Chapter 11 they overcame by the blood (part 2)

Amen! Hallelujah! - A study of the Book of Revelation

Lesson 11
They Overcame by the Blood (Part 2)
Text: Revelation 13:1-14:5

Date: May 13, 2007

Authored By:
Dale Wells

Palm Desert Church
of Christ

Lesson 11—They Overcame by the Blood (Part 2)

THE BEAST OUT OF THE SEA
REV 13:1-10 WEB
• Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea,
having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his
heads, blasphemous names. (2) 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.
The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. (3) One of
his heads looked like it had been wounded fatally. His fatal wound was
healed, and the whole earth marveled at the beast. (4) They worshiped the
dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the
beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with
him?" (5) A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him.
Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him. (6) He opened
his mouth for blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his
dwelling, those who dwell in heaven. (7) It was given to him to make war
with the saints, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people,
language, and nation was given to him. (8) All who dwell on the earth will
worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation
of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed. (9) If anyone
has an ear, let him hear. (10) If anyone has captivity, he will go into captivity.
If anyone is with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the
faith of the saints.
THE DEVIL'S THREE FORCES
•Sea beast
Rev 13:1 WEB Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming
up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were
ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names.
•Earth beast/False prophet
Rev 13:11 WEB I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had
two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon.
Rev 19:20 WEB The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who
worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had
received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These
two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
•Great prostitute
Rev 17:1 WEB One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came

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and spoke with me, saying, "Come here. I will show you the judgment of
the great prostitute who sits on many waters,
The Sea Beast is likely the same as the Beast out of the Abyss
John refers to a beast that came out of the abyss
•

Rev 11:7 WEB When they have finished their testimony, the beast that
comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them,
and kill them.
Rev 17:8 WEB The beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to
come up out of the abyss and to go into destruction. …
This beast comes out of the sea.
•

The two are likely the same beast, since "the abyss" was often used to refer to
•
the depths of the ocean.
POINTS OF IDENTIFICATION ABOUT THE SEA BEAST
Like the dragon, this marine beast has seven heads and ten horns
•

Rev 12:3. WEB Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red
dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven
crowns.
7 heads indicates that it rules by God’s permission.
10 horns indicates that it has power, but its power is limited by God.
Unlike the dragon this beast has a diadem on each of its ten horns.
•

10 diadems indicates that it rules, but that God sets limits on its rule.
ON EACH HEAD, THE SEA BEAST WEARS A BLASPHEMOUS NAME
•"Blasphemous" means "insulting to God."
•These are names, or titles, that should be used only of God, such as "Lord,"
"God," "Almighty," "Divine," "Worthy of Worship."
•These seven heads represent seven rulers who claim divine rank. Later, we'll
see an immoral woman riding atop this beast. There we'll learn something
about the heads:
Rev 17:9-10 WEB Here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven heads are
seven mountains, on which the woman sits. (10) They are seven kings.
Five have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come. When he comes,

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he must continue a little while.
•The meaning of blasphemous or "insulting" in this context means "to bring
dishonor to God," "to mock God," or "be an affront to God."
•Thus, the idea of this text is "on each of its heads there was a name that
mocked God."
THE SEA BEAST IS BEST UNDERSTOOD IN LIGHT OF DANIEL 7:1-8
• Dan 7:1-8 WEB In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a
dream and visions of his head on his bed: then he wrote the dream and told
the sum of the matters. (2) Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by
night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke forth on the great sea. (3)
Four great animals came up from the sea, diverse one from another. (4) The
first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I saw until its wings were plucked,
and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand on two feet as a man;
and a man's heart was given to it. (5) Behold, another animal, a second, like
a bear; and it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth
between its teeth: and they said thus to it, Arise, devour much flesh. (6)
After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back
four wings of a bird; the animal had also four heads; and dominion was given
to it. (7) After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, a fourth animal,
awesome and powerful, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it
devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it
was diverse from all the animals that were before it; and it had ten horns. (8)
I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another
horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the
roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth
speaking great things.
BOTH CAME OUT OF THE SEA
•John sees one beast; Daniel sees four.
•In both, the animals emerge from the sea.
Rev 13:1 WEB Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming
up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were
ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names.
Dan 7:3 WEB Four great animals came up from the sea, diverse one from
another.
BOTH HAD 10 HORNS

