Chapter 13 is probably the key to the whole book of Revelation. It covers the antichrist. If a person understands this chapter, then he will understand the whole book of Revelation.
This chapter discusses the two terrible rulers that are to arise in the end time, the antichrist and his cohort, the world-wide religious leader who will help the antichrist gain and maintain control over the world. The Scripture refers to them as beasts.
We must realize that in the end time, during the great tribulation, the antichrist will bring the utter destruction of the world as we know it.
We have just been given a glimpse in chapter 12 of the spiritual world and the battle going on there. We have seen the constant struggle going on to try to turn man away from God. But in the end Satan is going to be cast down to earth. He knows now that his time is short. So he unleashes a wrath and fury beyond anything the world has ever known. So let’s get into chapter 13. PRAYER. Read v. 1.
The beast arises up out of the sea. This is further explained in chapter 17:15 where the waters are said to be the people, the multitudes, the nations. So the antichrist arises from among the people.
Remember that there will be an increase in violence, conflict, terrorist activities, wars and rumors of wars. There is going to be an increase in natural catastrophes such as famines, earthquakes, and diseases. The people left on earth are going to be clamoring for a leader to ease their pain. The antichrist will be the one they look to.
Let’s go ahead and read verse 2 and then we will discuss both 1 & 2 together. We see here the great political power of the antichrist (beast). Everything said about the antichrist is symbolic of the enormous political power that he will gain.
1. He will have seven heads meaning at least two things.
a. It could mean that he will be a genius. 7 means complete or full. He will be full of ability, a supernatural genius. This will enable him to think, to plan, act, respond and react quicker than any man has ever been able to. Think how far a person could go in the political circles and in gaining power if he had the perfect ability, full knowledge, understanding and wisdom.
b. The seven heads and ten horns also refer to the ten nations he will rule over. This can get very deep and for this study we aren’t going that deep. But for now know that in the beginning there will be ten nations, but the antichrist will take over or be given the power and rule of three which leaves seven. The heads of these seven will most likely surrender their governments to his rule. Therefore, the beast or antichrist has the power of seven heads, seven heads of state.
2. He will have ten horns, the same number of horns the dragon had. The horns mean power, power over ten nations. He will be the political head over ten nations.
3. He wears ten crowns upon his ten horns. Crowns mean authority and power. He will hold the reign of power and authority over the ten nations. These ten nations are so frightening that they are called the horns of beasts, horns that are able to rip and tear open the heart and bodies of other nations and people.
4. The antichrist will have ten blasphemous names on his seven heads. This means that his blasphemy against God and believers and against the people of the world will be complete.
- He will stand in the holy place of the temple in Jerusalem and blaspheme the name of God.
- He will be the man of lawlessness who opposes all religions, that is, everything that is called God and is worshipped.
- He will speak great and terrible words against the Most High.
- He will demand that everyone worship him and his state.
5. It says that he is like three animals—the leopard, the bear and the lion. The antichrist will combine three of the world’s most powerful empires. These three are the ones that conquered and controlled most of the known world of their day. Imagine the greatest empires to rule the known world and combine that lust for power in one leader and government. No nation will be spared from the fright and terror of such a drive and lust for power.
Who are these empires that will be wrapped up in the beast? We first note that the antichrist is said to look like a leopard, to have feet like a bear, and to have a mouth like a lion.
In comparing Daniel 2: 36-38, Daniel 7:4 and our Scripture for this evening, the lion represents the first world empire, Babylon.
Dan. 2:38, Dan. 8:20 and our Scripture, the bear is the second world empire: Medo-Persia.
Dan. 2:39, Dan 8:21, 10:20, 11: 2-4 and our Scripture, the leopard is the third world empire, Greece.
There is actually a fourth world empire. Dan 2:40, Dan. 7:7 and our Scripture, the dreadful, terrible, strong beast represents Rome.
So quickly:
The lion, Bablyon – a ferocious roar that will sweep worldwide and will shout blasphemies that will strike fear in both nations and people. Sharp teeth that will drive deep into the flesh of the world, tearing, chewing, and eating up the nations and peoples of the world.
The bear, MedoPersia – Big and tough feet that will cover a large area and pursue its prey of people and nations without giving up. Strong claws that grip the prey of nations and people without letting them go and possessing the power to rip them apart.
The leopard, Greece – Sleek and beautiful and attractive, a nature that appeals to the nations and people of the world. Full of spots that symbolize an evil, sneaky, ferocious, and wild nature.
The dreadful and terrible and strong beast, Rome – The antichrist will combine all the traits of the old Roman empire.
Read 3. What we see represented here is a dramatic rise to power by the antichrist. Satan will give the antichrist his power. Satan will give the antichrist his seat, that is, his throne, his government. He will give the antichrist what he offered Jesus Christ: the governments of the world. Satan will give the antichrist his authority.
The antichrist will be healed from a mortal wound. It’s important to see what is being said here. The mortal wound is mentioned three times in this chapter and elsewhere in Revelation. There are three possible interpretations of this.
1. The death of the beast refers to the political death of the Roman empire. So it could be saying that the old Roman empire will be revived and the spirit of Rome will dominate the world once again.
2. The antichrist will actually be the return of some evil ruler who has lived in past history. The devil will raise him up and send him back to earth.
3. The mortal wound is an assassination attempt or some accident that happens to the antichrist. He is healed by the false prophet (the second beast).
Which one of these interpretations is correct? It’s difficult to see how either one could be true without the other. It’s kind of a combining of all of them.
Daniel’s prophecy definitely says that the antichrist is going to arise from the crumbled Roman empire. This antichrist is to rule over the final government of the earth. Read 4-8
In these verses, we see the nine methods that the antichrist will use to secure world government.
1. In verse 4 the antichrist will secure power because of the worldly and ungodly living of people. They worshiped the dragon. That means that they walk in the way of sin. In the last days, they will become more sinful, more worldly, more evil, more secular, and more humanistic.
2. Also in verse 4, the antichrist will secure power by personal ability and appeal. The ungodly people will worship him.
3. Still in verse 4, he will secure power by military and economic strength. The antichrist will apparently have the strongest military machine the world has ever known so all nations will give their allegiance and loyalty to him.
4. The antichrist will secure power through speech, persuasion, and blasphemy. Verse 5.
5. He will secure power for 3 ½ years. V.5.
6. Through atheism and humanism. V. 6
7. He will secure power through religious persecution. V. 7.
8. Through conquering many nations. V. 7.
9. Finally, through imperial worship v. 8. It appears as though the worship of the state will happen in the middle of the tribulation period. The antichrist will march into the temple of Jerusalem and declare that he and his state are to be the first objects of worship. Where and how it happens we don’t really know but Scripture declares that the antichrist will definitely be worshiped.
Read 9 – 10.
We see here the adversaries of the antichrist. You see, the true believers that are on earth during the tribulation will not worship the antichrist. They will not give 100% of their loyalty to the state or to anyone or anything other than God. We know 4 things about the believers.
1. They are secure in the Lamb’s book of life.
2. They are the hearers of the message. They heed the warning and repent and turn to Jesus Christ.
3. They are the ones who know that God truly judges the evil and ungodly.
4. They are steadfast and loyal to the faith. The true believer will be easily known in the end time. He will be the person standing fast for Christ. Yeah, there will be millions that will deny Christ, but there will also be millions turning to Him.
The Spirit of God will be as active as He has ever been. He will enter the believers and give them the strength to stand fast for Christ. Verse 10 tells the truth that because of all these believers, millions of them will be slain. That is the scene thus far.
But Jesus reminded us all as believers in Matt. 10:22, “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
