The Final Judgment – Revelation 20:11-15

Posted on December 7, 2022 by dkoop

This passage describes the final sentencing of the lost and is the most serious, sobering, and tragic passage in the entire Bible. Commonly known as the Great White Throne Judgment, it is the last courtroom scene that will ever take place. After this there will never again be a trial, and God will never again need to act as judge. The accused, all the unsaved who have ever lived, will be resurrected to experience a trial like no other that has ever been. There will be no debate over their guilt or innocence. There will be a prosecutor, but no defender; an accuser, but no advocate. There will be an indictment, but no defense mounted by the accused; the convicting evidence will be presented with no rebuttal or cross-examination. There will be an utterly unsympathetic Judge and no jury, and there will be no appeal of the sentence He pronounces. The guilty will be punished eternally with no possibility of parole in a prison from which there is no escape.

The language of this passage is plain, stark, and unembellished. Few details are given, and the description is utterly lacking in the vivid, eloquent modifiers that might be expected. But the scene is frightening enough in its own right that such language would be superfluous. The beloved apostle John, recording this vision in a cave or on a hillside on the island of Patmos, no doubt was shaken as he wrote of the eternal damnation of the wicked.

Ever since the Fall, Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44), has attempted to deceive people about the reality of the coming judgment. He has done his best to convince people that there will be no final tribunal. Satan has deceived sinners into believing that they can live as they please without fear of ultimate accountability or future punishment. Satan said to Eve, “You surely will not die!” (Gen. 3:4), thus voicing his denial of judgment on sin. The primary means the devil uses in his deception are atheism (particularly the godless theory of evolution) and false religion. Atheism’s denial of God’s existence means there is no moral Judge to whom people are accountable after they die. They wrongly believe that they are free to sin as they please and then simply pass out of existence. The gods of most false religions are not holy, requiring inward righteousness and heart obedience, and they are appeased by ritual and ceremony; thus these gods inspire no fear of accountability in their worshipers.

But despite the vain, foolish speculations of men, the true and living God is the Supreme Judge of the universe. His judgment of unbelievers will be just, because He is just. Deuteronomy 32:4 says of God, “His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.” Job 37:23-24 declares, “The Almighty—we cannot find Him; He is exalted in power and He will not do violence to justice and abundant righteousness. Therefore men fear Him.” God cannot but be just, because the absolutely holy perfection of His nature will not allow Him to do anything but what is right. God’s will is the supreme standard of justice and equity, and He wills nothing but what is just, right, and true.

The Scene:

20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and I saw the one who was sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide.NLT Next, John saw a great white throne, a large and majestic throne. He saw the one who was sitting on it, but he did not identify the one on the throne. Throughout Revelation, it is God who is pictured as sitting on a throne (see, for example, 4:2; 7:10; 19:4). Daniel had a similar vision:

As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. (Daniel 7:9-10 niv)

Some suggest that the one sitting on the great white throne is Jesus, citing Matthew 25:31, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory . . . he will sit upon his glorious throne” (nlt); John 5:22, “And the Father leaves all judgment to his Son” (nlt); and 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all stand before Christ to be judged” (nlt).

With the appearance of this one on the throne, the earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. This poetic imagery could describe the dissolution of everything material and corrupt in the presence of God as Judge; it could also depict the end of the old earth and old heavens—in preparation for the creation of the new (21:1). No one could “hide” from God, for there is no place from which anything can flee from God’s presence (Psalm 139:7). Other verses picture a disappearance of the heavens and the earth (quoted from niv):

  • “Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail” (Isaiah 51:6).
  • “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
  • “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat” (2 Peter 3:10-12).

The Summons:

20:12-13 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and all were judged according to what they had done.NRSV The phrase “dead, great and small” probably refers to all people—believers and nonbelievers. No one will escape God’s scrutiny. Why they are called “the dead” is uncertain. Some suggest that this is only the judgment of unbelievers because they would be the ones still dead who would take part in the second resurrection (20:5). However, it most likely stands for everyone, for God “will judge everyone, both the living and the dead” (1 Peter 4:5 nlt). The throne before which they were standing is the great white throne described in 20:11. The picture that Christ gave of this judgment scene seems to indicate the judgment of all people:

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate them as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. . . . and they [the unrighteous—the goats] will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous [the sheep] will go into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-33, 46 nlt)

This is the great and final judgment, the place where the books will be opened, including another book called  The Book of Life. As noted in 3:5, the Book of Life is the heavenly registry of those who have accepted Christ’s gift of salvation. All believers’ names are written in the Book of Life. All people will be judged according to their works, as recorded in the books. . . according to what they had done. The idea of judgment by works is a theme throughout the Old

and New Testaments (Psalm 62:12; Jeremiah 17:10; Daniel 7:10; Romans 2:6; 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 1:17). No one will be forgotten at this final gathering—those who had drowned in the sea will return, even Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them. In 6:8, Death and Hades were inseparable as riders of the pale horse, representing the realm of the dead. Hell was not prepared for man. God never meant that man would ever go to hell. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, but man rebelled against God and followed the devil. . . . Hell is essentially and basically banishment from the presence of God for deliberately rejecting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Billy Graham

 

Believers will be judged—not to see if they merit eternal life, for their names will already be in the Book of Life. This will be a judgment for rewards. Believers’ works cannot save them, but their deeds are important to God. Although “no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have—Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11 nlt), the deeds with which believers build their lives do matter. “Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15 nlt).

Unbelievers also will be judged according to their works, but, of course, no works, no matter how good, will be able to save them.

LIFE APPLICATION – BY THE BOOK
At the judgment, the books will be opened. These books contain the recorded deeds of everyone, good or evil. Everyone’s life will be reviewed and evaluated. No one is saved by deeds, but deeds are seen as clear evidence of a person’s actual relationship with God. Jesus will look at how we have handled gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities. God’s gracious gift of salvation does not free us from the requirement of faithful obedience and service. Each of us must serve Christ in the best way we know and live each day knowing the books will be opened.

CHART: THE CERTAINTY OF THE RESURRECTION

The resurrection is a certainty based on God’s Word. The following verses are quoted from the NLT.

