Revelation 13:1-10 ESV Scripture

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.  Scripture

2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.  Scripture

3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.  Scripture

4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” Scripture

5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.  Scripture

7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation,  Scripture

8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear: Scripture

10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. Scripture

Resist the Beast

The joker is the antagonist in the D____ K____. Voldemort is the antagonist in H____ P____. Kylo Ren is the antagonist in the F____ A____. The dragon and beast are the antagonists in R________.

12:3, behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns.  13:1, And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads. 

Dan 7:3, And four great beasts came up out of the sea… 4 The first was like a lion … 5 And behold, another beast, a second one, like a bear… 6 And behold, another, like a leopard ... 7 And behold, a fourth beast with iron teeth … and it had ten horns.

Rev 13:1, And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns … 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth.

The beast is a person. The mouth of a lion could mean he is a gifted communicator The feet like a bear/leopard could mean rapid conquest & unification.

V2b, And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.  Why do we need strong leader? When the nations are at war, when people are hungry they want a strong authoritative leader who will bring peace and stability to the nations.

3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound (slain to death), but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. 

The Antichrist will be slain (v8, the Lamb was slain) and the false Christ will use this opportunity to mimic Christ’s death and resurrection.

4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”

5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 

The phrase “those who dwell in heaven” are Christians who are still on earth but they live their lives with heavenly values and realities.

7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 

8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 

The phrase “all who dwell on earth” are the unbelievers who live for this world; they are the opposite of “those who dwell in heaven.” The names of “the earth dwellers” are excluded from the book of life before the world was created.

The names of “those who dwell in heaven” have been written in the book of life before they were born; The wheel of salvation began turning for them before they were created.

Time is not a factor in term of salvation. Your salvation is not based on your own efforts but on God’s preceding grace.

13:9, If anyone has an ear, let him hear. Rev 2 & 3 have the additional phrase “what the Spirit says to churches” but it is missing here. It is missing because the church has been taken already.

Jer 15:2, And when they ask you, ‘Where shall we go Jer 15:2, And when they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you shall say to them, ‘those who are for the sword, to the sword; those who are for famine, to famine, and those who are for captivity, to captivity.’

Rev 13:10, If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain.

13:10, If anyone has an ear, let him hear, if anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Listen, there is justice; if anyone takes you into captivity, he will go into captivity; if anyone kills you with a sword, he will be killed with a sword.

13:10b, Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. To the Christians in the early church, the Jesus’ way, the way of faith isn’t working too well, and the Roman’s way, the way of force is working too well.

When we live in a world of violence long enough, it is easy to adopt violent means ourselves.

Christians are tempted to use violence to resolve conflict, Peter pulled out his sword when people came to arrest Jesus. Mt 26:52, Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”

Endurance and faith are not dumb and passive. The early Christians resisted and endured with faith and they overcame the Roman Empire without using any force. The Jesus’ way takes time to win and it will happen slowly & imperceptibly.

1Jn 4:3, The spirit of Antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. 1Pet 5:9, Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

Application: What circumstances are you in now that require endurance and faith? Carefully scrutinize whom you follow and idolize.

Do get involved in politics; think critically and resist the presidential candidates who appeal to pride and selfish gain. Resist the leaders who promote self-righteousness and blame people and promise quick success.