Cipher 73. Beast Given Authority to Speak for Son of Man (Rev 13:1-10)
1. WHO? (13:1) And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea.
2. WHY sinful? (13:1). Upon his heads names of blasphemy.
3. HOW given power? (13:2) The dragon gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority.
4. WHAT did he do? (13:5) There was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies;
5. WHEN? (13:5-6) There was given to him authority to continue forty and two months. (77 77 77) And he opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, even them that dwell in the heaven.
6. WHERE? (13:8) And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.
7. WHICH path? (13:10) If any man shall kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed.
Commentary: The names on the beast’s heads could be linked to the three heads of the god of Babylonia. “The ancient Babylonians recognised the doctrine of a trinity, or three persons in one god–as appears from a composite god with three heads.” (Ref 20) And the beast opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name with another name. The dragon gave the beast his power to kill all who did not believe in a god not named YHWH, that violates God’s sixth commandment. And so, on the last day come six men with slaughter weapons in hand: If any man shall kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed. (Cipher 77)