Author Quote
Job “I know that my Redeemer lives . . . And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God.” (Job 19:25-26)
David “When I awake, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face to face.” (Psalm 17:15)
Descendants of Korah “But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of death” (Psalm 49:15)
Isaiah “Yet we have this assurance: Those who belong to God will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy. For God’s light of life will fall like dew on his people in the place of the dead!” (Isaiah 26:19)
Daniel “Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt . . . You will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.” (Daniel 12:2, 13)
Jesus “He will even raise from the dead anyone he wants to, just as the Father does.” (John 5:21)
Jesus “And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them to eternal life at the last day.” (John 6:39)
Jesus “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, will live again.” (John 11:25)
Paul “I have hope in God . . . that he will raise both the righteous and the ungodly” (Acts 24:15)
Paul “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as he raised Christ from the dead, he will give life to your mortal body by this same Spirit living within you.” (Romans 8:11)
Paul “And God will raise our bodies from the dead by his marvelous power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead.” (1 Corinthians 6:14)
Paul “Christ was raised first; then when Christ comes back, all his people will be raised.” (1 Corinthians 15:23)
Paul “When we die and leave these bodies—we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)

CHART: THE COMING JUDGMENT

Other places in Scripture describe this judgment (quoted from NLT).

“The Ancient One sat down to judge . . . the court began its session, and the books were opened.” (Daniel 7:9-10)

“For I, the Son of Man, will come in the glory of my Father with his angels and will judge all people according to their deeds.” (Matthew 16:27)

“For there is going to come a day of judgment when God, the just judge of all the world, will judge all people according to what they have done.” (Romans 2:5-6)

“The day will surely come when God, by Jesus Christ, will judge everyone’s secret life.” (Romans 2:16)

“Each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God . . . Each of us will have to give a personal account to God.” (Romans 14:10, 12)

“For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)

“Christ Jesus . . . will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom.” (2 Timothy 4:1)

“It is destined that each person dies only once and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)

“But just remember that you will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead.” (1 Peter 4:5)

“The Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while punishing the wicked right up until the day of judgment.” (2 Peter 2:9)

“And God has also commanded that the heavens and the earth will be consumed by fire on the day of judgment, when ungodly people will perish.” (2 Peter 3:7)

“And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence.” (1 John 4:17)

“Look, the Lord is coming with thousands of his holy ones. He will bring the people of the world to judgment. He will convict the ungodly of all the evil things they have done in rebellion.” (Jude 14-15)

The Sentence:

20:14-15 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.NIV Death and Hades, here personified, were thrown into the lake of fire. God’s judgment was finished. Paul had written, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:26 niv). John exclaimed that in heaven, “there will be no more death” (21:4 nlt). Isaiah had foreseen this day, “He will swallow up death forever!” (Isaiah 25:8 nlt).

The lake of fire is the ultimate destination of everything wicked—Satan, the beast, the false prophet, the demons, death, Hades, and anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.NLT Those whose names were not found recorded in the Book of Life are those who did not place their faith in Jesus Christ. This is the second death. They died the first time physically; this time their death was spiritual (see also 20:6). John’s vision does not permit any gray areas in God’s judgment. Jesus, when describing this final judgment scene, spoke to unbelievers, “Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his demons” (Matthew 25:41 nlt). Those who do not, by faith, accept Christ as Savior and confess him as Lord, will find that they have been cast away with no hope, no second chance, no appeal.

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Sources: Bruce B. Barton et al., Life Application Bible Commentary – Revelation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2000), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 237-250.

John MacArthur, MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Revelation 12-22, (Chicago: Moody Press, 2000), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 245-247.

 

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The Millennium – Revelation 20: 1-10

Posted on December 7, 2022 by dkoop

Imagine a world dominated by righteousness and goodness, a world where there is no injustice, where no court ever renders an unjust verdict, and where everyone is treated fairly. Imagine a world where what is true, right, and noble marks every aspect of life, including interpersonal relations, commerce, education, and government. Imagine a world where there is complete, total, enforced, and permanent peace, where joy abounds and good health prevails, so much so that people live for hundreds of years. Imagine a world where the curse is removed, where the environment is restored to the pristine purity of the Garden of Eden, where peace reigns even in the animal kingdom, so that “in that day the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little boy will lead them” (Isa. 11:6). Imagine a world ruled by a perfect, glorious Ruler, who instantly and firmly deals with sin.

Humanly speaking, that description may seem far-fetched, a utopian fantasy that could never be reality. Yet it accurately describes conditions during the future earthly kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. The restored and radically reconstructed earth of the millennial kingdom will constitute paradise regained. The thousand-year reign of the Savior over the earth is the divinely planned and promised culmination of all of redemptive history and the realization of the hope of all the saints of all the ages.

The millennial kingdom is called by many names in Scripture. In Matthew 19:28 Jesus calls it “the regeneration.” Acts 3:19 describes the kingdom as “times of refreshing,” while verse 21 of that chapter calls it “the period of restoration of all things.” The apostle Paul refers to it in Ephesians 1:10 as “an administration suitable to the fullness of the times.”

The Bible’s teaching on the kingdom is not confined to the New Testament. The kingdom is an important theme throughout Scripture; it is the goal toward which all of redemptive history progresses. In the words of John Bright, “The Bible is one book. Had we to give that book a title, we might with justice call it ‘The Book of the Coming Kingdom of God'” (The Kingdom of God [Nashville: Abingdon, 1953], 197; italics in original). Among the many Old Testament passages that speak of the earthly kingdom are Deuteronomy 30:1-5; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 2:6-12; Isaiah 2:2-4; 11:1-10; 12:1-6; 24:23; 32:15-20; 35:1-2; 60:10-18; 65:20-22; Jeremiah 3:14-18; 23:5-6; 30:3; 31:35-40; 33:14-18; Ezekiel 34:23-24; 36:16-38; 37:15-28; Daniel 2:44-45; Hosea 3:4-5; Joel 3:18-21; Amos 9:11-15; Micah 4:1-8; Zephaniah 3:14-20; and Zechariah 14:9-11.

God’s kingdom may be broadly defined as the sphere in which He reigns. In its universal, eternal sense, God’s kingdom encompasses everything that exists, because God is the sovereign ruler over all of His creation. David declared that truth in Psalm 103:19: “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.” Historically, God has mediated His rule on earth through His people, first through Adam and Eve, then Abel, Seth, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, the judges of Israel (including Samuel), and the kings of Israel and Judah. In the present era, God mediates His rule politically through human governments (Rom. 13:1-7) and spiritually through the church (Acts 20:25; Rom. 14:17; Col. 1:13). In the millennial kingdom, the political and religious elements of God’s temporal, earthly rule will be reunited in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

*Taking the text of Revelation 20 (and the numerous other biblical passages that speak of the earthly kingdom) at face value leads to a “Premillennial” view of eschatology. That is, Christ will return, and then establish a literal kingdom on earth, which will last for a thousand years.

