A BEAST; the symbol of a great evil and persecuting power. OUT OF THE SEA; out of the troubles, commotions, and revolutions of that period. Compare Daniel 7:2. SEVEN HEADS-TEN HORNS-TEN CROWNS; it is a continuation of the same great persecuting power that has been described in the preceding chapte... [ Continue Reading ]
LEOPARD-BEAR-LION; symbolic of his savage and cruel character, which unites in itself the properties of the three first beasts of Daniel's vision. Daniel 7:4-6. THE DRAGON GAVE HIM HIS POWER-SEAT-AUTHORITY; Satan, who had in past ages made use of pagan Rome as an instrument of persecuting God's chu... [ Continue Reading ]
ONE OF HIS HEADS AS IT WERE WOUNDED TO DEATH; smitten with a mortal wound. Of the various interpretations proposed for this difficult passage, that seems most probable which refers it to the extinction of the old Roman empire under the imperial form in the latter part of the fifth century, and its r... [ Continue Reading ]
WORSHIPPED THE DRAGON; by worshipping or paying divine honors to the beast, his agent in persecuting the saints.... [ Continue Reading ]
SPEAKING GREAT THINGS AND BLASPHEMIES; usurping the prerogatives of God, and subjecting men's consciences to his control. This beast exerts his power in connection with the second beast, verses Revelation 13:12-15, and the two together usurp God's place, and require men to pay to them divine honors.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS TABERNACLE; his people among whom he dwells. THEM THAT DWELL IN HEAVEN; by speaking of them in opposition to their true character, as if they aided in his cruel designs. The mouths which God has made are often opened in blasphemy against him, and the faculties which he has given and preserves,... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL KINDREDS-TONGUES, AND NATIONS; showing the extent of his influence, reaching over a great portion of the world.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL; the wicked, who inhabit the countries subject to his power, and who have no true religion. There is no security against embracing the most dangerous errors, and joining in the most abominable practices, except in that distinguishing grace of God which leads men to trust in the Redeemer, and in... [ Continue Reading ]
LET HIM HEAR; consider what is said, and receive the instruction which it is suited to impart; not go with the multitude after the beast, but continue, under all his persecutions, steadfast in the faith and practice of the gospel.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL GO INTO CAPTIVITY-KILLED WITH THE SWORD; the time would come when the persecutors would be destroyed. God would render vengeance to his enemies. Till then, his people, while active and persevering in duty, should wait with patience. When persecutors of God's people have gone as far as he sees... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOTHER BEAST; representing an ecclesiastical power, pretended ministers of religion uniting with the civil power, described under the first beast, in persecuting the saints. OUT OF THE EARTH; in a quiet, silent way; an exact description of the rise of the spiritual power of the papacy, which grew... [ Continue Reading ]
EXERCISETH-THE POWER-AND CAUSETH THE EARTH-TO WORSHIP THE FIRST BEAST; unites his ecclesiastical power with the civil power of the first beast in laboring to accomplish the same cruel, selfish, and wicked designs.... [ Continue Reading ]
DOETH GREAT WONDERS-MAKETH FIRE COME DOWN; the probable meaning of these words is, that having, by his signs and lying wonders, deceived the multitude and gained control over them, he uses the power thus acquired to destroy, as if by fire from heaven, those who will not submit themselves to his usur... [ Continue Reading ]
AN IMAGE TO THE BEAST; a living representative of his power. According to some, this image represents the succession of Roman pontiffs; but they are rather the representatives of the second beast. Others, therefore, understand the new succession of Roman emperors, referred to in the note to verse Re... [ Continue Reading ]
SPEAK; proclaim and send out his decrees, requiring all to bow to him; and if they will not, causing them to be put to death. Ecclesiastical and civil rulers have often been united in persecuting Christians, and endeavoring to force them to disobey God.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAUSETH ALL; compels them, under the penalty mentioned in the following verse. TO RECEIVE A MARK; a sign to distinguish them as his followers, and as acknowledging his authority.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT NO MAN MIGHT BUY OR SELL; literally fulfilled in the history of the papal power, whose policy has been to place those who would not bow to it under an interdict, deprive them of the means of living, and thus starve them into compliance. Satan often acts as if he were the god of this world, and... [ Continue Reading ]
HERE IS WISDOM; wisdom is required, in order to determine to whom the above representations apply, and who is meant by them. LET HIM THAT HATH UNDERSTANDING; of this matter. COUNT THE NUMBER; of the name of the beast. SIX HUNDRED THREESCORE AND SIX; the letters which compose the Greek word LATEIN... [ Continue Reading ]