Scriptural Preparation Revelation 13:11–18 James 3:13–18
Lesson Commentary
We have established that the beast pictured in Revelation 13:1–10 symbolizes the authoritarian power to be found at the end of time. However, many questions remain. For example: How could anyone obtain so much power so quickly? What kind of force would be needed to subjugate the millions of people who inhabit the world? Why are men not able to see that this beast will lead them into ruin? The remainder of Revelation 13 shows the answer to these questions and others. John watched the first beast come up out of the sea. Now he sees a second beast. But this new beast comes up out of the earth. Is it possible to compare this creature with the preceding wild beast? It does not have the outward look of monstrous cruelty which the first beast had. Instead, this one looks innocent. Rather than having ten horns like the first beast, this beast has only two horns which resemble those of a lamb. From its outward appearance there is no need to be afraid of it. But his appearance is deceiving, for John hears it speak. It’s the voice of the dragon, the devil (Rev. 12:9). The beast is betrayed by his speech. Indeed, it’s Satan in a new garb. This beast is the false prophet of Revelation 13:13–14. Its function is to persuade men, not to battle with them with swords. He is the representative of all false religions and is thus Satan’s ally. Notice how the devil repeats the same theme of deception throughout all of history: to Adam and Eve, to Lot, to Israel, to the Pharisees, to the New Testament Church, and even to us. The two beasts pictured in this chapter will work together because they have the same ultimate goal in mind. They both are enemies of Christ and of His people.
The false prophet will deceive and exercise all of the authority of the first beast and is its prophet. He will demand that all men, including Christians, worship the first beast, worship the state, and worship power. In doing so, he proclaims the state to be god. In addition, to establish and demonstrate his credibility, the new beast performs pseudo-miracles and causes fire to come down out of the heavens. To make devotion more real, he causes an image of the first beast to be made and commands all of mankind to worship it.1 He also seems to give life to the image so that it speaks. What power! Who would not stand in awe of the power of this second beast? It appears as though he is god, but he is not. It is no wonder that he demands death for all who refuse to bow down and worship the image of the first beast. Once more, does this not remind you of the story of Nebuchadnezzar, his idol, and his threats?
The false prophet is not satisfied with the religious veneration given to the first beast; he wants more. In true authoritarian fashion he lays claim to all of life. He extols the values of humanism and materialism as the focus for our existence. Having caused men to worship the beast, he now demands complete allegiance in the economic realm. No one may conduct any business without first having the mark of the beast. This mark is to be placed either on the right hand or on the forehead of everyone. Notice the significance of the places where the mark is placed. The right hand is, for most people, their hand of power and strength. The forehead represents the mind. Together they represent total devotion and service to the beast. Notice also that the beast has usurped the Christians’ mark of devotion and faithfulness to God by replacing it with a mark of his own for his followers (Rev. 14:1). With this action the beast has claimed and put his stamp on everyone’s life. That mark is a number, 666. The number represents man three times over. But no matter how many 6s are added, he cannot use number 7. It belongs to God! The false prophet has demanded and acquired total allegiance from his subjects who have submitted to him with devotion. It’s a complete revolt against God. But remember, he is not God, as he claims. He is still a man. Therefore, he will not succeed. He will fall short in the end.
Indeed, this paints a dark picture for the future of the Church. It appears as though the devil himself has been able to usurp the Lord’s throne. Yet, there are some glimmerings of light. We need to remember, as we read in this chapter, that “it was given him” (the devil) to do certain things. God permitted the beasts to do the things recorded here. The beasts thought they were in control, but they were not. They tried to imitate the Lamb, but they were not the Lamb. Although they were powerful imposters, in the end they will be defeated by the Lamb. We must remember the Lamb’s promise found in Matthew 16:18, “I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” The Almighty God still reigns!
Searching Scripture
Revelation 13:11–18
1. Describe the relationship between the beast of the earth and the beast of the sea. (vv. 12, 14–15)
2. What does verse 11 tell us about this beast?
3. How is it related to Matthew 7:15 and Revelation 11:7; 19:20?
4. What else do you learn about him from verse 13 and 1 Kings 18:38?
5. What do you find in these verses that indicates that this beast has a definite religious task?
6. What do you understand by “the name of the beast, or the number of his name”?
7. Why would one commentator speak of the beast as a parody of Christ, and another speak of the fire from heaven (v. 13) as a parody of the Holy Spirit?
James 3:13–18
How do these words from James fit together with the visions in Revelation 13:1–18?
For Discussion
1. Why does Satan clothe himself as a lamb?
2. Why does Satan represent himself as an angel of light?
3. Explain the significance of the signs performed by the beast.
4. How can it be that both Christ and the false prophet can claim submission in all of our life?
5. What examples from both the Old and New Testaments can you cite that the “mark of the beast” does not necessarily need to be an actual visual mark?
This article is a selected lesson from the upcoming book The Unknown Hour, that is available from Reformed Fellowship.
Edited by
Gaylord Haan, a retired Christian school teacher and counselor and a member of Bethel United Reformed Church of Jenison, MI.
and
Jerome Julien, a retired minister in the URCNA who serves on the board of Reformed Fellowship. He and his wife, Reita, live in Hudsonville, MI, and are members of Walker URC in Grand Rapids, MI.