ACC ~ Revelation 13 v1

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.

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