Chapter 13
The Second Beast
1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.
The text will later refer to this beast as the ‘first beast’, but since we were introduced to the “beast that rises from the bottomless pit” in Revelation 11:7, later called the dragon, which is Satan (see also Revelation 9:1-2, 11), this would technically be beast number two. We read that this beast rises out of the sea and has ten horns and seven heads. Each horn is wearing a royal crown and on each head there were blasphemous names. John describes this beast as looking like a leopard with feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion. Satan gives this beast his power, his throne, and his authority.
This beast is similar to the fourth beast that Daniel saw in his night vision that occurs after the emergence of the little horn that displaced three of the initial ten horns in what is believed to be the revived Roman Empire (see Daniel 7:7-8). Having ten horns with diadems infers that they represent royalty or national leaders. The heads had blasphemous names on them, John doesn’t elaborate as they are undoubtedly distasteful, disgusting, and too vile for John to write. In context, they would have been names against God.
Historicists, those that believe that the prophecies in Revelation have been and continue to unfold in history, interpret this beast that comes out of the sea as representing enemies that attack from the sea. Some believe this refers to when the Goths attacked Rome. The problem with Historicism is that the text, especially from chapter thirteen through nineteen can be interpreted in several ways, but in each scenario, the interpretations are too inconsistent to follow any timeline.
3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. 4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”
One of the beast’s heads suffered a wound that was considered to be fatal, but instead of dying, his wound was healed. Everyone on earth saw what had happened and were astonished that the beast survived, so they followed the beast and worshiped the dragon, as he had given the beast authority. They also worshiped the beast and justified their worship by saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” (see also Revelation 17:8) This praise can be viewed in contrast to a similar accolades given to God in the Old Testament, it was often said, “Who is like God,” (or similar, see Exodus 15:11; Psalm 35:10; 71:19; 89:6, 8; 113:5; Micah 7:18), here the praise is offered to someone who appeared to be healed from a mortal wound. Many question whether the wound the beast received was actually mortal, especially since the text doesn’t state that he died, as only God can bring a person to life again. But apparently the appearance was sufficient to convince the world of a miraculous healing. Many believe that the reference to revival after death points to the once dead and long-gone Roman Empire being resurrected and is now back in power again. If Satan is playing the role of ‘god' in his “unholy trinity,” then the beast from the sea (the Antichrist), as one who supposedly died and was resurrected, would be in the role of his son.
The depravity of the people on earth at this time can be seen through their choice of a champion, the person (or personages) they chose to revere and worship. One is none other than Satan himself, which of course has no problem with being worshiped as that fits into his plan for becoming greater than God. Isaiah recorded his words, “I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:13-14) Many believe that Satan is known by many names to prevent people from knowing his true identity. Since Jesus called him the “father of lies” (see John 8:44), we should not be surprised by this kind of deception.[1]
5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.
John notes that this beast was arrogantly slandering God, he also notes that the beast was allowed to rule for forty-two months (three and a half years). Whenever it opened its mouth, it spoke against God and those in heaven (believers). This boasting and blasphemy mirrors what Daniel wrote (see Daniel 7:8, 11, 25).
7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear: 10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
The beast was allowed by God to war against those who became believers after the rapture and were still living on earth, and the beast was victorious against them. The beast was also given authority over all peoples living on earth. And everyone worshiped the beast with the exception of the believers, those that had their name written in the book of life back before time began (see also Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19). Speaking to those believers (the saints), that even though some may be killed during this time, they are to have faith and endure.
This beast is best known by the name theologians and commentators have given it, the ’Antichrist’. Even though the language is gender neutral, it will be clear that this beast is a man, just like the third beast (see also Daniel 7:8, 20).
