Revelation 13:8

Shall worship him (proskunhsousin auton). Future active of proskunew with the accusative here as some MSS. in Revelation 13:4 (to qhrion), both constructions in this book. Whose (ou--autou). Redundant use of genitive autou (his) with ou (whose) as common in this book, and singular instead of plural wn with antecedent pante (all, plural), thus calling attention to the responsibility of the individual in emperor-worship. Hath not been written (ou gegraptai). Perfect passive indicative of grapw, permanent state, stands written. In the book of life of the Lamb (en twi bibliwi th zwh tou arniou). See Revelation 3:5 for this phrase and the O.T. references. It occurs again in Revelation 17:8 ; Rev 20:12 Rev 20:15 ; Revelation 21:27 . "Here and in Revelation 21:27 , the Divine Register is represented as belonging to 'the Lamb that was slain'" (Swete). That hath been slain from the foundation of the world (tou espagmenou (for which see Revelation 5:6 ) apo katabolh kosmou). For the phrase apo katabolh kosmou (not in the LXX) there are six other N.T. uses ( Matthew 13:35 without kosmou; Matthew 25:34 ; Luke 11:50 ; Hebrews 4:3 ; Hebrews 9:26 ; Revelation 17:8 ), and for pro katabolh kosmou three ( John 17:24 ; Ephesians 1:4 ; 1 Peter 1:20 ). It is doubtful here whether it is to be taken with tou espagmenou (cf. 1 Peter 1:20 ) or with gegraptai as in Revelation 17:8 . Either makes sense, and here the most natural use is with espagmenou. At any rate the death of Christ lies in the purpose of God, as in John 3:16 .