Revelation 13

Summary

 

Revelation 13 describes two symbolic beasts representing political and religious powers that oppose God and persecute His people. The first beast represents a political authority with blasphemous characteristics, and the second beast functions as a deceptive religious figure, leading people to worship the first beast. The chapter highlights the intense spiritual conflict and the persecution faced by believers during a period of tribulation.

 

1. The First Beast from the Sea (Revelation 13:1-10): John sees a beast rising out of the sea with ten horns and seven heads, each with blasphemous names. The beast receives authority from the dragon (Satan) and becomes a powerful political entity. One of its heads appears to have a mortal wound that is healed, leading to awe and worship from the people. The beast utters blasphemies against God and wages war against the saints. It is given authority for 42 months, symbolizing a period of persecution and tribulation.
2. The Second Beast from the Earth (Revelation 13:11-18): Another beast emerges, this time from the earth, with two horns like a lamb but speaks like a dragon. This beast, often identified as the False Prophet, serves the first beast and performs great signs, deceiving people into worshiping the first beast. It establishes an image of the first beast and enforces worship through a mark on people's right hands or foreheads. This mark, known as the mark of the beast, is the number 666.

 

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