Considerations
The timing and ‘reign’ duration of the beast that rises from the sea, are often-debated subjects. Based on Daniel 9:27, “And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” (Remember a “half of the week” is three-and-a-half years) this beast will broker a peace treaty (a covenant with the Jews) at the beginning of the Tribulation period that allows the Temple to be rebuilt. But after the three-and-a-half years have passed, this beast breaks the treaty and desecrates the Temple which causes desolation. It is then, at the midpoint of the seven-year Tribulation period, that begins what Jesus called the “Great Tribulation” (see Matthew 24:21, see also Daniel 12:1; Revelation 7:14), and the beginning of the beast’s reign recorded here in this chapter of Revelation (see also Daniel 7:23), which ends three-and-a-half years later with the return of Jesus (see Matthew 24:29-31; Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-27). During this last half of the Tribulation there will be great suffering and a number of believers killed.
The world will unite to bring worship to the beast, those that do not have faith in Jesus, making this truly a “one world religion.” Even though the world today has thousands of beliefs, this beast will bring them all together. This is a stunning turn of events, especially when you consider the stark contrast, here we see a supposed mortal wound that was healed which convinced the world, but when the true Savior was executed and came back to life, the majority of the world rejected Him. What changed? Some say the reason is technology, that it is now easier to send a message around the world,[2] but the reality is that since mankind is sinful by nature, the human heart migrates away from the truth found in the light of Jesus, and heads directly towards darkness (see Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21-23).
The Third Beast
11 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.
The third beast of the unholy trinity is one that rises out of the earth. It appeared to have two horns like a lamb but spoke like a dragon. There is much speculation regarding one beast out of the sea and another out of the earth (land). Some have speculated their backgrounds and countries of origin, there will be more clues to that later (see Revelation 17:9-12). The only thing that is clear is that they are not from heaven.
12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.
While in the presence of the first beast (the first since Satan was thrown out of heaven), this beast is able to exercise the same authority which is ultimately provided by Satan (see verse four). Apparently that authority includes the ability to force people living on earth to worship the Antichrist, the Greek word translated here as ‘makes’ is ‘poiei’,[3] is a strong word that refers to fully make something, to bring to completion. To clarify which beast that was to be worshiped, the identification is made clear as the one whose mortal wound was healed.
13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, 14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
This beast will be later referred to as the “False Prophet” (see Revelation 16:13) and is ‘living up’ to that name here, as he performs great signs (supernatural wonders). He even makes (same Greek word used in verse twelve) fire come down from the sky to earth in front of people. These ’signs’ are to force the attention of people to see that he and the Antichrist are indeed supernatural and therefore deserving of their praise and worship. The signs work as they successfully deceive the people on earth. The False Prophet then tells the people to build an image (Greek ‘eikōn’,[4] a representation of something), likely a statute, of the beast that was wounded by a sword but now lives (the Antichrist). It is interesting to note that verse fourteen reveals that the ‘mortal wound’ inflicted on the Antichrist was done by a sword, perhaps an intentionally failed assignation attempt.
15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.
The False Prophet was allowed to give breath (Greek ‘pneuma’,[5] most often translated ‘spirit’) to the image of the Antichrist, which was then able to speak. Then we read that the image was able to kill anyone who did not worship it[6], reminiscent of Roman Emperor worship. An interesting progression, from being able to speak to having the ability to determine who is and who is not worshiping, and then being able to kill someone. While this image could some form of artificial intelligence, it is not likely some form of simple animatronics (such as a humanoid robot). But since God alone can bring something to life, this is definitely an illusion, another deception. The text reads that the False Prophet was ‘allowed’, being granted the ability to give breath to the image, some believe that this allowance came from God and that the image is truly alive (being the breath or spirit of life, see Revelation 11:11), but that would be a wrong premise. First, we know that such an action is contrary to His nature (which includes Him giving life to only those that could offer Him glory), and secondly, it is contrary to the context of the verse.
16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.
The image has all people, regardless of affluence or influence, to be marked on their right hand or forehead that allows them to buy and sell in the marketplace. Without the mark they will be unable to purchase anything. The mark is identified as being either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Since the beast (the Antichrist) is not identified or named in prophecy, these will only be known after he has risen to power, perhaps at the time of his brokering of a covenant with the Jews. But then there is this challenge we find in the next verse.
18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.