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•Rev 13:1 WEB Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up
out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten
crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names.
•Dan 7:7 WEB After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, a fourth animal,
awesome and powerful, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it
devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it
was diverse from all the animals that were before it; and it had ten horns.
BOTH INCLUDED REFERENCES TO LEOPARD, BEAR & LION
•Rev 13:2 WEB 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. The dragon gave him
his power, his throne, and great authority.
DAN 7:3-6 WEB
Four great animals came up from the sea, diverse one from another. (4) The
•
first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I saw until its wings were plucked,
and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand on two feet as a man;
and a man's heart was given to it. (5) Behold, another animal, a second, like
a bear; and it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth
between its teeth: and they said thus to it, Arise, devour much flesh. (6)
After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back
four wings of a bird; the animal had also four heads; and dominion was given
to it.
BOTH INCLUDE REFERENCES TO BEING BOASTFUL & BLASPHEMOUS
Rev 13:5 WEB A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to
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him...
Dan 7:8 WEB I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them
•
another horn … in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth
speaking great things.
Dan 7:19-20 WEB Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth
•
animal … (20) and … that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke great
things, whose look was more stout than its fellows.
Dan 7:25 WEB He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out
•
the saints of the Most High...
BOTH MAKE WAR AGAINST THE SAINTS
•Rev 13:7 WEB It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to
overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was

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given to him.
•Dan 7:25 WEB He … shall wear out the saints of the Most High … and they
shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.
BOTH OPPRESS THE SAINTS FOR THE SAME TIME PERIOD
•Rev 13:5 WEB A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to
him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him.
•Dan 7:25 WEB He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear
out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and
the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a
time.
•42 months is the same time period as "a time, times & half a time" (3 ½ years)
& 1,260 days.
DANIEL'S BEASTS ARE 4 KINGDOMS
•Dan 7:17-18 NIV 'The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from
the earth. (18) But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and
will possess it forever--yes, for ever and ever.'
•In the days of the fourth kingdom, God will set up an everlasting kingdom.
•Dan 7:26-27 WEB But the judgment shall be set, and they shall take away his
dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end. (27) The kingdom and
the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, shall
be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an
everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
DANIEL'S 4 EMPIRES: BABYLON, MEDO-PERSIA, GREECE & ROME
This follows the same line as the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream
Dan 2:37-45 WEB You, O king, are king of kings, to whom the God of heaven
•
has given the kingdom, the power, and the strength, and the glory; (38) and
wherever the children of men dwell, the animals of the field and the birds of
the sky has he given into your hand, and has made you to rule over them all:
you are the head of gold. (39) After you shall arise another kingdom inferior
to you; and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the
earth. (40) The fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron, because iron breaks
in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that crushes all these, shall it
break in pieces and crush. … (44) In the days of those kings shall the God
of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its
sovereignty be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and

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consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. (45) Because you
saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke
in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God
has made known to the king what shall happen hereafter: and the dream is
certain, and its interpretation sure.
MORE IMPORTANT DETAILS COME FROM DANIEL 7
•The beast was judged & destroyed & its body was burned.
Dan 7:11-12 WEB I saw at that time because of the voice of the great
words which the horn spoke; I saw even until the animal was slain, and its
body destroyed, and it was given to be burned with fire. (12) As for the
rest of the animals, their dominion was taken away: yet their lives were
prolonged for a season and a time.
•One like a son of man was given an indestructible kingdom.
Dan 7:13-14 WEB I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with
the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the
ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. (14) There was
given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples,
nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting
dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not
be destroyed.
DANIEL WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT THE FOURTH KINGDOM – ROME.
•Dan 7:19-20 WEB Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth
animal, which was diverse from all of them, exceedingly terrible, whose teeth
were of iron, and its nails of brass; which devoured, broke in pieces, and
stamped the residue with its feet; (20) and concerning the ten horns that
were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three
fell, even that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke great things,
whose look was more stout than its fellows.
•Explanation:

