Revelation 13 (NIV)

Summary:

Verse 1a

"And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea."

The Beast Out of the Sea
Verses 1b-10

John saw a beast come out of the sea.  This beast had 10 horns, 7 heads, and 10 crowns on his horns.  Each head had a blasphemous name.  The beast was like a leopard, with feet like a bear, and a mouth like a lion.  He was given power, the throne, and great authority from the dragon.  One of the heads seemed to have had a fatal wound, but it had been healed.  The whole world was astonished and followed the beast.

Men worshiped the dragon, because he had given authority to the beast.  They worshiped the beast, claiming that no one was like him and that no one could wage war against him.  The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies, as well as the ability to exercise authority for 42 months (3 1/2 years).  The beast will blaspheme God, slandering His Name, dwelling place, and those that live in heaven.  The beast will be given the power to make war against the saints and conquer them.  He will have authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation.  All the earth's inhabitants will worship the beast, that is, those whose names are not written in the book of life that belongs to the Lamb that was slain, which had been the plan since creation.

"He who has an ear, let him hear.  If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go.  If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed.  This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints."  (Verses 9-10)

The Beast Out of the Earth
Verses 11-18

John saw a beast come out of the earth.  It had 2 horns like that of a lamb and spoke like a dragon.  He exercised the authority of the 1st beast, on his behalf and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the 1st beast, whose fatal wound was healed.  The 2nd beast performed miracles - even fire came down from heaven, in everyone's full view, thus, deceiving the earth's inhabitants.  He ordered the people to set up an image in honor of the 1st beast, who had been wounded by the sword, yet lived.  The 2nd beast was given power to give breath to this image, so that it could speak.  The 2nd beast caused all who refused to worship the image to be killed.  He forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave to receive a mark on his right hand or forehead.  No one will be able to buy or sell without this mark.  The mark is the name of the beast or the number of his name.

"This calls for wisdom.  If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number.  His number is 666."  (Verse 18)

Lori's Thoughts:

**Disclaimer: I am human, so I do not claim authority on the interpretation of this chapter.  Take God's word above mine.  Do not take the following as law.**

The first verse is so poetic.  I'm thinking of the Voyage of the Dawn Treader, the last Chronicles of Narnia film, with Eustace as a dragon, standing on the remote beach.  Well, the dragon in Revelation is malevolent, but those who trust in the Almighty need not fear.

So, the devil will conjure up two beasts - one from the sea and one from the land.  Maybe one is a foreigner and the other is native.  I'm assuming these beasts to be political leaders, who legislate who and how we worship.  If the devil is trying to create a one world government (see the bold print under Verses 1b-10), as Adolf Hitler tried to create a one ethnic world, maybe this is why the 1st beast has 1 body with 7 heads.  Maybe the 7 heads are the 7 continents.  All continents will be merged under one government body.

There are 10 horns.  7 = 1.  There are 3 extra horns...why?

One of the heads seemed to have received a fatal wound, but it was healed.  Asia?  More specifically, Japan?  Or is it Africa?...  Either way, those that have not been sealed by God will be deceived and pledge themselves to this beast.  This leader empowered by Satan.  This beast will verbally defy God and persecute His people.  We who are His must endure and not lose hope when some of us are imprisoned or killed.

I wonder if the 2nd beast resembles a lamb because he will try to deceive people that he is a Christian.  But, his words are like that of a dragon.  We will know he is not of Christ because of what he says.  This is why we must test the spirits of everyone, before we believe them, as it says in I John 4: 1-6.  The 1st beast will give the 2nd beast power and authority.  The 2nd beast will force people to worship the 1st beast.  The 2nd beast can perform miracles, like bringing fire down from heave, as God did for Elijah, and causing the idol of the 1st beast to speak.  But, unlike Elijah, this beast's power comes from Satan not God.  So, bear in mind that not all miracles come from God.  Know His voice and know whom people serve.

The 2nd beast will kill those who refuse to worship the image.  This reminds me of King Nebuchadnezzar's idol,  and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refusing to worship the idol.  They were thrown into a furnace, but were saved by God.  However, it is God's choice to save us from harm in the end times.  Whether we die for Christ or endure for Christ, we will be with Him in paradise, after the world ends, for eternity.

When it comes time for the mark of the beast, which will override any economic transactions, do not be deceived, but, remember this verse:  "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:19)