There are two other major views of the Millennium in addition to a Premillennial view: Postmillennial and Amillennial

  1. A Postmillennial view is in some ways the opposite of Premillennial view. A Premillennial believes that Christ will return before the Millennium; A Postmillennial teaches that He will return at the end of the Millennium. Premillennialism teaches that the period immediately before Christ’s return will be the worst in human history; postmillennialism teaches that before His return will come the best period in history, so that Christ will return at the end of a long golden age of peace and harmony. (Most Postmillennial believers deny that the Millennium will last for one thousand actual years; they arbitrarily view that number as symbolic of a long period of time.) “The millennium to which the Postmillennial looks forward is thus a golden age of prosperity during this present dispensation, that is, during the Church Age” (Loraine Boettner, “Postmillennialism,” in The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views Robert G. Clouse, ed. [Downers Grove, Ill: InterVarsity, 1977], 117). That golden age, according to Postmillennial, will result from the spread of the gospel throughout the world and the conversion of a majority of the human race to Christianity. Thus “Christ will return to a truly Christianized world” (Boettner, “Postmillennialism,” 118). The millennial kingdom, according to a Postmillennial, will be established by the church, not by the personal intervention of Jesus Christ. Nor will Christ reign personally on earth during the Millennium, but rather through His church.

In keeping with the generally optimistic views of those eras, Postmillennial beliefs flourished in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The impact of the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, the rapid pace of scientific discovery, and Darwin’s theory of evolution convinced many that society was progressing inevitably toward a utopia. That optimistic view was in harmony with postmillennialism, which also teaches that the world is going to get better and better (though by different means). But the numbing horror of the First World War, the moral decadence of the Roaring Twenties, the hard times of the Great Depression, the madness of the Nazi’s slaughter of the Jews, and the worldwide catastrophe of the Second World War brought an end to the naive optimism that had prevailed before World War I. Postmillennialism accordingly also declined in popularity. In recent years, however, there has been a resurgence of postmillennialism in such movements as Liberation Theology, Kingdom Theology, and Theonomy.

2. The name “Amillennial” is somewhat misleading, since it implies that amillennialists do not believe in a millennium. While it is true that they reject the concept of an earthly millennium, and especially one that is actually a Millennium (one thousand years in duration), Amillennialists do believe in a kingdom. They believe the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah’s kingdom are being fulfilled now, either by the saints reigning with Christ in heaven, or (spiritually, not literally) by the church on earth. (Amillennialists would also apply some of those Old Testament prophecies to the eternal state.) Far from disbelieving in the Millennium, Amillennialists believe we are in it now: “As far as the thousand years of Revelation 20 are concerned, we are in the millennium now” (Anthony A. Hoekema, “Amillennialism,” in The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views, ed. Clouse, 181).

John MacArthur states, “There is absolutely no exegetical reason or source for this conclusion and no warrant for abandoning the historical, grammatical hermeneutic when interpreting prophecy. Such is purely an arbitrary act on the part of the interpreter, based on his presuppositions. Furthermore, there is no reason to deny a literal one thousand years as the duration of the kingdom of Christ on earth.

It is highly doubtful that any symbolic number would be repeated six times in a text, as “one thousand” is here.

For the first century and a half after the close of the New Testament era, the church was largely Premillennial. Among the church fathers of that period who believed in a literal thousand-year earthly Millennium were Papias (a disciple of the apostle John), Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, and the author of the Epistle of Barnabas. That premillennial consensus was challenged by the members of the Alexandrian school (most notably Origen), who advocated an allegorical approach to interpreting Scripture. The famous church historian Eusebius also rejected a literal, earthly Millennium, as did the noted Bible scholar Jerome. But it was the influence of Augustine, the greatest theologian of the early church, that ensured that amillennialism would dominate the church for centuries. Amillennialism was the view of the Reformers, and today most scholars in the Reformed tradition are amillennialists.

At the heart of the debate over millennial views is the issue of hermeneutics. All sides in the debate agree that interpreting Old Testament prophecy literally leads naturally to premillennialism. Amillennialist Floyd E. Hamilton candidly acknowledges that truth: “Now we must frankly admit that a literal interpretation of the Old Testament prophecies gives us just such a picture of an earthly reign of the Messiah as the premillennialist pictures” (The Basis of Millennial Faith [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1942], 38). Postmillennialist Loraine Boettner agrees with Hamilton’s assessment: “It is generally agreed that if the prophecies are taken literally, they do foretell a restoration of the nation of Israel in the land of Palestine with the Jews having a prominent place in that kingdom and ruling over the other nations” (“A Postmillennial Response [to Dispensational Premillennialism],” in The Meaning of the Millennium: Four Views, ed. Clouse, 95).

In light of the above admissions, the question that naturally arises is “Why not take the Old Testament prophecies of the Millennium literally?” Those who reject a literal interpretation argue that the New Testament appears to interpret some Old Testament prophecies nonliterally. But in most cases, the New Testament is not interpreting those prophecies, but merely applying principles found in them. In fact, scores of Old Testament prophecies relating to Christ’s first coming were literally fulfilled.

There are several compelling reasons for interpreting Old Testament prophecies literally.

  1. First, if the literal sense of a passage is rejected, who is to determine what the nonliteral or spiritual sense is, since the normal rules of interpretation do not apply? Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., poses the dilemma:

Who or what will arbitrate among the various [nonliteral] meanings suggested and decide which are to be accepted as authoritative and which are spurious? Short of saying that every person’s fancy is his or her own rule, there does not appear to be any final court of appeal… There simply are no justifiable criteria for setting boundaries once the interpreter departs from the normal usage of language. (Back Toward the Future [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989], 129-30)

2. Second, adopting a nonliteral view of the Old Testament kingdom prophecies raises some disturbing questions: What did those prophecies mean to those to whom they were addressed? If prophecies seemingly addressed to Israel really apply to the church (which did not exist at that time), did God give revelation that failed to reveal? And if those prophecies were meant to apply symbolically to the church, why were they addressed to Israel? What meaning could such prophecies have in their historical settings? Ironically, many who spiritualize Old Testament prophecies reject the futurist interpretation of Revelation because it allegedly robs the book of its meaning for those to whom it was written. Yet they do the very same thing with the Old Testament kingdom prophecies.

3. Third, spiritualizing those prophecies leads to some glaring inconsistencies. It is inconsistent to argue that the cursings they pronounce apply literally to Israel, while the blessings they promise apply symbolically and spiritually to the church. An example of inconsistency in the spiritualizing method of interpreting prophecy comes from the angel Gabriel’s words to Mary in Luke 1:31-33: “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” If, as all conservative scholars agree, Jesus was literally conceived in Mary’s womb, literally named “Jesus,” literally became great, was literally “the Son of the Most High,” will He not also literally reign on David’s throne over Israel? Can the same passage be interpreted both literally and nonliterally? Further, both Amillennialists and Postmillennialists interpret some prophetic events literally, such as Christ’s second coming, the Great White Throne judgment, and the new heavens and the new earth. Why not interpret the millennial kingdom literally?

