Commentary on Revelation, Vision 4 · Chapter 13
CHAPTER XIII. The Argument, Parts, Analyſis.
THis Chapter is a declaration or an expoſition of the 17 verſe of the foregoing Chapter. For it deſcribeth the warre of the Dragon with the ſeed of the woman, that is, with the Saints and faithfull worſhippers of Chriſt, managed through Antichriſt: whoſe riſing, nature, kingdome, power, deeds, ſucceſſe, character, and laſtly his name and number or numberal name the Prophet ſets forth as by lively colours under the type of a double beaſt. For he ſaw Antichriſt comming forth on the theater, firſt under the figure of a Beaſt having ſeven heads, preſently after under the figure of a Beaſt having two hornes, in which is ſignified the twofold perſon of Antichriſt, viz. as he is a ſecular Monarch, and a ſpiritual ſeducer or falſe prophet, of which is ſpoken Chap. 16.13. and Chap. 19.20. Here therfore begins the Third Act of the fourth Viſion, touching the laſt and moſt grievous Antichriſtian perſecution, which ſhall endure unto the end of the world.
THe parts of the Chapter are two, according to the number of the Beaſts treated of in the ſame.
The deſcription of the firſt Beaſt is contained in 10 verſes: And it is diverſe:
I. The Beaſts riſing is noted to be out of the ſea, v. 1.
II. His monſtrous figure or ſhape: ſeven blaſphemous heads: ten crowned hornes, ibid: with the ſkin of a Leopard, feet of a Bear, and mouth of a Lion, verſe 2.
III. His ſtate: he hath a throne and kingly power: of which is noted 1. The efficient cauſe, the Dragon gives him his ſeat and power, ibid. 2. The degree and variation of the power, it is great v. 2. One of his heads beeing deadly wounded is againe healed ver. 3.3. His divine authority: the whole earth admires and adores him, in prayſes making him equal with God, yea lifts him above God, ver. 3.4.
IV. His deeds: both with his mouth: he ſpeaketh great things and blaſphemies: the outragiouſneſſe whereof is figured out by the time it dured, viz. fourty two moneths, v. 5. and by the objects, which he blaſphemeth. 1. God. 2. His nacle. 3. The inhabiters of heaven, v. 6. then with weapons: hee makes warre with the Saintes: the event of which is twofold. 1. The victory over the Saints. 2. an encreaſe of univerſal power, v. 7. and of worſhip, v. 8.
V. It is ſhut up with an exclamatorie and hortatorie concluſion unto the godly, that they ſhould attend v. 9. comminatory againſt the Beaſt, that he ſhould ſuffer like for like, v. 10. But conſolatory to the Saintes: ſhewing them what was don, was for the exerciſe of their faith and patience, ibid.
The deſcription of the latter Beaſt is from v. 11. unto the end of the Chapter: and it containes diverſe particulars:
I. His originall is noted to be from the earth. v. 11.
II. A threefold ſimilitude or likeneſſe:
1. With the Lambe, having hornes like his.
2. With the Dragon, ſpeaking as he did, ibid.
3. With the former Beaſt, whoſe whole power he exerciſeth, ver. 12.
III. Sixe effects of his power:
1. He eſtabliſheth the worſhip of the former beaſt, v. 12.
2. He doth great wonders, v. 13.
3. By miracles he ſeduceth the inhabiters of the earth, v. 13.14.
4. He commands an image to be made to the former Beaſt, ibid.
5. He gives life to the image, makes it to ſpeak, cauſing all them that will not worſhip the image to bee ſlaine, ver. 15.
6. He imprints the character, name and the number of the Beaſt on the right hands and foreheads of the worſhippers thereof, giving them a priviledge to buy and ſell, the which is prohibited all others, ver. 16.17.
IIII. It is ended with an exclamatorie concluſion amplifying the myſtery of the Beaſt: and ſtirring us up to the ſearching out the myſterie thereof: both from the poſſibilitie of it: becauſe it is the number of a man, alſo from the facility: becauſe it may be expreſſed in three numeral letters foreign which make ſix hundred threeſcore and ſix.