Revelation 13

Revelation 13:1

For the truth’s sake, which abideth in us - As a living principle of faith and holiness.

Revelation 13:2

Grace takes away guilt; mercy, misery: peace implies the abiding in grace and mercy. It includes the testimony of God’s Spirit, both that we are his children, and that all our ways are acceptable to him. This is the very foretaste of heaven itself, where it is perfected. In truth and love - Or, faith and love, as St. Paul speaks. Faith and truth are here synonymous terms.

Revelation 13:3

I found of thy children - Probably in their aunt’s house, 2 John 1:13. Walking in the truth - In faith and love.

Revelation 13:4

That which we had from the beginning - Of our Lord’s ministry. Indeed it was, in some sense, from the beginning of the world. That we may love one another - More abundantly.

Revelation 13:5

And this is the proof of true love, universal obedience built on the love of God. This - Love. Is the great commandment which ye have heard from the beginning - Of our preaching.

Revelation 13:6

Carefully keep what ye have heard from the beginning, for many seducers are entered into the world, who confess not Jesus Christ that came in the flesh - Who disbelieve either his prophetic, or priestly, or kingly office. Whosoever does this is the seducer - From God. And the antichrist - Fighting against Christ.

Revelation 13:7

That we lose not the things which we have wrought - Which every apostate does. But receive a full reward - Having fully employed all our talents to the glory of him that gave them. Here again the apostle modestly transfers it to himself.

Revelation 13:8

Receive this as a certain rule: Whosoever transgresseth - Any law of God. Hath not God - For his Father and his God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ - Believing and obeying it. He hath both the Father and the Son - For his God.

Revelation 13:9

If any came to you - Either as a teacher or a brother. And bring not this doctrine - That is, advance anything contrary to it. Receive him not into your house - As either a teacher or a brother - Neither bid him God speed - Give him no encouragement therein.

Revelation 13:10

For he that biddeth him God speed - That gives him any encouragement, is accessory to his evil deeds.

Revelation 13:11

Having many things to write, I was not minded to write now - Only of these, which were then peculiarly needful.

Revelation 13:12

The children of thy elect or Christian sister - Absent, if not dead, when the apostle wrote this.

Revelation 13:14

Keep yourselves from idols - From all worship of false gods, from all worship of images or of any creature, and from every inward idol; from loving, desiring, fearing anything more than God. Seek all help and defence from evil, all happiness in the true God alone.

Revelation 13:15

Caius was probably that Caius of Corinth whom St. Paul mentions, Romans 16:23. If so, either he was removed from Achaia into Asia, or St. John sent this letter to Corinth.

Revelation 13:17

For - I know thou usest all thy talents to his glory. The truth that is in thee - The true faith and love.

Revelation 13:18

I have no greater joy than this - Such is the spirit of every true Christian pastor. To hear that my children walk in the truth - Caius probably was converted by St. Paul. Therefore when St. John speaks of him. with other believers, as his children, it may be considered as the tender style of paternal love, whoever were the instruments of their conversion. And his using this appellation, when writing under the character of the elder, has its peculiar beauty.