ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Revelation 13

Rev. 13:1–10 As the dragon stands on the seashore (12:17), a beast emerges from the sea. This beast is sometimes identified with the Antichrist (see 1 John 2:18; 22; 4:3; 2 John 7) or the man of lawlessness (2 Thess. 2:3–12). Yet the imagery of Daniel 7 that appears in the description of the beast shows that it represents not only a future individual but also present world powers that wage Satan’s war against the Lamb and his church.

Rev. 13:1–2 The beast resembles all four beasts that Daniel saw emerge from the sea before the Son of Man appeared (Dan. 7:1–8, 21). Those beasts symbolized kingdoms (Dan. 7:17, 23). This beast represents every oppressive human empire that demands absolute allegiance and enforces its demand. This includes Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and their successors. Its 10 horns and seven heads mirror those of the dragon (Rev. 12:3), who gives the beast its great authority.

Rev. 13:3 seemed to have a mortal wound. Literally, “as slain to death.” Rome represented the beast in John’s day. It seemed to have been mortally wounded by Nero’s suicide (a.d. 68) and the civil chaos that followed. It experienced a “resurrection” in the reigns of Vespasian and his sons Titus and Domitian. During Domitian’s reign (a.d. 81–96), Nero’s persecution of the church also revived. Many interpreters think this verse also predicts a future remarkable recovery of the Antichrist from a deadly wound.

Rev. 13:4 Who is like the beast? The worshipers’ question echoes Israel’s praise of the Lord after the exodus (Ex. 15:11). This reinforces the beast’s claim to divine honors.

Rev. 13:5 was given . . . was allowed. See note on 9:1. The beast speaks haughty and blasphemous words, like the horn (king) on the fourth beast in Daniel’s vision (Dan. 7:20, 25). forty-two months. See note on Rev. 11:1–2; also 12:6, 14.

Rev. 13:6 The identification of God’s dwelling as those who dwell in heaven confirms that the sanctuary in 11:1 symbolized the worshipers in it. Likewise, the “holy city” is the Lamb’s church-bride (21:2, 9–27).

Rev. 13:8 written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. Before creation and by grace alone, God chose individuals to be redeemed by Christ’s death (see Eph. 1:4–14; and note on Eph. 1:11). God’s book of life appears in Ex. 32:32–33; Dan. 12:1; Luke 10:20; Rev. 3:5; 17:8; 20:15. The parallel expression in 17:8 shows that “before the foundation of the world” refers to “written” rather than to “slain.”

Rev. 13:9–10 endurance. Perseverance is a major theme in Revelation (12:17; 14:12; 16:15; 17:14; 21:7–8; 22:7; 10; 12; 14; see also “overcoming” in chs. 2–3).

Rev. 13:11–18 A second beast rises out of the earth to recruit worshipers for the first beast. He gathers people using lying words and miracles. In John’s day, the imperial cult in the Roman province of Asia encouraged worship of the emperor as divine savior and lawgiver.

Rev. 13:11 The second beast resembles the Lamb, but his lying words expose his real nature. He is like a dragon (see 12:15; 16:13–14; 19:20).

Rev. 13:13 making fire come down from heaven. The false prophet (the second beast) does a miracle similar to Elijah’s to make people believe the first beast is divine (see 1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 1:10; Rev. 8:7; 11:5).

Rev. 13:14–15 Idols “have mouths but cannot speak” (Ps. 115:5). Thus the impression that the first beast’s image has breath and might even speak is likely some kind of miracle worked by demonic power yet still subject to God’s sovereign control (it is allowed).

Rev. 13:16–17 marked on the right hand or the forehead. The Israelites wore God’s law on their hands and foreheads. They did this to show God’s authority over their thoughts and actions (Deut. 6:8). The beast’s mark and the seal of God on believers’ foreheads (see Rev. 7:3; 14:1; compare also Ex. 28:36–38; Ezek. 9:4) do not have to be physical features, though they may be that. Both symbolize spiritual control.

Rev. 13:18 The number of the beast is 666. This number of a man may contrast with divine completeness (symbolized by seven).