years ago when he wrote that Antichrist will require everyone to receive a mark in his right hand or forehead. Certainly we’re not far from this. A recent newspaper article I read addressed the fact that we are approaching the time when the key to all transactions will be a computer chip imbedded in the hand. Already, horses in St. Louis are required to have such a chip under their manes for identification purposes. Cats in San Francisco carry such chips containing their vaccination records and identification so that if lost, their owners can be notified. There is even a proposal to use such technology on convicted felons in Southern California. Although horses in St. Louis, cats in San Francisco, and felons in Orange County might seem a world away, one’s children don’t. With the growing threat of kidnappings, parents will be much more likely to welcome such technology. There’s only one problem: John tells us the mark of the beast will seal the fate, will doom the one who accepts it. You see, with the acceptance of his number, one pledges total allegiance to Antichrist. That is why the Lord warns peoplenot only in the Word, but with two prophets in Jerusalem, 144,000 Jewish Billy Grahams spanning the globe, and an angel flying across the sky, saying, “Don’t take the mark.” But most will. Most will say, “It makes too much sense not to.” 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.Rev_13:18 Knowledge is one thing, but wisdom is another. Knowledge is information. Wisdom is application. Theories abound as to what the number 666 refers. Some believe it refers to a type of UPC code. Others suggest that because in both Greek and Hebrew, letters are used as numbers, the letters in Antichrist’s name add up to 666. But I don’t believe this is the primary point John is making. The best commentary on the Bible being the Bible, when you want to know what a verse or phrase means, look to the Bible for the interpretation. And in Genesis 4, we find the account of someone else who was marked with “the number of man.” And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.Gen_4:1 The Scofield Bible correctly renders this verse: “I have gotten a man, even Jehovah, the Lord.” Why would Eve say this? Because after she and Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, God promised that her seed would crush the head of Satan (Gen_3:15). Consequently, when Cain was born, she believed him to be the one who would free mankind from the power of Satan. It wasn’t long until she realized Cain was not the deliverer, as evidenced by the name she gave her second son: Abel, or literally, “hopeless.” You know the story. After his self-sufficient sacrifice was rejected by God, Cain killed Abel. As a result, Cain was banished to the wilderness, with a mark to protect him. Follow this with me. Abel is thought to be hopeless, unimportant, nothing. Cain was thought to be the Promised One. But Cain proves to be antichrist, that is, “in place of Christ"while Abel is a picture of Christ… Abel was a shepherd (Gen_4:2). Jesus is the Good Shepherd (Joh_10:11). Abel brought a lamb to sacrifice to God (Gen_4:4). Jesus offered Himself as the Lamb of God (Joh_1:29). Abel was hated by his brother (Gen_4:5). Jesus came to His own and His own received Him not (Joh_1:11). Abel was slain by his brother (Gen_4:8). Jesus was crucified by His brethren (Joh_19:6). The blood of Abel cried out to God (Gen_4:10). The blood of Jesus speaks of better things (Heb_12:24). Abel submitted to the directive of the Father (Heb_11:4). Jesus always does the things that please the Father (Joh_8:29). What does this have to do with you? Everything. “Understand,” said John, “the number of the beast is the number of man: 666.” Throughout Scripture, six is the number of the flesh. The fleshly Cain mentality can rise up in you and me. How? By saying, “The sweat I pour out, the good I do, the things I accomplish are going to be more impressive to God than just killing a bloody lamb. Through my energy, my initiative, my efforts I will impress God.” Some today say, “I’m a Rotarian; I’m a Republican; I attend PTA; I coach Little League. I’m putting together a pretty good basket of fruit. I don’t need this bloody stuff: Christianity, Bible study, Communion. I can do something much more intellectually creative, much more beautiful. I can do it. I can pull it off.” But the Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom_3:23). And because you’re marked with your own efforts, you’re marked for damnation. You’ve fallen short. You need a Savior, a Sacrifice to die in your place.” Even believers can be caught up in the spirit of 666 when they say, “I don’t need to pray. I can figure out my career on my own. I’m reading books. I’m attending seminars. I know what’s best for my kids, my family, my future.” We’re either of the spirit of Cain, saying, “I’m a hard worker. I’m a creative thinker. I’m a good guy"or of Abel who’s humble, broken, and dependent upon God. Here’s the good news. God has one simple thing to say to you who are struggling in marriage, in parenting, in relationships, in school: “Talk to Me. Spend time with Me. Humble yourself before Me. Seek My face. Wait and see what I’ll do in your life. Fight the tendency to be Cain, and watch how I’ll bless you.” May God keep you from the number of man, the mark of Cain, the mark of the beast. May this be a time in your life when you are recommitted to dependency and brokenness before the Lord. Herein is wisdom, gang: Seek first the kingdom, and everything else will fall into place (Mat_6:33).