Revelation 13 - Introduction

Introduction

This is an important chapter. Not because it contains much more vital information. Just the opposite is true. It does not deal with any more vital information than the chapter before it or the chapter that follows it. The reason this chapter is important is because of the many misunderstandings connected with chapter 13. This is the chapter that introduces the beast and his number - 666. There are more theories, calculations, and interpretations about how to understand this number than perhaps any other section of the Revelation.

This chapter introduces two “beasts” about which many theories have evolved and developed. The theories depend on the system of interpretation chosen. Before we enter this chapter we need to discuss the term “beast” and how it is used throughout the book of Revelation and in other apocalyptic writings in the Old Testament.

A study of Daniel 7:1-28 will be very helpful here. In Daniel there are four beasts that arise out of the earth. (Daniel 7:17) The meaning is clear. The beasts are the four kings, or better, the four kingdoms, which shall arise. This chapter writes world history in advance. God begins with Babylon. Following the Babylonian Empire will come the Medo-Persian Empire. Next will be the empire of Alexander the Great in Greece. Lastly will come the Roman Empire. It is clear in Daniel 7:1-28 that the beasts are kings or kingdoms. Therefore, a beast is a symbolic term for a government power or rule in this world.

Beast out of the Sea

Here is a summary statement of the verses that follow about the beast out of the sea in this chapter (1-10). Since the beast represents governmental power, a kingdom or empire, it is clear from this chapter that the beast here stands for civil government. There are a couple of reasons for this conclusion.

1. The number seven is the number of divine completeness. This beast has seven heads. Some believe this represents seven actual governments or empires. This is a stretch, any way one tries to make the list.

2. This beast signifies all the kingdoms that have existed because God desired them. One can see this clearly in Daniel 4:1-37. God sets up kingdoms. God can take them down. Civil rulers only have power as God ordains them. (Romans 13:1-4)

3. In Jeremiah 51:24-29, the seven heads are described as seven mountains. One of the mountains under consideration is Babylon. Thus, Babylon is one of the seven mountains, which is one of the seven heads of the beast.

4. This beast has ten horns. Since ten is the number of human completeness, there will be many kingdoms in power. They will come and go. Some will last a long time and others will quickly fade away. Thus, this beast is not one nation or one ruler. A variety of nations will, at different times rise to rule, or seek to rule, the world.

5. The final end of this beast is given in Revelation 19:20. He is cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.

Beast out of the Earth

The second beast described in this chapter (11-18) rises from the earth. This one is also a beast, that is, it exercises governmental power and rule. However, this beast is also called the “false prophet” in 16:13 and 19:20. This is an important clue. This beast is false religious power. This beast will lead people to false worship. The final destiny of this beast is also the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20)

There comes a time when the beast from the earth (at that moment, the Roman Empire) was weakened and ready to collapse. The beast from the earth (corrupt, false religious power) is ready to resurrect the dying government. This is a clear picture of the decline of the civil Roman government and the rise of the Holy Roman Empire. This conforms to verse 12, which states that this beast exercises all the power of the first beast.

The number 666

Let me here make some comments about the many theories about the number of this beast.

1. We must be consistent here. While many commentaries seek to be consistent in other parts of the book of Revelation, here they lose all their common sense.

2. What did it mean to those who first read this book? We have the advantage of 2,000 years of hindsight. We can look back, do all kinds of spiritual gymnastics with a calculator and arrive at dozens of conclusions. But, when the Christians in Asia Minor read this letter, what did it mean?

3. How will this comfort persecuted saints? Suppose you are in fear for your life, and this book was to bring you comfort, encouragement and strength to remain faithful in the face of death. How would you be helped to learn that 2000 years from now Hitler would arise and cause a World War? How will I be comforted to know that two millenniums from now world leader will arise and seek to control the world?

Choose your view - Select your beast

Let me share with some of the many theories about this mark of the beast. One looks for the meaning of the number “666” and who it might represent, based on the method of interpretation being used. All look for an interpretation that fits their preconceived view of Revelation.

1. If you choose to take the Preterist method of interpretation, you will believe that this beast is Nero. If you reduce Nero Caesar to the Hebrew consonants “Nron Ksr” and add up the numerical equivalent for each letter - you get 666.

2. In you choose the Futurist view that this entire book is yet to be fulfilled, you will believe that the beast number of 666 represents some “yet to be born” world leader, who will be come the Anti-Christ. 75 years ago the most common view was Hitler. If you take the English letter values of A=100, B=101, C-102, etc., then Hitler’s name totals, you guessed it, 666.

3. If your method of interpretation is the Continuous-Historical with a spiritual view, then you will believe that the whole book is about the Roman Catholic Church. This means that the beast here and the number 666 is connected to the papacy in Rome. You will take the Latin inscription in the pope’s mitre, “Vicarius filii dei,” which translates, “in the place of God.” If you take this Latin phrase and find the Roman numeral values - the total is (drum roll please) - 666.

4. If you select the Continuous-Historical view with a civil government application, then you will find the following to your liking. The first Roman ruler was named Latinus. The Greek name is spelled “Lateinos.” Using the Greek letter values for this Greek spelling. (You will be surprised at this.) The sum of the letter values Isaiah 666.

5. Which of these, or the dozens of others devised, invented and calculated over the years is correct? In my view, NONE OF THE ABOVE is correct. I have seen schemes for Stalin, Watergate, Henry Kissinger, Pope Pius IV, and Pope John Paul. The manipulations that take place are sometimes so far-fetched that it is beyond reason.

Whatever view you take here, I believe, it must be consistent with the book, meaningful to the first century Christians and offer them some hope and encouragement. (My view is written in the comments of this chapter.)

Ray Summers concludes, “This “reductio ad absurdum” treatment is given to indicate the futility of such efforts to arrive at the truth. By this cryptic method the number has been applied to several popes and a large number of political personages during the course of the world’s history. A pathetic loss of time and thought and mathematical ingenuity has marked the labor of an endless number of men who have tried to solve the riddle of this mystic number and assign it to some contemporary.” (2, 177)