Revelation (Written)

Sunday, 14 March 2021

And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. Revelation 13:3

John continues with the symbolism of the beast rising out of the sea mentioned in verse 1. Of it, he now says, “And I saw one of his heads.” In verse 1, the beast was described as “having seven heads and ten horns, and on its horns, ten crowns.”

In Revelation 12:3, the beast was described as “a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.” At that time, the analysis of its meaning was –

A great, fiery red dragon – An entity filled with satanic influence, bent on war.
Having seven heads – Comprised of seven distinct nations.
And ten horns – Under the authority of ten powerful rulers.
And seven diadems on his heads – Seven of the entities are kingdoms or nations under a single leader rule.

If the symbolism is consistent in this verse, the “head” now being mentioned in Chapter 13 is not a person at all. Rather, it is a nation. The horns are kings or powerful rulers (see Revelation 17:12, for example). Of this head John is now describing, he says it is “as if it had been mortally wounded.”

The head receives a blow, thought to be fatal. The same word used here was used of the Lamb that was slain in verse 5:6. The head that is slain here is obviously being set in contrast, and yet in comparison to, the Lamb. The Lamb was as if slain and yet He lives. The head of this beast is as if slain, and yet, “his deadly wound was healed.”

The Greek of these words says, “the wound of death of it was healed.” What is being conveyed is that the head of this beast suffered such a catastrophic blow that it appeared it was finished, and yet it miraculously came back to life. So great is the event that John says, “And all the world marveled and followed the beast.”

When the word “all” is used, it is normally stated as a superlative. For example, at the announcement of the birth of Christ, it says in Matthew 2:3, “When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” This does not mean that every single person in Jerusalem heard the news and was troubled. It means that the attitude was pervasive.

With this understanding, the likely analysis is that there is a coalition of nations rising out of the “great sea” of humanity that will have the form and structure described in Revelation. One of the nations will have a seemingly terminal blow to it. However, that nation will resurrect and become a wonder for the world to follow after.

The general analysis of most scholars is that this will be a person who is mortally struck and comes back to life in a manner similar to Christ. Another, and more likely, possibility is that this is referring to a nation or governmental body that comes back from a seemingly mortal wound.

Life application: As noted, the general thought concerning this verse is that this “head” is speaking of an actual leader of the beast rather than a leading body. In other words, it is generally taught that this is a type of “false resurrection” of an individual who is mortally hurt.

However, the seemingly mortal wound (in a figurative sense) to one of the leading bodies, instead of a single leader, seems more plausible. To give an example, if the EU were this beast (speculation!), what is being stated here could be logically described as an alliance of nations. It has and it continues to go through great financial troubles. If one of its “heads,” meaning a nation within the EU, were to receive a mortal wound – a financial disaster so bad that it would seem impossible to overcome – and yet it was to be “healed” to a financially secure position, the world would marvel at the ability of the beast (the EU) to cure its wound, and would follow it in its financial dealings.

The same logic could be used militarily. If a nation within a corporate body of nations was facing complete defeat, and yet it overcame the defeat, the world would marvel at what occurred and follow after the beast. This second type of calamity, of certain defeat being turned into victory during conflict, is a likely scenario because of what is said in the verses ahead.

A person receiving a life-threatening (and even mortal) wound to the head, which is then miraculously healed, may be sensational and exciting, but it certainly wouldn’t cause the world to follow after him. Modern medicine is to the point where this type of thing is common. Although people are always impressed with a person’s ability to overcome such a trial, no one follows after such an occurrence as if they were indestructible.

A great modern-day equivalent is when US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was shot. She certainly fits the description, but other than being proud of her stamina, no one hailed her as a great and powerful warrior worthy of following. Therefore, the reasonable analysis of this verse is not speaking of an individual, but a corporate body that overcomes certain financial or military defeat to become a force to be reckoned with once again.

In the end, we can only look forward and do our best to try to determine what is being said. But the main point of the analysis is to see what is coming and to know that God already knows the end. Because of this, we would be wise to call out now for His offer of peace and reconciliation. In the terrible times ahead, difficult choices will have to be made. For us now, let us make the right choice. Let us secure our eternal destiny by calling out to JESUS.

Lord God, it is great to look into Your word and draw out from it what You intend for us to see. At times, such as in future prophecy, we can’t be certain about what is being said, but when the event does occur, we are left with no doubt. Thank You for allowing us to analyze these things this way in order to find the true meaning and then wait on its fulfillment. In the end, Your word will be proven true. Amen.

Saturday, 13 March 2021

Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. Revelation 13:2

John now takes time to further describe the beast that has risen out of the sea. He does so using apocalyptic imagery seen especially in the book of Daniel. He begins with, “Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard.”

