The document discusses Revelation 13, focusing on the symbolic representation of a beast that emerges from the sea, identified as the wicked Roman authorities, particularly under Nero's reign, which persecuted Christians. It details the beast's blasphemies, its power over all nations, and the expectation for Christians to remain patient amid tribulations. The latter part warns of a second beast that compels worship of the first, introducing the idea of a 'mark' for allegiance to the emperor, culminating in the identification of the beast with the number 666 linked to Nero.

1. SECTION OUTLINE 13 (REVELATION 13:1-18)
A. Verses 1-6
1. Where does John say that he stood?
He stood upon the sand of the sea
Stood - #2476 – to stand
Sand - #285 – sand as heaped on the beach
Sea - #2281 – the sea
Society, people
a. Describe what he saw.
Beast - #2342 – a dangerous animal (venomous, wild)
Seven heads, Ten Horns, Ten crowns – Roman authorities and power
He rises up out of the sea, from among the people/society
Upon the heads was the name blasphemy
Blasphemy - #988 – vilification, esp. against God – evil speaking,
railing
Rev 2:9, 13:1, 5, 6; 17:3
b. Do any of the OT prophets use similar language?
Yes in Daniel 7
Discuss what Daniel 7 teaches and why it is key to understanding this
chapter.
c. Is this to be understood literally, or does it represent something
else?
Not a literal beast, horns, or crowns.
d. What or who is represented?
This represents the wicked Roman authorities, the Caesars who
commanded they be worshipped. In this chapter perhaps Nero (AD 54
to 68) who began persecuting Christians in AD64. They would not
participate in the heathen ceremonies and sacrifices. Suetonius
labeled Christians “a new and mischievous or cursed superstition”.
They were blamed for starting the fire in Rome in AD64. They were
publicly tortured, and the populace viewed it as entertainment. They
were sewn into animal skins and cast into the arenas to be torn by
wild dogs. They were dipped in resin and used to light Nero’s gardens
at night. Tradition places Peter and Paul’s death during Nero’s
persecution, but there is no scriptural reference to this. Paul’s
reference to his departure in 2 Tim 4:6 in about AD66 is the only hint
we have. Nero died on July 11, AD 68.
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2. e. Who gave the beast power and authority? How can this be?
The beast’s characteristics are described using animals that are beasts
of prey.
The text says the dragon, Satan, gave the beast, Rome, it’s power, seat
and great authority.
Dan 2:20-21 – God sets up kings
Rom 13:1-2 – He specifies what they are supposed to do
John 19:10-11 Jesus acknowledges this.
Matt 4:8-9 Satan tries to give kingdoms to those who would serve him
Roman Caesars/authorities had given themselves over to Satan and
ruled under him, the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4) not God.
2. What happened to one of the heads?
One of the heads was wounded and seemed dead.
Wounded - #4969 – sphazo – butcher, slaughter, maim,
However, it was healed.
a. What is meant by this?
The heads must indicate rulers and their administrations or ruling
groups. In Dan 7, the horns were rulers or kings. Here the beast is the
whole of the Roman power. Horns and heads represent the different
aspects of that power, individuals, or groups. During the time of the
Caesars, there was a great deal of violence associated with the
holding and transferring of power. It was a wonder the power could
be sustained through so much turbulence. The Roman power
continued despite this for a time.
World - #1093 – ge – the globe, country, earth, land, ground
Representing the nations ruled by Rome
b. Who are “they” in verse 4?
“They” are the people who worshipped Caesar as a god as he
commanded them to. The same as those in Rev 9:4 who didn’t have
the seal of God. No Christians
c. Who is worshipped?
The dragon/Satan, the Caesars, men
Acts 12:21-23 Herod worshipped and was eaten of worms
Mat 4:8-10 All these (kingdoms) I will give thee..worship me
d. Why did they worship them?
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3. They worshipped them because of the power of the Roman state and
its emperors. They assumed no one could overcome this powerful
nation and arrangement.
2 Cor 10:7 don’t look on the outward appearance.
John 7:24 Don’t judge by the appearance.
2 Cor 4:18 – things seen are temporary
Rome called the “eternal city”.
