1UndG2532 ich sahG1492 ausG1537 dem MeereG2281 ein TierG2342 aufsteigenG305, welches zehnG1176 HörnerG2768 undG2532 siebenG2033 KöpfeG2776 hatteG2192, undG2532 aufG1909 seinenG846 HörnernG2768 zehnG1176 DiademeG1238, undG2532 aufG1909 seinenG846 KöpfenG2776 NamenG3686 der LästerungG988. 2UndG2532 das TierG2342, dasG3739 ich sahG1492, warG2258 gleichG3664 einem PardelG3917, undG2532 seineG846 FüßeG4228 wieG5613 die eines BärenG715, undG2532 seinG846 MaulG4750 wieG5613 eines LöwenG3023 MaulG4750. UndG2532 der DracheG1404 gabG1325 ihmG846 seineG846 MachtG1411 undG2532 seinenG846 ThronG2362 undG2532 großeG3173 GewaltG1849. 3UndG2532 ich sahG1492 einenG3391 seinerG846 KöpfeG2776 wieG5613 zumG1519 TodeG2288 geschlachtetG4969. UndG2532 seineG846 Todeswunde G2288 G4127 wurde geheiltG2323, undG2532 die ganzeG3650 ErdeG1093 verwunderte sichG2296 über G1722 G3694 das TierG2342. 4UndG2532 sie betetenG4352 den DrachenG1404 anG4352, weil erG3739 dem TiereG2342 die GewaltG1849 gabG1325, undG2532 sie betetenG4352 das TierG2342 anG4352 und sagtenG3004 : WerG5101 istG3664 dem TiereG2342 gleichG3664? Und werG5101 vermagG1410 mitG3326 ihmG846 zu kämpfenG4170? 5UndG2532 es wurdeG1325 ihmG846 ein MundG4750 gegebenG1325, der großeG3173 Dinge undG2532 LästerungenG988 redeteG2980; undG2532 es wurdeG1325 ihmG846 GewaltG1849 gegebenG1325, 42 G1417 G2532 G5062 MonateG3376 zu wirkenG4160. 6UndG2532 es öffneteG455 seinenG846 MundG4750 zuG1519 LästerungenG988 widerG4314 GottG2316, seinenG846 NamenG3686 zu lästernG987 undG2532 seineG846 HütteG4633 [undG2532 ] die, welche ihre HütteG4637 inG1722 dem HimmelG3772 habenG4637. 7UndG2532 es wurdeG1325 ihmG846 gegebenG1325, mitG3326 den HeiligenG40 KriegG4171 zu führenG4160 undG2532 sieG846 zu überwindenG3528; undG2532 es wurdeG1325 ihmG846 GewaltG1849 gegebenG1325 überG1909 jedenG3956 StammG5443 und Volk undG2532 SpracheG1100 undG2532 NationG1484. 8UndG2532 alleG3956, die aufG1909 der ErdeG1093 wohnenG2730, werdenG4352 esG846 anbetenG4352, ein jeder, dessenG3739 NameG3686 nichtG3756 geschriebenG1125 ist inG1722 dem BucheG976 des LebensG2222 des geschlachtetenG4969 LammesG721 vonG575 GrundlegungG2602 der WeltG2889 anG2602. 9Wenn jemandG1536 ein OhrG3775 hatG2192, so höreG191 er! 10Wenn jemandG1536 in GefangenschaftG161 [führtG4863 ] , so gehtG5217 er inG1519 GefangenschaftG161; wenn jemandG1536 mitG1722 dem SchwerteG3162 tötenG615 wird, so mußG1163 er mitG1722 dem SchwerteG3162 getötetG615 werden. HierG5602 istG2076 das AusharrenG5281 undG2532 der GlaubeG4102 der HeiligenG40. 11UndG2532 ich sahG1492 ein anderesG243 TierG2342 ausG1537 der ErdeG1093 aufsteigenG305 : undG2532 es hatteG2192 zweiG1417 HörnerG2768 gleichG3664 einem LammeG721, undG2532 es redeteG2980 wieG5613 ein DracheG1404. 12UndG2532 die ganzeG3956 GewaltG1849 des erstenG4413 TieresG2342 übtG4160 es vorG1799 ihmG846 ausG4160, undG2532 es machtG4160, daßG2443 die ErdeG1093 undG2532 die aufG1722 ihrG846 wohnenG2730 das ersteG4413 TierG2342 anbetenG4352, dessenG3739 Todeswunde G2288 G4127 geheiltG2323 wurde. 13UndG2532 es tutG4160 großeG3173 ZeichenG4592, daßG2443 es selbstG2532 FeuerG4442 vomG1537 HimmelG3772 aufG1519 die ErdeG1093 herabkommenG2597 läßt vorG1799 den MenschenG444; 14undG2532 es verführtG4105, die aufG1909 der ErdeG1093 wohnenG2730 wegenG1223 der ZeichenG4592, welcheG3739 vorG1799 dem TiereG2342 zu tunG4160 ihmG846 gegebenG1325 wurde, indem es die, welche aufG1909 der ErdeG1093 wohnenG2730, auffordertG3004, ein BildG1504 dem TiereG2342 zu machenG4160, dasG3739 die WundeG4127 des SchwertesG3162 hatG2192 undG2532 lebteG2198. 15UndG2532 es wurde ihm gegebenG1325, dem BildeG1504 des TieresG2342 OdemG4151 zu gebenG1325, auf daßG2443 das BildG1504 des TieresG2342 auchG2532 redeteG2980 undG2532 bewirkteG4160, daßG2443 alleG3745 getötetG615 wurden, die das BildG1504 des TieresG2342 nichtG3361 anbeteten G302 G4352. 16UndG2532 es bringtG4160 alleG3956 dahinG4160, die KleinenG3398 undG2532 die GroßenG3173, undG2532 die ReichenG4145 undG2532 die ArmenG4434, undG2532 die FreienG1658 undG2532 die KnechteG1401, daßG2443 sie ein MalzeichenG5480 annehmenG1325 anG1909 ihre rechteG1188 HandG5495 oderG2228 anG1909 ihreG846 StirnG3359; 17undG2532 daß niemand G3363 G5100 kaufenG59 oderG2228 verkaufenG4453 kannG1410, als nurG1508 der, welcher das MalzeichenG5480 hatG2192, den NamenG3686 des TieresG2342 oderG2228 die ZahlG706 seinesG846 NamensG3686. 18HierG5602 istG2076 die WeisheitG4678. Wer VerständnisG3563 hatG2192, berechneG5585 die ZahlG706 des TieresG2342, dennG1063 es istG2076 eines MenschenG444 ZahlG706; undG2532 seineG846 ZahlG706 ist 666 G1803 G1812 G1835 G5516.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 We have here an account of the rise, figure, and progress of the first beast; and observe, 1. From what situation the apostle saw this monster. He seemed to himself to stand upon
the sea-shore, though it is probable he was still in a rapture; but he took himself to be in
