The response of believers to the beast 13:9-10

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.

The First Beast Is The Little Horn

The First Beast

(Rev. 13:1-8)

The Little Horn

(Dan. 7:7-28)

"All who dwell on the earth will worship him"(13:8).

Both have a worldwide empire.

"It will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it"(7:7, 23).

"The woman . . . was nourished [in the wilderness] for a time and times and half a time"(12:14).

Both have victory over the saints for three and one-half years.

"The saints . . . will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time"(7:25).

"The beast was . . . thrown alive into the lake of fire"(19:20).

Both are destroyed by Messiah at His second advent.

"The beast was slain . . . and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever"(7:11, 26).

"Those who had not worshiped the beast . . . came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years"(20:4-6).

Immediately following both their destructions the saints will receive the messianic kingdom.

"Then the sovereignty, the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints"(7:22, 27).