ACC ~ Revelation 13 v1 - 10

OVERVIEW:

At the end of time God will send a man as antichrist to deceive those who shunned the light and separated themselves from God. This apostate in whom all apostasy is concentrated (IRENAEUS) will arise from the tumultuous and unstable life of this world (OECUMENIUS, ANDREW OF CAESAREA). He will exercise a powerful lordship through cunning tricks and deceits (OECUMENIUS), and his blasphemy may be observed in the Roman emperors, Julian and Valens, who slandered Christ (ANDREW OF CAESAREA). However, his blasphemy and apostasy may be seen in all impious and evil persons who as followers of him are his body (TYCONIUS, CAESARIUS OF ARLES). This beast from the sea may, however, be a powerful demon called the devil, whose father is Satan. Like a leopard the devil is quick to form plots, and in his deception he is sturdy like a bear, for Satan is his teacher and the author of his works (OECUMENIUS). Likewise too the antichrist will have the power of Satan and as a king of the Romans will destroy kingdoms through false signs and wonders (ANDREW OF CAESAREA).

The kingdom of the antichrist will be a mixture of nations whose nature is malice and madness and whose desire is blood (VICTORINUS, CAESARIUS OF ARLES). Even now we see his power in the heretics who devastate the church as the pagans did formerly (CAESARIUS OF ARLES). Although the heretics are wounded, however, by catholic confession and the testimony of Scripture, yet they, as it were, are revived again in their ongoing blasphemy (CAESARIUS OF ARLES). In them the devil has his throne and his rule, for through them he seduces others to follow and to worship him (TYCONIUS). At the coming of the antichrist he will raise the dead through sorcery, as happened at the time of Simon Magus (ANDREW OF CAESAREA). The antichrist will even seduce the Jews, for he will come as a christ who defends circumcision and the law (VICTORINUS), and through their idolatry of him the Jews will heal the wound they inflicted by their reverent worship. Through those who follow and worship him the devil is given a mouth to speak his slanders (OECUMENIUS). Therefore, it is by heretics and apostates that the devil blasphemes the Word made flesh (PRIMASIUS, ANDREW OF CAESAREA), the saints (CAESARIUS OF ARLES, ANDREW OF CAESAREA) and the holy angels (OECUMENIUS, ANDREW OF CAESAREA). Yet some from both the Gentiles and from Israel will remain free from the devil’s wiles, for they will remain pious and pure in the manner of their lives (OECUMENIUS). Those who place themselves under his destructive lordship, however, will be his slaves and will die a spiritual death of the soul by the satanic sword (OECUMENIUS, ANDREW OF CAESAREA). In the meantime, the church continues to suffer the devil’s hostility, for as Christ allowed to his persecutors power over him, so the church temporarily is submitted to arrogance by God’s permission (PRIMASIUS).

13:1 | A Beast Rising from the Sea

A HABITATION OF DARKNESS FOR THOSE WHO SHUN THE LIGHT. IRENAEUS: Since then in this world some persons come to the light, and by faith unite themselves to the light and by faith unite themselves with God, but others shun the light and separate themselves from God, the Word of God comes preparing a fit habitation for both. For those indeed who are in the light, that they may derive enjoyment from it and from the good things contained in it; but for those in darkness, that they may partake in its calamities. … For this reason the apostle says, “Because they did not receive the love of God, that they might be saved, therefore God shall also send them the operation of error, that they may believe a lie, that they all may be judged who have not believed the truth, but consented to unrighteousness.” For when [antichrist] arrives, and of his own accord concentrates in his own person the apostasy, and accomplishes whatever he shall do according to his own will and choice, sitting also in the temple of God, his dupes will adore him as the Christ. Therefore he shall deservedly “be cast into the lake of fire,” [and this will happen according to divine appointment], God by his prescience, foreseeing all this at the proper time sending such a man, “that they may believe a lie, that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but consented to unrighteousness.” AGAINST HERESIES 5.28.1-2.