3. What was he given? V 5
He was given a mouth #4750 – stoma – edge, face
Speaking great - #3173 – mega – large, loud, mighty
Blasphemy - #988 – vilification, evil speaking, railing
Ex 6:3 – Jehovah is God’s name
1 Tim 6:13-16 …only Potentate, king of kings..who only hath immortality
Acts 12:21-22 saying It is the voice of a god and not man
2 Thess 2:4 showing himself that he is God – Caesars came to be
regarded as God. Read the rest of 2 Thess 2:1-12. Notice the power, signs
and lying wonders
a. For how long?
To continue 42 months. God’s authority for Rome to destroy
Jerusalem, the temple and the nation
b. List what “he” did.
He blasphemed God, His name, His tabernacle, and them that dwell in
heaven.
Tabernacle - #4633 – a tent or cloth hut (literally, or figuratively -
habitation
Acts 16:16-17 build again the tabernacle of David that the residue of
men might seek the Lord and all the Gentiles
Heb 9:11 a more perfect tabernacle not made with hands
Rev 15:5 behold the temple of the tabernacle was opened in heaven
Rev 21:3 behold the tabernacle of God is with men
Heb 12:22-23 ye are come to …the heavenly Jerusalem..general
assembly
Relating to the 42 months to destroy the temple, Jerusalem and
nation
Nero gave the order – from his standpoint, the Jews were God’s
people, God ‘s temple/tabernacle, God’s city, God’s nation. He
blasphemed God making himself a god and no doubt in what he said.
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4. B. Verses 7-10
1. What was he to do? V 7
He was to make war with the saints
Dan 7:23-25 shall wear out the saints
Rev 2:10 & 13 be thou faithful
a. Was he successful?
Yes, he overcame them physically
Rev 12:11 loved not their lives
Mat 10:34-39 principle here. Those who are faithful are targets even
by family
Dan 7:21 ..made war with the saints and prevailed
b. How much power did he have?
He had power over all kindreds, tongues and nations – universal
earthly power. Fits the Roman Empire. The persecution was empire
wide.
c. Who worshipped him? V 8
All that dwell on the earth whose names are not written in the Lamb’s
book of life killed since the foundation of the world
1 Peter 1:19-20 precious blood of Christ …foreordained before the
foundation of the world
Rev 17:8 …whose names have not been written upon the scroll of the
life from the foundation of the world, …YLT
2. What warning is given?
If any man have (#2192) an ear, let him hear
Hath (2192) an ear let him hear in seven other places only in Revelation
Rev 2:7, 11, 17 and 29.
Rev 3:6, 13, 22
In other words, Pay close attention to what is said here.
a. Is verse 10 quoted from the OT prophets?
Yes. Is 33:1
b. What is the meaning here?
Those who take people into captivity, will eventually go into captivity.
Those who kill with the sword, will be eventually be killed by the
sword. Government that misuses the authority God gives them to rule
(Rom 13:1-5) will eventually be destroyed by God.
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5. Matt 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his
place: for all they that take (not use) the sword shall perish with the
sword. KJV
Here is the patience of the saints
Jewish and Roman authorities were persecuting and killing Christians.
At some point, both authorities would eventually be overcome by
captivity and sword.
Jerusalem and the Jewish state in AD70. Persecuting authorities of
Rome later.
Rev 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in the
tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, KJV
Rev 22:12-14 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with
me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha
and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right
to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. KJV
The saints are to be patient and faithful through all of the
tribulation/pressure. The reward is with the Lord.
C. Verses 11-18
1. What did John see next? V 11
He saw another beast (same word as 13:1)
a. Where did it come from?
He came up out of the earth (#1093 – ge)
This is a regional ruler as opposed to the Roman emperor. He had two
horns like a lamb. Seemed rather harmless. But his speech was more
harmful. Perhaps deceptively so.
b. What did he cause them to do? V 12
He caused the people to worship the first beast whose deadly wound
was healed (v3). A ruler died and was replaced.
2. What did he do? List. V 13
a. He did great wonders - # 4592- semeion – an indication, esp,
ceremonially or supernaturally
Mat 12;39 ..sign of Jonas
Matt 26:48-49 gave them a sign ..whosoever I kiss
Lk 2:12 this shall be a sign unto you
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6. 2 Thess 3:17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand .. the token
(sign)
Matt 24:11 & 24 false prophets signs (#4592) and wonders
Rev 16:13; 19:20; 20:10 false prophets
b. Made fire come down from heaven.
Stone-throwing devices came in various calibers firing stones from as
small as 0.5 kg to as large as 25 kg (55lbs) (as used in the 70 CE siege of
Jerusalem). Vitruvius mentions even larger grades of stones, the heaviest
being a massive 163 kg. Besides stones there are also records of
incendiary missiles being used in Roman warfare, for example, at the
siege of Masada in 73-4 CE.
Roman Artillery – World History Encylopedia
c. Deceived those that dwelled on the earth by
Miracles - #4592 – wonders, signs or tokens
2 Thess 2:9-10 signs (#4592) …lying wonders that they should believe
a lie
d. Ordered them to make an image of the beast
An official, government order to do so
Rom 1:22-23 an image like unto corruptible man
Rom 11:4 not bowed to the image of Baal
3. What did he have power to do? V 15
a. To give spirit (#4151 – pneuma) not life to the image
Rev 16:13 I saw 3 unclean spirits come out of the mouth of the dragon
b. That the image would both speak and cause those refusing to
worship the image of the beast should be killed.
1 John 5:21 keep yourselves from idols
2 Thess 2:4-12 that is worshipped .. that he as god sitteth in the
temple of god
The Caesars gave orders as if their images were speaking
4. What or who does this image represent?
Julius Caesar allowed himself to be worshiped as a god, but his successor
Augustus only allowed emperor worship outside of the city of Rome.
Augustus is known in some inscriptions as CAESAR DIVI FILIUS, Son of
God, that is, Son of eternal Caesar. Oaths were taken on the divine spirit
of the emperor. His image was publicly adored. Worship of the image was
a regular military duty. Caligula was the first emperor to demand to be
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7. worshiped, he demanded that citizens everywhere bow to his statue.
Nero also claimed to be divine, although in neither case was there a
requirement to worship the emperor. As Augustus had been Zeus
incarnate, so Nero was Apollo incarnate. Even Seneca called him as the
long-awaited savior of the world.
How prevalent was the imperial cult in Asia Minor? Of the seven cities
mentioned in Revelation 2-3, five have imperial priests and altars (all but
Philadelphia and Laodicea) and six have imperial temples (all but
Thyatira). At Pergamum an imperial temple was established as early as
28 B.C. The city was so central to the imperial cult that Revelation
describes this city as having the “throne of Satan.” In short, a Christian in
Asia Minor could not avoid the Imperial Cult,
The Roman Cult of Emperor Worship
5. What happened to those who refused to worship the image? Who
are they?
a. They were to be killed
b. Faithful Christians
Rev 20:4 ..which had not worshipped the beast neither his image
6. What did he cause to happen? V 16-17
He caused everyone to receive a mark in their right hand or in their
foreheads.
They were to swear allegiance to Caesar in what they did and thought, to
submit to the worship of the emperor as he required.
Matt 4:9-10 worship the Lord God and Him only shalt thou serve
a. What was the result? V 17
Those who refused to worship the Emperor would be known and they
were prevented from participating in the economy. They could not
buy or sell.
Life for them was made very difficult.
b. Are we to understand this literally? Why or why not?
As in much of Revelation this is probably figurative language depicting
the requirement to obey the edict to worship Caesar and his image
and the result for not doing so. The authorities would know who
refused and targeted them. Whether there was a physical mark, I’m
not sure due to the figurative language used throughout.
c. Where is wisdom? V 18
Here is wisdom, that is, it is in the verse.
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8. Prov 2:1-2, 6 if thou wilt receive my words…incline thine ear unto
wisdom ..the Lord giveth wisdom,, out of His mouth
d. He that has understanding is to do what?
Count (#5585 – to use pebbles, enumeration, calculate, reckon) the
number
e. What is the number of the beast?
The number is 666. 6 three times
f. What is the number?
It is of a man
g. What is the beast?
The beast is a man. Governments exist but are administered by men
who serve in positions of authority. The Roman government was
totally subjugated by the Caesars who demanded to be worshipped
as god’s. The sixth Roman emperor was Nero. Note that the number
666. Six repeated 3 times forces our attention there. It is the number
of a man – Nero.
READ DANIEL 7 IN PREPARATION OF THIS STUDY
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