Notes on the Book of Revelation.

 
(Chap. 13:1-10.)
THE unparalleled manifestation of diabolical and human blasphemy is seen in this chapter Satan now finds one to accept at his hands the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them which Jesus refused. He who was a liar and murderer from the beginning has been most successful in his deceiving’s by being an imitator of God. You often see this in Scripture, and especially in the Revelation. God has wise virgins; Satan has virgins also―false. Christ bows good seed―wheat; Satan sows seed too―tares. God has a vine― “the true vine;” Satan has a vine also― “the vine of the earth.” Christ has a bride; Satan has a harlot. God has a city―the new Jerusalem; Satan also has a city―Babylon. But none of his imitations seem so vile as in this chapter, none so perfect in blasphemy against God. For instance, God had a man, His dear Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, to bear witness for Him in the earth. Satan will have a man also―the man of sin. God did “miracles, and wonders, and signs,” by Jesus of Nazareth; Satan’s servant will come too, “with all power, and signs, and lying wonders” (compare Acts 2:2222Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: (Acts 2:22) with 2 Thessalonians 2:99Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (2 Thessalonians 2:9)); God will have all worship Jesus, and bow the knee to Him, for He is worthy; so Satan will have all that dwell upon the earth to worship “the beast,” whose names are not written in the book of life. The saints of God shall have His name “in their foreheads;” so the worshippers of “the beast” “shall receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.” But worse than all this is the direct blasphemy against God. The gospel of the grace of God now gives testimony to the love, and wisdom, and power of the triune God―Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; so we see in this chapter that Satan has a trio also―the beast, false prophet, and the image that doth speak―all energized by one lying spirit, all united in blaspheming God and deceiving men. This infernal outrage, venting itself in direct antagonism to Christ seems to fill up the measure of iniquity, and bring speedy vengeance from heaven by the glorious appearing of the Son of man in great power and glory, who will consume this wicked one with the Spirit of His mouth, and destroy with the brightness of His coming. Both the beast and the false prophet are cast alive at once into “the lake of fire burning with brimstone.” (2 Thessalonians 2:88And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: (2 Thessalonians 2:8); Revelation 19:2020And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20).) Happy for us who believe, that when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we also shall appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:44When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4).)
Satan having been cast out of heaven into the earth, as recorded in the previous chapter, we are not surprised at finding this chapter commencing with the development of the beast. The apostle says: “I saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the names of blasphemy.” (verse 1.) He rises up out of the sea; which teaches us that he had been hid from the eye of man, though known to God and Satan. It was the same with the great Gentile powers which Daniel saw― “They came up from the sea.” There were four great beasts. The first like a lion, the second like a bear, the third like a leopard, and the fourth beast dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it; and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and behold there came up among them another little horn, and in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. I beheld till the Ancient of days came, &c. (Daniel 7:3-83And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. 4The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it. 5And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh. 6After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. 7After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 8I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things. (Daniel 7:3‑8).) This was Daniel’s vision of the great Gentile powers. The beast which John saw seems to include the whole of these great beasts; for he says: “The beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth was as the mouth of a lion.... and had a mouth speaking great things.” (verses 2, 5.) The times of the Gentiles will be then still running on in the fourth or Roman empire―the legs of the image with its ten toes; or, as we have just seen, the ten-horned beast with its ten crowns―all, it seems to me, personified in the first beast of the Apocalypse, or the little horn of Daniel, with man’s eyes and mouth, speaking great things. He is one under direct Satanic inspiration and power, he ascends out of the bottomless pit; and we are further told that Satan gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. Deniers little horn intimates that he issues from the Roman earth. From the statement, “He will not regard the God of his fathers” (Daniel 11:3737Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. (Daniel 11:37)), we may expect he will be a Jew; but, though emanating from the Roman earth, he will enter the glorious land, that is, Palestine, and plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain, that is, Mount Zion. (Daniel 11:41, 4541He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon. (Daniel 11:41)
45And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. (Daniel 11:45).) He will have the iron teeth and dreadful and terrible strength of the fourth monarchy; for it will be said, “Who is able to make war with him?”
We must remember, that although the development of the beast will not take place till the hindering power―the Church, indwelt by the Holy Ghost―is removed, and Satan is cast our into the earth, yet that “the mystery of iniquity” was working in Paul’s day, and is still going on (2 Thessalonians 2:77For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:7).) John saw it also, and said: “Even now are there many antichrists, whereby we know that it is the last time.” (1 John 2:1818Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (1 John 2:18)). The anti-Christian principle is working all around us, and growing rapidly; and we need grace and spiritual power from God to discern the evil, and flee from it. Sight and sense are not enough for there is power with Satan’s work, and he imitates God as far as he can, so as to be more effectual in deceiving. The soul taught by the Holy Ghost, and in subjection to the written Word, thus walking by faith and not by sight trusting to the living God, and not leaning to its own understanding, is alone able to stand with God, or walk with God. Seeing that self-soil and self-exaltation will characterize the man of sin, let us watch against these two evils, which are in every one of our hearts by nature, and seek to be conformed to our blessed Jesus, who was meek and lowly in heart, and who humbler Himself and became obedient unto death, ever the death of the Cross!
With our present measure of light, perhaps it is difficult to say what we are to understand by “one of his heads as it were wounded to death and his deadly wound was healed,” further than it seems to be some check given to the beasts success after he is manifested; but it is only for a time; for he is restored again, and comes forth under the flattery of a world-wide admiration: “all the world wondered after the beast.” (verse 3.)