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Sources: John MacArthur, MacArthur New Testament Commentary – Revelation 12-22, (Chicago: Moody Press, 2000), WORD search CROSS e-book, 228-229.

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The Second Coming of Jesus in Victory – Revelation 19:11-21

Posted on December 6, 2022 by dkoop

As we read the book of Revelation, it’s important to not get overly bogged down, confused or argumentative about all the details of the spectacular visions; we need to remember that the overarching theme in all the visions is the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over evil.

John’s vision shifts again. Heaven opened and Jesus appeared, this time not as a Lamb but as a warrior on a white horse (symbolizing victory). Jesus had come first as a Lamb to be a sacrifice for sin, but he will return as a Conqueror and King to execute judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). Jesus’ first coming brought forgiveness; his second will bring judgment. The battle lines had been drawn between God and evil, and the world was waiting for the King to ride onto the field.

19:11-12 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself.NIV This verse describes the second coming of Christ—the moment God’s people had been waiting for:

  • Christ said, “You will see me, the Son of Man, sitting at God’s right hand in the place of power and coming back on the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62 nlt).
  • Christ said, “The Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory” (Luke 24:30 niv).
  • An angel told the disciples, “Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. And someday, just as you saw him go, he will return!” (Acts 1:11 nlt).
  • Paul wrote, “God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power when he comes to receive glory and praise from his holy people” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 nlt).

Christ’s return will be unmistakable. Heaven will be standing open, as Christ, the rider on a white horse, makes his entrance. The white horse symbolizes victory. (Some think this is the same rider as mentioned in 6:2, who was also on a white horse. They suggest that the rider symbolized Christ and the spread of the Good News across the world.  This rider is called Faithful and True, in contrast with the faithless and deceitful Babylon described in chapter 18 (see also 3:14). Christ, the great warrior, comes with justice, and with that justice he judges and makes war. The order of words indicates that the warfare is a result of God’s judgment on the inhabitants of the earth who have completely rejected him. Although Jesus is called “Faithful and True,” “Word of God” (19:13), and “King of kings and Lord of lords” (19:16), these verses imply that no name can do him justice. He is greater than any description or expression the human mind can devise.

His eyes are like blazing fire (see also 1:14; 2:18). Christ’s many crowns symbolize his ultimate authority (contrast this with the seven crowns on the dragon in 12:3 and the ten crowns on the Beast in 13:1). He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. Although many possibilities have been proposed, most likely this is a name that the believers were not meant to know, at least not yet.

When Christ returns as the rider on the white horse, is this the point where he “raptures” the church, or has that already happened? There is much discussion regarding the Rapture of the and the Second Coming of Christ.  John is describing the Second Coming here. The “Rapture” is described in other places in Scripture.

  • “No one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day . . . People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the Flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. So be prepared, because you don’t know what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:36-37, 40-42 nlt).
  • “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 niv).
  • “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 nlt).

At the Rapture, Christ will bring his people to be with him. The Rapture is separate event from the Second Coming.

The Rapture and the Second Coming differ:

  1. The Rapture can occur at any time and will affect only true believers, while the Second Coming will affect the entire world.
  2. At the Rapture Christ won’t completely descend to earth; instead, believers will meet the Lord in the air. At the Second Coming, Christ will descend to earth.
  3. The Rapture will remove believers from the earth; the Second Coming will remove the wicked from the earth so that only believers enter the millennial kingdom.

Whenever the Rapture of the church occurs, it is already certain that the rider on the white horse will come in victory and that believers will be with him in heaven. While the various views on these topics can be difficult to understand, it is far more important that every believer knows on which side of the battle he or she is on. Those who remain faithful to Christ, no matter what, will receive all that God has promised.

19:13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.NIV The believers who had come out of the Great Tribulation had “washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white” (7:14 nlt). Christ himself, when he rides to the earth on the white horse, will be dressed in a robe dipped in blood. Some suggest that this is the blood of the martyrs; some think it is the blood of Christ’s enemies (referring to a similar passage in Isaiah 63:1-6); others think that this is the Lamb’s own blood which, ultimately, brings about this final day of victory.

Another name is given for Christ, the Word of God. In Greek, the word for “Word” is logos, also used in John’s Gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1 niv; see also John 1:14; 1 John 1:1). Jesus is the final word of God, the voice of God himself, the revealer of God.

19:14 And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.NRSV Accompanying Christ are the armies of heaven, referring to all believers who have been taken to heaven (in the Rapture, which will have occurred at some point prior to this although believers are divided as to when this will happen). Here the believers will be returning to earth with Christ as part of his vast army. They will be wearing fine linen, white and pure, as noted also in 19:8. Some suggest that this army will be angels because Christ had spoken of returning with his angels (Matthew 24:30-31). Most likely, however, this army will be believers because 17:14 says, “They [the Beast and the false prophet] will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them . . . and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers” (niv).

The believers will come with Christ on white horses. They will not come to fight, however, for there will not need to be a battle. Christ will conquer with his potent word (19:15).

19:15 From his mouth came a sharp sword, and with it he struck down the nations. He ruled them with an iron rod, and he trod the winepress of the fierce wrath of almighty God.NLT Christ is described as having a sharp sword coming from his mouth. This is also seen in 1:16 and 2:12. The word for “sword” used here, however, is not the small two-edged sword but a mighty sword that is four or five feet long. This was the sword used by cavalry soldiers. Christ’s words of judgment are as sharp as swords. With that sword, he struck down the nations. Isaiah had prophesied of Christ, “He will rule against the wicked and destroy them with the breath of his mouth” (Isaiah 11:4 nlt).

The picture of Christ ruling with an iron rod (or scepter) describes him beating down the nations (see also 2:27). This is not a king’s scepter that is merely symbolic of power; instead, it is a club with which he will destroy them. The psalmist had written of the Messiah, “You will break [the nations] with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots” (Psalm 2:9 nlt).

Lastly, Christ is pictured as treading the winepress of the fierce wrath of almighty God. The winepress image appeared in 14:19-20; it describes God’s great wrath against those who had rejected him. Here, God’s fierce anger is directed at all of sin personified. At this point, God will totally destroy sin and evil. A winepress is a large vat where grapes are collected and then crushed. It is often used in the Bible to symbolize judgment (Isaiah 63:3-6; Lamentations 1:15; Joel 3:12-13).

