The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament (304 page)

13:11 another beast:
A land beast as distinct from the sea beast of 13:1. Because its power is used to promote false worship (13:12), most think that it represents a religious entity subordinate to the secular State embodied in the first beast. It is identified differently by different scholars.
(1)
Those who date Revelation in the 60s tend to identify this beast with the religious leadership of Israel centered in Jerusalem. This is the priestly and juridical body that rejected the kingship of Christ and pledged its allegiance to Caesar (Jn 19:15). Thereafter it was primarily Jewish leaders who aroused opposition against the early Christians and accused them before Roman authorities (Rev 2:9; 3:9; Acts 14:2; 17:5-7; 18:12-13; 24:9; 25:1-7, 24). Also, the land beast is later called a "false prophet" (Rev 16:13; 19:20; 20:10). This may be significant in light of Jesus' warning that false prophets would arise to deceive and perform signs in the days before Jerusalem's doom (compare Rev 13:1314 with Mt 24:11, 24).
(2)
Those who date the book in the 90s identify the land beast with the custodians of Roman civil religion, specifically, the cult of the emperors. Its basis was the deification of the Roman Caesars, to whom temples were dedicated and whose images were placed throughout the Empire. Loyalty to the divine ruler was expressed by worship, with each citizen making a small offering of wine and incense before the ruler's statue. Refusal to participate was not only frowned upon but was gradually regarded as a punishable crime. History shows that Christians were faced with this option of religious apostasy or Roman punishment from at least the second century
A.D.
(Pliny the Younger,
Epistles
10, 96). 
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13:13 great signs:
The land beast is empowered to dazzle the wicked with displays of its power (cf. 2 Thess 2:910).
fire
 . . .
from heaven:
A demonic replication of the miracles of Elijah (1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 1:10-14). 
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13:14 an image:
An idol to be worshiped. • Allusion is made to Dan 3:1-7, where King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon erected a colossal image and decreed that all must bow in worship before the idol under pain of death. The pious Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego became protomartyrs when they refused and were cast into the fiery furnace (Dan 3:8-23). 
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13:17 the mark:
A sign of apostasy. By demanding the mark, the beast forces believers to choose between prosperity and poverty, material wealth and martyrdom. It is uncertain what historical circumstances underlie this description. However, standard coinage minted in Tyre and used throughout Syria-Palestine was discontinued in the late 50s, eventually passing out of circulation. In its place, new coins were minted in Antioch with an image of Emperor Nero (
See note on Rev 13:18
). This may in part explain "buying and selling" in connection with "the beast", especially since the Greek term for "mark" can refer to an image struck on a coin. 
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13:18 six hundred and sixty-six:
A number directly linked with the "name" of the beast (13:17). It is probably a cryptogram for Nero Caesar, whose name written in Hebrew adds up to 666. Interestingly, when the Greek word for "beast" is written in Hebrew letters, it too adds up to 666. A few ancient manuscripts list the number as 616, which is the value of Nero's name according to its Latin spelling. In any case, describing Nero as the beast is entirely apt: he was a man of exceeding cruelty and moral depravity and was the first emperor to order a bloody persecution of Christians (Tacitus,
Annals
15, 44). See notes on Rev 13:3 and 17:10. • The numeral 666 appears in the Bible only here and in connection with Solomon, who received 666 talents of gold in a single year (1 Kings 10:14; 2 Chron 9:13). This was the beginning of Solomon's end, for his wealth turned him away from the Lord. Solomon typifies the beast to the extent that he allowed material prosperity to corrupt the People of God. 
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14:1 Mount Zion:
The heavenly summit crowned with the heavenly Jerusalem (21:2). The earthly Zion, where the historical city of Jerusalem was first made an Israelite settlement (2 Sam 5:7), is a visible model of this celestial height (Gal 4:26; Heb 12:22). • Zion looms large in the OT as the focal point of Israel's brightest hopes for the future. It is the glorified city and mountain where the redeemed will be gathered to the Lord (Is 4:2-6; Joel 3:17; Obad 21; Mic 4:1-7). John's vision of a remnant without a "lie" in their mouths (Rev 14:5) connects directly with this tradition (Zeph 3:11-13).
hundred and forty-four thousand:
The faithful of Israel sealed on their foreheads.
See note on Rev 7:4
.
his name . . . Father's name:
In contrast to the numerical name of the beast branded on the foreheads of the wicked (13:16-17) (CCC 2159). 
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14:2 harps:
Traditional accompaniment for liturgical song (Ps 33:2). 
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14:3 a new song:
A song of praise that celebrates the salvation of God.
See note on Rev 5:9
. 
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14:4 they are chaste:
Literally, "they are virgins." This probably has two levels of meaning.
(1)
The assembly is made up of celibate men whose
bodies
have never been given to women.
(2)
The assembly is made up of holy men whose
souls
have not been defiled by the impurities of the harlot city (17:1-6; 18:3) (CCC 1618-19). • "The Lamb walks the way of virginity. Follow him there, you virgins, for on this count you follow him wherever he goes. . . . The masses of the faithful, unable to follow the Lamb to this blessing, will rejoice with you; but they will not be able to sing that new song which is for you alone" (St. Augustine,
On Holy Virginity
29). 
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14:6 another angel flying in midheaven:
Seven angels have already been described in chaps. 8-10. The first flying in midheaven appears in 8:13 as an eagle.
eternal gospel:
The invitation to fear and worship the one true God, the Creator of all (14:7). It is a call for the followers of the beast to abandon their idols before judgment falls (14:18). 
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14:8 Babylon:
The ancient city and superpower of Mesopotamia built along the Euphrates River (modern Iraq). It was infamous for its moral decadence and is remembered in Scripture as the blasphemous power that destroyed Jerusalem in the sixth century
B.C.
See essay:
Who is Babylon?
at Rev 18. • Proclamation that Babylon has fallen draws from Is 21:9 and Jer 51:7-8 and anticipates the vision in Rev 18:124. As in these oracles, the angel speaks of something about to happen (prophecy) as if it were already accomplished (past history). 
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14:10 cup of his anger:
The wicked will be forced to drink God's wrath like bitter wine from a cup (Ps 75:8; Is 51:17; Jer 25:15).
fire and brimstone:
An advance glimpse of the lake of fire and sulfur that burns eternally (20:10). • The damnation of the godless evokes memories of the fiery destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19:24; Ps 11:6). 
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