THE PEOPLE OF THE DEVIL WEAR A BLASPHEMOUS NAME. TYCONIUS: Here a “sea” is mentioned, which above was called a “bottomless pit” from which this beast would ascend. In both instances a people is indicated. Indeed, he sees a people arising from a people, namely, a beast coming forth from a people. Normally “beast” is a designation of that which is hostile to the Lamb, but in a narrative one must determine from passage to passage what aspect of the beast is signified. For sometimes the devil is the beast, elsewhere the beast is his body or one of the heads of that beast such as the one which rises up although he seemed wounded unto death, which is a false imitation of the true faith. In other passages the beast might signify only the leaders. In this present passage the beast that rises from the sea refers to the body of the devil, which has ten horns and seven heads and diadems upon its horns and a blasphemous name upon its heads. And rightly is he said to be named with a name of blasphemy, since he desires to be regarded as God. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.1.

SATAN IS THE FATHER OF THE DEVIL. OECUMENIUS: In the previous vision the holy Evangelist saw “a sign in heaven, and behold,” it says, “a red dragon.” But now he says that he saw “a beast rising out of the sea, like a leopard.” Moreover, in the following vision he sees “another beast which rose out of the earth,” and it had “two horns like a lamb.” Therefore, we have three beasts altogether, the first is in heaven, the second is from the sea, and the third is from the earth. Who the first and the third beast are is clear to everyone. The first is the dragon who was the author of evil, namely, Satan, who became apostate and exalted himself against God Almighty. The third is the antichrist. But this second beast who now lies before us in the vision, who is he? I think that he comes after the apostate dragon, that is, Satan who was the leader of the other demons—for many fell with Satan and were cast down to earth—and from this it is clear that the holy Scripture says that this leader of all the demons is condemned to the sea and to tartarus. And perhaps it speaks of him in this figurative way because of the disorder and turmoil in which he exists, recognizing also from whence he has fallen and into what condition he has come, and that “he is kept for the judgment of the great day,” as it is written. … But this second beast which now appears to us is introduced in the book of Job, conversing with God and seeking Job and bringing upon him many trials and even saying that he is come “walking to and fro upon the earth under heaven.” But it is not only the book of Job that speaks of him, but the Lord too makes mention of him when in the Gospel of John he says to the Jews, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and as is his father.” He calls the apostate dragon the “father of the devil,” namely, of this one who is present in this vision. For [Satan] is “father” as their leader and the author of the apostasy, even as the holy Abraham was called “father of nations,” since he was progenitor of the faith before them, as it was said of to him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” “I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems upon his horns.” He saw him coming out of the sea. For him it is an ascent, since he is elevated from the troubled, unstable life of people who have elected him to be their master. The ten horns testify to his powerful lordship, even as the seven heads suggest his various cunning deceits and tricks. For the numbers ten and seven are perfect numbers. The diadems upon his horns reveal that he has become a powerful force against humankind, since through deception we have willingly given ourselves over to him. “And blasphemous names were upon his heads.” Rightly does it say “upon his heads,” for he rages against himself and his own head and is insulting to God. And stripping worship from God, he grants it to himself. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.1-4.

ALL THE UNGODLY ARISE FROM THE DEVIL. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: “I saw a beast rising out of the sea,” that is, out of an evil people. That he was “rising out” means that he was coming into existence, even as the blooming flower comes forth from the root of Jesse. In the beast coming forth from the sea he signifies all impious who are the body of the devil. EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.1, HOMILY 10.

ANTICHRIST ARISES FROM THE SEA OF HUMAN LIFE. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: Some have interpreted this beast to be a certain power, a leader of the other demons, who is second to Satan, and that after this beast the antichrist arises from the earth. However, according to holy Methodius and holy Hippolytus and others this beast is to be interpreted as the antichrist who comes from the tumultuous and rough sea of this life. The ten horns with the diadems and the seven heads signify the unity that the devil has with him—for these characteristics were interpreted above as also belonging to him. The ten horns and seven heads also signify the division of the earthly government at the end of time into ten, and the earthly government corresponds to this world, which is calculated as consisting of seven days and is divided into seven successive kingdoms. For this reason, Satan, who operates in him, is called “the ruler of this age.” “A blasphemous name is upon its heads” clearly refers to his supporters. For from the beginning these never ceased from blaspheming Christ until the accession of Constantine. But after him, [the emperors] Julian and Valens again slandered against Christ. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.1.

