With the introduction that took place with chapter 6 and the seven seals, we are seeing the evidence of Ephesians 6:12 of 10-17, being played out before our eyes. The mystery of this world wide war is being peeled back with each new complete thought within each chapter of Revelation. This should become more apparent as we get into Revelation at least through to chapter 20, where we see the defeat of Ophis. But first a recap of Ephesians 6:12 of 10-17 as it contains the description of those truly born again (co-crucified, co-descended, co-resurrected and co-ascended in Christ Jesus, known as Saints of GOD.) from above as being one with GOD, in the KJV:
Ephesians 6:12; 10-17 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the LORD, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of GOD, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness (the stark darkness where there is no light as in a black hole) of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of GOD, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (KJV)
Now for our target scriptures of Rev. 13:7-10:
Revelation 13:7-10 "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. 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. If any man have an ear, let him hear. 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." (KJV)
Revelation 13:7-10 "Also it was allowed to make war on the Saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear: if anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the Saints." (ESV)
Revelation 13:7-10 "And it was given the mission to wage war against [1] those who have discovered their wholeness in Christ and to conquer them and to dominate the entire spectrum of people-groupings; Every tribe, tongue and nation. ( The word, [1, G40, from ἅγος hagos (an awful thing) compare G53 hagnos, clean, [H2282]; sacred, blameless, innocent] hagios, saints, refers to wholeness (healing, the restoring that which had been lost) of body soul and spirit - see 1Cor. 1:30. The words remind us of Daniel 7:21-23. Where there seemed to be no escape from the Beat's rule. However, the fact that the beast failed in its mission is already celebrated in Rev. 5:13, as well as in Rev. 7:9, At this moment I saw a massive throng of people, impossible to count, standing tall and innocent; Everyone of them dressed in white with psalm branches in their hands; They [1] escaped everything that could possibly define them as a non-Jewish, Gentile world! In fact, every sphere of society were there - including the entire spectrum of people-groupings; All tribal identities with their unique language-specific dialect preferences; They were all present facing the Throne and the Lamb as the people of the planet! (The preposition [1] ek, points to source or origin; Humanity was delivered out of their national, geographical and historical identities! Seven times in the book of Revelation human society is addressed in the most all=inclusive fashion, with a similar grouping of words. Rev. 5:9, 7:9, 10:11, 11:19, and here in 13:7, 14:6 and 17:15. Also note Rev. 5:13 and 11:15.) The plan was to engage the entire [1] earthbound population of the planet to worship the Beast. (The counterfeit "slain and risen lamb") This would endorse the idea (of religion) that there were individuals, since the [3] fall of the [4] cosmos, whose [2] names were not included in the [5] slain Lamb's Book of Life. (The word, [1, G2730 from G2596 and G3611 ] katoikeo, to dwell, is from (G2596) kata, meaning down ward, and (G3611) oikeo, to dwell or set up home - thus, to be earthbound. This Adam did by his eating of the fruit. Paul invites us to engage our thoughts with resurrection realities and to see ourselves co-raised and seated together with Christ in heavenly places! Col. 3:1-3. Rev. 17:8 also 16:16.
In the context of verse 6, clearly the target of the "blasphemy" was to insult and interrogate the [2] Name! See Eph. 3:15, Every family in heaven and on earth originated in Him as His humanity, the family unite had its beginning in Him and it remains the authentic identity of every Nation. The entire industry of accusation is about the blatant blasphemy of the name that reveals and redeems humanity's original identity.
"The Book of Life" - this language is taken from the custom of registering the names of persons in a list, roll, or catalogue. In Jewish tradition there was a prevailing fear that your name might be blotted out of the Book of Life if your behavior did not please GOD. See Exodus 32:32, Here the suggestion is that some names were not even written in the Lamb's Book of Life to begin with! See also Rev. 17:8,..."the ones whose names have not been written in the Book of Life from the fall of the world." This idea would obviously boost the Calvinistic deception of election, that if you're not "chosen," you're doomed - which is a ridiculous contradiction to the entire context and conclusion of the Gospel! See the notes on the Book of Life at the end of chapter 17.