The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom.
Dan 7:23 WEB Thus he said, The fourth animal shall be a fourth
kingdom on earth, which shall be diverse from all the kingdoms, and
shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in
pieces.
The 10 horns are 10 kings, followed by an 11th who subdues 3 to make

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himself an 8th.
Dan 7:24 WEB As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings
arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from
the former, and he shall put down three kings.
The difference between Daniel & Revelation is a matter of perspective.
•Daniel is looking forward through history, so he describes the animals in this
order: lion, bear, leopard.
•John, living in the time of Daniel's fourth beast, describes that beast with
elements of the earlier three: leopard, bear & lion. The significance is that
Daniel's fourth beast – the beast described by John, has characteristics of the
earlier three.
THE HEADS ARE KINGS
• There are 7, but an 8th is coming up.
Rev 17:9-11 WEB Here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven heads are
seven mountains, on which the woman sits. (10) They are seven kings.
Five have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come. When he comes,
he must continue a little while. (11) The beast that was, and is not, is
himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goes to destruction.
• Five have fallen: Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero.
• One is: Vespasian (incidentally, this places the writing of Revelation sometime
around 78-79 AD).
• One is yet to come: Titus
THE 11TH KING WHO BECOMES THE 8TH IS DOMITIAN
•Daniel says the 11th will knock off 3 to become an 8th
Dan 7:8 WEB I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among
them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were
plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of
a man, and a mouth speaking great things.
John doesn’t mention 3, so Domitian is the 8th
•

Why did Domitian want to be the 8th?
8 is the number of resurrection & supported his claim to deity.
The Sea Beast appears to have something in common with the Lamb

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The earlier description of the lamb included reference to a fatal wound:
•

Rev 5:6 WEB I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living
creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it
had been slain, having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven
Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
The beast "had a wound that seemed to be fatal."
•

The lamb was standing, having actually been slain; the beast only appears to
•
have suffered a mortal wound, but "his deadly wound had healed," implying
that there was a scar that showed how severe the wound had been.
NERO’S PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS DIED WITH HIM.
Domitian had aspirations to the throne after Nero's suicide & was involved in
•
the intrigue leading to the overthrow of Galba, Otho & Vitellius.
Domitian fostered the story that he was Nero reincarnated – i.e. Nero redivivus
•
– and revived and intensified the persecution of Christians.
Rev 13:3 WEB One of his heads looked like it had been wounded fatally.
His fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled at the beast.
THE DRAGON SHARES HIS POWER WITH THE BEAST
The dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority: all three
•
describe the vast authority of the dragon, which he confers on the beast.
From now on the beast is the dragon's deputy, with authority to speak & act in
•
the name of the dragon.
People worshiped the dragon – a reference to emperor worship demanded in
•
the 1st Century.
"Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?" This is a way of saying
"No one is like the beast. No one can defeat it," This is practically a psalm
sung in praise of the sea beast.
This flies in the face with the name of Michael, that means “Who is like
God?”
THE SEA BEAST BLASPHEMES & EXERCISES AUTHORITY FOR 42 MONTHS
•The beast was given the power of speech. The passive verb points to God as
the one who allows the beast to speak.In other words, "God allowed the
beast to speak …”

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•"Uttering haughty and blasphemous words": the Greek text says "great
(utterances) and blasphemies," which means "outrageous blasphemies."
•The "proud claims" were insults to God. The idea is that the beast was claiming
rights and authority that belong only to God.
•It was allowed to exercise authority. This again shows that God is in control. In
other words, "God allowed the beast to have authority."
•The time period is coexistent with the time period in Revelation 11:2:
Rev 11:2 WEB Leave out the court which is outside of the temple, and
don't measure it, for it has been given to the nations. They will tread the
holy city under foot for forty-two months.
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR CHRISTIANS TO HOLD FAST
Rev 13:9-10 WEB If anyone has an ear, let him hear. (10) If anyone has
•
captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is with the sword, he must be
killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.
This is like the exhortation at the end of each of the letters to the seven
•
churches in chapters 2-3.
The idea is that expressed in Jeremiah:
•

