Solomon said: “A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him” (Ecclesiastes 10:14)?  There are a lot of people in this world that have a lot to say about nothing.  They talk, but nothing of any substance comes out of their mouths (Proverbs 15:2).  There are many fools who are full of things to say about things they know nothing about.  This is especially true of fools who speak concerning things which are of God.

Those who truly know what to say about biblical matters are those who have an “as it is written” answer (Matthew 4:4; 7; 10; cf. I Peter 4:11).  The fool despises instruction (Proverbs 1:7).  Therefore, they will not learn enough to give an “as it is written” answer.  The fool thinks that their way is the right way (Proverbs 12:15).  The righteous however, seeks after instruction knowing that their way is not the right way (Proverbs 3:1-5).  Fools make a mock at sin (Proverbs 14:9), for they do not understand what sin does to the soul of an individual (Ezekiel 18:20 and Luke 12:4-5).   Those who are seeking after wisdom find out the price of sin and therefore desire to know how to overcome sin (Romans 6:16-18).

Fools are not interested in an “as it is written” answer because they hate knowledge (Proverbs 1:22).  Instead on feeding from the word of God (Luke 4:4), fools like to feed on foolishness (Proverbs 15:14).  You can take a fool to the Scriptures and show that fool the truth, but they cannot see what they refuse to open their eyes to see (Ephesians 4:18).  The fool does not fear God to seek after the knowledge they can gain of God (Proverbs 1:7).  Thus, because of their lack of fear (Proverbs 1:29), fools will not listen to the things that God has said (Proverbs 2:6).

Our charge is to be a people who do fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  This will keep us interested in the word of God and thus able, through our continual studies of His word, to be able to give an “as it is written” answer when we speak (I Peter 3:15).  When our interest is in spiritual matters first and foremost, our discussions with those around us will surround matters of spiritual import (Jeremiah 20:9).  We will soon find that an “as it is written” answer will come from our lips in discussion even when most people cannot see why we’ve decided to “bring God” into the discussion.

The fool has a lot to say that benefits no one.  We, being a people who desire knowledge, will not be of that sort.  We will use knowledge aright and our words will be a tree of life to those who will hear (Proverbs 15:2; 4).  Our thoughts will be focused on godly matters and thus our words will reveal in us a godly attitude (Matthew 12:33-35).  There is no good that comes from idle talk, but plenty good can come from discussions based on the wisdom from above (James 3:13-18).  – B.A.Y.

Introduction Thoughts:

The last chapter spoke of Satan’s work and the protection God has in place for the faithful.  We have seen the many things the Lord will do to punish the Roman Empire.  Now we will see that the work of the Devil will not be stopped by these things, but may be even fueled to a further degree.  The Roman’s rejected God’s warnings (9:20-21) and desire to slaughter those who represent the Lord (11:8-10).  Satan has a brief period of time (12:12).  He has tried to catch Christians in a symbolic flood of sin (12:16).  Satan’s anger is fueled by the fact that the mission of Christ was fulfilled and his wrath is being spilled out onto those who “…keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (12:17).  Now we will see the beast of the sea and notice that the beast is given power by the dragon (Satan - 12:9).  Then we will discuss a second beast which shall arise from the earth and what that beast represents.

13:1 “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and 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 name of blasphemy.”

• John’s vision of the beast coming out of the sea is first revealed to us by Daniel (Daniel 7:1-7; cf. Daniel 2:31-45).
• This beast, according to the verses cited from Daniel chapters 2 and 7, is the Roman Empire.
• The symbolic seven heads and ten horns are different from the dragon (12:3).  There is a difference because the crowns where upon the head of the dragon and not the horns (there is also a difference in the number of the crowns – 7/10).
• The horns represent power and the crowns are upon the horns instead of the head simply because Satan has empowered the Romans Empire.

•  The leopard, bear, and lion are symbolic of the Empires that preceded Rome (Daniel 7:3-6), which were the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, and Grecian Empires.
• Thus, Rome had all of the terrible qualities of the preceding Empires on top of it’s own horrible qualities.
• The Lord reveals unto us with all certainty that Rome was given might and authority by Satan.  Clearly Satan still had power among men at this point in time (Luke 4:5-6, John 12:31, and Ephesians 6:10-13).

