Revelation 13
Revelation 13 introduces a vision of two symbolic beings: the beast that comes up out of the sea (verses 1–10) and another beast that comes up out of the land (verses 11–18). This chapter describes how the forces of evil influence the world, and how the saints should respond.
1verseThen I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names.
2verseThe beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
3verseOne of his heads looked like it had been wounded fatally. His fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled at the beast.
4verseThey worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
5verseA mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him.
6verseHe opened his mouth for blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, his dwelling, and those who dwell in heaven.
7verseIt was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him.
8verseAll who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed.
9verseIf anyone has an ear, let him hear.
10verseIf anyone is to go into captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.
11verseI saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.
12verseHe exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
13verseHe performs great signs, even making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people.
14verseHe deceives my own people who dwell on the earth because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast, saying to those who dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast who had the sword wound and lived.
15verseIt was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as many as wouldn’t worship the image of the beast to be killed.
16verseHe causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands or on their foreheads;
17verseand that no one would be able to buy or to sell unless he has that mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
18verseHere is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.
The Beast from the Sea (Verses 1–10)
The first beast has ten horns and seven heads and receives authority from the dragon (Satan). It deceives people of many nations, peoples, and individuals, insults what is sacred, and persecutes God’s people. However, the activities of this beast are restricted only within the permission of God.
The Beast from the Land (Verses 11–18)
The second beast has two horns like a lamb, yet it speaks like a dragon. This symbolizes a false appearance and deceit, and lures people into worshiping the first beast that came from the sea. This beast performs miracles, causes an image of the beast to be made, and has everyone receive a mark (666). This mark is related to the name of the beast and its number.
Meditation Points
- Do you recognize that various forces exist in the world that attack and deceive faith?
- Is spiritual sensitivity to distinguish truth from falsehood established in my life?
- How do the patience and faith required of the saints show themselves in my life of faith?
Try Applying It to Me
- When the large and small temptations and pressures I face today shake my faith, what should I hold on to?
- Let us renew our resolve to live without forgetting that we are with Jesus and with God’s people, even as times and circumstances change.