In Daniel 7, a succession of beasts was viewed, representing a succession of world empires that would arise. The third of those beasts, one like a leopard and representing the Greek empire, partially matches these words of Revelation –

“After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.” Daniel 7:6

John next continues with his description, saying, “his feet were like the feet of a bear.” This somewhat matches the second beast, one like a bear and representing the Medo-Persian empire, in Daniel 7 –

“And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’” Daniel 7:5

John’s vision continues with, “and his mouth like the mouth of a lion.” And, again, this partially corresponds to the first beast, one like a lion and representing Babylon, of Daniel 7 –

“The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.” Daniel 7:4

In Daniel’s vision, after these three beasts, there came a fourth terrifying beast which represented the Roman Empire. What is possible is that this future beast being described by John will be a conglomeration of all of these previous empires – a world power which will unite into one terrible whole, centered in Rome.

Or, possibly, the various descriptions of the beast match what this future empire will be like. It will be fast and efficient like a leopard. The empire will be firm and strong like a bear, and it will be boisterous in its attitude like a lion. As it is future, it is hard to be dogmatic. But the symbolism will be perfectly understood once the beast arises. Something similar to what is seen here is described in the book of Hosea –

“So I will be to them like a lion;
Like a leopard by the road I will lurk;
⁸ I will meet them like a bear deprived of her cubs;
I will tear open their rib cage,
And there I will devour them like a lion.
The wild beast shall tear them.” Hosea 13:7, 8

The Lord, who is speaking here, may be describing an enemy that he uses to refine and judge Israel. If this is so, Hosea is describing a time of war against the disobedient in Israel. When this period is over, the Lord will have purged them of their wicked ways and will have refined them in the fire of the tribulation. Only after this time of great turmoil and anguish will the Lord return and bring peace to the earth.

This beast then is not an individual, but it will certainly be led by an individual – the antichrist. This is reflected in the next words from John. He says, “The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.” The dragon is Satan, and the beast will be ruled by a leader filled with the power of Satan. He is the lawless one spoken of by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:9. This wicked ruler will be filled with all of the power of Satan and he will unleash immense destruction upon the world. His seat of power will be one of terror and brutality.

Life application: There is enough information about the beast being described by John to give us clues into what it will be like, or of whom it will be comprised, but not enough to definitively reveal everything about it. Once the beast comes on the scene, however, it will be evident to those who are attentive to the prophecy.

One of the constant worries of people concerning these visions is that they will have to endure through the tribulation, and they will have to face what is being described here. For the believer in Christ, this is incorrect. The timeline of the events concerning the church is clear. Those who have put their faith in Christ will be taken at the rapture of the church, prior to the events now being described. Have faith. Trust the word as it is given, and hold fast to the promises of God which come because of the wonderful work of JESUS.

Lord God, when we as humans don’t bend our knee to You, the only other place for us to turn to is wickedness and destruction. Help us to continually keep our eyes, our hearts, and our thoughts on You. Help us to bring others to a saving knowledge of You and Your great deeds. There is a day coming when this won’t be possible, so stir our hearts now. Amen.

Friday, 12 March 2021

Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Revelation 13:1

There is a variation between manuscripts to start Chapter 13. Some say, “Then he stood.” That would be speaking of the dragon (Satan) of verse 12:17. Others say, “Then I stood.” That would be referring to John as he continues with the visions he is witnessing. Regardless of which is correct, the narrative continues without any damage to the surrounding verses.

What is of note is that the vision that opens Chapter 14 has the Lamb standing on Mt. Zion. That is certainly a sure foundation which is to be distinguished from the sand of the sea which changes with the tides. With that thought in mind, John says, “And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea.”

This is similar to a vision seen by Daniel –

“I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.” Daniel 7:2

The sea is representative of the nations of the world. In their stirring up, it reflects the changing nature of the empires of the world. In particular, it is dealing with those empires that have an impact on Israel. Countless other empires have come and gone, but they didn’t have any relevant effect on Israel. Because of this, they are left out of the biblical narrative.

In these words, Revelation 13 corresponds to the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet. The thirteenth letter, mem, pictures water, and it signifies “water,” “chaos,” “mighty,” and “blood.” In this chapter is found the beast rising out of the sea, the waters of chaos.

From this sea of peoples forming new alliances and governments out of the people of the world, John says the one rising up is “having seven heads and ten horns.”

The symbolism is the same as that of the dragon in Revelation 12. There are heads, probably representing individual nations. There are horns, probably representing powerful leaders. Next, John notes that on his horns ten crowns. As seen in Chapter 12, diadems probably reflect kingdoms or nations under a single leader’s rule. The actual interpretation of the heads, horns, and crowns will be evident when the time comes. For now, these meanings are simply best guesses. John finishes the description with, “and on his heads a blasphemous name.”

