John stressed three things about this beast: his conspiracy with the dragon (vv. 3-4), his success in deceiving the whole world (vv. 3-4, 8), and his success in temporarily defeating God's saints (vv. 6-7a).413
"The initial description of this creature identifies it as the culminating empire of Daniel's vision of the end (Dan. 7), but it speedily becomes evident that John has in view the empire as embodied in its ruler."414
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).
The notable abilities of the beast are blasphemy against God and deception of people. These activities also marked Antiochus Epiphanes, the prototype of Antichrist (Dan. 7:8, 11, 20, 25; 12:7).
13:5 God (cf. 6:4, 8; 7:2; 9:5; Dan. 4:17, 25, 32) will give authority to the beast to act as he will during the Great Tribulation, the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation.
13:6 He will blaspheme God by claiming to be God (2 Thess. 2:4). This is evidently what he will do throughout the Great Tribulation, not just at one point in it.427He will speak against God and God's dwelling place, His heavenly tabernacle (Dan. 7:25). The phrase "those who dwell in heaven"defines the tabernacle in terms of its inhabitants, namely, God and the holy angels. Apparently the beast will share the dragon's antagonism to God and the angels for having cast the dragon out of heaven (12:7-9, 12).
13:7 He will wage war against believers and overcome them (i.e., kill them, v. 15) and will become a worldwide dictator (Dan. 7:21, 23). No other ruler has ever been able to rule the entire world.
"Incidentally this shows that something more than the Neronic persecution is in mind, for that was not world-wide."428
"This verse furnishes a most important key to the proper understanding of events occurring during the tribulation period. Since authority is given to him [the beast] over all kindreds, and tongues, and nationsupon his ascent from the sea, any passage pertaining to rivalry of kings or conflict among kings in the time of the end' (such as Daniel 7:8, 24; 11:40-44) must refer to a time preceding this universal dictatorship and therefore to the first half of the tribulation."429
13:8 Unbelievers around the world will not only serve Antichrist but also worship him. The "book of life of the Lamb"contains the names of God's elect (cf. Eph. 1:4). These believers will not worship him (Matt. 24:24). The long and unusual description of unbelievers in this verse has the effect of assuring believers during this time that they are indeed secure.
13:9 God and John called on the readers of this book to pay attention. Particularly those living at this time in the future should do so. Note that John made no reference to "the churches"as in similar exhortations in chapters 2 and 3 (2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). This supports the fact that Christians (i.e., believers living in the church age) will not be present on the earth at this time (3:10). It is what follows (v. 10) that this verse announces, not what has preceded.
13:10 God promised the saints that those He has destined for captivity (i.e., Antichrist, his followers, and the saints) will eventually end up as captives (cf. Jer. 15:2; 43:11). Those who kill others (the others being believers in Jesus Christ, v. 7) will die (cf. Matt. 26:52). This assurance that God will execute justice should encourage the saints to persevere steadfastly and to trust God during this period of intense persecution and martyrdom (cf. 14:12). The whole verse is an encouragement for believers to submit to the sovereignty of God realizing that He has permitted Antichrist's activity but that they are secure. It also assures them of divine retribution and urges them to persevere faithfully.