the island Patmos, but whether in the body or out of the body he could not tell. 2. Whence this beast came -
out of the sea; and yet, by the description of it, it would seem more likely to be a land-monster; but the more monstrous every thing about it was the more proper an emblem it would be to set forth the mystery of iniquity and tyranny. 3. What was the form and shape of this beast. It was for the most part
like a leopard, but its
feet were like the feet of a bear and its mouth as the mouth of a lion; it had
seven heads, and ten horns, and upon its heads the name of blasphemy: the most horrid and hideous monster! In some part of this description here seems to be an allusion to Daniel's vision of the four beasts, which represented the four monarchies,
Dan 7:1-
Dan 7:3, etc. One of these beasts was like a lion, another like a bear, and another like a leopard; this beast was a sort of composition of those three, with the fierceness, strength, and swiftness, of them all; the seven heads and the ten horns seem to design its several powers; the ten crowns, its tributary princes; the word blasphemy on its forehead proclaims its direct enmity and opposition to the glory of God, by promoting idolatry. 4. The source and spring of his authority -
the dragon; he gave him his power, and seat, and great authority. He was set up by the devil, and supported by him to do his work and promote his interest; and the devil lent him all the assistance he could. 5. A dangerous wound given him, and yet unexpectedly healed,
Revel 13:3. Some think that by this wounded head we are to understand the abolishing of pagan idolatry; and by the healing of the wound the introducing of the popish idolatry, the same in substance with the former, only in a new dress, and which as effectually answers the devil's design as that did. 6. The honour and worship paid to this infernal monster:
All the world wondered after the beast; they all admired his power, and policy, and success, and
they worshipped the dragon that
gave power to the beast, and
they worshipped the beast; they paid honour and subjection to the devil and his instruments, and thought there was no power able to withstand them: so great were the darkness, degeneracy, and madness of the world! 7. How he exercised his infernal power and policy: He had
a mouth, speaking great things, and blasphemies; he blasphemed God, the name of God, the tabernacle of God, and all those that dwell in heaven; and he made war with the saints, and overcame them, and gained a sort of universal empire in the world. His malice was principally levelled at the God of heaven, and his heavenly attendants - at God, in making images of him that is invisible, and in worshipping them; - at the tabernacle of God, that is, say some, at the human nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, in which God dwells as in a tabernacle; this is dishonoured by their doctrine of transubstantiation, which will not suffer his body to be a true body, and will put it into the power of every priest to prepare a body for Christ; - and
against those that dwell in heaven, the glorified saints, by putting them into the place of the pagan demons, and praying to them, which they are so far from being pleased with that they truly judge themselves wronged and dishonoured by it. Thus the malice of the devil shows itself against heaven and the blessed inhabitants of heaven. These are above the reach of his power. All he can do is to blaspheme them; but the saints on earth are more exposed to his cruelty, and he sometimes is permitted to triumph over them and trample upon them. 8. The limitation of the devil's power and success, and that both as to time and persons. He is limited in point of time; his reign is
to continue forty-and-two months (
Revel 13:5), suitable to the other prophetical characters of the reign of antichrist. He is also limited as to the persons and people that he shall entirely subject his will and power; it will be only those
whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life. Christ had a chosen remnant,
redeemed by his blood, recorded in his book, sealed by his Spirit; and though the devil and antichrist might overcome their bodily strength, and take away their natural life, they could never conquer their souls, nor prevail with them to forsake their Saviour and revolt to his enemies. 9. Here is a demand of attention to what is here discovered of the great sufferings and troubles of the church, and an assurance given that when God has accomplished his work on mount Zion, his refining work, then he will turn his hand against the enemies of his people, and those who have killed with the sword shall themselves fall by the sword (
Revel 13:10), and those who led the people of God into captivity shall themselves be made captives. Here now is that which will be proper exercise for
the patience and faith of the saints - patience under the prospect of such great sufferings, and faith in the prospect of so glorious a deliverance.
