Revelation 13:1-18
 The Beast and the Antichrist

Chapter 13 of John’s Revelation concludes the presentation of the seven persons or personages that were introduced in chapter 13. In this chapter we are presented with the beast out of the sea, and the beast out of the earth. As John is seeking to minister to a generation of Christians who have known nothing but encouragement, he reveals what he has learned about how this world relates and will relate to God. He describes a world where Satan is in authority, and in this chapter we will see that authority exercised first through the world governments, and second through a world leader who, though will appear attractive to the world, will be given Satan’s authority to wreak havoc on it. However, John’s message still retains the encouragement that this evil influence over the world is only for a time. God’s plan includes closing the age with the destruction of the evil, and the reward of the faithful.

With the presentation of these last two persons, we find, as some have conjectured, an evil trinity that stands against the sacred trinity. In the place of the Holy Father, Son and Spirit, we are introduced to the unholy Satan, Antichrist, and the evil spirit of this world.

Rev 13:1.

And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

We see here the vision of the first of the two beasts. The sea, when used in apocalyptic literature, usually refers to the sea of the world’s peoples. Who is standing in the forefront of the world’s peoples? (The dragon, Satan.) What does this imply? (Satan’s power over the world’s people.) To rise out of the sea means to rise from the peoples of the world, not out of water. Where does the beast rise from? (The sea.) So, the beast rises out of the world’s people, not out of water.

The Jews were in fear of the Mediterranean Sea, because to face the sea was to face the oncoming Roman Empire, so the use of the sea is a suitable illustration to describe the arrival of Satan's power.

A more literal identity of the beast is given in Rev. 17: 9 - 12:

Rev 17:9-12. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth. ¹⁰And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. ¹¹And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. ¹²And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. ¹³These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

Here John describes those heads and horns as world leaders, or kings. They represent the worldly political authority which is, evidently, totally submitted to the authority of Satan. Do not forget that the imagery which is described here does not refer to literal objects, but is rather an allegorical description of the properties of those real objects and authorities to which they refer. We now see clearly that when John has been referring to a beast with heads and horns he is referring not to a physical monster in the style of Godzilla, but rather a description of actual world powers and spiritual powers combined. Their properties are combined and described as the seven headed monster with ten horns.

What does it mean for each head to have a blasphemous name? A "name" is representative of the character of that which is named. That is, the world authorities that are represented as the beast from the sea has a character of blasphemy. What is blasphemy? The word itself is taken directly from the Greek, and means to speak in a reviling manner. When used in the sacred context, it includes words, attitudes, and actions that are exercised against the Kingdom of God. Some have argued that blasphemy is the unpardonable sin, but that is quite an impossible assessment, since even the faithful are often blasphemous. The only sin that God cannot forgive is the total and complete rejection of Him. This is the person who dies lost.

This last phrase give us no doubt that the beast that came out of the sea is under the authority of Satan. John is describing a world where the governmental authorities are under Satan’s power, not under God’s.

Is America "One nation under God," or "One nation under Satan?" There is a lot of Godly influence in our country, As bad as the character of this country may appear, imagine if there was no influence placed on it by Christians. Satan is certainly, as these verses show, prince of this world. However, we as Christians must pray and act to influence this world, as salt and light, in every opportunity that we have to do so. The phrase "One nation under God" was established by a pastor of First Baptist Church, Little Falls, NY. The scriptural description of the world governments is quite different.

Rev 13:2.

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

With an understanding that the beast represents the ungodly world governments, consider John’s description of that beast. Many have tried to assign the leopard, bear, and lion to specific nationalities. If we maintain our use of apocalyptic symbolism, we are drawn to see what characteristics of the world governments that we might find in these three animals.

What would it mean to resemble a leopard? Even today we see a leopard as being independent, beautiful, and deadly. The leopard stalks its prey from places of hiding, and is seen by its prey only when it is too late for survival. The leopard was greatly feared by the readers of John’s Revelation.

The next description is not of a bear, but rather of feet. We see feet that are like that of a bear. What would go through your mind if you are wandering alone in the woods, and you looked down and saw the fresh footprint of a large grizzly bear. You would probably be first impressed by its size, and the size of the beast that produced it. If you had any sense, you would be afraid because you are well-aware of the danger that this footprint represents. The readers would also see the footprint identifying mobility and the power to trample. Because of this some dispensationalists think that the beast literally refers to the Roman government. However, the thesis represented here takes the definition wider, referring to world-wide governmental powers that are under Satan’s power.

