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.
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.
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.
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?
5 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.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 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.
8 And 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.
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
10 He 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.
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.
12 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.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And 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.
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.
16 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:
17 And 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.
18 Here 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.
Overview of Revelation Chapter 13
Revelation Chapter 13 is a pivotal chapter in the Book of Revelation, detailing the emergence of two beasts that symbolize profound opposition to God and His people. This chapter is often interpreted as a warning about the forces of evil and the challenges faced by believers in the end times.
The First Beast: The Beast from the Sea
The first beast emerges from the sea and is described with a series of terrifying and powerful attributes. This beast represents a political power or empire that opposes God’s authority.
- Appearance: The beast has ten horns and seven heads, with blasphemous names written on its heads.
- Authority: It receives authority from the dragon (Satan) and is given power to wage war against the saints.
- Worship: The beast is worshipped by many, indicating a widespread acceptance of its rule and influence.
The Second Beast: The Beast from the Earth
The second beast arises from the earth and serves as a false prophet, promoting the worship of the first beast.
- Characteristics: This beast has two horns like a lamb but speaks like a dragon, symbolizing deceit and falsehood.
- Miracles: It performs great signs and wonders, deceiving many into believing in the first beast.
- Mark of the Beast: The second beast enforces the mark of the beast (666), which is a symbol of allegiance to the first beast.
The Significance of the Number 666
The number 666 is one of the most discussed elements in Revelation 13. It is often interpreted in various ways:
- Symbol of Imperfection: The number six is seen as falling short of seven, which represents completeness and divine perfection.
- Historical Context: Some scholars suggest that 666 could refer to specific historical figures or empires, particularly in relation to Roman authority.
- Call for Wisdom: The chapter encourages readers to calculate the number, indicating that understanding its meaning requires discernment.
Theological Implications
Revelation 13 serves as a warning to believers about the nature of evil and the importance of remaining faithful to God amidst persecution and temptation.
- Perseverance: The chapter emphasizes the need for endurance and faith among the saints as they face trials.
- Divine Sovereignty: Despite the apparent power of the beasts, the chapter reassures readers that God remains in control and will ultimately triumph over evil.
- Call to Discernment: Believers are urged to be vigilant and discerning regarding the influences of the world and the false teachings that may arise.
Conclusion
Revelation Chapter 13 presents a vivid portrayal of the conflict between good and evil, encapsulating the struggles that believers will face in the last days. It serves as both a warning and an encouragement to remain steadfast in faith, highlighting the importance of discernment and the ultimate victory of God over all forms of evil.