13:2 | The Dragon Gave Power to the Beast

STRONG, FILTHY AND BLOODY. VICTORINUS OF PETOVIUM: “And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, like a leopard.” This passage indicates that the kingdom of that time, the kingdom of the antichrist, will be commingled with a variety of nations and peoples. “Its feet were like the feet of a bear,” that is, they were of a strong and utterly filthy beast. He speaks of the leaders [of this kingdom] as his “feet.” And “its mouth was like the mouths of lions.” This means that the beast is armed by teeth intended for blood. For the “mouth” is his command and his tongue which proceed only for the purpose of the shedding of blood. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.1.

THE DEVIL IS QUICK TO DECEIVE. OECUMENIUS: “And the beast that I saw was like a leopard,” because, I think, of his ability to turn quickly and quickly to form devious plans. “And its feet were like a bear’s,” it says, since they are sturdy and steadfast, that he might “walk to and fro upon the earth under heaven,” plotting against humankind. “And its mouth was like a lion’s,” for “our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a lion, seeking someone to devour,” as it is written. “And to it the dragon gave his power.” Without question the power of the apostate dragon inhabits these deceptions and wiles, for he has become for [the devil] both the instigator and the teacher of his works. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.1-4.

HERETICS POSSESS THE DEVIL’S POWER IN THIS WORLD. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: The beast is like a leopard because of the variety of nations; he is like a bear because of his maliciousness and madness; he is like a lion because of the strength of his body and the haughtiness of his mouth. At the time of the antichrist his kingdom will be [as a leopard], for it will contain a commixture of various nations and people; it will have feet as a bear in its leaders, and its commanding authority will be as the mouth [of a lion]. “And the dragon gave him his power,” for we see how the heretics, who have the power of the devil, are powerful in this world. For just as formerly it was the pagans who devastated the church, so now it is the heretics. EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.2, HOMILY 10.

THE RUIN OF THE WEAK AND UNSTABLE. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: The kingdom of the Greeks is signified by the leopard; the Persians are signified by the bear; the Babylonians are signified by the lion. The antichrist, who will come as a king of the Romans, will rule over them and destroy their empires, when he beholds the clay toes of their feet, by which is indicated the destruction of a weak and brittle kingdom. Satan, that spiritual dragon, will give all of his authority to the antichrist, who through false signs and wonders will work for the ruination of those who are weak and unstable. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.2.

13:3-4 | The Earth Followed the Beast and Worshiped the Dragon

ANTICHRIST WILL POSE AS A DEFENDER OF THE LAW. VICTORINUS OF PETOVIUM: “One of its heads was mortally wounded, but its mortal wound was healed.” He is referring here to Nero. For it is a well-known fact that when the army sent by the Senate was following him, he cut his own throat. And he is the one whom, when he has been brought to life again, God will send as a king worthy of those who are worthy of him, namely, the Jews and those who persecute Christ, and he will send him as a christ such as the persecutors and the Jews deserve. And since he will bear another name, he will also undertake another life, so that they [the Jews] might receive him as the Christ. For Daniel said, “he will not know the desire of women”—he who himself is the most impure!—“and he will know no god of his fathers.” To be sure, he would not be able to seduce the people of the circumcision were he not to pose as a defender of the law. Finally, he will urge the saints, if he proves able to seduce them, to accept nothing other than circumcision. And so at last he will create a trust in himself, so that he will be called “Christ” by them. That he will come forth from hades, we have already mentioned through the words of Isaiah, “water nourished him and the deep set him on high.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.3.

THE DEVIL’S THRONE. TYCONIUS: One of its heads refers to the antichrist, because there are seven heads not in regard to number but as a sign of the universality of that earthly kingdom that is hostile to the Lamb. It is evident that the dragon, that is, the devil, will give his authority and his throne to [the antichrist]. As in a good sense the soul of a righteous person is the seat of wisdom, so in an evil sense the enemy is said to give his throne to those whom he especially possesses and whom he uses for the seduction of others. Moreover, with God’s permission he frequently does amazing things through them, and he proceeds to so great a rashness that in imitation of the true Head and in order to delude the souls of [God’s] children, he claims that one of the seven heads resurrected as if it had died before and that he should be accepted instead of Christ, who actually accomplished this deed. “And the nations which inhabit the earth wondered at the beast.” … By “earth” he refers to those who are earthly and who desire to follow and to worship him, that is, those who in the antichrist are said to worship the dragon as in an image. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.3.

