Revelation 13

Notes

Ver. 1. This beast rising out of the sea denotes its origin to be from hell, and, from the tumultuous state of the nations, once subject to the heathen power. Its having seven heads and ten crowned horns denotes its possessing the power of the pagan state, and ruling over the ten kingdoms formed out of that ruined empire. 2. Its likeness to a leopard, bear, and lion, imports that all the cruelty, activity, subtlety, and furious power of the Greek, Persian, and Chaldean empire would meet in the heathen jurisdiction. Its receiving the power, seat, and authority of the dragon, signifies that, being seated at Rome, the power of heathen emperors and of the devil would be devolved on the heathen and his assistants. 3. The healing of the wounded head may denote the pagan's restoring jurisdiction to Rome by his becoming a civil prince; the erection of the German empire instead of the Roman; or the apostasy of the Protestants to evil. 4. In their obedience to the arbitrary, idolatrous, and other wicked decrees of evil and its councils, men practically worship the devil and the old heathen idols. 5, 6. Its speaking great things and blasphemies includes all the pagan boasts of power, holiness, and merits; all their usurpation of power over magistrates, angels, and saints departed; over the laws and ordinances of God; and over the person and offices of Christ. 7, 8. While Satan stirred up the heathen and their agents to persecute, rob, and murder the followers of Christ, almost all the inhabitants of Europe submitted to their authority; 10. But after they have persecuted and murdered the saints for many ages, till their faith is fully tried and almost worn out, the judgments of God, answerable to their crimes, shall overtake them. 11. The earth, out of which this beast arose, denotes a carnal and worldly temper, or the bottomless pit. Its likeness to a lamb, but speaking as a dragon, imports that, notwithstanding the pagans and their high pretences to the likeness of Christ in holiness and meekness, their injunctions and curses are cruel, bloody, and ruinous. 12. By excommunications and persecutions, and through the assistance of secular powers, the heathen thoroughly make their subjects do what they please. 13, 14. By pretended and devilish miracles they terrify men into an implicit obedience to the evil, and a ready compliance with their errors, idolatries, and superstitions. 15-17. They denied not only their pardons and indulgences, but even the natural or civil rights of lodging, dwelling, or trade, to all that did not, in practice or profession, plainly manifest themselves devoted to their power and delusions. 18. The number of the beast being 666, may hint that the pagan doctrines, laws, and offices have apparently a marvellous connection, but are no way founded on the doctrine of the twelve apostles. It is found in the Greek Lateinos, and the Hebrew Romiith, and points to the Christian church, and the place of its peculiar residence. About A.D. 666, it is said that Vitalian marked his subjects with the use of the Latin or Roman tongue. From the time when John had his vision of a civil as well as an eclesiastical head, A.D. 756, or some years after, when he began to exercise his temporal jurisdiction, might be precisely 666 years.

Ver. 1. Sand of the sea. Innumerable multitudes of people; comp. Ge. 22. 17; Re. 17. 15.—Note, This vision is the counterpart of the former, ch. 11. 19; 12. 1-17, and describes the earthly and visible agents of Satan in the persecution of 'the woman,' the true church, and 'the remnant of her seed.'—Ten horns . . . ten crowns. The dragon (ch. 12. 3) had 'seven heads' crowned, and 'ten horns,' but without crowns. The beast here described has 'ten horns,' with 'ten crowns.' The first therefore represents the pagan Roman empire possessed by the dragon and employed as his persecuting agents, consisting of the geographical elements of ten kingdoms, not yet separated into regal dynasties and governments; the second represents the empire when divided into distinct kingdoms, but all agreeing in the same work of persecuting the 'seed of the woman.'—Name of blasphemy. Most probably the title of 'holy Roman empire,' assumed by most unholy men. C.

Ver. 2. Daniel saw these three beasts (Da. 7. 4-6), and a fourth (Da. 7. 7) whose species was not described. It is here described by John as a compound of the other three, and possessed, moreover, by the more destructive spirit of the dragon. C.

Ver. 3. One of his heads . . . wounded to death. This wounded head represents the imperial power in the western Roman empire overrun and destroyed by the northern nations, when the very name of emperor had ceased to exist, and Rome was ranked but as a petty dukedom. The eastern empire, centring in Constantinople, still remained in comparative vigour as the other head.—World. Rather, 'earth'—the Roman empire. C.

Ver. 11. Two horns. The two emblematic swords of the pope—the secular and the spiritual.—Like a lamb. Professing in the use of the horns, all meekness, gentleness, and mercy.—Spake as a dragon. That is, falsely, Jn. 8. 44; styling himself 'the servant of the servants of God,' meaning 'master of kings and emperors.' C.

Ver. 14. That they should make an image to the beast. By setting up an ecclesiastical monarchy corresponding in extent and details to the secular monarchy. C.

Ver. 16. A mark. Submission to the rites and ceremonies of the papal communion.—In their right hand. By active obedience to the papal power.—Or in their foreheads. By outward profession of its doctrines and infallible authority. C.

Reflections.—Satan and his instruments will turn themselves into very different forms, that their abominable projects may the more easily succeed. The meekness of the lamb and fury of a leopard, lion, bear, and dragon are united to pervert and ruin the church. By the most horrid blasphemies, pretended or magical wonders, uncontrolled authority, and dreadful severity, they promote their unrighteous cause. And marvellous is their success and extensive their power. By allurements or terrors multitudes are deluded into the grossest absurdities and most damnable doctrines and practices. None but those who trust God revealed through Christ are secured from it. These, indeed, are often distressed by wars, persecutions, and martyrdom, but cannot be fully perverted or finally ruined. And it is the great support of their faith and patience that God has fixed a time for their deliverance and the downfall of their enemies, in which every injury done them shall be fully repaid.—Though I cannot fix the times, which the Father has put in his own power, let my faith and patience have their perfect work! Patient waiting and earnest watching are far better than presumptuous curiosity.