A Study Of The Book Of Revelation
Lesson No. 16: Chapter 13

Date: December 17^th, 24^th, 2003, Wednesday Evening Adult Bible Class
Speaker: John Phillis
Note: Much of the information for this Study of Revelation was taken from the book “Revelation Through First Century Glasses” by W. B. West. Other sources: “The Living Word, Study of Revelation, Parts I & II” by Dr. Frank Pack; “Revelation” by Jim McGuiggan; “Commentary on Revelation” by Homer Hailey; “Commentary on Revelation” by Burton Coffman; “The Book of Revelation – Spiritual Sword Lectureship, October 18 – 22, 1998”; “Commentary on Revelation” by Howard Winters; “Revelation for Christians Today” by Lonnie Woodruff; “Unlocking Revelation” by J. Stafford North.

Objectives in Studying this Chapter:

1) To notice two “beasts” Satan would use in making war against the saints

2) To offer an explanation consistent with the context in which the Revelation was written as to the identity of the two beasts

A Brief Introduction

Before we begin chapter 13 let’s notice that there is a very distinct connection between chapter 12 and chapter 13. If you notice in Revelation, chapter 12 and verse 17, the statement is made that “the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the Commandments of God and have the Testimony of Jesus Christ.”

Well, who is the dragon? We identified him in our study of chapter 12 as being Satan, the devil. He had failed in his effort to destroy the man child—that, of course, we identified as Christ—and the woman. We saw that the man child was taken up to the throne room of heaven and that the woman escaped into the wilderness—a place prepared by God for refuge, and for safety.

And so, Satan is enraged; he has failed, but he is not ready to give up. We’re going to see, then, the connection between chapters 12 and 13 in Satan’s efforts “to make war with the rest of her [the woman’s] offspring.” In chapter 13, Satan will rally a couple of allies. He will enlist their aid, their effort, in defeating and destroying God’s purpose, God’s people, and God’s rule.

These two allies, these two helpers, are revealed here in chapter 13. One is a beast—in fact, the Greek word there means “a wild beast”—from the sea. The other is a beast out of the earth.

To have the right perspective, we also want to notice that the 13^th chapter opens, if you’re reading from the King James and the New King James Versions, with a statement to the effect that “I stood on the sand of the sea….” This statement in these two translations/versions says that it is John who is standing on the sand of the sea. Actually, more specifically, more accurately—based upon some later manuscript evidence—it is the dragon who is standing on the sand of the sea, or the seashore.

If you’re reading from the American Standard, the Revised Standard, the New International Version, or some others, you will see that there is a little bit of a difference in the way that is handled. In fact, some translations—for example, the NIV—actually begin chapter 13 saying, “And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea,” with a footnote stating, “Some late manuscripts And I”. I saw one translation—it was actually Hugo McCord’s translation—where he made an 18^th verse in chapter 12 and closed out that chapter this way: Revelation 12:17-18: [verse 17] “And the dragon became very angry at the woman, and fought with the rest of her offspring, those who observe God’s commands and hold the testimony of Jesus. [verse 18] And he stood on the seashore.” Then he begins chapter 13 with John’s statement of “I [John] saw a beast arising from the sea….” Now, that’s just a minor thing. It doesn’t make one right or wrong, but again, it’s a little bit of a clarification of who is where.

You recall that chapter 12 began with John seeing a vision in the heavens. Now John is seeing a vision; he’s seeing something; he’s going to describe something that is actually taking place on the earth. Specifically where John was, is not important, but the dragon, the devil, he is seeing in this vision is standing there on the sand of the seashore. That’s where we begin with chapter 13.

THE BEAST FROM THE SEA (VERSES 1-10)

[John Phillis is reading from The New King James Version, so note again what was said about the beginning of verse 1.]

“Then I [more accurately, “The dragon”] stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. 2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’

5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His Name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 He who leads into captivity shall go into captivity; he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”