Rev 13:13-14 | RWP | e4.org | That he should even make fire come down out of heaven ( ινα κα πυρ ποιη εκ του ουρανου καταβαινειν ). Purpose clause again with ινα and the present active subjunctive of ποιεω and the object infinitive of καταβαινω after ποιε . Christ promised great signs to the disciples ( ), but he also warned them against false prophets and false christs with their signs and wonders ( ). So also Paul had pictured the power of the man of sin ( ). Elijah had called down fire from heaven ( ; ) and James and John had once even urged Jesus to do this miracle ( ).

‏ Revelation of John 13:13-14

That he should even make fire come down out of heaven ( ινα κα πυρ ποιη εκ του ουρανου καταβαινειν ). Purpose clause again with ινα and the present active subjunctive of ποιεω and the object infinitive of καταβαινω after ποιε. Christ promised great signs to the disciples (Joh 14:12), but he also warned them against false prophets and false christs with their signs and wonders (Mr 13:22). So also Paul had pictured the power of the man of sin (2Th 2:9). Elijah had called down fire from heaven (1Ki 18:38; 2Ki 1:10) and James and John had once even urged Jesus to do this miracle (Lu 9:54).

And he deceiveth ( κα πλανα ). Present active (dramatic) indicative of πλαναω, the very thing that Jesus had said would happen (Mt 24:24, "So as to lead astray" ωστε πλανασθα, the word used here, if possible the very elect). It is a constant cause for wonder, the gullibility of the public at the hands of new charlatans who continually bob up with their pipe-dreams.

That they should make an image to the beast ( ποιησα εικονα τω θηριω ). Indirect command (this first aorist active infinitive of ποιεω ) after λεγων as in Ac 21:21, not indirect assertion. This "image" ( εικων, for which word see Mt 22:20; Col 1:15) of the emperor could be his head upon a coin (Mr 12:16), an imago painted or woven upon a standard, a bust in metal or stone, a statue, anything that people could be asked to bow down before and worship. This test the priests in the provinces pressed as it was done in Rome itself. The phrase "the image of the beast," occurs ten times in this book (13:14, 15 ter; 14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4). Emperor-worship is the issue and that involves worship of the devil.

The stroke of the sword ( την πληγην της μαχαιρης ). This language can refer to the death of Nero by his own sword.

And lived ( κα εζησεν ). "And he came to life" (ingressive first aorist active indicative of ζαω ). Perhaps a reference to Domitian as a second Nero in his persecution of Christians.