Because the earth (“ge” – G1093) wondered over the beast’s return to power, they worshiped the dragon (Revelation 12:3-4, 9), whom they believed had caused it to occur (Revelation 13:4). What needs to be kept in mind is that the Greek word for world (G1093) in the KJV is translated so, only here in Revelation 13:4. Everywhere else in the New Covenant Scriptures (242 other occurrences) the Greek word, ge (G1093), is translated earth, land, ground or country (in the KJV). So, it isn’t the world, per se, that “wondered after the beast” but rather the citizens of the land—the Jews. They wondered after the beast and ended up worshiping the dragon for giving the beast its authority.
The beast was given authority (G1849) or judicial power, i.e. the kind of power a people need to be recognized as a legitimate nation. For example, in the history of the United States, the southern states seceded from the Union. The northern states took the position that the South didn’t have that authority, and the war that developed over the question of independence empowered the position taken by the North, and the South was forced to submit to the Union once again. The states had power to govern its citizens, but not independently from the Union. On the other hand, and in the context of Revelation 13, Caesar gave the beast its power (G1849 – verse 4) to become a governing body within one of Rome’s provinces, but friendly to the Empire of Rome, but independent enough and able enough to pursue its own goals (religious pursuits, local government, etc.).
The earth, or the citizens of that country (the land of the Jews) worshiped the beast. Their worship took the form of the words “who is like the beast” and “who is able to make war with him” (Revelation 13:4). The sense seems to have more to do with challenging the ruling party over a specific matter. For example, before Albinus, the Roman procurator, was able to officially replace Porscius Festus, who died, while in office, the high priest, Ananias, son of Annas, had James the brother of the Lord killed along with several other important people. Some citizens complained to Albinus over the injustice done, and he promised vindication, but Albinus accepted bribes from the high priest and nothing was ever done to punish Ananias for his crimes.[1]
Similarly, the Apostles may have complained to the Roman authorities over the injustices done immediately following the stoning of Stephen. However, although the reigning high priest, Caiaphas, was replaced, he was replaced with Jonathan, his brother-in-law and son of Annas. So, what was really accomplished? More complaints may have been put to the Roman authorities over the ongoing persecution under Jonathan’s leadership, but, although Jonathan was replaced, he was replaced with his brother, Theophilus. So, once more, what was really accomplished in favor of the persecuted believers? The beast seemed to be able to operate at will, doing whatever he desired to do.[2]
Notice that a mouth was given the beast, according to Revelation 13:5, but didn’t the beast already have a mouth (Revelation 13:2)? Revelation 13:5 tells us that the mouth of the beast uttered ‘great’ things or ‘loud’ things (G3173). In other words, he made sure he was heard in the things he uttered. Moreover, the mouth uttered blasphemies (G988). The basic meaning of the word is to slander someone, and this could be God or man. To slander God is to blaspheme, and to slander man is to speak evil of him (cf. Ephesians 4:31).
According to Revelation 13:5, the mouth had authority to “continue” (G4160) for 42 months. When speaking of God, poieo (G4160) concerns his creative power (Matthew 19:4). When speaking of man, it concerns our doing good or doing evil works (Mark 3:4). I don’t believe we are intended to understand that the beast existed for only 42 months, but, rather, this points to a special time during the beast’s long season of “life” or existence. I believe it represents the climatic period in which he did his most terrible deeds. For example, 42 months is the same as saying 3 ½ years, but the text says 42 months. The beast is apostate Jerusalem (or Israel) and the number 42 points to unbelief and rebellion. It is the number of places unbelieving Israel camped in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land (cf. Numbers 33). The whole period of time, from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in the autumn of 27 AD to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple by the Romans in 70 AD the Jews were in a state of unbelief and rebellion against God, a little over 42 years.
However, I believe the climax of the poieo (G4160) of the beast was the killing off of the leadership of the disciples of Christ. During a period of 3 ½ years or cir. 62 AD (63) to 66 AD James, the brother of the Lord was slain at Jerusalem, and the Apostles Peter and Paul were slain, we think in Rome, and probably other leaders like Luke, Barnabas etc., because we hear nothing of these men later. This work or these deeds (G4160) of the beast were done in approximately a period of 3 ½ years or 42 months. This was also the time in which James, Peter, John and Jude wrote their epistles, and when Paul wrote what has become known as his prison epistles. Seen in this light, it was a time of celebration for the beast, when he slew the witnesses of Christ (Revelation 11:7-10).[3]
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[1] Josephus: Antiquities of the Jews 20.9.1-2.
[2] Josephus: Antiquities of the Jews, 18.4.3 and 18.5.3.
[3] See my study: Who Are the Two Witnesses.
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