Revelation 13:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If anyone has an ear, let him hear:

NIV: Whoever has ears, let them hear.

NASB: If anyone has an ear, let him hear.

CSB: If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen.

NLT: Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.

KJV: If any man have an ear, let him hear.

NKJV: If anyone has an ear, let him hear.

The invitation extended in this verse reminds us of a similar call given to the seven churches of Asia Minor (Revelation 2–3). This invitation, however, is addressed more broadly to all Christians as individuals, because the church will have been raptured to heaven before the tribulation. God always speaks to those who accept His invitation to listen (Matthew 11:15; Mark 4:9; Luke 8:8). During the tribulation, most of mankind will heed the dictates of the beast from the sea. A remnant of faithful believers will listen to and heed the Lord's voice.

In Revelation 18:4, The Lord's people will hear Him summon them to come out of Babylon. Although some believers may think it is wise to join heart and hands with the evil world system, Paul emphasized the importance of not letting the world conform us to its mold. He wrote: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).

Revelation 13:5–10 further describes the actions of the figure most commonly called ''Antichrist:'' the first beast of this chapter and the sixth of seven major characters in this part of Revelation. This beast from the sea is both an empire and a ferocious ruler. He is also mentioned in Daniel 7:23–24 and Revelation 17:9–11. Matthew 4:8 demonstrates the fact that the Devil possesses the kingdoms and therefore can grant the final world empire to the beast from the sea. Daniel 2:36–41 predicts the beast's kingdom.

This chapter exposes two evil men, ''beasts'' who serve the Devil. The first beast arises from the sea, presumably the Mediterranean. The second beast arises from the land, possibly Israel. The first beast dominates the final form of the Roman Empire and sets himself up as a god to be worshiped. This first figure is the one most often labelled as ''Antichrist.'' The second beast acts as prophet, priest, and king in Israel. As such, he imitates Christ, but he is a False Prophet. This corrupted religious leader sets up an image of the first beast in the temple and commands everyone to worship it. The false prophet executes those who refuse to worship the image. Further, he causes everyone to receive the name or the number of the first beast on the right hand or on the forehead. Without this identifying mark, no one can buy or sell. The number of the beast is 666.

Revelation 13 introduces the last two major figures described in this extended section. Two ''beasts,'' which are actually evil, powerful men, corrupt Israel by forcing idolatry on everyone. While not explicitly given these names in the Bible, the two men mentioned here are most often referred to as the Antichrist and the False Prophet. Later, The Lord sends the northern aggressor into Israel to punish their idolatry. This text also mentions two other infamous concepts: the mark of the beast, and the number 666, which are mentioned in later verses as identifying those who have rejected God in favor of Satan. Related Scriptures are Exodus 20:1–6; Daniel 2:31–43; 7:1–8; and Revelation chapters 9 and 12.

The word ''revelation'' means ''an unveiling or disclosure.'' This writing unveils future events such as the rapture, three series of judgments that will fall on the earth during the tribulation, the emergence of the Antichrist, the persecution of Israel and her amazing revival, as well as Jesus' second coming with His saints to the earth, the judgment of Satan and his followers, and finally, the eternal state. This content, combined with the original Greek term apokalypsis, is why we now refer to an end-of-the-world scenario as ''an apocalypse.''

Accessed 5/8/2024 2:21:36 AM