Revelation 13:11-18 (July 24, 2025)

The Second Beast

11 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence,[a] and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, 14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of[b] the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave,[c] to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.[d]

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Footnotes

Revelation 13:12 Or on its behalf

Revelation 13:14 Or on behalf of

Revelation 13:16 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface.

Revelation 13:18 Some manuscripts 616

Revelation 13_11-18

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Summary

The second half of Revelation 13 introduces a second beast, one that rises from the earth and appears deceptively gentle. It's “like a lamb,” yet it speaks “like a dragon” (v. 11). This beast, often called the “false prophet," symbolizes deceptive religious and ideological power that supports the authority of the first beast. If the first beast represents political power energized by Satan, the second beast represents the propaganda and false spirituality that legitimize that power.

This second beast performs what the Bible calls “great signs.” They even include calling down fire from heaven (v. 13), and use its influence to deceive the world into worshiping the first beast. It sets up an image of the beast. It gives it breath, so that it speaks and causes all who refuse to worship it to be killed (v. 15). Furthermore, it enforces economic control.

“no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name” (v. 17).

The mark of the beast, symbolized by the number 666 (v. 18), mimics the sealing of God’s people in Revelation 7. It represents allegiance to a counterfeit lord in thought and deed.

This passage warns us that persecution is not always violent or physical; it is often ideological, cultural, and financial in nature. Evil does not always come in the form of brute force. Evil frequently appears as a "lamb."

Who is God

Our God is the only true God, deserving of our worship. In contrast to the lies and miracles of the second beast, God never deceives. He does not manipulate, coerce, or confuse. His Word is faithful and true. In a world filled with spiritual counterfeits, God alone is worthy of ultimate loyalty. Even when false prophets impress the world with their flashy signs, God’s people remain secure because their names are sealed in heaven.

What is our Guilt

We are guilty of following false "saviors" and trusting in appearances rather than truth. The second beast looks like a lamb, and we are too easily drawn to what appears good, gentle, or effective, without discerning the source. We give our loyalty to the worldly "kingdoms"-political systems, philosophical ideologies, or even religions that promise health and wealth. These things subtly lead us away from Christ.

Moreover, we are often more concerned with social acceptance and financial stability than spiritual integrity. The pressure to conform to our friends, to blend in, to avoid conflict, and not to lose our place in society can lead us to compromise. We justify our compromise by saying, "Everyone is doing it." The mark of the beast is not necessarily a physical one. It's not limited to a modern one either. It reflects an internal allegiance. Our guilt lies in fearing the loss of worldly goods more than fearing God.

How does Grace Shine

Grace shines in the discernment and perseverance God gives His people. Though the whole world is deceived, those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life are kept from ultimate deception, as God opens their eyes to see through the lies of the enemy. The number 666, described as “the number of a man” (v. 18), falls short of the divine perfection symbolized by 777, reminding us that every beastly empire and the false prophet is ultimately human—limited, broken, and doomed to fail. At the same time, grace shines in the Lamb who was slain (v. 8). Even though the beast demands worship through fear, Jesus draws us into a relationship through His sacrifice. The world manipulates and marks, but Jesus redeems and seals. Our calling is not to conquer by domination but to overcome through patient endurance and faithful witness.

Prayer

Gracious Father,

You alone are worthy of our worship. In a world filled with voices that demand our allegiance and powers that disguise themselves as truth, help us to stay rooted in You. Guard us from being deceived by signs or appearances, and teach us to recognize the true voice of the Shepherd.

We confess our tendency to follow what is popular or safe rather than what is faithful. Forgive us for the times we have compromised truth for comfort, and conformed to the world out of fear.

Give us wisdom to discern falsehood and courage to resist it. Let our hearts be sealed by Your Spirit, not marked by this world. May we cling to Christ, our true Lamb, whose sacrifice makes us Yours forever.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.