The last of these three attributes of the beast that of the mouth of a lion. When apocalyptic literature refers to the mouth, to what is that symbolism actually referring? It is from the mouth that words are spoken, and words have creative power. If the beast’s mouth was like a kitten, we would have little reason for concern. However, the loudest beast in the forest is the roaring lion, and this beast roars like a lion.

Rev. 13:3.

And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

According to some, the individual heads of the beast may represent the individual governments that are the largest and most influential in the world. The implication here is that one of the governments seemed to have fallen, but its restoration amazes the world. If we make the error of trying to pin this description on a specific nation, we might consider, as most have, the Roman Empire. This obvious nemesis of the early Jewish and Christian people fell as a world empire, but the flames of that empire still burn in Rome. Lately, some have considered this to be communism, though probably as misguided as the Roman theory, it is probably closer to the intent of scripture, since communism is an evil governmental system rather than a specific regime. Communism is still alive and well in several nations of the world.

The statement here is literally slain and restored to life. The Greek form is the same as that used to describe the resurrection of Jesus. This causes many to identify the beast as the Anti-Christ. However, references to the second beast (Vs 11-18) tend to be more descriptive of this part of the satanic trinity.

Rev 13:4.

And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Again, we see the three and one-half years period, the period of the reign of the antichrist. Men worshipped Satan. All people either give allegiance to God, or not. Those who do not, by default, are giving allegiance to Satan by listening to his lies concerning the truth of the Gospel. John is describing a world where the unfaithful give their allegiance to the wicked powers of the nations. That is quite descriptive of society in John’s time, as well as it is now. People will find their security in their powerful governments. The independent nature of the American psyche is not lost on the European and Asian culture. These cultures often seek firm and powerful leadership, and firmly stand behind their leaders. The ability of Alexander Putin to rise to the highest position of power in Russia is an indication of this. The success of some of the most despicable world leaders is indicative of this: Domitian, Mussolini, Stalin, Hitler, Zedong. George Santayana stated, "Those who are ignorant of history are destined to repeat it." Unfortunately, as long as people give leaders dictatorial power history will repeat, and will do so until the end of the age.

Rev. 13:5-6.

And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. ⁶And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

Again, John reminds persecuted believers that the ungodly powers exercised by the worldly powers will not last forever. God has given them a short time to reign while He works his plan in mankind. In the end, they will be destroyed, and the faithful will be brought to peace.

Again, note that the power of the beast is only in his mouth. Satan only has the power to give people moral choice, and his purpose is to turn people away from God by his lies concerning the truth of God’s word. The beast is joining Satan in this authority to mislead and misdirect people. It is this weapon that Satan wields, and it is the one that will ultimately lead most of the world’s people to ultimate destruction. For each of these, Satan wins.

Note that Satan’s attack is against all of God’s kingdom. His slander is directed against God, the place where he reigns, and against those who are faithful to him. Likewise, we can expect the governments of this world to do the same thing. Even in our own generation, after 200 years of American government, the official policy of this administration is that this is not a Christian nation.

It is also notable that in our own nation, official attacks against religion only involve one group: Christians. This does not necessarily imply that we are in the last days, but certainly scripture identifies that the world will focus its blasphemy against the one, true God.

Rev 13:7-8.

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. ⁸And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Who do the people of the world give power to wage war? (Their government.) Though Christians are not treated as the mortal enemy of the American government, we are moving ever in that direction. God’s influence through groups such as the Christian Coalition, Focus on the Family, and other politically active fundamental Christian groups has played a large part in stemming the tide against the church in this country. Officials seeking election to high office cannot ignore the influence of the Christians of America, and that sensitivity is at the greatest point in recent history. However, war is being waged against Christianity by other governments, including Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq. More Christians have been martyred in these countries in the last millennium than have been martyred in the first 1900 since Christ’s death.

Again, John is writing a message of truth and encouragement. The martyrdom of the Saints is a part of the battle for the soul that Satan is so intensely engaged in. Since Satan cannot directly destroy a Christian, he exercises that destruction through the beast. It is through the beast that Satan does his work. It is through worldly ideologies and social influence that people are led away from God and destroyed. It is through worldly ideologies and social influences that Christians are persecuted. The person of the beast is to Satan as the person of the Holy Spirit is to God, since it is through the Holy Spirit that God does His work.

Worshiping the beast, or giving authority to the ideologies and powers of this world is to worship Satan.

Rev 13:9-10.