This verse is perhaps the best-known verse in the book of Revelation. The wording, “This calls for wisdom,” has attracted people from a wide variety of backgrounds, ranging from well-educated scholars to arm-chair theologians, to speculate the answer to this riddle. The challenge has been perceived as being able to understand what the ‘calculation’ is, in order to ’crack’ the meaning of the number 666 (a few manuscripts record the number as being 616, but the majority state 666, likely a scribal error). Some try using Gematria, a method that assigns numbers to words, names, or letters. Others use Numerology, a method of using mystical relationships and patterns between numbers and letters, a practice often employed in the occult. But the Bible is clear that the wisdom of man is flawed (see 1 Corinthians 3:19; 2 Corinthians 1:12; James 3:15), any and all wisdom regarding God, especially regarding His Word, comes only from Him (see Romans 11:33; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:8, 17; Colossians 1:9, 28; 2:3; James 1:5; 3:17; 2 Peter 3:15). So, what is the challenge? We are called to be engaged in proclaiming the gospel message (see Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16) and at the same time be paying attention, as we watch for His return (see Matthew 24:42; 25:13; 1 Corinthians 16:13). Do you remember the discussion earlier in the introduction about prediction versus confirmation? The ‘clues’ to this puzzle will be revealed to those watching at the time God reveals them, not before. The answer is not to predict, but to confirm.
It is interesting to note that there is another reference to the number 666 in Scripture, and that is in 1 Kings 10:14 (also restated in 2 Chronicles 9:13) regarding the weight of gold given to Solomon every year. We read, “Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold” (1 Kings 10:14) It is interesting only in that shortly after King Solomon turned away from God and embraced idolatry, the kingdom of Israel split into two kingdoms. Here in Revelation, we see the ultimate ’split’, those that accepted Jesus and those that did not, separated for eternity.
Considerations
One of the greatest debates between theologians and Christians today is about how much supernatural power do angels possess. Looking at Moses’ account of Pharaoh’s magicians (according to Paul they were Jannes and Jambres, see 2 Timothy 3:8) may give us some insight, as Satan and his group of fallen angels were undoubtedly the source of their ‘dark powers’. We see before the series of plagues began, while in front of Pharaoh, Aaron threw down his staff and it turned into a snake, but the magicians were also able to turn their staffs into snakes too (see Exodus 7:10-12). Even though Moses’ snake ate their snakes, leaving no doubt whose power was greater, the question remains, how did they do that? Some have suggested that their staffs were really snakes that were ‘catatonic’, in some form of trance. First of all, that would require foreknowledge that God was going to turn Aaron’s staff into a snake, let alone require some very interesting preparation (both may be possible by angels). Then when the plagues began, starting with turning the water of the Nile River into blood (see Exodus 7:20-22), it was another feat the magicians were able to reproduce (although they were not able to reverse the process, as the Egyptians had to dig for fresh water). Next was the plague of frogs, something again the magicians were able to do (see Exodus 8:6-7). Were these slight-of-hand tricks, smoke and mirrors, or something more sinister? But when the third plague of gnats came upon them, the magicians quickly capitulated and admitted that the plague was indeed by the finger of God (see Exodus 8:18-19). We need to remember that only God can create life, even if it is only a gnat. So how did the magicians ‘pull off’ doing what they did and convince Pharaoh? One can speculate that if an angel can become visible one moment and then instantly disappear, that they can also make something appear out of ‘thin air’ or change into something else. It would not be about creating something, but the ability to selectively make something visible that already existed, making it essentially nothing more than a ‘parlor trick’.
Now fast forwarding to the future event of these supposed miracles in Revelation chapter thirteen, we ask similar questions. Can Satan and the dark angel create life? No. Can they heal sicknesses and other ailments? Only those they had a hand in starting in the first place. But they do have the ability to be invisible and can-do everything God’s angels can (within the allowance of God). Remember that the Bible records that one angel was going to destroy Jerusalem in judgment (see 2 Samuel 24:16), and that a single angel killed 185,000 Assyrian warriors in one night (see 2 Kings 19:35), so we can conclude that angels are indeed more powerful than humans and do possess some supernatural abilities.
