Changes

The Beast of the Sea appears to the author in a later vision as well, this time as a "scarlet beast" ridden by the [[Whore of Babylon]].<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17|ESV}}</ref>

The Beast of the Sea appears to the author in a later vision as well, this time as a "scarlet beast" ridden by the [[Whore of Babylon]].<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17|ESV}}</ref>

The opening of Revelation implies that the author was sent into exile as part of a persecution of Christians. He finds himself on the island of Patmos, “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|1:9|ESV}}</ref> So the beast may represent the Roman Empire, especially Nero and other emperors who persecuted Christians.<ref name=Oxford>''New Oxford Annotated Bible'' (2010), p. 2154-2155.</ref> The "[[Number of the Beast]]" is given as 666.<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|13:18|ESV}}</ref> When the Greek of the original text is transcribed into Hebrew, this number yields the name of Nero  (''Nerōn Kaisar''). At this time, many Romans expected Nero's return as ''Nero redivivus'' (Nero revived). The indirect mention of Nero suggests a parallel between Nero redivivus legend and the prophecy of the anti-Christ. Revelation is noted for a multi-layered symbolism that lends itself to open-ended interpretation.<ref name="Oxford" />

The opening of Revelation implies that the author was sent into exile as part of a persecution of Christians. He finds himself on the island of Patmos, “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|1:9|ESV}}</ref> So the beast may represent a Roman emperor. This is most likely Nero, who persecuted Christians.<ref name=Oxford>''New Oxford Annotated Bible'' (2010), p. 2154-2155.</ref> The "[[Number of the Beast]]" is given as 666.<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|13:18|ESV}}</ref> When the Greek of the original text is transcribed into Hebrew, this number yields the name of Nero  (''Nerōn Kaisar''). At this time, many Romans expected Nero's return as ''Nero redivivus'' (Nero revived). The indirect mention of Nero suggests a parallel between Nero redivivus legend and the prophecy of the anti-Christ. Revelation is noted for a multi-layered symbolism that lends itself to open-ended interpretation.<ref name="Oxford" />

==References==

==References==

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