Monday, August 18 – Revelation 13, 14

1. Where does the first beast of Revelation 13 rise from, and what does it symbolize? (Revelation 13:1)

2. Where does the second beast of Revelation 13 come from, and what does it symbolize? (Revelation 13:11)

3. What does it signify that the second beast has two horns like a lamb but speaks like a dragon? (Revelation 13:11)

Chapter 13 is a continuation of the narrative from the last verse of chapter 12: “Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.” (Revelation 12:17, NIV)

The first power, symbolized by the first beast, emerges in Europe. The ocean represents peoples and nations, as explained in Revelation 17:15.

This first beast or power represents the papacy, for the following reasons:

1. “The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies.” (Revelation 13:5) This refers to the papacy’s claims of being Christ’s representative on earth and the visible leader of the church. It asserts having equal or greater authority than the Bible, professes to be infallible, demands others to bow before it, and receives prayers.

2. “The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.” (Revelation 13:2) In Revelation 12:4, the dragon uses the Roman Empire to destroy Jesus. The papacy inherited the Roman throne.

3. “It opened its mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander His name and His dwelling place and those who live in heaven.” (Revelation 13:6) Blasphemy includes claiming the authority to forgive sins, replacing Christ’s mediatory role with Mary’s, altering God’s law by removing the second commandment and modifying the fourth, and promoting idol worship.

4. “It was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.” (Revelation 13:7) The papacy has historically served as a political power, wielding influence over nations.

5. “It was given power to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them.” (Revelation 13:7) The papacy persecuted Christians who rejected its authority and doctrines. The “Holy Inquisition” serves as strong evidence of this.

6. “One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed.” (Revelation 13:3) This wound happened in 1798 when General Berthier, under Napoleon’s orders, seized the Vatican and imprisoned Pope Pius VI. The wound was healed in 1929 when Benito Mussolini signed the Lateran Treaty, making the Vatican an independent state.

7. “The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast.” (Revelation 13:3) This is fulfilled through the popularity of the papacy and its significant influence on world politics.

Then, a second political-religious power emerges in the vision—this one symbolizes the United States of America. This interpretation is supported by the following:

1. “Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth.” (Revelation 13:11) Unlike the first beast that rises from the sea, the U.S. is based on a sparsely populated continent. Concerning its founding, Revelation 12:16 states: ‘But the earth helped the woman.”

2. “It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon.” (Revelation 13:11) The lamb-like horns symbolize a kind and protective Constitution that guarantees human rights and freedoms, along with its openness to accept oppressed refugees. Speaking like a dragon represents military strength and global political influence.

3. “It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf.” (Revelation 13:12) The U.S. emerged just as the papacy appeared to have lost its authority and influence.

4. “And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people.” (Revelation 13:13) Calling down fire from heaven could refer to the U.S.’s military strength, including its missile and bomb arsenal.

Regarding the number 666, I share an insightful interpretation from the Andrews Bible Commentary: “Though it should be remembered that in the Greek it is expressed as the unique number six hundred sixty-six rather than six-six-six, this triple emphasis on ‘six’ identifies the satanic threefold union—the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet—as a counterfeit of the Deity (see Revelation 1:4–6; see comments on Revelation 13:1–10).

The identification of this end-time antichrist system requires divine wisdom rather than mere intelligence and calculation.” Andrews Bible Commentary, Revelation 13:18
It is my prayer that, in a world filled with wickedness, shaken by the enemy’s wrath, the long-term effects of sin, and the judgments of God, we may be counted among the faithful “who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12, NKJV)

May God grant you a blessed day with your loved ones.