ISRAEL HEALED THE WOUND OF THE TEMPTER. OECUMENIUS: The inspired Evangelist himself would know the meaning of this. But, as it seems to me, the meaning is something like this. The death-bearing wound which the devil received on one of its heads was because of the reverent worship of Israel. But this was healed through their subsequent idolatry. “And the whole earth followed the beast with wonder.” How would this not be the case, since even the pious people of Israel came to worship him? And this is indicated in Isaiah, who in the person of God speaks to Israel: “Because of you, my name is forever blasphemed among the nations.” But with the beast they worshiped also the dragon who is the instigator and cause of such deception and deleterious wiles. … Those from Israel whom he conquered devise for him songs of praise, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.1-4.

HERETICS WOUNDED BY THE SOUND TESTIMONIES OF SCRIPTURE. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: That which “seemed wounded” are the heretics who hypocritically seem to confess Christ and blaspheme since they do not believe as the catholic faith has it. They prophesy that he who was wounded is also raised again, for even Satan himself transfigures himself into an angel of light. Another interpretation might be that heresies are wounded by the catholics, for they are suppressed by the testimonies of the Scriptures. Yet, as though a wound of Satan they are revived and accomplish the works of Satan and do not cease from blaspheming and attracting whomever they can to his teachings. … [The dragon gave his power to the beast], for indeed the heretics possess power, especially the Arians. … “And they adored the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?’” To be sure, the heretics flatter themselves that no one believes better than they and that no one can conquer their people who are marked by the name of the beast. And it will be given to him by the devil himself, although with God’s permission, that he should speak haughty things and blasphemies, as the apostle says, “There must be heresies in order that those who are genuine among you may be manifested.” EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.3-4, HOMILY 10.

THE DEVIL WILL DECEIVE THROUGH FALSE RESURRECTIONS. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: That he had a head that was wounded indicates that one of his lieutenants, having been put to death, deceptively seems to be raised again by him through his sorcery, in a way similar to Simon the magician, who, in light of his magic tricks, was unmasked by the chief of the apostles. Or the phrase could indicate that the Roman Empire, having suffered a kind of wound through division, seems to be healed by a unified rule, as occurred at the time of Augustus Caesar. … The wonder directed at the antichrist will be transferred to the devil, who is working through him. For through him the devil will be worshiped, and through him he will seem, to those blinded in the eyes of the mind, to raise the dead and perform signs. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.3-4.

13:5-6 | The Beast Blasphemed God and His Dwelling40

THOSE WHO WORSHIP THE DEVIL. OECUMENIUS: Since all were vanquished and placed under his feet, “he was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words.” By whom was it given? By those persons who had been deceived and had come to worship him. For such boasting comes from arrogance. And what is more haughty than saying, “I will ascend to heaven; I will set my throne above the stars of heaven”? And a little further down: “I will make myself like the Most High.” Isaiah here is lampooning him, since such claims are blasphemies against God. “And it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months.” We earlier noted that “forty-two months” indicates a short period of time, for compared with the unending ages, all time is short, even if it should seem to be very long. [He blasphemes God’s name and his dwelling] for such are the blasphemies against God spoken by the apostate. The “dwelling” of God is the holy angels, since God dwells among them. For if it is said concerning people, “I will dwell among them and I will walk among them,” how should one speak of the heavenly powers among whom God dwells? COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.4-8.

THE DEVIL BLASPHEMES THE GLORIFIED JESUS AND HIS CHURCH. PRIMASIUS: With these months there is completed the three years and six months, which above were understood to refer to the quality of the present age. However, here the severity of the final persecution is especially foretold. For were one to consider the four familiar directions of the earth and multiply four times the ten sayings of the law, which is the symbol of perfection, one would have forty. Were the performance of the two commandments of love added to this, the number forty-two would be completed. That which is commanded in words achieves no favor if it is not perfected by works. And the church is said to be protected by these [commandments] as though by the wings of an eagle, and she flees from the treachery of the dragon into the wilderness to be nourished there for 1,260 days, which is equal to the forty-two months, so that the calculation of the same number may not render a useless meaning. … [The beast blasphemed] against God and the church, which dwells in heaven, because “our citizenship is in heaven,” and “now you are not in the flesh.” I think that here the temple might also signify the glorified trophy of the body of Christ against whom the antichrist is said then to blaspheme, when he has dared assign to himself that honor which is especially due to [Christ]. Concerning this the Lord said in the Gospel, “That they might lead astray, if possible, even the elect,” and just earlier, “But for the elect those days will be shortened.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.5-6.

