The term "death-stroke" is not explicitly found in most English translations of the Bible, but it is often associated with the concept of a fatal wound or a deadly blow, particularly in prophetic and apocalyptic literature. The imagery of a death-stroke is significant in understanding the ultimate defeat of evil and the sovereignty of God over life and death.

Biblical References:

1. Revelation 13:3 : "One of the heads of the beast appeared to be mortally wounded, but the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast." This passage describes a beast with a head that has received a "mortal wound" or "death-stroke," yet it is miraculously healed. This imagery is often interpreted as a representation of the Antichrist or a powerful evil entity that appears to be defeated but is temporarily revived, leading to widespread deception and awe among the people of the earth.

2. Genesis 3:15 : "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." While not using the term "death-stroke," this verse is seen as the protoevangelium, the first gospel, where God declares the ultimate defeat of Satan. The "crushing of the head" signifies a fatal blow to the serpent, symbolizing the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death.

3. Isaiah 53:5 : "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." The suffering servant in Isaiah receives a death-stroke in the form of piercing and crushing, which is understood as a prophecy of Jesus Christ's sacrificial death. This act of atonement is seen as the means by which humanity is healed and reconciled to God.

Theological Significance:

The concept of a death-stroke carries deep theological implications, particularly in the context of the cosmic battle between good and evil. It underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the temporary victories of evil forces. However, it also highlights the ultimate triumph of God, as even a seemingly fatal blow to righteousness is overcome by divine power and purpose.

In Christian eschatology, the death-stroke is a reminder of the temporary nature of evil's apparent victories. The healing of the beast's mortal wound in Revelation is a counterfeit resurrection, contrasting with the true resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has conquered death once and for all. This serves as a warning against deception and a call to remain steadfast in faith.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to recognize the reality of spiritual battles and the deceptive nature of evil. The imagery of the death-stroke serves as a reminder to trust in God's ultimate victory and to remain vigilant against the schemes of the enemy. It also calls Christians to find hope in the resurrection power of Christ, who has delivered the final death-stroke to sin and death through His sacrifice and resurrection.

Death, the Friend
... The Lord of life and death summoned His servant Death, and He came obedient,
but Jesus died not by Death's stroke, but by His own act. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/death the friend.htm

The Preacher and the Enemy
... condemned to death," he would say, "and the sword already lifted to execute the
sentence, and one were to come between, and receive the death-stroke in your ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter lvii the preacher and.htm

Of the Affectionate Languishing of the Heart Wounded with Love.
... Theotimus, if the picture of Abraham holding the death-stroke over his dear
only-begotten, to sacrifice him, a picture drawn by mortal hand, had the power to ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xv of the affectionate.htm

Colossians ii. 6, 7
... the Cross, the dead arose. There death received his wound, having met his
death-stroke from a dead body. And as an athlete, when ...
/.../homily vi colossians ii 6.htm

The Roman Conflagration and the Neronian Persecution.
... is of the seven; and he goeth into perdition;" and 13:3: "And I saw one of his heads
as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 37 the roman conflagration.htm

Daily Bread
... It is when death's stroke has fallen that that sense rises into full, triumphant
bloom. No wonder the disciples felt that their Master lived! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/merriam/the chief end of man/v daily bread.htm

The Apocalypse.
... He was "slain" (committed suicide), and the empire fell into anarchy for two years,
until Vespasian restored it, and so the death-stroke was healed (Rev.13:3 ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 101 the apocalypse.htm

Homilies on Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians.
Homilies on Gal, Eph, Phi, Col, Thess, Tim, Titus, and Philemon. <. ...
/.../homilies on philippians colossians and.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
Commentary on Revelation. <. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

Death-stroke (2 Occurrences)
Death-stroke. Death-shade, Death-stroke. Death-wound . Multi-Version
Concordance Death-stroke (2 Occurrences). Revelation ...
/d/death-stroke.htm - 7k

Stroke (26 Occurrences)
... Revelation 13:3 And 'I saw' one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto
death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the ...
/s/stroke.htm - 16k

Death-shade (16 Occurrences)
Death-shade. Death's, Death-shade. Death-stroke . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(YLT). Death's, Death-shade. Death-stroke . Reference Bible.
/d/death-shade.htm - 10k

Deadly (31 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament we have in Revelation 13:3, 12 the expression "deadly wound"
(Greek thanatos), better "death-stroke," as in the Revised Version (British ...
/d/deadly.htm - 17k

Death-wound (3 Occurrences)
Death-wound. Death-stroke, Death-wound. Debar . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Death-stroke, Death-wound. Debar . Reference Bible.
/d/death-wound.htm - 7k

Smitten (215 Occurrences)
... Revelation 13:3 And 'I saw' one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto
death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the ...
/s/smitten.htm - 38k

Maketh (399 Occurrences)
... sight. And he maketh the earth and them dwell therein to worship the first
beast, whose death-stroke was healed. (ASV YLT). Revelation ...
/m/maketh.htm - 34k

Sight (522 Occurrences)
... sight. And he maketh the earth and them dwell therein to worship the first
beast, whose death-stroke was healed. (ASV). Revelation ...
/s/sight.htm - 37k

Nero
... Bousset (Commentary) regards the beast of Revelation 13 as Rome, and the smitten
head whose "deathstroke was healed" as Nero, and some scholars take Revelation ...
/n/nero.htm - 41k

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