13:1 The dragon stood on the seashore watching a beast come out of the sea, in John's vision (cf. Dan. 7:2, 3, 7, 8, 19-27).415The implication is that the dragon summoned the beast out of the sea.416Evidently this was part of his plan to destroy the rest of the woman's offspring (12:17).
When the dragon was in position, John saw a new scene in his vision ("I saw,"Gr. eidon). The sea may represent the mass of humanity (cf. 17:15; Dan. 7:2-3). However this interpretation cannot explain the sands of the seashore or the origin of the beast from the earth (v. 11). A literal sea is impossible since this beast is a person, as we shall see. The ancient world often associated evil with the sea and used the sea as a figure for the abyss (cf. Job 16:12-13; Ps. 74:13-14; 87:4; 89:9-10; Isa. 27:1; 51:9-10; 57:20; Dan. 7:3; Rom. 10:7).417This figurative use of the sea seems best since elsewhere John said that the beast came out of the abyss (11:7; 17:8).
The beast had many of the same characteristics as the dragon. However, they also correspond to the features of the fourth kingdom that Daniel saw in his vision (cf. Dan. 7:7-8). In Daniel's vision the 10 horns represented 10 rulers (Dan. 7:24). Here the Antichrist has authority over 10 rulers (cf. Rev. 17).418
"The ten-nation confederacy of the future anticipated in these prophecies [i.e., Dan. 2 and 7] would naturally be considered a revival of the Roman Empire if for no other reason than that it is portrayed as an integral part of the fourth empire."419
As Satan, the beast had seven heads that apparently represent the remaining seven rulers of nations after three of them disappear (Dan. 7:8). The 10 regal crowns are symbols of governmental authority (cf. 12:3).
"There are a number of suggestions as to why the diadems are placed on the horns rather than on the heads of the beast. The most plausible is that his claim to authority rests on brute force."420
The blasphemous names reflect the beast's opposition to God (cf. vv. 5-6; 2 Thess. 2:4).
The beast is evidently Antichrist who is the head of a future empire (cf. 13:8, 18; 17:8).421He embodies the malevolent forces operative in this empire.422He will be the deification of secular authority.423
The repetition of heads, horns, and diadems (12:3) suggests that there is a close affinity between the dragon and this beast. Yet there are some differences in the descriptions of these heads, horns, and crowns.
"The conflict of 12:1-5 transpires while the seven world empires are running their course, but at 13:1 the focus has shifted to the last of these kingdoms when the beast will enjoy his supremacy over the ten kings who act as subrulers under his authority (cf. 17:12)."424
John received more information about the identity of these heads, horns, and diadems in chapter 17.
13:2 This beast possessed qualities of three animals, perhaps swiftness, agility, vigilance, craftiness, and fierce cruelty; brutality; and strength and majesty. In Daniel, these animals represented three kingdoms that previously ruled the world. These kingdoms are Greece (Dan. 7:6), Medo-Persia (Dan. 7:5), and Babylon (Dan. 7:4). The fourth kingdom that Daniel described (Dan. 7:23) includes Antichrist's kingdom. The kingdom the beast rules and represents seems to reflect his personal qualities.
"The fact that the leopard of Greece, the bear of Medo-Persia, and the lion of old Babylon (Daniel 7)are all seen in this Beast, shows how all-inclusive of human things will be his character; he sums up all the brilliancy (Greece), all of the massive ponderousness of power (Persia), all of the absolute autocratic royal dominion (Babylon), that the Gentiles have ever known."425
Antichrist will derive his power and position from Satan (cf. 2 Thess. 2:9). Similarly Jesus Christ receives these things from His Father.
13:3 If the beast's heads represent nations (v. 1), verse 3 seems to be saying that one of the nations under Satan's authority perished, but then it revived.426
13:4 The apparent resurrection of this nation will be so amazing to the world that many people will give their allegiance and their worship to Antichrist (cf. vv. 8, 12; 14:9, 11; 20:4). In so doing they will also submit to Satan who is behind him. Antichrist's ability to revive this nation will make him appear invincible. The expression, "Who is like the beast?"(v. 4) seems to be a parody of Old Testament praises of God (cf. Exod. 15:11; Ps. 35:10; 113:5; Isa. 40:18, 25; 46:5; Jer. 49:19; Mic. 7:18). Later the Lamb will prove superior to the beast (14:1-5; 17:14; 19:11-21).