Jer 15:2 WEB It shall happen, when they tell you, Where shall we go forth?
then you shall tell them, Thus says Yahweh: Such as are for death, to
death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the
famine, to the famine; and such as are for captivity, to captivity.
THE MEANING IS THAT ANYONE DESTINED TO BE IMPRISONED WILL BE IMPRISONED
•It is likely that this is a way of counseling Christians to submit to arrest and
imprisonment, without trying to escape their God-given destiny.
•The Good News Bible does a better job, especially with the reference to being
killed by the sword:
Rev 13:10 GNB Whoever is meant to be captured will surely be captured;
whoever is meant to be killed by the sword will surely be killed by the
sword. This calls for endurance and faith on the part of God's people."
Killed by the sword refers to people being executed for their beliefs.
•Here is a call for the endurance and faith.
Awareness of the fact that it is God's will that many of them be imprisoned

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and slain calls for endurance and faith on their part.
•However, in the book of Revelation, the one ultimately destined for captivity &
the sword is not the Christian, but the beast!
EARTH BEAST
REV 13:11-18 WEB
• I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb,
and he spoke like a dragon. (12) He exercises all the authority of the first
beast in his presence. He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to
worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. (13) He performs
great signs, even making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the
sight of people. (14) He deceives my own people who dwell on the earth
because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast; saying to
those who dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast
who had the sword wound and lived. (15) It was given to him to give breath
to it, to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak,
and cause as many as wouldn't worship the image of the beast to be killed.
(16) He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the
free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their
foreheads; (17) and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he
has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name. (18) Here
is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the
beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.
THIS BEAST APPEARS GENTLE
•It looked like a lamb. A lamb always a has a religious significance. Hence, this
beast has an outwardly religious appearance
•It had two horns like a lamb: these horns are small and inoffensive and depict
this beast as a gentle creature.
IN REALITY, IT EXERCISES THE POWER OF THE DEVIL
• The horns are belied by its voice – the voice of the dragon. When he speaks,
you hear the Dragon’s speech. Don't forget who the dragon is:
Rev 12:9 WEB The great dragon … he who is called the devil and Satan,
the deceiver of the whole world....
• This beast acts with all the authority of the first beast, who received its authority
from the dragon (verse 2). Thus, this beast is backed by the power of Rome,
which is backed by the power of the Devil.

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Rev 13:12 WEB He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his
presence. He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first
beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
IT FORCES PEOPLE TO WORSHIP THE FIRST BEAST (SEA BEAST)
•Hence, is going to be called “false prophet”.
Rev 19:20 WEB The beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who
worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who had
received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These
two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
Rev 13:13 WEB He performs great signs, even making fire come down out
of the sky to the earth in the sight of people.
IT FORCES PEOPLE TO WORSHIP THE FIRST BEAST (SEA BEAST)
•“Allthese characteristics seem to identify the second beast as the ‘commune’
or ‘concilia’ set up in Asia Minor to enforce the state religion. This was an
official body which had charge of the state religion and had as its duty to
force all to do homage to the image of the emperor” (Ray Summers, Worthy
is the Lamb, p. 178).
2TH 2:1-12 WEB
•Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our
gathering together to him, we ask you (2) not to be quickly shaken in your
mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us,
saying that the day of Christ had come. (3) Let no one deceive you in any
way. For it will not be, unless the departure comes first, and the man of sin is
revealed, the son of destruction, (4) he who opposes and exalts himself
against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in
the temple of God, setting himself up as God. (5) Don't you remember that,
when I was still with you, I told you these things? (6) Now you know what is
restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. (7)
For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who
restrains now, until he is taken out of the way. (8) Then the lawless one will
be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy
by the manifestation of his coming; (9) even he whose coming is according
to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (10) and
with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they
didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11) Because of
this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie; (12)
that they all might be judged who didn't believe the truth, but had pleasure in