APOSTATES BLASPHEME GOD. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: The forty-two months are to be interpreted as the time of the last persecution. “It opened its mouth to blaspheme against God.” It is clear that this refers to those who have left the catholic church, for while earlier they seemed to be within the church as though they held the right faith, in time of persecution they openly blaspheme God with the mouth. [The dwelling of God] is the saints who are contained within the church, which is called “heaven,” for they are the habitation of God. EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.5-6, HOMILY 10.

THE DEVIL WILL BLASPHEME THE WORD MADE FLESH. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: With the allowance of God, it says, he will have authority for three and a half years to blaspheme against God and to harm the saints. The “dwelling of God” is the dwelling of the Word in the flesh, that is, his incarnation, as well as his repose among the saints, against whom, as also against the holy angels, he will fully direct his blasphemy. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.5-6.

13:7-8 | War on the Saints

SOME KEEP PURE FROM THE DEVIL’S CULT. OECUMENIUS: He received his authority from those persons who had willingly placed themselves under his destructive lordship. And so it correctly says that “all who dwell on the earth will worship it.” For with the exception of faithful Israel, the rest of humankind worshiped idols, and since even Israel suffered from this, it finally says that every clan and tribe of people had come to worship the wicked one. “Every one whose name is not written in the book of the life of heaven of him who was slain before the foundation of the world.” With great care does the vision place limits on this. For although it says that all who dwell on the earth worshiped the apostate devil, there were a few persons from both the Gentiles and from Israel who kept themselves pure from his cult, such as Job and his four friends, and Melchizedek, and from Israel the holy prophets and they who gave a pious witness in the Old Testament. It means that all worshiped him except those who through their piety and through the pure and perfect manner of their lives are inscribed in heaven and are protected by God. For this is the significance of the fact that the book is sealed. Therefore, according to Luke, the Lord speaks of this book when he says to his disciples, “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.4-8.

IT IS NO WONDER THAT THE CHURCH SUFFERS. PRIMASIUS: By saying that he opened his mouth, it shows that he spoke with that damnable bravado that while before he blasphemed secretly, he will at that time do so publicly. For he will have dared to attribute to himself that honor that especially belongs to [Christ]. And he speaks his inquities arrogantly, for he is hostile to Christ and wishes to be accepted instead of Christ, either by the use of force or by supplanting him with fraudulent means. For a time he will attain power, which he will use in an evil way to harm the body of Christ, so that as Christ suffers, the persecutors praise [the beast] all the more since [Christ] is crucified more cruelly with his [saints]. Of this power the Lord said, “You would have no power over me unless it had been given you from above.” If, therefore, at the time of his passion Christ had temporarily given power to his persecutors, although the prince of this world could find in him nothing worthy of death, why is it surprising that in his church he allows evil persons to attack, so that one might say that [the beast] has defeated them? Even we must understand the part from the whole, namely, that part which he is able to conquer. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.7.

13:9-10 | A Call for Endurance and Faith

THE DEVIL’S INSTRUMENTS. OECUMENIUS: If any one has a mind able to understand what is being said, it says, “let him hear” what is being spoken and let him know that whoever is ready to bring others into captivity will be captured by the beast and will desert willingly to him. For having no defense from God, he will be carried away into utter evil. And should anyone be prepared for murders, he will die a spiritual death by worshiping the devil. “Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.” In this manner is one free from the servitude of the evil one. May it be that we all be found free from such servitude by the grace of God, who has called us to his knowledge. To him be glory forever. Amen. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.9-10.

SPIRITUAL DEATH BY THE SATANIC SWORD. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: Every one will receive a recompense worthy of his deeds. Those who are willing to harm their neighbor will be captured by the devil and will undergo the death of his soul by the satanic sword. For, as the great James says, they are made slaves of that one by whom they have been conquered through their works. But those who have a pure faith and unshakeable endurance in trials will be indelibly written in the book of life. With such may the all-merciful God also find us partakers who consider “that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed” to the saints and who walk valiantly the narrow way, so that, finding at the end of it glory in the coming age and rest and paradise, we might reign with Christ, with whom to the Father be all thanksgiving and worship with the Holy Spirit forever. Amen. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13.9-10.