Since the beast’s heads represent nations (Revelation 13:1), Revelation 13:3 seems to be saying that one of the nations under Satan’s authority perished, but then it revived. Another possibility is that the beast himself died and then experienced resurrection. [Note: Gregory H. Harris, "The Wound of the Beast in the Tribulation," Bibliotheca Sacra 156:624 (October-December 1999):459-68; et al.] read more
The apparent resurrection of this nation will be so amazing to the world that many people will give their allegiance and their worship to Antichrist (cf. Revelation 13:8; Revelation 13:12; Revelation 14:9; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 20:4). In so doing they will also submit to Satan who is behind him. Antichrist’s ability to revive this nation will make him appear invincible. The expression, "Who is like the beast?" (Revelation 13:4) seems to be a parody of Old Testament praises of God (cf.... read more
God (cf. Revelation 6:4; Revelation 6:8; Revelation 7:2; Revelation 9:5; Daniel 4:17; Daniel 4:25; Daniel 4:32) will give authority to the beast to act as he will during the Great Tribulation, the last three and one-half years of the Tribulation. read more
Activities of the beast 13:5-8The notable abilities of the beast are blasphemy against God and deception of people. These activities also marked Antiochus Epiphanes, the prototype of Antichrist (Daniel 7:6; Daniel 7:8; Daniel 7:11; Daniel 7:20; Daniel 7:25; Daniel 12:7). read more
13:4 homage (f-4) homage (f-19) See Note h, ch. 3.9. read more
13:5 career (g-24) Poieo . see Romans 1:32 . Or 'to work,' or 'act,' ' practised and prospered' is said in Daniel 8:12 ,Daniel 8:24 . read more
The Two BeastsPersonification of the two powers inspired by the devil to persecute the Church.1-10. The dragon stands by the sea (i.e. the Ægean Sea), from which there rises to meet him a ’beast,’ i.e. something inhuman: signifying the Roman empire, which came to the Province of Asia, in which were the Churches addressed in Rev., from the sea. The beast has ten horns and seven heads: cp. Daniel 7. On the horns are diadems and on the heads ’names of blasphemy,’ i.e. blasphemous titles: cp.... read more
(2) And the beast . . .—The wild beast combined the features of three wild animals: the leopard, the bear, the lion. In Daniel’s vision (Daniel 7:4) the kingdoms were described: the first, like a lion; the second, like a bear; the third, like a leopard or panther. Here all these features are combined, because the wild beast is a representative of all forms of world-power, which have been swift to shed blood: like a leopard leaping on the prey, tenacious and relentless as a bear, and all... read more
(3) And I saw . . .—Translate, And (I saw) one from among his heads as if having been slain [the expression is the same as that applied to the Lamb in Revelation 5:6 : the wound marks are there when the vision rises] unto death; and the stroke of his death was healed. When the wild beast rose from the sea, the seer saw the deadly wound on the head: the wound was really unto death; the beast which had waged war against the true kingdom of righteousness and faith has received his death-blow. This... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 13:2
This beast possessed qualities of three animals, perhaps swiftness, agility, vigilance, craftiness, and fierce cruelty; brutality; and strength and majesty. In Daniel, these animals represented three kingdoms that previously ruled the world. These kingdoms are Greece (Daniel 7:6), Medo-Persia (Daniel 7:5), and Babylon (Daniel 7:4). The fourth kingdom that Daniel described (Daniel 7:23) includes Antichrist’s kingdom. The kingdom the beast rules and represents seems to reflect his personal... read more