In this, there are now several differences from the fiery red dragon of Revelation 12 –

In Chapter 12, the beast is seen as a sign in heaven rather than a beast rising out of the sea. The color in Chapter 12 is defined as a fiery red dragon. This is unstated in Chapter 13. In Chapter 12, the dragon has seven heads, ten horns, and seven diadems. The beast of Chapter 13 has seven heads, ten horns, and ten crowns (Greek: diadéma– the same word as in Chapter 12). Now in Chapter 13, a final variation is that on the heads are a blasphemous name.

With these words, there is another variation in manuscripts. Some say, “a blasphemous name.” Others say, “blasphemous names.” The difference is important, but until the beast is revealed, it is unknown which is correct. Either each head has a different blasphemous name on it, or all of the heads have one blasphemous name on them.

Concerning the similarities and differences to the fourth beast in Daniel 7, the final empire of Daniel’s vision is identified as the Roman Empire. This was an early fulfillment of the prophecy at the time of the destruction of Israel in AD70. However, what appears to be the case is that this same beast will be revived in the end times to become the dominant power in the world.

This has actually been coming to fulfillment in modern times as the EU has risen and is going through its process of solidification. Numerous events have occurred in Greece, Spain, the UK, and elsewhere in this alliance (as a great sea being stirred up). These events are molding it to become the revived empire which finds its roots in the Roman empire that existed so long ago. It is this beast that will usher in the anti-Christ as is noted in Daniel 9:27.

As far as the name (or names) of blasphemy, the word indicates something that occurs against God. And so, whatever this name is, which John hasn’t disclosed, it is something that indicates this beast is supposedly the spiritual banner of the earth. As such, it is taking the place of God. This beast will be located in Rome where the Vatican now stands. This political/religious system will be centered on this area (as will be clearly noted in verses to come).

Life application: The events described here are future, and they are vague enough to keep us from seeing exactly what is coming, but they are precise enough so that when they do come about, there will be no doubt as to what is being referred to. What is certain is that the beasts being described in Scripture are always those that have an impact on Israel. This alone is an indication that God still has plans for the people and the nation. He has not forsaken His promises, and their lack of faithfulness in no way negates His faithfulness.

The word is written, the Lord has spoken, and Israel will again be the central focus of the biblical narrative. For that to happen, the church will first be taken out of the picture. This is the great hope of believers. Someday the Lord will come for His church. Someday, hopefully soon, we shall be with JESUS!

Lord, after the rapture, it is evident that the world will be lined up exactly as Your word says. It will be in a way that is opposed to You and Your gospel message, and yet it will be what the world thinks is correct. Such is the way of false religion, hiding the truth behind blasphemous falsities. Help us to get the word out now about this coming apostasy so that people will know the truth. Amen.

Thursday, 11 March 2021

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12:17

Verse 12:16 showed the protection of Israel when “the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.’ Thus, it is revealing that the force that is coming against Israel will be thwarted. With that in mind, John next says, “And the dragon was enraged with the woman.”

In the failed attempt to overwhelm and destroy Israel, this great satanically inspired coalition of nations (see comments on Revelation 12:3) led by the antichrist will be furious. But without the power to accomplish this, it will direct its fury elsewhere. How this comes about will continue in the chapters ahead, but for now, John continues with, “and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring.”

The fury of this body will be directed toward those who have understood the importance of Israel in the end times scenario, supporting its right to exist. Thus, they are called “her offspring.” The male Child is Jesus. Therefore, it can logically be stated that the woman’s offspring here are those who are akin to Jesus through faith. As it says in Hebrews 2:11, “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren.”

John then goes on to confirm this, saying that they are those “who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” The words, “the commandments of God,” are not referring to the Law of Moses. That is set aside through the work of Christ. This is evidenced in verses such as 1 Corinthians 7:19 –

“Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.”

Circumcision is a precept mandated in the Law of Moses, and yet Paul says that in Christ circumcision is not a consideration. Therefore, he cannot be referring to the Law of Moses when he says, “keeping the commandments of God.” Rather, this is referring to faith in Christ. As this is so, then it is evident that John is now using parallelism in this verse in Revelation by equating keeping the commandments with having “the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

The antichrist will seek to destroy any believers because of their faith in Christ. That faith will lead to their support for the cause of Israel in the end times.

The sentiment of this verse is seen in Daniel 11. Towards the end of that chapter comes a passage that has clearly been understood to be referring to the antichrist of the end times. There, Daniel says –

“At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. ⁴¹ He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. ⁴² He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. ⁴³ He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. ⁴⁴ But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. ⁴⁵ And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.” Daniel 11:40-44

Though what is recorded in these verses from Daniel are written in a single paragraph, they will span quite a bit of time. These are certainly the events being relayed by John now. In the coming pages of Revelation, the details will be filled in, but they correspond to what then begins Daniel 12 –

“At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people shall be delivered,
Every one who is found written in the book.
² And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
³ Those who are wise shall shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
And those who turn many to righteousness
Like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:1-3

Life application: The message of the two witnesses of chapter 11 will have gone out to the post-rapture world and a great multitude will believe. They will accept Jesus Christ and will not bend the knee to the global system that has been developed.

