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Rev_13:8. καὶ προσκυνήσουσιν αὐτὸν , κ . τ . λ . Notwithstanding à ( αὐτῷ ), undoubtedly the correct reading, αὐτόν , cannot be explained by the reference to the king, of the masc. in which the beast itself, Rev_17:11, appears personified;[3319] for that entirely special idea must be definitely indicated within ch. 13 if without any thing further it is thus to be diverted. The ΑὐΤΌΝ pertains, however, to the chief subject Ὁ ΔΡΆΚΩΝ . The worship of the dragon is here mentioned immediately after the description of the beast, for the same reason as Rev_13:4 in connection with Rev_13:3; the more mightily the instrument of the dragon is presented to the inhabitants of the earth, the more naturally they come to the adoration of that which itself only serves the beast. Corresponding with this is also the future form ΠΡΟΣΚΥΝΉΣΟΥΣΙΝ .[3320] As the activity of the beast, according to its decisive part, still impends,[3321] so also the adoration of the dragon occasioned thereby.
Οὖ Οὐ ΓΈΓΡΑΠΤΑΙ Τ . ὌΝ . ΑὐΤΟῦ . The sing. of the relative,[3322] to which, according to the Hebraic way, the demonstr. is added,[3323] is explained[3324] by the presentation of the details which are comprised in the entire ΚΑΤΟΙΚ . ἘΠῚ Τ . Γ .
ἘΝ Τῶ ΒΙΒΛΊῼ , Κ . Τ . Λ . Without doubt,[3325] the concluding clause ἈΠῸ ΚΑΤΑΒΟΛῆς ΚΌΣΜΟΥ belongs to ΓΈΓΡΑΠΤΑΙ ,[3326] not to the ἘΣΦΑΓΜΈΝΟΥ , as neither the explanation of the eternal predestination of the death of Christ,[3327] nor that of the sufferings of Christ in his people from Abel on,[3328] agrees with the expression and the connection of this passage. The characteristic of the inhabitants of the earth, in contrast with the saints refusing to worship the dragon, contains already, in the most pregnant manner, all the points upon which the patience of the saints expressly emphasized immediately afterwards, Rev_13:10, depends. Those who worship the Lamb slain, of course, must suffer persecution; but just to the Lamb slain belongs the book of life,[3329] in which from eternity the names of believers are written: they, therefore, like the Lamb, conquer by their victory,[3330] and through all ΘΛῖΨΙς pass to the glory of eternal life,[3331] while the enemy, in spite of his temporary victory,[3332] incurs sure judgment. [See Note LXXII., p. 387.]
[3319] Hengstenb.
[3320] Cf., on the other hand, Rev_13:4.
[3321] Cf. Rev_13:7, where it is first given the beast, on God’s part, what it is to do.
[3322] See Critical Notes.
[3323] Rev_3:8, Rev_12:6; Rev_12:14.
[3324] De Wette.
[3325] Cf. Rev_17:8.
[3326] Hammond, Beng., Heinr., Ewald, Züll., De Wette, Hengstenb.
[3327] 1Pe_1:20; Beda, Eichh.
[3328] Cf. C. a Lap.
[3329] Rev_3:5.
[3330] Cf. Rev_3:21.
[3331] Cf. Rev_7:14.
[3332] Rev_13:7.