Bennettresearch
Politically Incorrect
Debunking the Antichrist Myth
Ive kept this as short as possible because I know I dont like wading through lengthy posts myself. This thread is open to all to comment, discuss, etc.
Special Note: To follow the different beasts in this chapter I have numbered them in parenthesis. There are four of them. Also, you will notice that I do not interpret the numerology literally. A lot of numerological references in prophecies are red herrings. They do not point to specific numbers so as to not make the interpretation easy for the non initiated.
Rev 13:1 And he stood on the sand of the seashore. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names.
{ The beast (1) coming out of the sea. The word sea is used in biblical terms as representing the populace or peoples of the earth. The term horn in biblical terms is likened to a Bulls horns. It is broadly used in the OT as ones power to force another to do his will, or the power to conquer. One example is Psalms (22:21). We use the word head much the same as it is used biblically to represent a leader, from that of a household to what ever degree after that. There is a differentiation between leaders and rulers here. A diadem is a badge of royalty or a crown. Blasphemy is irreverence to God. The beast then has a hierarchy of leaders (heads) and rulers (horns) who are empowered as royalty. They are also blasphemous to God. This can be expanded to a degree to indicate the crowned ruler acting as a God, which was a very common practice in ancient times. **
Message: The Bishops of Rome are taking on the characteristics of Rome, beast (1) in asserting their authority over the Christian Religion. Revelation is predicting the future alliance of the Bishops to Rome.
Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.
{ The beast (1) is described as having the features of other beasts. This is quite simply saying that the beast has incorporated other beasts into its appearance and they are combined into one beast. This is no simple beast. The Dragon, or Leviathan, or Satan gives this beast its power, throne, and authority. **
Message: Christianity will be adulterated by incorporating other religions and practices into it. The authority to do so will be backed by the power of Rome, which incorporated other cultures, mainly Greek, into its own culture. Hellenization was a main complaint from the Prophets.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast;
{ One of the Heads, or a leader, performs a sign of healing. This causes this head to gain a following because people are amazed at this act. The word beast here does not refer to beast (1). As this head is later referred to as the first beast, it is now being referred to as a beast (2) and will no longer be referred to as a head. This is the first indication of the interchangeability of the term beast and how it can cause confusion when identifying the different beasts. The word beast is simply a substitute for a person so as not to name names. **
Message: A leader who is a Roman citizen will perform a great sign as being healed from a mortal wound. As this prophecy proceeds we will see that this is Paul who was healed after being blinded by his vision on the road to Damascus. This would become the basis for the following that Paul would receive in later years.
Rev 13:4 and they worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?"
{ People are worshipping the Dragon who gave authority to the opening beast (1) of whom the beast (2) is a head. They worshiped the beast (2) saying who can compete with or fight this beast (2) which is backed by so much power? **
Message: In spite of the surety of those who hold Paul in high authority, there is no scriptural evidence that Paul and the Apostle John were friends or held the same views about the doctrine of Jesus. Pauls overwhelming promotional abilities were too much for the Apostles to handle. No one could counter Pauls perspective on the doctrine of the church and his influence on the Bishops of Rome is indisputable.
Rev 13:5 And there was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies; and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him.
{ This beast(2), the head, was arrogant. This beast was not speaking the word of God. This beast had authority for a time. The number given here is not a literal number. **
Message: There is no indication yet about which aspect of Pauls preaching John takes issue with. It does say that Pauls preaching was becoming the word and John doesnt consider it to be coming from God. John doesnt consider Paul as representing Jesus.