In the chapters ahead, the penalty for rejecting this global system will be seen. There will be war against the saints because they will not accept being part of this system. The commandments of God are centered on faith in Jesus. It is this faith that cannot be tolerated by the world of wickedness that seeks to rule apart from God. This was the case before the Flood of Noah, and it has been repeated throughout the ages. But for those who hold fast to their faith, there will be great rewards.

The beautiful part of Scripture is that there is no time that God’s mercy is not seen, even after the rapture, many will come to faith in Christ and be saved. This is because of the love of God which is found in the giving of His Son. Such is the love of God as is found in JESUS.

Lord God, You have called us to faith and promised us rewards for that faith. In this world, it can mean trials, troubles, and difficulties, but it is worth it! The promise of life to come far outweighs the short-term gains of this temporary walk. Help us to keep our priorities straight and to focus on You every moment we walk upon this world. Amen.

Wednesday, 10 March 2021

But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. Revelation 12:16

In the previous verse, the serpent spewed water out of its mouth in order to carry the woman away by the flood. That is most probably referring to an army sent forth to destroy those of Israel who had fled to the mountains. Now, and in response to that, John says, “But the earth helped the woman.”

Quite often in Revelation, and elsewhere as well, the term “the earth” is used to speak of the inhabitants of the earth. It is a general way of expressing this idea without regard to whether the people are right with the Lord or not. This is probably the idea here. Without specifying what group or army is brought against this attacking force intent on destroying these Jews, they simply are recorded as doing so. With this probably being the case, it then says, “and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up the flood.”

The attacking army is consumed. The reason isn’t given, and it could be another army is intent on destroying the attackers without regard to the safety of the Jews at all. Or it could be a purposeful battle to protect them. Either way, the result is help for the woman. And the help is effectual, thus destroying “the flood which the dragon had spewed out of his mouth.”

The purpose of this group attacking the Jews, who are ultimately serving the purposes of Satan, was to destroy Israel and thus thwart the redemptive plans of God. However, this will not come to pass, and the Jews who heeded Jesus’ advice and fled to the mountains will be safe. Something like this scenario is recorded in 2 Chronicles 20. A great army was set to come against Judah. King Jehoshaphat acknowledged that they had no power to stand against the invaders. In this, their only hope was deliverance by the Lord. And the Lord delivered –

“Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. ²³ For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
²⁴ So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.” 2 Chronicles 20:22-24

An incident such as this appears to be the most likely scenario for the stopping of “the flood.” However, there are other possibilities as well. In a battle found in Joshua 10, a natural event (meaning an event of nature, even if supernaturally produced) helped to destroy the enemies of Israel –

“So the Lord routed them before Israel, killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them along the road that goes to Beth Horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah. ¹¹ And it happened, as they fled before Israel and were on the descent of Beth Horon, that the Lord cast down large hailstones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died from the hailstones than the children of Israel killed with the sword.” Joshua 10:10, 11

Regardless as to what will actually swallow up the flood, it is recorded, and it will come to pass. Events of the past give possibilities to assure us that just as the Lord tended to Israel then, so He will do in the future. Israel will have to simply trust in the Lord. He will deliver.

Life application: Whatever is set to occur, God has a plan, and it will not be thwarted. As noted above, the earth may be representative of a protecting army, friendly to the plight of the Jews. There may be an appropriately timed earthquake that occurs at the spot where the attackers are in pursuit. Another possibility is that something like what occurred during the wilderness wanderings of Israel will happen again. During a rebellion against Moses, the main rebel and his household found out the seriousness of coming against God and His purposes –

“Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, ³² and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. ³³ So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly. ³⁴ Then all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, ‘Lest the earth swallow us up also!’” Numbers 16:31-34

Whatever is coming, it ultimately is God who is behind the deliverance of this group of fleeing Israelites. He has spoken now so that when these astonishing events occur, it will be plain, clear, and obvious that it was He who knew all along what would transpire. He is in complete control of what is coming. The Lord has spoken, and He will perform. The millennium will be ushered in, the Lord will sit and judge among His people, and the world will see the glorious splendor of Israel’s Messiah. They will behold the kingdom of JESUS!

Lord, throughout the history of the world Your works have been evident. Creation testifies to You, but so does the miraculous – those things which transcend creation, and which are meant to demonstrate that You are sovereign over all things. When we see Your work in and around us, help us to acknowledge Your loving hand in it. Great and awesome are You, O God. Amen.