The Two Beasts of Revelation 13

Revelation 13 symbolically describes two beasts that are allies with a dragon. This false trinity wages an end time war against God's people. All three evil powers work cooperatively with the church and state to enforce worship to the image of the beast. Both beasts, one from the sea and the other from the land, mimic characteristics of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Before Christ comes this apostate religious union will seek to cause all on the earth to receive a mark signifying their loyalty to this power to the point of death. Both beasts ultimately receive their power from the dragon, identified in Revelation 12:9 as "that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world."

The Sea Beast The first beast, described in Revelation 13:1, rises "up out of the sea" and has seven heads, ten horns, and ten crowns. It appears as a mixture of beasts (like a leopard, feet like a bear, mouth like a lion) described in Daniel 7:4—8. It receives authority from the dragon and at some point is "mortally wounded" (v. 3). But later this wound was healed and people marveled, wondered, and worshiped the beast.

Bible scholars for hundreds of years have understood this first beast to represent the papacy which grew in power after the time of the dragon (Imperial Rome), especially during the Middle Ages. It came up "out of the sea" meaning among a more populated part of the earth. The dragon, which primarily represents Satan, used the Roman Empire to establish this sea beast. It was given authority for 42 months. In Bible prophecy a day stands for a year, so 42 months equals 1260 years. With a beginning date of 538 A.D. when the papal power was set in place, we determine the ending date when in 1798 Berthier, the head of the French army, entered Rome and took the pope prisoner, temporarily ending the papacy's power. Yet over a period of time this "wound was healed" (v. 3).

The Land Beast Another beast is described in Revelation 13 that is different from the sea beast. This one is "coming up out of the earth" (v. 11). It has two "lamb like" horns but speaks "like a dragon." Though this beast begins small, from a less densely populated area of the earth sometime after the wound of the first beast, it grows in power. Many Bible scholars see the United States of America fitting this beast power. As a Protestant nation with religious influence in the world, it will someday join hands with the other beast to enforce its laws. Taking a lead role, the land beast helps re—establish the work of the sea beast in preparation for final events on earth. Just as the Holy Spirit came like fire down from heaven, this beast power will also do great signs and wonders. It institutes a death penalty toward all who will not worship the image of the beast.

The Mark of the Beast As a form of control, the beast powers will institute measures to coerce people to worship the image of the beast. Revelation describes "the mark of the beast" as a way to identify the followers of the beast. This mark, symbolic in nature, is in the foreheads and hands of people, indicating consent of mind and action to the laws of this power. People cannot "buy or sell" unless they have this mark. The seal of God stands in contrast to the mark of the beast. God's seal is found on those who keep His commandments (14:1, 12). The fourth commandment, the seventh day Sabbath, contains the heart of God's covenant with His people, showing His name, title, and basis of authority (Creator). The counterfeit seal (the mark of the beast) would stand in opposition of the true Bible Sabbath. Papal Rome has clearly established her authority to change God's law when it claims, by her own authority, to make Sunday as the true day of worship.

As an added way to confirm the identity of this first beast power, Revelation says the "number of the beast" (which is different that than the "mark of the beast") is the number of a man. The number 666 can be understood to apply to the title of the papacy. It is also a number that is deceptively close to God's perfect number of seven. The mark of the beast is not some secret number embedded under the skin or tattooed on the body. It has nothing to do with Social Security numbers or computer codes. It simply symbolizes the choice of those who follow man's laws over God's Ten Commandments.