 LIFE APPLICATION – MERCY . . . AND JUDGMENT
This scene provides a graphic display of the wrath of God. It shows God’s anger and judgment against sin and against those who have constantly rejected Christ as the means of forgiveness and reconciliation. God’s wrath exists alongside his mercy. In each generation, there must be balanced preaching and teaching about God’s grace and his anger against sin. In Martin Luther’s day, God had been presented as so wrathful that grace and forgiveness needed to be reemphasized and taught to the people.
In our day, however, teaching about God’s love and tolerance have become so predominant that God’s anger seems to be mythical. Such a portrayal of God hardly warns people away from sin. Teaching about God’s wrath may be watered down by some, but it is nevertheless real and will be terrible for those who have steadfastly refused him (1 Thessalonians 1:10). In your study and teaching, do not emphasize God’s mercy to the exclusion of his wrath.

19:16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, “King of kings and Lord of lords.”NRSV Most of the world will be worshiping the Beast, the Antichrist, whom they believe has all power and authority. Then suddenly out of heaven Christ and his army will appear. On his robe and on his thigh (easily seen, for he is on a horse), he has a name inscribed. This title indicates God’s sovereignty—King of kings and Lord of lords. This title is used elsewhere in Scripture, always indicating God’s absolute sovereignty over all other kings and lords (see 17:14; Deuteronomy 10:17; Daniel 2:47; 1 Timothy 6:15).

19:17-18 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly in midheaven, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of the mighty, the flesh of horses and their riders—flesh of all, both free and slave, both small and great.”NRSV John saw another angel; this one described as standing in the sun and calling out to all the birds that fly in midheaven—referring to the eagles and the vultures, birds of carrion. This will be the most gruesome single act of carnage ever in the history of mankind; the entire army will come to do battle and, with the word of Christ, they will be totally annihilated. Their flesh will be left for the birds to eat, for there will be no one left to bury the dead. A previous description of this battle included how “the blood flowed from the winepress in a stream about 180 miles long and as high as a horse’s bridle” (14:20 nlt). This great supper of God is a grim contrast to the wedding supper of the Lamb (19:9). Both will be provided by God—but one will be a celebration, the other will be devastation.

The angel called the birds together before the battle. Again, the picture is clear of the certainty of the final outcome. Ezekiel had written God’s words to him in a prophecy of this final battle, “‘And now, son of man, call all the birds and wild animals,’ says the Sovereign Lord. ‘Say to them, “Gather together for my great sacrificial feast. Come from far and near to the mountains of Israel, and there eat the flesh and drink the blood. . . . Feast at my banquet table—feast on horses, riders, and valiant warriors” (Ezekiel 39:17, 20 nlt).

19:19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against the rider on the horse and against his army.NRSV This beast  or antichrist is the same one that had risen out of the sea (chapter 13; see the post here). The phrase “kings of the earth” refers to the “ten horns” that John had seen on the Beast (see 13:1), and, most likely, their number symbolizes all the kings of the earth who pledge allegiance to the Antichrist. At the pouring out of the sixth bowl of God’s wrath, “miracle-working demons caused all the rulers of the world to gather for battle against the Lord . . . to a place called Armageddon” (16:14-16 nlt). Chapter 16 gave a preview of what was to come and how; chapter 19 describes the event itself. Here, verse 19 tells of the assembly for the battle of Armageddon.

The Beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered to make war against the rider on the horse (Christ) and against his army (the redeemed). The battle lines had been drawn, and the greatest confrontation in the history of the world was about to begin. The enemy armies believed they had come of their own volition; in reality, God had summoned them to battle in order to defeat them. That they would even presume to fight against God shows how pride and rebellion had perverted their thinking.

19:20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.NIV The two armies sat facing each other—the Beast and all the kings of the earth versus the rider on the white horse and his redeemed people. Suddenly, the battle was over. There was no fight, for, in a second, the end had come. There was no need for a battle because the victory had been won centuries earlier when the rider on the white horse, Christ, had died on a cross. At that time, Satan had been defeated; here at Armageddon, he is finally stripped of all his power. Satan’s beast (the Antichrist, described in 13:1-10) was captured. In addition, his false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf was also captured, for he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. This is described in 13:11-18 and discussed in this post.

The Beast and the false prophet were captured and thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the final destination of all evil. At this point, however, only these two evil beings received this punishment. This lake is different from the Abyss (bottomless pit) referred to in 9:1; it is the Gehenna of 14:10-11 and 19:3 (see commentary there). There are several statements concerning both spiritual powers and people being thrown into the lake of fire. Here, the Antichrist and the false prophet were thrown into the fiery lake. Next, their leader, Satan himself, will be thrown into that lake (20:10), and finally death and Hades (20:14). Afterward, everyone whose name is not recorded in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire (20:15).

 LIFE APPLICATION – THE END OF EVIL
Evil’s final destination will be a fiery lake. Throughout Scripture, fire portrays God’s searing holiness, and burning sulfur reflects his awful judgment as he exacts retribution for evil (Genesis 19:24; Ezekiel 38:22; Hebrews 10:30). Hell is a horrible reality, a place of endless torment, but hell was designed for Satan and his demons. The people sent there will be those who viciously attack God and join Satan in his rebellion against God. In The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis wrote that “the doors to hell are locked on the inside” to keep God and goodness out. The warnings of Revelation were given to keep believers faithful to Christ and active in his service. Keep your trust in him strong, and be vigilant in withstanding evil.

 

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Source:  Bruce B. Barton et al., Life Application Bible Commentary – Revelation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2000), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 225-235.

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The Anti-Christ & Mark of the Beast – Revelation 13 Commentary

Posted on December 5, 2022 by dkoop

Chapter 13 introduces Satan’s (the dragon’s) two evil accomplices: (1) the beast out of the sea (the Antichrist, 13:1-10) and (2) the beast out of the earth (the false prophet, 13:11-18). Together, the three evil beings form an unholy trinity in direct opposition to the Holy Trinity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

13:1 And now in my vision I saw a beast rising up out of the sea. It had seven heads and ten horns, with ten crowns on its horns. And written on each head were names that blasphemed God.NLT The Beast came from the Abyss (or bottomless pit, see 11:7) to do Satan’s bidding. John described the Beast as horrible to look at, for it had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns. In 12:3, the dragon was described as having “seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads” (niv). The dragon has the seven crowns on his seven heads; the Beast has the ten crowns on his ten horns. This could simply be a picture of the dragon’s authority over the Beast. It may also be that the ten horns represent national leaders who followed the Beast; their crowns symbolized their authority, but they actually belonged to the Beast—who belonged to Satan. Initially, this Beast was identified with Rome because the Roman Empire, in its early days, encouraged an evil lifestyle, persecuted believers, and opposed God and his followers. But the Beast also symbolizes the Antichrist—not Satan, but someone under Satan’s power and control who would be able to draw the whole world to himself.

