Commentaries:
People's Commentary (NT)
Revelation 13:1
The Seven-Headed Beast
SUMMARY OF REVELATION 13: The Beast That Rises Out of the Sea. Power
Given to the Beast by the Dragon. The Head Wounded to Death and
Healed. Power Given to Continue Forty-two Months. The Lamb-like
Beast That Had the Voice of a Dragon. His Service to the
Seven-Headed Beast. The Number of the Beast.
I . . . saw a beast. The twelfth chapter has shown the relentless
hostility of the dragon, "the old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan"
(Revelation 12:9 20:2), to the woman, a hostility that has manifested
itself in changing forms. Revelation 12:17 declares his purpose to make
war on the seed of the woman. This chapter is intended to show the
organized forms in which he has carried on this warfare. The apostle
sees a "beast", a wild savage beast, arising
out of the sea. The restless ocean is a symbol of commotion.
Having seven heads and ten horns. The beast bears the old dragon
mark of seven heads and ten horns (Revelation 12:3). It must therefore be
some manifestation of the same power. Indeed, it is the dragon who has
called the beast forth from the sea.
Upon his horns ten crowns. These crowns are "diadems" (Revised
Version). They are the sign of royal authority. They represent ten
kings or kingdoms (Revelation 17:12). In Revelation 12:3, the seven heads had
the diadems; now the horns wear them. There is a reason for this that
we shall see in the sequel.
And upon his heads the name of blasphemy. If these heads should
arrogantly claim divine honors, not belonging to them, these would be
names of blasphemy. These heads are said to be seven kings. Sometimes
kings have claimed to be gods, as Alexander, who asserted that he was
the son of Jupiter Ammon, and the Roman Emperors, who all claimed
divine honors and required men to worship their statues and to offer
them sacrifices.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Revelation 13:3
Revelation 17:4
Revelation 17:8
Revelation 17:9
Revelation 17:11
Revelation 19:20
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