Debunking the Antichrist Myth Part 4
A Short Exposition on Revelation Chapter 13
By Craig Bennett
Rev 13:15 And there was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast might even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
{ The beast (3) makes the image of the beast (4) to become an idol of worship like those in pagan temples. Anyone who did not worship this idol would be killed. The implication of an element of paganism is very evident in this verse. The idols in pagan temples breathed fire, etc.. }
Message: Here is the establishment of the crucifix as an idol of worship. It clearly has Pagan roots and is considered to be an abomination. The introduction of idolatry into Christianity is accurately predicted. The same fate would befall people as those who refused to worship the Roman idols, only it would be the Christian Church that would be committing these murders.
Rev 13:16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead,
{ This beast (3) gives everyone a mark either on their right hand or forehead as an identification of worshipers. It is important to note that only the mark is referred to here. }
Message: This is the most broadly misinterpreted verse, along with Rev 13:17. It is the prelude to the famous Mark of the Beast. Where interpreters have missed it is that the mark is to represent beast (4) and not beast (3). The same technique as in Rev 13:12 of claiming authority by causing the worship of someone else. First Paul, then Jesus. Therefore, the mark is to represent Jesus, beast (4), and not beast (3). This is an accurate prediction as it has been a practice of the Church to mark the cross on worshipers foreheads during certain ceremonies. The Church also uses the Cross and the Crucifix as symbols of Christianity.
(A) Rev 13:17 and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. (New American Standard Bible.)
(B) Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (King James Version)
{ No one could have a life without this identification which would be a mark, name, or number of the beast (4). The ASV does not differentiate the mark from the number or name as the KJV does. I think this is a relevant point here. Since the act of beast (3) is to cause worship of the beast (2) and an image of the beast (4), it follows that the mark, number, or name would be of the beast (4). As this beast (3) is empowering himself by causing the worship of the other beasts, this mark, name, or number would not be of him. The differentiation of the mark from the name and number is implied by two different references. }
Message: Christian worshipers would have some kind of identification given to them. Without it they would become outcasts or worse. As there has been no historical act of tattooing or branding, this prophecy predicts the symbolic wearing of a cross to identify oneself as being a Christian. Their key to being able to have a life within society. Therefore, the beast (3) would cause all Christians to wear the Mark of the Beast (4), the Cross. There is no historic wearing of Jesus name or number. John is priming us for the identity of the number of the beast (4).
Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six. *
{ A calculation of the number of the beast (4), who is a man, is urged. This verse is the number referred to previously which is not the mark, name, or number of beast (3), who is empowered by causing the worship of the other two beasts, (2) and (4). This is clearly the number of beast (4), ."who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. The number 666 is referring to Jesus, it is not the number of the Antichrist. }
Message: This is the one time that I will consider a numerological reference. The number 6 in numerology represents man. The message in this verse also states that this is the number of a man. And so, by keeping track of the different beasts we know that this is Jesus whose number is 666 or possibly 616. It is also saying that Jesus was a man and not God, a very important doctrinal statement. The number 666 is actually not an evil number, it is the number of Jesus who beast (3) would possibly cause people to wear. This did not happen obviously.
Summary: According to the Myth, Jesus must be the Antichrist. Of course this is not true. If one has the wrong perspective they produce an idiosyncratic interpretation of a prophecy they do not understand. John is telling us that Jesus predicted the actions of the coming Church and they are incredibly accurate. As to whether this was written by the Apostle John, it could have existed in its original form for some time before it appeared in its present form. There is much evidence that parts of the prophecy were the additions of those editing it. Read Rev 1 (1-7). This is a blatant addition to this prophecy and there is evidence that John was warning us about this practice by the scribes. Rev 22:18. There are as many as 5 different writers of Revelation according to scholars.
[*Note: the footnote in this bible says that some manuscripts read; 616]