Revelation 13
Lutheran reading notes
In Revelation chapter 13, the message of the gospel develops the theme of visions of Christ’s final victory and the new creation. Lutheran interpretation frequently emphasizes the proclamation of Christ, the distinction between law and gospel, and the promise of justification through faith.
1
And saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. {name: or, names}
Revelation 13:1 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as {the feet} of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Revelation 13:2 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. {wounded: Gr. slain}
Revelation 13:3 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who {is} like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Revelation 13:4 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty {and} two months. {to continue: or, to make war}
Revelation 13:5 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Revelation 13:6 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Revelation 13:7 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Revelation 13:8 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
If any man have an ear, let him hear.
Revelation 13:9 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Revelation 13:10 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Revelation 13:11 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Revelation 13:12 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Revelation 13:13 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by {the means of} those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Revelation 13:14 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. {life: Gr. breath}
Revelation 13:15 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: {to receive: Gr. to give them}
Revelation 13:16 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Revelation 13:17 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number {is} Six hundred threescore {and} six.
Revelation 13:18 highlights final victory of christ and new creation with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.