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unrighteousness.
IMAGES TO BEAST – EMPEROR TEMPLES IN ALL CITIES
Without the mark of the beast, one cannot work or trade. Hence starve out
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Christians
Not a literal mark! People who look for literal mark of beast don’t look for literal
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mark of God
Rev 7:3 WEB saying, "Don't harm the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees,
until we have sealed the bondservants of our God on their foreheads!"
This is figurative, not literal. People take it figurative till they get to this or to
•
1000 year reign, then all of a sudden want it to be literal. Hogwash.
This refers to the fact that one couldn’t get work unless he belonged to trade
•
guilds. Otherwise, forced out of work & into black market.
TERTULLIAN
•Early in the Third Century, a convert named Tertullian challenged the Christians
who were involved in the trade guilds "head-on". Tertullian was the son of a
Roman officer, and was, himself a lawyer. After his conversion in about 197
AD, he became something of a "conscience" to the church of his day, with
some of his writings. Among other things, he wrote a series of essays on
idolatry.
•The basic idea of the piece was this: A Christian might confess Caesar as Lord,
or engage in some pagan ritual, possibly involving idolatry or immorality, so
that he might be able to continue in his trade. He might justify himself by
glibly saying, "I must live". Tertullian asked the scathing question, "But must
you live?" He went on to ask, "Where is it written that you must live?" The fact
is that Christianity nowhere says we must live. It only demands that we be
faithful!
NUMBER OF THE NAME:
•Man’s number – Not “a man” just “man”.
•6 falls short of 7 every time. The more it tries to catch up, the farther it falls
behind.
6 is one short of 7, but 66 is 11 short of 77 & 666 is 111 short of 777.
See, it just gets farther behind.
REMEMBER THAT 6 IS THE ATTEMPT OF MAN TO USURP GOD

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•Gen 11:1-9 WEB The whole earth was of one language and of one speech. …
(4) They said, "Come, let's build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top
reaches to the sky, and let's make ourselves a name, lest we be scattered
abroad on the surface of the whole earth." (5) Yahweh came down to see
the city and the tower, which the children of men built. (6) Yahweh said,
"Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is
what they begin to do. Now nothing will be withheld from them, which they
intend to do. (7) Come, let's go down, and there confuse their language, that
they may not understand one another's speech." (8) So Yahweh scattered
them abroad from there on the surface of all the earth. They stopped building
the city. (9) Therefore its name was called Babel, because there Yahweh
confused the language of all the earth. From there, Yahweh scattered them
abroad on the surface of all the earth.
JOHN PROBABLY HAS A GEMATRICAL NUMBER IN MIND
Ancient alphabets shared number & letters, so letters stood for numerals –
•
unlike English. Thus a was both the first letter & the first number, b was both
the second letter & the second number. Context determined whether the
character was used as a letter or number.
Gematria was the practice of encoding words by adding up the numerical
•
values of the letters. Thus, David (spelled DVD in Heb) had a value of 4+6+4
or 14 (Matt. 1)
Likely, John had a word in mind, but what was it? Suggestions have included
•
the Pope, Hitler, Nero & a host of others.
THE MOST INFAMOUS USE OF SIX IS FOUND IN REV 13:18.
Rev 13:18 WEB … He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of
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the beast .... His number is six hundred sixty-six.
666 is rebellion, compounded by rebellion, compounded by rebellion!
666 is man’s attempt to usurp God’s throne!
666 in Rev 13:18 is clearly a gematria
•

Behind the number is concealed a name known to the hearers and readers
of the text of that time.
Within a century of the writing, the name behind the number was lost.
Irenaeus, a 2nd Century Christian posed several possibilities, but he was
unable to determine exactly what name was behind the number.
POSSIBLE NAMES THAT MAKE SENSE IN LIGHT OF THE HISTORICAL SETTING

