THE MONSTER FROM THE ABYSS

The unusual symbols of 13:1-10 were taken mostly from Jewish apocalyptic literature composed later than most of those now in our Old Testament. One tradition held that God on the fifth day created two mythical creatures, Leviathan and Behemoth, to inhabit the sea and the land. The first monster represented the Roman imperial power which annually came “out of the sea” in the arrival of a new Roman proconsul at Ephesus.

The monster’s characteristics (vs. 1b-2) were much like those found in Daniel 4 and 7. In other words, by exercising absolute power and demanding loyalty due only to God, Rome became bestial. Its ten horns and seven heads referred to the Greek and Roman emperors who had dominated that part of the world for four hundred years.

In vs. 3 there is a reference to a local belief that Emperor Nero, who had committed suicide in 68 CE, had come to life again. The rule of Vespasian (68-79) and his sons, Titus (79-81) and Domitian (81-96), merely continued the same brutal policies which proved so disastrous for both Jews and Christians. The monster’s attack on the church (vss. 6-7) blasphemed the divine presence in the world formed whenever Christians gathered in the name of Christ.

John appears to have a strong sense of predestination in mind in vss. 8-10. Yet his view springs from the biblical tradition that salvation is a wholly unmerited act of God. This is qualified by an equally strong statement of human responsibility. This meant that the church must submit to the civil authority as their Lord had done so that their Lord alone might win the victory over sin and death. This calls for endurance and faith from God’s people as the final words of vs. 10 states.