Another question that is often asked is, can angels read minds? Do they know our thoughts? There is no evidence to support that they do. The Bible only addresses how God knows everything, including our thoughts (see 1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalm 139:23-24; Jeremiah 12:3; Matthew 9:4; Luke 9:47; 11:17; Acts 15:8; 1 John 3:20) as He is omniscient. But with that said, the same angels have been around for a long time, from the time of creation. They have closely observed human behavior, they know our past (and the past of our ancestors and everyone we know, which is how seances work), through this knowledge they can predict fairly accurate behavioral responses. But they cannot accurately predict the future.
Can we be tempted by Satan and his minions? Yes, while the mechanism of that temptation is not clear or fully understood, we know that we can be inflicted (oppressed, see Luke 13:10-17; Acts 5:1-11) and tempted by these fallen angels. James wrote, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). Temptation can come from our own urges to sin (see Romans 7:15-25; Galatians 5:17), from the world, and from the devil. James offers the best advice to resolve those temptations in the verse that follows, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8) For those inflicted, James later offers, “And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” (James 5:15)
God is a God of order; He is predictable in the sense that He always keeps His promises. He is not capricious and unknowable, as He will not change His mind. Unlike those that when they obtain power become despots, or willing to quickly punish subordinates to teach lessons. Our God is a loving and patient God, punishment and judgment is always His last resort. But since He is a just God, He cannot let sin go unjudged. Both man and fallen angels have this in common, that when in a position of power, everyone is to obey or they will suffer the consequences, making their reign more circus-like than peaceful. Now that God’s law has been fulfilled by Jesus, He accepts repentance and will forgive people’s sin, no fire from heaven is needed. But if not willing to repent then destruction and hell is unavoidable.
The actual mark (Greek ‘charagma’,[7] to engrave), being placed on either the right hand or the forehead, is another highly debated subject. It will be used to separate those that have embraced the reign of Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet. In doing so those people have made a choice to reject God’s plan of salvation through Jesus, and therefore they are condemned for all eternity (see Revelation 14:9-11; 20:4). So, the importance of not taking the mark is extremely important. Since it will be needed to buy and sell, the mark is speculated to either be a form of ‘bar code’ or similar, that allows for personal identification. Some have even speculated that it is some sub-dermal implant. We need to understand that all these ideas are just speculations. Since all believers up to the time of the Tribulation will be raptured, Christians today do not need to be concerned about the mark for themselves, but for unbelievers that is a different issue. That is why evangelism is so important! Some find it interesting that in God in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 taught the Israelites to teach His Word to their children and to ‘bind’ them (His laws) as a sign on their hand and be frontlets between their eyes (forehead). A command that later led to the practice of wearing ‘tefillin’ (a word that is not found in Scripture, unknown origin, also known as phylacteries). While the command was to promote ongoing study of God’s law and His Word in general, it is interesting to note that these same two locations are where the image of the beast demands placement of the mark. It appears that this is yet another unholy trinity imitation of the true God.
In the book of Daniel, we read about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a great statue that depicted four great empires. The last empire is believed to be the Roman Empire which is represented by iron mixed with clay (see Daniel 2:31-45). History does tell us that that after the Roman Empire did fall it became divided into two separate political entities. The western kingdom ruled in Rome and the eastern kingdom ruled in Constantinople. Not only were these two entities separated politically, but they also eventually became divided religiously as well, creating the Eastern Orthodox Church. We are told in Revelation 13:8 that all people on earth will worship the beast, creating a single worldwide religion. Many relate the mortal wound received by the beast to be the reestablishment of the Roman Empire that was once dead but came back to life again, which would then enforce a single religion also from Rome, perhaps utilizing the existing structure of the Roman Catholic Church (see Revelation 17:1-6).
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[1] See “Names of Satan” in the Considerations under Revelation 20:6 for more information.
[2] Interestingly one of the themes of the rock opera “Jesus Christ Superstar,” music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, first performed in 1971.
[3] Strong’s Greek 4160.
[4] Strong’s Greek 1504.
[5] Strong’s Greek 4151.
[6] ESV added the use of ‘might’ in both applications in this verse, not found or implied in the Greek.
[7] Strong’s Greek 5480.