John described the hideous, satanic system that will manifest itself as the end draws near. Revelation also seems to imply that this blasphemous creature will have a devastating effect on the believers.

On each head the Beast had a blasphemous name. Some have suggested that these refer to the divine names that had been given to various Roman emperors. Whether referring to the Roman emperors or not, these blasphemous names signified the Beast’s challenge of God’s sovereignty and his setting himself up as god.

Believers must not be too concerned about attempting to identify any person as the Antichrist. This has been done with many world leaders since the first century. However, God’s timing is perfect, and when it happens, God will still be in control, even of the Antichrist.

13:2 This beast looked like a leopard, but it had bear’s feet and a lion’s mouth! And the dragon gave him his own power and throne and great authority.NLT This Antichrist seems like a combination of the four beasts that Daniel had seen centuries earlier in a vision (Daniel 7:4-8), combining the characteristics of a leopard, a bear, and a lion. In Daniel’s vision, the lion with eagle’s wings represented Babylon with her swift conquests (statues of winged lions have been recovered from Babylon’s ruins). The bear that ravaged the lion was Medo-Persia. The three ribs in its mouth represented the conquests of three major enemies. The leopard was Greece, its wings picturing the swiftness of Alexander the Great’s campaign as he conquered much of the civilized world in four years (334-330 b.c.). The leopard’s four heads were the four divisions of the Greek Empire after Alexander’s death. The fourth beast pointed to both Rome and the end times. Many Bible scholars believe that the ten horns on the fourth beast correspond to the ten kings who will reign shortly before God sets up his everlasting kingdom (see also Revelation 13:1). These ten kings had still not come to power at the time of John’s vision recorded in the book of Revelation (17:12). The little horn is a future human ruler or the antichrist (see also 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). God was illustrating the final end of all worldly kingdoms in contrast to his eternal kingdom.

In combining these four beasts, John’s vision reveals the epitome of evil power. The dragon (Satan) gave the Beast (the Antichrist) his own power and throne and great authority. Those same words are used in the hymns in Revelation sung to God. So Satan attempted to again make a false copy, by giving his Beast his power, throne, and authority. As the dragon (12:17) was in opposition to God, so the Beast from the sea was against Christ and may be seen as Satan’s false messiah.

The early Roman Empire was strong and also anti-Christ (or against Christ’s standards); many other individual powers throughout history have been anti-Christ. The original readers would have immediately identified Antichrist with one of the Caesars. Certainly the emperors were against Christ (“antichrists,” 1 John 2:18). Many Christians believe that Satan’s evil will culminate in a final Antichrist, who will run an evil world system. He will focus all the powers of evil against Christ’s followers.

The Antichrist will appropriate the powers of government and religion in himself. As a political figure, the Antichrist will become so powerful that opposing him will be futile. All nations on earth will serve him. Opposition against the Antichrist’s rule will be brutally suppressed. Only those who are branded with the Beast’s mark, showing their loyalty to him, will be able to participate in the world’s economy.

Throughout history, many enemies of God and the church have arisen. The people who faced the persecutions of Nero, Hitler, or Stalin couldn’t imagine that anything worse was yet to come. Believers may have to face many antichrists.

CHART: SATAN’S WORK IN THE WORLD

Satan’s . . . Reference in Revelation
Hatred for Christ 12:13
Hatred for God’s people 12:17
Power and authority 13:2
Popularity among unbelievers 13:4
Blasphemy against God 13:6
War against believers 13:7
Ability to deceive 13:14

13:3 One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.NIV Using spectacular miracles, the Antichrist persuaded the world to accept his false teachings. The Beast seduced the world by imitating Christ’s resurrection when he recovered from a fatal wound (from a sword, see 13:14). Because the Beast, the Antichrist, is a false messiah, he will be a counterfeit of Christ and will even parody Christ’s resurrection (13:14). People across the whole world will be astonished and will follow him because they will be awed by his power and miracles. Paul had written, “This evil man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. He will use every kind of wicked deception to fool those who are on their way to destruction because they refuse to believe the truth that would save them” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 nlt).

The Antichrist will unite the world under his leadership (13:7-8), and he will control the world economy (13:16-17). People are impressed by power and will follow those who display it forcefully or offer it to their followers. But those who will follow the Beast will only be fooling themselves: he will use his power to manipulate others, to point to himself, and to promote evil plans. God, by contrast, uses his infinitely greater power to love and to build up.

LIFE APPLICATION  –  BE NOT DECEIVED
Satan uses counterfeit miracles to draw people to him. John 8:44 says, “[Satan] was a murderer from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies” (nlt). Revelation shows Satan copying the work of God and thus deceiving people. But he would not be able to deceive if people were not so easily astonished by his displays of power and intelligence and so prone to follow. Pray each day for discernment to tell the difference between good and evil, so you will be immune to counterfeits. Saturate your life with God’s love and serve him. Then, you will be able to withstand Satan’s temptations.

13:4 They worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”NRSV The ultimate goal of the dragon was, of course, to draw people away from Christ and to himself. He wanted people’s worship. Thus, the people who were astounded by the Beast followed him and even worshiped him (ultimately worshiping the dragon, Satan). Worshiping anything other than Christ is worshiping Satan. At this point, the Beast gained complete governmental and religious power. The question “Who is like the beast?” is a parody of God’s Word, when God’s people asked, “Who is like the Lord?” (see, for example, Exodus 15:11; Micah 7:18). Here, the peoples of the earth asked, “Who can fight against the beast?” Some scholars think the Beast will actually bring world peace so that no one can fight against him. But that peace will be based on domination and without real substance; thus, it will be shallow and short-lived.

13:5-6 The beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.NRSV Verses 5-7 record a series of passive verbs regarding the Antichrist—he “was given” a mouth and time to exercise his authority (13:5); he “was allowed to wage war,” and he “was given authority to rule” (13:7). The passive voice indicates either that these had been given by the dragon, Satan (13:2), or by God. Either way, God has control over Satan’s activities.

The Antichrist was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies, exalting himself as God. This compares to the “little horn” that Daniel had seen, “The little horn had . . . a mouth that was boasting arrogantly” (Daniel 7:8 nlt; see also 7:20; 11:20-39). He blasphemed God by placing himself in God’s position. “He will exalt himself and defy every god there is and tear down every object of adoration and worship. He will position himself in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4 nlt). Setting himself up in the temple is what Jesus spoke of as “the abomination that causes desolation” (Mark 13:14 niv).