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•Lateinos
= “Latin” (e.g. Rome, the city or the empire) =
30+1+300+5+10+50+70+200 = 666
•Teitan
= “Titus” (the common name of the three Flavian Emperors:
Vespasian,Titus and Domitian. Vespasian was the emperor at the time
Revelation was written. Titus came to the throne shortly thereafter. Domitian
began the first empire-wide persecution of Christians.) =
300+5+10+300+1+50 = 666
•Kaisarsebaston
= “Caesar Augustus” (“worshipful Caesar”). The imperial name
= 20+1+10+200+1+100+200+5+2+1+6+70+50 = 666
(Note: this calculation requires using the obsolete letter stigma (= 6) in the
place of the letters sigma (= 200) and tau (= 300). I do not regard this as
particularly objectionable, since the book was intended to be read aloud.
The hearers would be used to associating the “st” sound with the value of
6.)
John equates the “name” of the sea beast with the “number” of the name
•Rev 13:16-17 WEB He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the
poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on
their foreheads; (17) and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless
he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name.
RECALL THAT THE FIRST BEAST HAD 7 HEADS & ON EACH HEAD A BLASPHEMOUS
NAME

•One name common to all heads, not seven different names, as many
translations suggest.
Rev 13:1 MSG … I saw a Beast rising from the sea. It had ten horns and
seven heads--on each horn a crown, and each head inscribed with a
blasphemous name.
•The "heads" are elsewhere identified as kings
Rev 17:9-10 WEB … The seven heads ... (10) … are seven kings. Five
have fallen, the one is, the other has not yet come. When he comes, he
must continue a little while.
THE THRONE NAMES OF THE 1ST CENTURY ROMAN EMPERORS HAVE A NAME IN
COMMON

•Caesar Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD)
•Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus (14 – 37 AD)

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•Gaius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (Caligula) (37 – 41 AD)
•Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (41 – 54 AD)
•Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (54 – 68 AD)
•Servius Galba Caesar Augustus (68 – 69 AD)
•Marcus Otho Caesar Augustus (69 AD)
•Aulus Vitellius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (69 AD)
•Caesar Vespasianus Augustus (69 – 79 AD)
•Titus Caesar Vespasianus Augustus (79 - 81 AD)
•Caesar Domitianus Augustus Germanicus (81 – 96 AD)
CAESAR AUGUSTUS MEANS “WORSHIPFUL CAESAR”
•Clearly this is a blasphemous name
Rev 13:1 Webster And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast
rise out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns
ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Rev 13:1 YLT And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and I saw out of the
sea a beast coming up, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon its
horns ten diadems, and upon its heads a name of evil speaking,
Rev 13:1 GNB Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. It had ten
horns and seven heads; on each of its horns there was a crown, and on
each of its heads there was a name that was insulting to God.
EIGHT CONTRASTS WITH SIX IN OTHER APOCALYPTIC WRITINGS.
Eight symbolizes resurrection.
•

It is not used symbolically in Revelation.
Early writers mentioned that Christians met on”the eighth day of the week,
•
which is also the first”, because of Jesus resurrection from the dead!
In contrast with “666”, Jesus is “888”.
•

2nd Century Sybilline Oracles, says that Jesus is 888.
The gematrical value of “Jesus” (Ieesous) is 888.
The writer pointed out that 8 symbolized resurrection. Thus, Jesus is truly

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888.
The one who is 666 can never measure up to the one who is 888!
THE LAMB & THE 144,000 (REV. 14:1-5)
Rev 14:1-5 WEB I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and
•
with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and
the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. (2) I heard a sound from
heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder.
The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps. (3)
They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures
and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-
four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth. (4) These
are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are
those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by
Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. (5) In their
mouth was found no lie, for they are blameless.
By contrast with those with the names of the beast, these have the name of
•
God on their foreheads
Rev 7:2-3 WEB I saw another angel ascend from the sunrise, having the
seal of the living God. He cried with a loud voice to the four angels to
whom it was given to harm the earth and the sea, (3) saying, "Don't harm
the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, until we have sealed the
bondservants of our God on their foreheads!"
THEY’RE NOT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DRAGON, BEAST & FALSE PROPHET – BUT OF
THE LAMB