If any man have an ear, let him hear. ¹⁰He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Loyal endurance will win through the coming persecution. But even those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life must endure martyrdom. By recognizing even the pain of martyrdom as the will of God for them the saints show their patience and prove their faith.

Rev 13:11.

And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

The final person of the unholy trinity is introduced here. It is he who is allegorical to the position in the Holy Trinity held by Christ. However, this beast has no intrinsic power, and is only a puppet of the dragon. Note that this beast does not come out of heaven, nor out of the sea, but from the earth. The implication here may be that he is born of man, and represents a person. Also the allegory to the Holy Trinity also implies that this is a person, since the description of him that follows describes him as the antithesis of Christ, the Antichrist.

He is also called the False Prophet in 16:13, 19:20, 20:10. Also, the source of his coming is the earth. He is not one cast down from heaven, but rather an agent of Satan's power selected from the mass of lost humanity. Since he is born human but carries the power of Satan, he is refereed to as the Anti-Christ. He is the father of lies (Jn 8:44).

He looks like a lamb. The horns of the lamb provide the image of the power of the lamb, or one who is gentle-spirited. However, as Satan’s agent, he speaks like the dragon from which he comes, and will "lead many astray" as a dragon in sheep's clothing.(Mat 7:15.)

Rev 13:12-14.

And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. ¹³And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, ¹⁴And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

The dragon, Satan, has given his authority to the second beast., the Antichrist, in order to rule over the first beast, the world governmental systems. This is where the concept of a "one-world-government" and a single world leader comes from. Such an interpretation caused many to declare the United Nations to be the beast, and its secretary the Antichrist. Predictions of one world government, whether brought together militarily or ideologically, strikes concern in the hearts of those who have a literal interpretation of these verses.

The great and miraculous signs given to the Antichrist to perform place him on the same par with Jesus. The calling down of fire from heaven reminds us of the prophet Elijah. Because of these demonstrations, the Antichrist is given authority over all of the world, and as a result the antichrist brings the people together to honor the world government that is clearly a fabrication of Satan.

Rev. 13:15.

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

This is not unlike what we have seen in history. The government, under the leadership of the Antichrist, is empowered to act, and it can create its own word. Taking on a life of its own, it will rise to the point of martyring the Saints. We see a similar occurrence in the genocide of the Jews under Hitler. The difference here is that the persecution is world-wide.

Rev. 13:16-18.

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: ¹⁷And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. ¹⁸Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Those who do worship the beast are marked with the number of the beast and those who are not so marked are liable to a sort of commercial boycott. Note that those whose names are written in the lamb's book of life already have the seal on their foreheads or hands. They will suffer martyrdom.

Some consider the second beast to be the imperial priesthood of Rome, wearing two horns, these priests demanded worship of the emperor and demanded those who refused be put to death. Only Roman citizens were given full rights to buy, sell, hold jobs, etc. (Writings of Pliny the Younger)

Much dialog has been expended upon the number, 666. Dispensational amillenialists attribute this to be the description of Nero Caesar. When his name is written in Hebrew, and their numeric values applied, the sum is 666. Note that John also describes it as a number fitting a man. Some others argue that three-fold 6 is a completely continual falling short of the perfect number 7. According to Irenaeus, 666 is the total number of years the Jews were in an apostate form during the previous 6000 years. According to Marcus, the letters of the name Jesus add up to 888 which represents beyond perfection, so 666 means short of perfection.

Certainly, numerology plays a great part in the application of the number 666. Six is used to represent that which is short of perfection, and as such represents sin. Repeated three times, such a number is made complete, so we are looking at complete sin, complete depravity. Those who worship the beast are characterized by complete depravity in their soul. John is telling persecuted Christians that those who are doing the persecuting, who seem to live such rich and powerful lives, are indeed completely depraved and outside of the will of God.

It is clear that the Antichrist will exercise his unholy power to persecute Christians, and the period of his reign is three and one-half years, or a time that has an end, one that is apportioned by God for His ultimate purpose. God calls upon the faithful to be patient and bear the persecution, depending upon Him for deliverance. Martyrdom and persecution may be seen by the world as a defeat of God’s kingdom, but in reality it is a victory for Christ, further driving Satan away from God, and bringing the faithful closer to Him.

What part are we, as Christians, to play in this unfolding drama? As salt and light in this world, we oppose Satan by continuing to give testimony to the truth throughout the world so that through us people hear the truth and be set free of the power of the dragon.