• The Roman Empire had seven emperors, the seventh being Nero.  When Nero died many wondered if the strength of the Roman Empire would die with him.  However, Domition arose as the eighth ruler and is the personification of this beast out of the sea (Revelation 17:8; 11).
• He speaks blasphemies as he demands to be worshipped (II Thessalonians 2:1-9).

• The world that marvels, worships, and serves Rome is essentially worshipping Satan (II John 9-11).

• Rome is given a voice and that voice is going to be used against God [the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit], the dwelling place of God [the church] (Ephesians 2:19-22 and I Timothy 3:15), and the heavenly angels.
• Again, we see the forty-two months which is the 3 ½ years or 1260 days we have been reading about in the book of Revelation that we also see in the book of Daniel (Daniel 7:25).  Remember that numbers are usually not literal in the book of Revelation, but at times they signify something.  The 3 ½ years prophesied here symbolizes half of imperfection or completion (see notes from our introduction studies, 11:2-3, and 12:14).

• We concluded chapter twelve with the realization that Satan would engage in war against Christians (12:17).  Now we know that his war would be waged and his weapon would be the Roman Empire.
• While persecution is sure, so is the promise of God of victory (I Corinthians 15:57; cf. Matthew 5:10-12, James 1:2-3, and I Peter 1:6-9).
• If God’s people of Old could strive against that old serpent the Devil and remain faithful not having the full assurance of the promises saints have (Hebrews 11:32-40), certainly these Christians can overcome the best Satan wants to throw our way.

• Those who worship the Roman power are those who are not named in Heaven as God’s children.
• Here the children of Satan are foreordained to be slain in punishment.  Some would argue predestination from this verse, but the truth of the matter is that God knows all things and can speak of those things that will occur as if they had already occurred (Romans 4:17; cf. Acts 2:23).  God has known all things from the very beginning of the world.

• Now, we see a similar admonition as we had when the Lord addressed the seven churches of Asia Minor (Revelation 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:29, 3:6, 3:13, and 3:22).

• Verse ten is a very beautiful consolation for Christians.  These individuals who are allowing their lives to be guided by the sword will be taken in that same way (Matthew 26:52).  They are going to reap what they have sown (Galatians 6:7-8).
• This also serves as prophesy of how Rome would fall.

• This other beast can easily be mistaken as many different things.
• However, if you will look at the imagery here and the clues in our context, you will find that this beast represents the false prophet who will aid the Roman Empire.
• This beast has authority like a lamb.  Therefore, they appear likened unto those in Christ or for Christ (II Corinthians 11:12-15).  Notice the next two verses.

• When Christ was foretelling of the fall of Jerusalem he warned of false prophets with great powers (Matthew 24:24).  Satan’s usage of false prophets here should therefore come as no surprise.
• The goal of these false prophets is to get the earth to worship the first beast (Roman Empire - Domition).
• For further evidence that this beast represents the false prophet see: Revelation 19:20; 20:10.

• The false prophets were good at their work.  Thus, we find warnings in the New Testament to try those false prophets and beware of them (Matthew 7:15-20 and I John 4:1).
• Again, we see the urging of the false prophet for the people to serve Rome.

• These false prophets had established life back into the Roman Empire.
• If anyone would not worship falsely those things representing Rome they would be killed (Revelation 2:13).

• Another way in which the false religious leaders where able to persecute anyone standing for truth was to bring about economic persecution against them.
• We read earlier in our studies of John’s Revelation about the black horse that represented economic hardship on the Christian (Revelation 6:5-6; cf. Revelation 2:9).

• Two groups of people are written about in the book of Revelation when you break it down.  Those sealed of God (7:4) and those with the mark of the beast.  The number of the mark of the beast symbolizes three times imperfection (666) while the 144,000 is 12 x 12 x 10 x 10 x 10.  Twelve is multiplied by itself and then three times the complete number of man (10).  The two times multiplied number of twelve represents the foundation of Israel (12 tribes) and the foundation of the church (12 apostles).  We have talked about the twenty-four elders and how they represent both dispensations (5:8).
• Consider this passage in light of the sealing upon the forehead of the saved: Revelation 22:3-4.