A lot of ink has been spilt in trying to identify the two beasts of Revelation 13. Keeping with the premise that the events of Revelation take place in the time frame between Jesus’ ascension and the Last Day, I do not hold that these two beasts refer to any one person or time yet to come. On the other hand, beware!, for both of these beasts are active in our world right now. Aligned with the dragon, the first and second beasts form a sort of anti-Trinity. All of them bear forms of imitation of the Lamb: The seven heads of the dragon and the first beast, along with the crowns, the first beast’s “mortal wound”, and the second beast has horns, “like a lamb.” This similarity is intended to deceive people to put their confidence in these creatures rather than in Christ.
So, what/who are these beasts?
The first beast is an amalgamation of animals from a vision the prophet Daniel had regarding the nations of the world. (Daniel 7:2-7) Because these animals represented various nations, this beast can be taken to represent the political authority that seeks to dominate all aspects of human life to the point where government becomes our god. This was crassly done in John’s day by the Caesars who insisted on being called by divine titles and having sacrifices offered to them. (Hence the blasphemous names.) This idolatry is performed much more subtly when we put our confidence for our well being in our government instead of in God.
This beast is openly antagonistic not just against God but also against those who “dwell in heaven.” He is hostile against God’s people. We have seen this hostility over and over again in a wide variety of forms of government. The Caesars openly arrested and killed Christians. Today nations like Iran, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, China, and others arrest Christian leaders, turn a blind eye to their persecution, sometimes beat, and even kill them. Here in the United States there has even been evidence of a cooling between the church and, if not hostility, at least dislike, for God’s people.
The second beast performs signs and wonders, and has the people of the earth make a false image. Both of these are religious in nature, and this beast can be understood to symbolize the deceit and corruption that takes place within the church. Recent reports of pedophilia, abuse, and demonic activity from within the Vatican in an example of this. The movement of mainline churches away from Biblical doctrine in areas of the authority of Scripture, the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the advent of self-help/feel good Christianity are examples of this. Anything that removes our attention from Jesus and his atonement for our sins as the heart and core of our faith can be attributed to the work of this beast.
The followers of this beast are marked, “on the right hand and forehead.” This again is a copy of God’s own work. He sealed his people (Revelation 9:4) with a mark of ownership, the beast does the same as part of his deception. To not bear this mark is to face persecution, but not all persecution is physical or political. It is also economic. Muslims who convert to Christianity often report that the businesses in their community will no longer sell to them, unless they compromise and return to their Islamic faith.
This number, “666,” has been said to represent people from Nero, to Hitler, to President Obama. However, if this beast is active in the whole time period I’ve described, it will include many individuals, and it is not intended to be fulfilled by any one individual. Symbolically it’s a Trinitarian 6 – and six is one less than 7 – God’s number. Perhaps we could say God’s number is 777, but the number of a man falls short of that glory, and is therefore 666.
Father in Heaven, defend us from these beasts and their false teachings. Strengthen our faith in Jesus through the working of Your Holy Spirit. Help me and all your people to overcome the deceptions of the anti-Trinity, putting our confidence only in the Lamb who was slain and lives forever. In His Name. Amen.
So, what/who are these beasts?
The first beast is an amalgamation of animals from a vision the prophet Daniel had regarding the nations of the world. (Daniel 7:2-7) Because these animals represented various nations, this beast can be taken to represent the political authority that seeks to dominate all aspects of human life to the point where government becomes our god. This was crassly done in John’s day by the Caesars who insisted on being called by divine titles and having sacrifices offered to them. (Hence the blasphemous names.) This idolatry is performed much more subtly when we put our confidence for our well being in our government instead of in God.
This beast is openly antagonistic not just against God but also against those who “dwell in heaven.” He is hostile against God’s people. We have seen this hostility over and over again in a wide variety of forms of government. The Caesars openly arrested and killed Christians. Today nations like Iran, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, China, and others arrest Christian leaders, turn a blind eye to their persecution, sometimes beat, and even kill them. Here in the United States there has even been evidence of a cooling between the church and, if not hostility, at least dislike, for God’s people.
The second beast performs signs and wonders, and has the people of the earth make a false image. Both of these are religious in nature, and this beast can be understood to symbolize the deceit and corruption that takes place within the church. Recent reports of pedophilia, abuse, and demonic activity from within the Vatican in an example of this. The movement of mainline churches away from Biblical doctrine in areas of the authority of Scripture, the reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and the advent of self-help/feel good Christianity are examples of this. Anything that removes our attention from Jesus and his atonement for our sins as the heart and core of our faith can be attributed to the work of this beast.
The followers of this beast are marked, “on the right hand and forehead.” This again is a copy of God’s own work. He sealed his people (Revelation 9:4) with a mark of ownership, the beast does the same as part of his deception. To not bear this mark is to face persecution, but not all persecution is physical or political. It is also economic. Muslims who convert to Christianity often report that the businesses in their community will no longer sell to them, unless they compromise and return to their Islamic faith.
This number, “666,” has been said to represent people from Nero, to Hitler, to President Obama. However, if this beast is active in the whole time period I’ve described, it will include many individuals, and it is not intended to be fulfilled by any one individual. Symbolically it’s a Trinitarian 6 – and six is one less than 7 – God’s number. Perhaps we could say God’s number is 777, but the number of a man falls short of that glory, and is therefore 666.
Father in Heaven, defend us from these beasts and their false teachings. Strengthen our faith in Jesus through the working of Your Holy Spirit. Help me and all your people to overcome the deceptions of the anti-Trinity, putting our confidence only in the Lamb who was slain and lives forever. In His Name. Amen.
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