The Beast from the Sea
The first beast is the second member of...
The first beast is the second member of the evil trinity (see study note on 12:18–13:18) and should probably be identified with Roman power (see “Four World Empires” Theme Note).
1Then I saw a beast with ten horns and seven heads rising out of the sea. There were ten royal crowns on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
3One of the heads of the beast appeared to have been mortally wounded. But the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast. 4They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?”
The four characteristics of the beast are that...
The four characteristics of the beast are that he (1) blasphemes God, (2) has authority for a limited time, (3) makes war against God’s people, and (4) rules the world. But God is in control.
5The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for 42 months. 6And the beast opened its mouth to speak blasphemies against God and to slander His name and His tabernacle—those who dwell in heaven.
7Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation. 8And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.†
The scene (13:1–10) ends with a dramatic conclusion...
The scene (13:1–10) ends with a dramatic conclusion patterned on Jer 15:2; 43:11. Anyone with ears to hear must pay attention, because judgment is coming (cp. Rev 2:7, 11, 17).
9He who has an ear, let him hear:
10“If anyone is destined for captivity,into captivity he will go;if anyone is to die† by the sword,by the sword he must be killed.”†Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints.
The Beast from the Earth
another beast: This second beast, the third member...
another beast: This second beast, the third member of the evil trinity (see study note on 12:18–13:18), is later called the “false prophet” (16:13). As a high priest of false religion, he leads the world into worshiping the first beast and the dragon (see also 16:13–14).
11Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon.
The second beast derives its power from the...
The second beast derives its power from the first beast, which in turn answers to the dragon (13:4).
12And this beast exercised all the authority of the first beast and caused the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed.
In New Testament times, false prophets astounded people...
In New Testament times, false prophets astounded people with reports of divine visitations and of idols speaking for the gods they represented (see Acts 16:16–18; 1 Cor 12:2–3). Such practices involved worship of demons (see 1 Cor 10:20–21) and were epitomized in the Roman emperor cult. Those who refused to conform were put to death.
13And the second beast performed great signs, even causing fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people.
he was allowed.... He was then permitted: God...
he was allowed. . . . He was then permitted: God never relinquishes ultimate authority. These creatures of evil have been allowed to rebel against God, but they are not in control.
14Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived. 15The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed.
The Mark of the Beast
small and great, rich and poor, free and...
- small and great, rich and poor, free and slave: All humanity is required to accept the beast’s evil mark of ownership (see 14:9, 11; 19:20; 20:4), a precondition for all commerce (the right to buy or sell). The text does not explicitly tell us what the mark is or looks like.
- On the right hand or on the forehead suggests the branding of slaves—the beast owns them.
- the number representing his name: In both Hebrew and Greek, letters of the alphabet represent numbers, which gave names a numerical value (13:18).
16And the second beast required all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark—the name of the beast or the number of its name.
18Here is a call for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and that number is 666.†