It is to be observed, that this, period will be characterized by devil-worship; for “the dragon,” that is, the devil and Satan (chapter 12:9), who gave power unto the beast, will be “worshipped.” (verse 4.) The beast, too, will be worshipped; for “all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain.” (verse 8.) Those who have been watching the moral changes and course of events for many years, must have noticed the rapid increase of irreverence for the things of God the steady advance of infidelity, and the earnestness with which very many have fallen in with spirit-rapping and consulting with familial spirits; and we can easily understand how gradually the great deceiver is by such things paving the way for the development of his purposes which are so soon to end in open infidelity an blasphemy. The well-instructed child of God cannot but observe the occurrence of remarkable events, especially of late, and see that the day of the Lord is approaching with great rapidity. Saints are expected to see this, and are therefore taught to assemble themselves together, and to exhort one another; and so much the more as they see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:2525Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25).) The day of the Lord is not set before us, strictly speaking, as our hope; but the Lord Himself. He is “the one hope of our calling,” and we are to serve God, and wait for His Son from heaven. (1 Thessalonians 1:1010And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10).) He says to us: “Surely, I come quickly!” and our response should be, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” But while thus in a waiting posture for Christ, many events may and do occur which shew us that the day is approaching; the day when Christ will be manifested in glory with His saints, the day of the world’s judgment and of Israel’s restoration and blessing. But the calling, standing, and hope of the Church is heavenly. “Our citizenship is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:2020For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Philippians 3:20).) In fact, prophecy relates for the most part to the earth; but, as members of Christ’s body, while taking heed to the sure word of prophecy, and learning much of God in tracing His dealings in the earth, we are instructed to look for the Lord Himself, who shall descend from heaven with a shout, when all who are alive and remain, and all the dead in Christ, shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air, and so be forever with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1716For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16‑17).)
To return to our chapter: we find that this time of pride and blasphemy is limited. It will “continue forty and two months.” (verse 6.) Daniel also speaks of power given to him for a time, times, and the dividing of time. Regarding “time” as being equivalent to a year, as the marginal reading of chapter 11:13, “times, even years,” would seem to warrant, both these periods would be exactly three years and a half; the period of the half of the last week of Daniel, during which the beast will continue in open manifestation, after having caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease. (Daniel 9:2727And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27).) The beast will not only speak great things, but will open his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, and His tabernacle or dwelling, and them that dwell in heaven. (verse 6.) It is remarkable that we get the dwellers in heaven noticed again here, as we observed in the previous chapter (verse 12); and the more so because we find “saints” under the oppression of the beast in the next verse. Now, if we understand the dwellers in heaven to be the heavenly saints, who, ere this period, have been caught up to meet the Lord in the air, who are the “saints” brought before us here? It may be well to notice, that “saint” is not a title peculiar to the New Testament. Daniel repeatedly speaks of the saints, and as on the earth too during the time of the antichrist. But Daniel speaks nothing of the Church; his prophecies are concerning his city and people. He says “He shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High.” He also says: “The horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them....and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” (Daniel 7:21, 22, 2521I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. (Daniel 7:21‑22)
25And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. (Daniel 7:25).) There is no mention here of resurrection or rapture, and therefore they cannot be the Church. He also intimates that some will be brought through this great tribulation; for he tells us, “At that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that is written in the book.” (Daniel 12:11And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1); Revelation 13:7, 87And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:7‑8).) The prophet Daniel thus speaks of saints, evidently Jewish, and not of the Church, who are brought through the fire into their own promised blessing in the earth. Jeremiah calls it the time of Jacob’s trouble. Our Lord also says, that “for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” If they were not shortened, the oppression of the beast would go on to exterminate all who do not worship him; so that “except those days should be shortened there would no flesh be saved.” Israel is called repeatedly in Scripture God’s “elect.” On comparing Matthew 24:3131And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:31) with Isaiah 27:12, 1312And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall beat off from the channel of the river unto the stream of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. 13And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem. (Isaiah 27:12‑13), it will be clearly seen that the “elect” there mentioned are not the Church, but the seed of Jacob. Isaiah 54:44Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. (Isaiah 54:4), Leviticus 9:2222And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. (Leviticus 9:22) also shew us that Israel is called God’s “elect.” Another prophet says, that in all the land two parts shall be cut off and die, and that God will bring a third part of them through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: “they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people; and they shall say, The Lord is my God.” (Zechariah 13:8, 98And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. 9And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God. (Zechariah 13:8‑9).) All, these are clearly people suffering great tribulation on the earth, and brought through it into blessing. Like Noah and his family, carried through the tribulation, and brought into the purged earth. With these prophecies our chapter agrees. We are told, “It was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. .... He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” (verses 7-10.) This shows us that many are cut off, and some are brought through: ― they overcome, not by carnal weapons, but by faith and patience. This is the Divine rule, That no flesh shall glory in God’s presence. The saints, in the great tribulation, will have to learn, that “by strength shall no man prevail.” They will not overcome by their own sword or power; for “he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword,” &c. God will then be glorified, as He is now, by patient faith; hence it is added, “Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.” They will be fully delivered by the personal return of the Messiah in glory, and be brought into the millennial blessing. Those who are faithful unto death, and lose their earthly inheritance, will have a place in the first resurrection (as we learn from chapter 20:4), and reign with Christ. The time of Nebuchadnezzar is remarkably typical of the period we have been contemplating. The king, in self-will and pride, set up a golden image, and commanded all on pain of death to bow down to it. All obeyed. A very, very few were the exceptions. They refused to worship the image, and were faithful to the living and true God; they suffered and overcame, not by sword, but by faith and patience. They were cast into the fiery furnace. God was with them in it, and delivered them out of it. They were brought into greater honor and blessing in the earth than they had ever known before. The infidel king was abased, and their oppressors consumed. So will it be in the days of the beast.
Happy those whose citizenship is in heaven, who are partakers of the heavenly calling, and members of the body of Christ; for as is the heavenly such are they also who are heavenly; and as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. In a little while He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.