v. 1 – We left chapter twelve with the “dragon” who stood on the sand of the sea, almost summoning up this “beast” now mentioned.  We can see why versions differ in where they place this last sentence of chapter twelve.  It is really all one story.  Here the “beast” emerges out of the sea.  His appearance is frighteningly familiar.  He also has seven heads and ten horns.  We think of Rev. 12:3 immediately.  Further description makes us reflect back on Dan. 7 ff.  Each of Daniel’s beasts bare similarities to this single beast in Revelation.  One of his four beasts has four heads, so the four beasts have a total of seven heads – coincidence?  It is so difficult to tell.  John is not trying to give us details so we can envision this beast; he is into the symbolism.   What does the description of the beast reveal to us?  Why out of the sea?   The sea has always been a connection to chaos and violence (evil), until God brought order (see Gen. 1).  Whatever the significance, this is a reference to the source of all evil. 

 

The dragon had diadems on his heads.  This beast has diadems on his horns.  This could indicate that his royal power and authority was forcefully obtained.  This beast closely resembles the dragon, doesn’t he?  This is significant.  Seven signifies completeness, and this beast is a complete replication or reflection of the dragon (Satan himself).  The power and authority of the beast come from the dragon (Satan – the epitome of evil).  This seven headed beast is the ultimate (complete) evil enemy of the church of Jesus Christ. In this time period, Roman emperors assumed divine names, like Lord, Lord and God, like the gods, or Savior of the world, etc.  These titles and names were sheer blasphemy to the Christian and to John.  For John, this beast is the Roman Empire, the persecutor of the church, as depicted by the following verses:

            v. 4 – possessed authority from Satan

            v. 5-6 – blasphemed the name of God

            v. 7 – victoriously attacked the believers

            v. 8 – received worship from the pagan world

While it is so well identified with the Roman Empire, it is also so much more.  It represents the evil power in the world before this period and the evil to come in the end times of human history too.  It is a counterfeit power masquerading as divine power.  It demands allegiance and excessive praise – something God Almighty never requires.

 

v.2 – Read Dan. 7:3-8, 17-23

This beast is the collective nature of all four of Daniel’s beasts.  They represented four kingdoms that would be against the chosen people of God.  Here John’s beast is the epitome of evil attack against the first century church – the remaining seed of the woman.  Whatever the individual descriptions, John is portraying an evil, powerful force that persecutes the faithful and blasphemes God.  This is a direct plan of Satan. There is a form of clash with N.T. teachings about respecting the authority of the governing powers, but here the government is diametrically opposed to God and the ways of God.  Our allegiance is to God above all else – no matter what. 

 

v. 3 – One of the heads received a mortal wound and recovered causing many to worship him.  There are many speculations that this emperor was Caligula or Nero for various reasons.  However, the text states that the beast recovered, not the wounded head.  No matter what, the persecution against the church continues.  The evil is always against God’s people, no matter who the man of God is at the time.  People of the world follow the evil, the beast into destruction.

 

v. 4 – Worship of anything other than the God of Heaven is worship of Satan, so the people worship the dragon (Satan), and they worship the beast for his given authority and power that he attained directly from Satan.  The Scripture has said, “Who is like you, O God” in multiple places.  Here, as always, the evil one counterfeits the worthiness of the praise of the people that is really owed to God alone.  In all this, the readers/hearers of this writing know that the evil one is limited in power and in time, and his end is sure.  The power he wields is temporary and deceives many who are not true believers.

 

v. 5 – Dan. 7:8 – the little horn that rose up to speak boastfully comes to mind here.  The evil one speaks boldly against the God of Creation.  He is like a bully from our youth.  He speaks powerfully, intimidating and boastful words.  Dan. 11:36 – shows there is no regard for God and speaks like this until “the time of wrath has ended.”  He is “allowed” to speak and do these things for the 42 month period – this temporary time of evil.  He is given power and authority by the dragon (Satan) and is subordinate to him, but it is God who has ultimate power over all, so this is permitted as part of God’s overall plan.  Remember, he (Satan) knows his time is short (relatively speaking – 12:12), and he is furious and pulling out all the stops at this point, to destroy the church.  For this period of persecution, “the beast actively carries out the will of the dragon.” (Mounce, p.250).

 

v. 6 – For a possible point of reference, look at 2 Thess. 2:4.  Specific blasphemies are mouthed against God and all that is related to God, hence the triple reference here. There is much speculation about what the specifics are, but they are not really important to the meaning of this vision.  The beast is opposed to all that relates to God – Antichrist.

 

v. 7 – See Dan. 7:21 for a view of this during the Babylonian empire.  Again, it was given to him to have the power to make war against the saints.  He not only wages war against the saints, but he is given the power to conquer them.  This is a world-wide assault against ALL people, just as God’s love and gift is for ALL people globally.  In the big picture though, the saints are the victors.  They would rather relinquish their lives here than jeopardize eternity with God by His promise to believers.  The saints are the true victors.  The beast’s power is “given” to him by the dragon, again showing that he is subordinate to the dragon, and his instrument of destruction and revenge against God, who is the ultimate authority.

 

v. 8 – Here because of the beast’s great and awesome display of power, authority, and apparent victory, all the people of the world worship him – are forced to worship him, just as people were forced to worship the emperor and his image.  The believers are exempt, all those whose names are written in the book of life that belongs to the Lamb.  Matt. 4:8-10 – Jesus was tempted to worship Satan and here the world is offered the same temptation. 

Book of Life references:  (Phil. 4:3; Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8: 20:12, 15; 21:27) – a registry of names of those belonging to God and it belongs to the Lamb here and v. 21:27.  It is only by the blood of the Lamb that life is possible.  There is some confusion in this verse as to whether it is the names written in the book or the sacrifice of the Lamb that is from the creation of the world.  According to R. Mounce, it seems to make more sense that it is the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.  This shows the divine plan from creation to provide salvation through the Son.  It is also noted that names can be removed or blotted out from this book of life as we have seen in Rev. 3:5.  If that is the case, it would not be logical that they would be entered in before creation and removed later.  The Greek sentence structure is a little weak and inconclusive in and of itself.

 

v. 9-10 – Now hear this! (v. 9).  We have seen this in each of the seven letters too.

Verse 10 tells us something we do not want to hear.  Look at Jer. 15:2; 43:11.  It appears that some believers are destined for death, captivity, persecution for the cause of Christ. This should not be a surprise at this point.  The entire book has been gearing the church up to travailing through persecution even though there will be causalities along the way. Those who suffer these things are still victorious in Christ and have been destined to this end for God’s purposes, not our own.

 

The last part of this verse confirms that the church must endure the persecution and meet it with unwavering faith.  The church then was forewarned of the trials to come and the fact that the suffering would be wide-spread.  The church today needs to hear the very same message.  We are not impermeable to the attacks of the evil one.  He will attack and even gain ground in the battle, but the true victory is the Lord’s and all who remain faithful to Him no matter what.  This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness.