Let's Study Revelation (Chapter 13) by E. G. Cook

CHAPTER THIRTEEN     It is possible that we have an error in translation to start this chapter off with. Our translation has John saying "And I stood upon the sand of the sea." But the ASV says "And he stood upon the sand of the sea." I believe the best manuscripts bear out this translation In the last verses of chapter 12 the old dragon is the one who is under consideration. He is the main character in these verses. So it seems that in John's vision he saw this old dragon, old Satan him self, standing on the seashore beckoning this beast to come on the scene. The time has come for him to come on the scene and play his part. In his vision John sees this beast rise up out of the sea. According to Revelation 17:15 the sea, or water is a type of chaotic conditions in the world. And surely the conditions that exist in the world today (1969) are ready to bring this beast on the scene. No nation on earth today really knows which way to turn. Even in our own country we seem to be in a war we cannot afford to win. And on the home front, our federal officials seem to think they will receive more votes in an election if they favor the beatniks, hoodlums and law haters. Even our politicians who are experts in such matters will have a hard time making conditions any more chaotic than they already are. So who can say that the time for this beast to put in his appearance is not at our very door?
    This beast has seven heads which according to Revelation 17:9 ties him in with Rome. Rome, as you know, is built upon seven hills, and is called the city of seven hills. Then he had ten horns, and according to Revelation 17:12 these ten horns represent ten kings which have not begun to reign as yet. But the crowns on their heads show us they are rulers. In Daniel 7:7 we see this same beast with his ten horns. This beast in Daniel 7:7 most definitely represents the Roman Empire. In this chapter the lion represented the Babylonian Empire, the bear the Medo-Persian Empire, the leopard the Grecian Empire and this fourth beast in verse 7 represented the Roman Empire. In Daniel 7:24 we are told that the ten horns on this beast are ten kings that shall arise. In both Daniel 7:24 and Revelation 17:12 the ten horns represent ten kings who are to reign at some future time. Therefore, the two beasts are one and the same. They are the old Roman Empire revived and in operation again. These ten horns are definitely a part of the beast that represented the original Roman Empire. But let us remember that this beast is a man. Just as Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2:38 represented the Babylonian Empire this beast represents the revived Roman Empire. The fact that this beast is cast into hell alive (Revelation 19:20) is further proof that he is a man. Lions, bears and leopards are not cast into hell.
    In our Bible we find different kinds of beasts. In our King James version we find the word ZOON translated as beasts. As we have already pointed out in our dealing with chapters 4 and 5 these are not beasts as we know beasts, but rather they are living creatures. This word is so translated in other translations. In other Scriptures such as Luke 10:34 the word KTENOS is also translated beast. These are tame beasts that are of value to man, such as the horse, or the cow. And in still other Scriptures we find the word THERION translated beast. These are wild, vicious untamed beasts such as the lion or the leopard. This is the word used here in Revelation 13. Both John and Daniel saw this man who is to be the ruler over the revived Roman Empire through the eyes of God as a vicious, wild beast.
    In Daniel 7:7 Daniel was unable to name the beast that represented the Roman Empire. He just had to say it was dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly with great iron teeth and ten horns. Here in verse 2 of Revelation 13 we see why Daniel could not name this beast. Here we are told that it was part leopard, part bear and part lion. Who could name such a monster as that? If you were to see a beast that had the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear and a mouth like a lion, you too would just have to say it was dreadful and terrible.
    We are told that the old dragon (Old Satan) gave him his power, and his seat (throne), and great authority. Old Satan does not have all power and authority but he is permitted to have a lot of power and authority over this old sinful world. Now he gives this beast (ruler over the revived Roman Empire) all the power and authority he has. It seems that as Jesus was the incarnation of God, so will this beast and along with him the second beast found in verses 11-18 be the in carnation of old Satan. They will be old Satan himself in the flesh.
    In verse 3 we see one of his heads "wounded to death." There is so much about this precious Book that you and I will never know in this life. And I refuse to be dogmatic about it, but it would appear that this beast who has been elected by the ten kingdoms to reign over them fails to be reelected. It would seem that he is finished as ruler over this empire. That is, he seems to be dead politically. But we are told that his deadly wound was healed. So it would seem that, with the aid of the armed forces, no doubt, he ignores the election results and declares himself to be the ruler. To begin with this empire will be a sort of democracy, but now it becomes a dictatorship. The change from a democracy to a dictatorship may come about gradually as it has here in our own country, or it may take place over night. In the case of this deadly wound being healed it will probably be an over-night affair. We are told that all the world wondered at this. That will, no doubt, be due to the suddenness of it. Just when the world thinks he is down for the count, he suddenly shows up on top.
    I am persuaded that this takes place in the middle of the seven years tribulation period. We are told that he is to have this power (dictatorial power) for forty two months (3 1/2 years). His power will come to an end when God rains down hundred pound hailstones (Revelation 16:21) upon the two hundred million men army (Revelation 9:16) upon the mountains of Israel (Ezekiel 39:4), their blood runs to the horse bridles for two hundred miles (Revelation 14:20) and it takes the Jews seven months to bury them (Ezekiel 39:12). When this time comes his power will be completely gone. In Revelation 19:20 we see him being flung into the lake of fire alive. But in verse 5 we are told that he was given a mouth speaking great things. He will, no doubt, be one who will have great persuasive power. In Daniel 11:21 we see him as he fails to be reelected, but we are told that he obtains the kingdom by flatteries. He will, no doubt, flatter the armed forces into backing him up, that is, helping him to become dictator.
    When all this takes place we see in verse 4 the people worshipping, not only the beast, but old Satan as well. A few years ago this would have seemed incredible, but it seems that way no more. You will recall the service held in California in the first part of 1967 in which they openly worshipped the devil. We can expect this kind of worship to flourish now that the devil's crowd has God dead in their teaching. Not only does this beast flatter his way into office, but we see him in verse 6 blaspheming against God, His name, His temple and His saints who are already in heaven.
    In verse 7 we see that which is puzzling to us. Here we not only see the beast making war with the saints, but he is permitted to overcome them. I believe these saints are some of the faithful remnant of the Jews who have been saved during the tribulation period. It is given that all of us suffer for Christ, but when this time comes the saints of this age will have all been raptured. And while I believe there will be people saved in all the nations during that time, still I believe these saints are among the elect remnant of the Jews. In Matthew 27:25 the Jews said to Pilate "His blood be upon us, and upon our children." And His blood has been upon the Jews through the centuries, and it will continue to be upon them until our Lord comes down to the earth with His saints. At that time He will heal those whom He has torn and will bind up those whom He has smitten because the time will have come for Him to revive them in order that they may live in His sight, Hosea 6:1-2.
    In verse 8 we see all the people on the earth, except those whose names are written in the Book of life, worshipping this vile beast. Here we also see that the Lamb was slain from the foundation of the world. If a mortal man is sentenced to die, and his execution date is set for sometime way in the future, it makes him suffer all the more. But in the case of our Lord, He suffered the pain of anticipation not only through the centuries of time but throughout the celestial ages of eternity as well. It was ever before Him that at the appointed hour He was to die for the sins of His people.
    In verse 9 we are told that "if any man have an ear, let him hear." Someone may be saying that everybody has an ear, and certainly they do have physical ears. Everyone, except the deaf, can hear the noise of this old world. They can hear, and to a great measure, they can understand the modern day preacher's social gospel. But in Proverbs 20:12 we are told that "the hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them." And in Matthew 13:16 Jesus said, "But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear." Jesus is not talking about physical seeing and physical hearing, but rather about that which is spiritual. In verse 10 we learn that what is sown will also be reaped. We should ever keep that fact in mind as we are tempted to sow something we would not want to reap.
    In verse 11 John sees in his vision a second beast that comes up out of the earth. The first beast rose up out of the sea which speaks of the chaotic conditions in the world. But this one comes up out of the earth, or land. And when we see the expression "earth," or "land" in our Bible we may know the land of Canaan is in view unless the land is designated as some other land either directly or by the context. I am aware of the fact that many great Bible scholars call the first beast in this chapter the anti-christ, and to be sure he is an anti-christ. The world is swarming with anti-christs today, and they become more numerous with every passing day. "Even now there are many anti-christs; whereby we know that it is the last time," I John 2:18. "He is anti-christ, that denieth the Father and the Son," I John 2:22. Yes, this first beast is one of many anti-christs, but, as I see it, he is not the anti-christ.
    Even our Lord's enemies among the Jews knew that the promised Messiah must be born in Bethlehem, Matthew 2:3-6. In Micah 5:2 it had been prophesied that He was to be born there. That is where our Lord was born (Matthew 2:1), and that is where the anti-christ must be born. In fact, I am persuaded that he has already been born there, and is at this moment awaiting the time when he is to be revealed. The old devil is too smart to try to present a man who was born some where else to the Jews as their promised Messiah for whom they are still looking. So John sees this second beast coming up out of the land of Canaan, or Israel. In John 1:29 John said "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." So here we see this second beast trying to look like a lamb. "He had two horns like a lamb." We have many people in the world today who look like genuine saints, but their speech (what they say) proves they are false. "By their fruits ye shall know them," Matthew 7:20. And their fruits are their teaching, Matthew 7:15-16. Though this second beast tries to look like a lamb, he still speaks like the old dragon (Satan).
    In verse 12 he exercises all the power of the first beast. He can do this because he is empowered by the same one who has given the power to the first beast. And just as Christ held up the Father before the world, so this beast causes the people to worship the first beast. And since the Old Testament set forth the promised One as a worker of miracles, therefore, in order for this second beast to be accepted as that promised one, he must perform miracles. This we see him doing, in verses 13-15. To be sure people will say of him what Nicodemus said to Jesus in John 3:2. Here Nicodemus said, "No man can do these miracles that thou doest except God be with him." So when the people see this second beast making fire come down from heaven they will say, This is the one we have been looking for. You may say, Why does God permit this beast to do all this? It deceives the people, so why does He permit it? You see, our God is a very accommodating God. He gives His people faith with which to believe the truth, but to His enemies who care nothing for the truth, He "sends them a strong delusion that they should believe a (the) lie: that they all might be damned," 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12. Here in verses 13-15 we see this being done. He sends them that strong delusion, and they like it. We are told in verse 14 that the purpose of his miracles is to deceive the people. The people of the world love being deceived. There is no doubt in my mind that Satan is dispensing some of this power today in order to prepare them for that coming day. I do not doubt that Oral Roberts and others are performing some miracles in our day. And if you want to see what a good job Oral has done in the matter of deceiving the people go to Tulsa, Oklahoma and see the elaborate buildings he has erected there. Our dear Lord who performed miracles to manifest His glory did not possess a place to lay His precious head, but Oral possesses a place that he could lay many heads. If you want money, and you do not care how you get it, get in the field of religion. That's where the money is.
    The great power that God will permit old Satan to have, and to pass on to this beast, the anti-christ in that soon coming day is really amazing. Where will you be when all these miracles are being done? When fire comes down from the heavens, and when the image, or statue of the first beast, comes alive and begins to speak, will you be deceived? Please remember, the purpose of all this is to deceive the people. This is the anti-Christ in operation. How will he operate on you if you are still on earth when this time comes?
    In verses 16-17 we see that every one must have the mark of the beast before he can sell what he has to sell, or before he can buy what he needs. We got a taste of this in the rationing of food, gas, tires, etc. during World War II. And today we have two large G.E.S. stores here in our city, and before you can buy a dime bag of candy in this store you must have a G.E.S. card; now just think how it would be if you had to have a card before you could buy even a loaf of bread in any store, and if you had to become affiliated with this beast, and worship him in order to get the card. The Lord's saints who are living on 'the earth at that time will have reason to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread," Matthew 6:11 in all sincerity. We are just selfish enough to rejoice with exceeding great joy at the thought that before this anti-christ begins his nefarious operation we will be raptured to ever be with our Lord.
    We are told in verse 18 to "Let him that hath under standing count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred three score and six." Six is the number of man. He was created on the sixth day, and therefore he has the number six stamped upon him. Seven is the number of completion or perfection. So six being less than seven would mean imperfection. Six then is the number of imperfection, or the number of man which ever way you wish to say it. This number six is found in connection with many evil characters in the Bible. For example, Goliath's height was six cubits and a span, I Samuel 17:4. His spear's head weighed six hundred shekels. Nebuchadnezzar's image of gold was six cubits wide. And six different instruments of music were used in the worship of this image, Daniel 3:5.
    So then, the number six, the number of man is the number of imperfection. When you see it used twice as in 66 it is to emphasize this imperfection. And when you see it used the third time as in 666 it is to make all the more emphatic the emphasis. The anti-christ's number being 666 labels him as the most imperfect man who ever lived. The wickedness of men like Antiochus Epiphanes, pope Innocent III and Hitler will seem like child's play compared to the wickedness of this one who is labeled 666.