Rev 5:6 WEB I saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures,
•
and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain,
having seven horns, and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God,
sent out into all the earth.
They’re standing on Mount Zion.
•

Search the scriptures & you’ll find that Zion is where God is & wherever God
is is Zion (Like President & Air Force 1)
DAVID CAPTURES JERUSALEM
•2Sa 5:6-10 WEB The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the
Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, Unless
you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in here; thinking,

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David can't come in here. (7) Nevertheless David took the stronghold of
Zion; the same is the city of David. (8) David said on that day, Whoever
strikes the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and strike the lame
and the blind, who are hated of David's soul. Therefore they say, There are
the blind and the lame; he can't come into the house. (9) David lived in the
stronghold, and called it the city of David. David built around from Millo and
inward. (10) David grew greater and greater; for Yahweh, the God of
Armies, was with him.
ZION IS SYMBOLIC OF JERUSALEM
•Psa 2:6 WEB "Yet I have set my King on my holy hill of Zion."
•Psa 15:1 WEB Yahweh, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who shall live on
your holy hill?
•Psa 48:1-2 WEB Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our
God, in his holy mountain. (2) Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole
earth, is Mount Zion, on the north sides, the city of the great King.
•Psa 132:13-14 WEB For Yahweh has chosen Zion. He has desired it for his
habitation. (14) "This is my resting place forever. Here I will live, for I have
desired it.
USE OF ZION IN PROPHECY
•Zec 8:1-3 WEB The word of Yahweh of Armies came to me. (2) Thus says
Yahweh of Armies: "I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am
jealous for her with great wrath." (3) Thus says Yahweh: "I have returned to
Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called 'The
City of Truth;' and the mountain of Yahweh of Armies, 'The Holy Mountain.' "
•Dan 2:34-35 WEB You saw until a stone was cut out without hands, which
struck the image on its feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them in
pieces. (35) Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold,
broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing
floors; and the wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them:
and the stone that struck the image became a great mountain, and filled the
whole earth.
•Isa 2:2-4 WEB It shall happen in the latter days, that the mountain of Yahweh's
house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be raised
above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. (3) Many peoples shall go and
say, "Come, let's go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the God
of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For
out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem.

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(4) He will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many
peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears
into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall
they learn war any more.
ZION IS A SYMBOL OF THE CHURCH
•Heb 12:22-24 WEB But you have come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the
living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable multitudes of angels,
(23) to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled
in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,
(24) to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling
that speaks better than that of Abel.
•1Co 3:16 WEB Don't you know that you are a temple of God, and that God's
Spirit lives in you?
•Eph 2:19-22 WEB So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you
are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, (20) being
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself
being the chief cornerstone; (21) in whom the whole building, fitted together,
grows into a holy temple in the Lord; (22) in whom you also are built
together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
THIS ZION IS IN HEAVEN (14:2-3)
Rev 14:2-3 WEB I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters,
•
and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that
of harpists playing on their harps. (3) They sing a new song before the
throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could
learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had
been redeemed out of the earth.
WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? (VV.4-5)
Rev 14:4-5 WEB These are those who were not defiled with women, for they
•
are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These
were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the
Lamb. (5) In their mouth was found no lie, for they are blameless.
Sexually pure
•

Follow the lamb – i.e. obedient.
•

PURCHASED FROM AMONG MEN – BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
•Rev 5:8-10 WEB Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures

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and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a
harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
(9) They sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the book, and to
open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out
of every tribe, language, people, and nation, (10) and made us kings and
priests to our God, and we will reign on earth."
FIRSTFRUITS TO GOD
•Jam 1:18 WEB Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we
should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
•No lie in their mouths
•Blameless

•Everyone in the book of Revelation has a mark on his forehead – either the
name of God or the mark of the beast. The mark signifies who that person
belongs to. Look in the mirror – If you don’t see the name of God – then put
his name on now.

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