11 Those who think the first beast signifies Rome pagan by this second beast would understand Rome papal, which promotes idolatry and tyranny, but in a more soft and lamb-like manner: those that understand the first beast of the secular power of the papacy take the second to intend its spiritual and ecclesiastical powers, which act under the disguise of religion and charity to the souls of men. Here observe,
I. The form and shape of this second beast:
He had two horns like a lamb, but a mouth that
spoke like the dragon. All agree that this must be some great impostor, who, under a pretence of religion, shall deceive the souls of men. The papists would have it to be Apollonius Tyranaeus; but Dr. More has rejected that opinion, and fixes it upon the ecclesiastical powers of the papacy. The pope shows the horns of a lamb, pretends to be the vicar of Christ upon earth, and so to be vested with his power and authority; but his speech betrays him, for he gives forth those false doctrines and cruel decrees which show him to belong to the dragon, and not to the Lamb.
II. The power which he exercises:
All the power of the former beast (
Revel 13:12); he promotes the same interest, pursues the same design in substance, which is, to draw men off from worshipping the true God to worshipping those who by nature are no gods, and subject the souls and consciences of men to the will and authority of men, in opposition to the will of God. This design is promoted by the popery as well as by paganism, and by the crafty arts of popery as well as by the secular arm, both serving the interests of the devil, though in a different manner.
III. The methods by which this second beast carried on his interests and designs; they are of three sorts: - 1. Lying wonders, pretended miracles, by which they should be deceived, and prevailed with to worship the former beast in this new image or shape that was now made for him; they would pretend to bring down fire from heaven, as Elias did, and God sometimes permits his enemies, as he did the magicians of Egypt, to do things that seem very wonderful, and by which unwary persons may be deluded. It is well known that the papal kingdom has been long supported by pretended miracles. 2. Excommunications, anathemas, severe censures, by which they pretend to cut men off from Christ, and cast them into the power of the devil, but do indeed deliver them over to the secular power, that they may be put to death; and thus, notwithstanding their vile hypocrisy, they are justly charged with killing those whom they cannot corrupt. 3. By disfranchisement, allowing none to enjoy natural, civil, or municipal rights, who will not worship that papal beast, that is, the image of the pagan beast. It is made a qualification for buying and selling the rights of nature, as well as for places of profit and trust, that they have
the mark of the beast in their forehead and
in their right hand, and that they have
the name of the beast and
the number of his name. It is probable that
the mark, the name, and
the number of the beast, may all signify the same thing - that they make an open profession of their subjection and obedience to the papacy, which is receiving the mark in their forehead, and that they oblige themselves to use all their interest, power, and endeavour, to promote the papal authority, which is receiving the mark in their right hands. We are told that pope Martin V. in his bull, added to the council of Constance, prohibits Roman catholics from suffering any heretics to dwell in their countries, or to make any bargains, use any trades, or bear any civil offices, which is a very clear interpretation of this prophecy.
IV. We have here
the number of the beast, given in such a manner as shows the infinite wisdom of God, and will sufficiently exercise all the wisdom and accuracy of men:
The number is
the number of a man, computed after the usual manner among men, and it is 666. Whether this be the number of the errors and heresies that are contained in popery, or rather, as others, the number of the years from its rise to its fall, is not certain, much less what that period is which is described by these prophetic numbers. The most admired dissertation on this intricate subject is that of Dr. Potter, where the curious may find sufficient entertainment. It seems to me to be one of those seasons which God has reserved in his own power; only this we know, God has written
Mene Tekel upon all his enemies; he has numbered their days, and they shall be finished, but his own kingdom shall endure for ever.