The Antichrist slandered God’s name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. (This shows that God’s dwelling place is his people.) Such pride and blasphemy are the heart of this world. The Antichrist will be the archenemy of all who side with Christ. “Those who dwell in heaven” could refer to angelic beings or to the believers who will one day be safe there, for in Revelation, people are divided into two groups—those who belong to the earth, and those who belong to heaven. The Antichrist blasphemed anything that had to do with God and his Son. As a result, confessing faith in Christ as Lord may result in death (13:7). The Antichrist and his followers (the people who belong to this world) would slander the Christians, calling them evildoers (1 Peter 2:12).

Whether one subscribes to the pre-Tribulation or post-Tribulation theory, the text is clear that there will be believers on earth during the Tribulation. Those who believe that the Christians will have been taken before this time think that the believers on earth will be those who will become Christians during this time of tribulation. Those who believe the church will not be taken until after the Tribulation would assert that all believers on the earth at this time will face this persecution.

The Antichrist will unite all nations and all religions under his authority. Even so, the power given to the Beast will be limited by God. He will allow the Beast to exercise authority only for a short time—forty-two months. This is the same time period as noted in 11:2 for the trampling of the holy city, in 11:3 for the ministry of the two witnesses (stated as 1,260 days), and in 12:6 and 12:14 for the protection of the woman (God’s people). (For more information on that time period, see commentary on 11:2.) Even while the Beast is in power, God is still in control (11:15; 12:10-12).

13:7 And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to overcome them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation.NLT The Antichrist was responsible for unleashing the Tribulation, the most intense period of persecution God’s people would ever experience (Mark 13:14, 20). The Beast would be allowed (by God) to wage war against God’s holy people and to overcome them (see also 12:17; Daniel 7:21). The phrase “wage war” does not refer to a military campaign (at least not yet), but to harassing God’s people. The Antichrist would “overcome” believers, but he could only do so physically, as part of this world. In reality, those who died for the faith are the ultimate overcomers, for they have participated in Christ’s death (12:11). The Antichrist could not harm God’s holy people spiritually.

The Antichrist would establish worldwide dominance—given by God—to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. He would demand to be worshiped as God (13:8). And many will worship him—everyone except true believers. Refusal to worship the Beast would result in suffering for God’s people, but they would be rewarded with eternal life. The ultimate irony is that although the Beast was given power to overcome, the believers were the final “overcomers.” Every believer’s death brings the end nearer (6:10-11).

13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world.NIV The Beast had been given control over “every tribe and people and language and nation” (13:7) for the express purpose of gaining their worship. The coming battle had only two sides—those who worshiped Satan and those who worshiped God. All inhabitants of the earth (referring to those who refuse to accept Christ) will worship the beast. Awed by his miracles and awesome power, they will look to him as a god (13:3-4).

These people are all whose names have not been written in the book of life. As noted in 3:5, the Book of Life is a register in heaven of those who have trusted in Christ for their salvation (see also 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27). Only the people whose names are written in this register will be accepted into heaven. Despite the horrors of this time of tribulation, not one believer will be lost, for their names are in the book. Two types of people exist—those whose names are in the book and those whose names are not in the book. Clearly, the people who will worship the Beast will be those whose names are not in the book of life. They will have made the choice to reject Christ and worship the Beast. Such people were described in 9:20-21 as those who “still refused to turn from their evil deeds. They continued to worship demons and idols . . . and they did not repent” (nlt).

The Book of Life belongs to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. There has been debate as to whether the phrase “from the creation of the world” refers to the names written in the book of life or the slaying of the Lamb. Some suggest that the names have been written “from the creation of the world” based on 17:8 (niv), which refers to “the inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world. . . .” If the phrase refers to the Lamb having been slain from the creation of the world, it would refer to God’s plan from eternity past to have his Son redeem mankind from sin. In either case, the verse shows the distinction between those who belong to God and those who belong to Satan.

LIFE APPLICATION – THE BOOK OF LIFE
The Book of Life is a record of heavenly citizenship. Registered there are the names of those who put their trust in Christ (3:5). This should comfort those facing severe trials. It guarantees that death will not erase Jesus’ promise of eternal life in him. Jesus said, “I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to judgment” (John 5:24, 28-29 nlt). Do you ever doubt what happens after death? Those who believe in Christ can take him at his word. Their destiny is certain.

13:9-10 Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand. The people who are destined for prison will be arrested and taken away. Those who are destined for death will be killed. But do not be dismayed, for here is your opportunity to have endurance and faith.NLT This phrase, “anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand,” also appears at the end of all the letters to the seven churches. It warns readers that they had better listen.

These verses come from Jeremiah 15:2: “Those who are destined for death, to death; those who are destined for war, to war; those who are destined for famine, to famine; those who are destined for captivity, to captivity” (nlt)—the basic point is that the captivity would be divine judgment upon the rebellious nation of Israel, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.

These verses describe how believers should act during this time of tribulation by the Beast (see 14:12). They understand that God is in control. He already has it all in his plan—some who are destined for prison will be arrested and taken away. Some who are destined for death will be killed. John wrote that This is a wise, sane Christian faith: that a man commit himself, his life, and his hopes to God; that God undertakes the special protection of that man; that therefore that man ought not to be afraid of anything!

George MacDonald

 

believers must stand up for their faith, but they must not take up arms in an attempt to fight. Their job, at this point, would be to show endurance and faith. God has the battle under control; this time of persecution would only draw closer the time of Christ’s glorious return. See 1 Peter 2:19-24 for more on suffering patiently.

LIFE APPLICATION – AS A TESTIMONY
The times of great persecution that John saw will provide an opportunity for believers to exercise patient endurance and faithfulness. The tough times we face right now are also opportunities for spiritual growth. If God wills for us to be put to death for our faith, then our death will serve as a testimony to the goodness of God. Paul wrote, “Don’t be intimidated by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him” (Philippians 1:28-29 nlt). Don’t fall into Satan’s trap and turn away from God when hard times come. Instead, use those tough times as opportunities for testifying for God.

13:11 Then I saw another beast that rose out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.NRSV The first Beast had come out of the sea (13:1), but this second beast rose out of the earth. Later identified as the false prophet (16:13; 19:20; 20:10), he was a counterfeit of the Holy Spirit. This beast completed the unholy trinity with the dragon (Satan) and the Beast from the sea (the Antichrist). The false prophet would be in charge of the worldwide worship of the first Beast.