The word, [5] esphagmenou, is the Perfect Passive Participle of the verb, (G4969) sphazo, to slay in sacrifice. The Perfect Participle is used to describe a state that exists at the time as a result of action completed prior to the time of the main verb. The basic thought of the perfect tense is that the progress of an action has been completed and the results of this action are continuing on, in full effect. In other words, the progress of the action has reached its culmination and the finished results are now present.
The word, [4, G2889 from the base of G2865 kolumbaō, from a primary word κολυμβος kolumbos, to take care of, to heal to health or wholeness] kosmos, in the NT refers to the entire human family and their social structures. The word often translated foundation, is (G2602 katabolē, from G2598 kataballō, is from G2596 and G906) kataballo, is from (G2596) kata and (G906) ballo, meaning, "to fall away, to put in a lower order or place," instead of (G2310 from a derivative of G5087 tithēmi, a prolonged form of a primary word θέω theō, an upright posture) themelios, meaning "foundation, conception of the world" [See Ephesians 2:20; also Rev. 21:14, 19]; Thus, translated as "the fall of the world," instead of "the foundation of the world." The entire "Fall" was a falling away in our minds from our true identity as the image and likeness bearers of Elohim. Just like woman, were we all deceived to believe a lie about ourselves, which is the fruit of the "I-am-not-tree." We all, like sheep have gone astray. [Isaiah 53:6]
See 1Peter 1:20, he was always destined in GOD'S prophetic thought; GOD knew even before the fall of the world order that His son would be the Lamb, to be made manifest in these last days, because of you! [You are the reason Jesus died and was raised!]) Now listen up with your inner ears! here is something for [1] those who have discovered their wholeness in Me to patiently ponder and perceive by faith! Being taken [2] captive by the spear and killed by the sword made death a doorway into the very domain in which humanity was held captive - [now to be led out triumphantly as the Lamb's trophies! "Saints."]. (The word, [1, G40] hagios, saints, refers to wholeness of body soul and spirit - see 1Cor. 1:30 and Rom. 1:7. the word, [2, G161from G164 aichmalōtos, from αἰχμή aichmē, a prisoner of war, the same as G259 ] aichmalotizo, is from (G139 akin to G142) aichme, spear and (G259) halosis, to capture, thus, to arrest (the root word of religion) at spear point. See also John 18:3, "Judas was given a Roman military cohort of about 600 soldiers to accompany him; They came together with temple officers from the chief priests and Pharisees with torches, lanterns and their weapons."
Paul sees captive humanity taken captive in the death, descent into hell and resurrection and ascension of the incarnate Word, the man Jesus Christ. See Psalm 68:18, which Paul quotes in Eph. 4:8, When He ascened up on high, He led captivity captive, and repossessed His gifts in man, in order that even the backsliding, the headstrong, the wayward, the rebellious may rest; or may now inhabit - Oh Jahweh GOD. (The Hebrew word, shakan, means to inhabit.)
In the Septuagint, this Psalm is Ps. 67:19, and reads, anebes eis hupsos, echmaloteusas aichmalosian elabes domata en anthropo - "You ascended on high taking captive captivity and repossessed Your gifts in men." See Eph. 2:6, We are also elevated in His ascension to be equally welcome in the Throne room of the heavenly realm where we are now seated together with Him in His authority. We were born anew in His resurrection. 1Pet. 1:3, Hos. 6:2.
See Mirror Bible for Eph. 4:8 which reads, "Scripture confirms that he led us as trophies in His triumphant procession (seen by and witnessed to by the guards of Mat 27:51-54) on high; He [1] repossessed His gifts (likeness) in human form." Paul quoted from Ps. 68:18, which is verse 19 in the Hebrew text. You ascended on high, You led captivity captive [in Your resurrection from the dead] [1] lakachta mattanoth baadam, You have taken gifts in human form, in Adam. [The gifts which Jesus Christ distributes in us He has received in us, in and by virtue of His incarnation. Commentary by Adam Clarke.) (The Mirror Bible, with editing.)
The LORD willing we should be able to finish this chapter with our next visit. Until then may the LORD confirm within us all the revelation of Christ in you, en us.
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