There is a further imitation of Christ, the Lamb of God, in that the false prophet has two horns like a lamb (5:6). Perhaps his very similarity to Christ will be part of his deceptiveness. He may appear good, helpful, and caring—an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). Jesus had warned of false teachers, “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart” (Matthew 7:15 nlt). The beast looked like a lamb but spoke like a dragon. The source of his words was Satan himself—the dragon.

As with their interpretation of the first Beast, scholars are divided about the beast from the earth. The different thoughts are that the second beast represents either (1) a movement or power, or (2) an individual who, at the end times, will arise along with the Antichrist to take control of the world. Those who believe that this beast represents a movement or power point to the first Beast as representing the worldwide anti-God system, with the second beast representing false teachers who cause people to stray. These false teachers will be the opposite of the two godly witnesses in chapter 11.

13:12 He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed.NIV The first Beast’s authority came from Satan; the second beast exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf. This second beast’s job was to make the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast. The false prophet was in position when the Antichrist was killed and came back to life. Then the false prophet made everyone worship the Antichrist.

13:13-15 He did astounding miracles, such as making fire flash down to earth from heaven while everyone was watching. And with all the miracles he was allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, he deceived all the people who belong to this world.NLT The second beast was also empowered to do astounding miracles, such as making fire flash down from heaven. Again, in copycat style, this was the same miracle that the two witnesses for God could perform (11:5), which is a reference to a miracle of Elijah recorded in 1 Kings 18:36-38. Ironically, Elijah had performed that miracle so that God could show who was a true prophet and who was not. Christ had warned, “False messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones” (Mark 13:22 nlt).

This miracle and others deceived all the people who belong to this world. The phrase “people who belong to this world” refers to those who were deceived and worshiped the Beast, not to the believers on the earth at this time (see also 13:8). True believers must not be swayed or deceived by these great miracles that the false prophet will perform.

LIFE APPLICATION – CONVINCED?
The Bible repeats many miracles performed as proofs of God’s power, love, and authority. But here counterfeit miracles are performed to deceive. This is similar to Pharaoh’s magicians, who duplicated Moses’ signs in Egypt. True signs and miracles point to Jesus Christ, but miracles alone can be deceptive. That is why we must ask with respect to each miracle we see: Is this consistent with what God says in the Bible? The second beast gained influence through the signs and wonders that he performed on behalf of the first Beast. The second beast ordered the people to worship an image in honor of the first Beast—a direct flouting of the second commandment (Exodus 20:4-6). Allowing the Bible to guide our faith and practice will keep us from being deceived by false signs, however convincing they appear to be. Any teaching that contradicts God’s Word is false.

He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.NIV As with all worship that is not of the one true God, this worship of the Beast is idolatry. The false prophet ordered them (the people of the world) to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. Actually the Beast had been fatally wounded and then brought back to life (13:3, 12). This brings to mind the great statue that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had built to himself and then had required everyone to worship (Daniel 3:1-11).

The false prophet was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak. The statue seemed to live and supposedly spoke to its worshipers. This, again, convinced many on this earth. The God of the Christians seemed to be mysteriously silent and invisible, but this god could be seen and he spoke audibly. No wonder many followed. And no wonder the believers needed to be warned so that they would not be swayed from the truth.

The heart of the false prophet’s power is in the next words, “all who refused to worship the image” would be “killed.” Christianity had become a capital offense—for only those who followed Christ were unwilling to worship the Beast’s image. This was universal persecution.

Note that the false prophet is “allowed to perform” miracles to deceive people (13:14) and “was given power to give breath” (13:15). Both verses use the Greek passive, edothe, which means that God permitted these events to occur (see also 13:5-6).

13:16-17 He required everyone—great and small, rich and poor, slave and free—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name.NLT The false prophet went further in the worship of the Beast by requiring everyone, no matter their age or social status, to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. The mark is described as the name of the beast or the number representing his name (13:18). This mark of the Beast was designed to mock the seal that God had already placed on his followers (7:2-3). Just as God had marked his people to save them, so Satan’s Beast marked his people to save them from the persecution that he would inflict upon God’s followers. Identifying this particular mark is not as important as identifying the purpose of the mark. Those who accepted it showed their allegiance to Satan, their willingness to operate within the economic system he promoted, and their rebellion against God. To refuse the mark meant to commit oneself entirely to God, preferring death to compromising one’s faith in Christ.

People will have to worship the Beast in order to receive the mark and to be able to buy or sell anything. Clearly those who refuse the mark (the Christians) will be set up for economic ruin, homelessness, and hunger. In the end times, no one will be able to buy or sell anything without the mark of the Beast. Those who receive the brand of the Beast will be readily identifiable. The mark will be stamped prominently on their right hands or foreheads. The mark will be the number 666 (13:18).

Those who receive the mark of the Beast will benefit economically for a brief time. Their short gain, however, will be quickly offset by the eternal consequences that await them. Revelation warns that those who accept the mark of the Beast will have to endure God’s cup of anger (see 14:9-12; 20:7-15).

LIFE APPLICATION – BE A SKEPTIC
In every generation, Christians need to maintain a healthy skepticism about society’s pleasures and rewards. In our educational, economic, and civic structures, there are incentives and rewards. Cooperating Christians must always support what is good and healthy about our society, but we must stand against sin. In some cases, such as Satan’s system described here, the system or structure becomes so evil that there is no way to cooperate with it.

13:18 Wisdom is needed to understand this. Let the one who has understanding solve the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.NLT The meaning of this number has been discussed more than that of any other part of the book of Revelation. The three sixes have been said to represent many things including the unholy trinity of Satan, the first Beast, and the false prophet (16:13).

Wisdom is needed to understand this. Let the one who has understanding solve the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. Throughout church history, people have assigned numerical values to the letters of names to try to identify the Beast. The first readers of this book probably applied the number to the Emperor Nero, a man symbolizing all the evils of the Roman empire. (The Greek letters of Nero’s name represent numbers that total 666.) Some proposed figures include Lateinos, which alludes to the entire Roman Empire; Neron Kaisar (referring to Caesar Nero), under whose direction the church suffered intense persecution; and Teitan, for Titus, the Roman emperor who destroyed Jerusalem in a.d. 70. The number continues to be linked with various world leaders, institutions, and types of economic transactions.

Three sixes together—666—implies a trinity of imperfection—a parody of the number seven. The number symbolizes the worldwide dominion and complete evil of this unholy trinity designed to undo Christ’s work and overthrow him.

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Source: Bruce B. Barton et al., Life Application Bible Commentary – Revelation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2000), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 149-161.

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