The Two Beasts

The Beast of the Sea

This beast bears the resemblance of all four of Daniel’s beasts that emerge from the sea just before the Son of Man appears (Dan.7:1-8; 21). In Daniel, the beasts represented various kingdoms (either Babylon, Media, Persia and Greece or Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome). Here, this single beast is representative of a composite of all four of Daniel’s kingdoms as a symbol of every human empire (Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and so forth) which demands total allegiance. The fact that all of these images combine in ONE BEAST seems to point to the final rise of Babylon.

It has ten horns, so it’s power is great, and it rules with seven heads, indicating great wisdom. It has ten diadems, showing a great rule, but it’s set up in opposition to God, for the names on its heads are blasphemous. The diadems in chapter 12 are false, for Christ wears many diadems. The connection between the dragon and the beast and their appearances would mean these crowns are false as well.

The word for beast here is just a generic word for animal or wild beast. I find this interesting It doesn't correspond with any specific animal. Rather, it seems symbolic of a theme that was present in the Book of Daniel, which this chapter draws heavily from. Man, when he operates outside of and in rebellion to God's will, devolves into an instinct and appetite - driven beast, forsaking the fact that he is made in the image of God.

The beast operates under the power and influence of Satan, the dragon who is the age-old serpent.

The first instance of imitation comes in verse 3. The beast has a mortal wound imitates Jesus. One of the reasons the world follows this beast is because they believe him to be invincible.

Notice that the beast was given a mouth uttering blasphemous words. However, he is only allowed to carry but this reign of terror For 42 months. His time is limited by the One sovereign over him. Again, the actions of the beast are reminiscent of Daniel 7 (verses 20 and 25.) However one views the 42 months, what is certain is that it's a limited time, and a relatively short time. The beasts days are limited and the church won't suffer forever. His dwelling and those who dwell with Him are the saints previously mentioned from all over the earth. There’s a connection here between the measured Temple and those who "dwell." The saints are protected!

It is interesting that the time frame of 42 months runs consistent for the persecution of the church and the woman in the wilderness, the witness of the prophets, and the work of the beasts. Throughout its history, the church will be persecuted, but God Himself will spiritually protect and nourish the church every step of the way.

He’s allowed to make war on the saints and…conquer them. All will be subject to the beast's reign of terror. No place on earth is safe from his influence. But, what type of victory is the beast allowed to have over the saints? Surely it is not a forever victory, for God has already promised to protect His people. As with many of Satan's imitations, this is only what seems to be a victory. The allusion to Dan. 7 continues here. There is a final kingdom that will persecute Israel, but the persecutors will be judged. John sees this as being fulfilled in the church and having begun with the death and resurrection of Christ.

The beast’s reign is so extensive that every whose name has not be written…in the book of life will follow and worship him. The saints are protected because their names are written before the beginning of history. The victory of the beast is incomplete. While he physically harms the saints, even conquering them physically, still they belong to God because their names are written (perfect tense — past action with on-going and lasting effects) in the book of life.

So John encourages the reader in verse nine, giving the same encouragement he gave to the churches. This probably ties the events to the history that John's immediate audience would have experienced. Revelation is meant to be read and obeyed in every church age. Any theology that divorces it from profitable obedience here and now is faulty. It was not written primarily for theological information, but for worshipful formation.

John paraphrases Jer.15:2; 43:11 and calls for the church to endure…to persevere. It’s the idea of enduring until the end, and it is prominent in Revelation (see 12:7; 14:12; 16:15; 17:14; 21:7-8; 22:7, 10, 12, 14, along with the call to the churches to overcome. What gives us hope to carry on? The Book of Life!

Knowledge of suffering beforehand should lead to perseverance in suffering, for we know it to be God’s will (see 1 Pet 4:19). Paul actually named suffering as a goal and desire of his, saying he wanted to share/fellowship of Jesus’ sufferings (Phil 3:10).

Even as the church suffers, and suffer it will, God is mindful. Remember in Rev 5:8 that incense/prayers of the saints rose up before God, reminding the reader that God is mindful of it all and will answer the prayers of His people.

John 16 begins with Jesus telling His disciples that the world will hate them. However, He tells them beforehand so that they won’t fall away. This ends with a call to courage with the assurance that He has overcome the world. Much of Revelation seems to be an exegesis of this: the world will rebel against God and hate those aligned with God. The church will suffer, but must take heart. God is in control and the one who endures will reign with Him.

Combined with verse 8, this underscores what has historically been called the “perseverance of the saints.” This has been variously renamed through the years…security of the believer and “once saved, always saved,” but ultimately it is the fact that true believers will endure until the end because God has written their name in the book of life before history began. One thing that we’ve done, however, is divorce this doctrine from its practical application. Believers are to be active in their perseverance, remaining steadfast despite hardships, difficulties, and trials.

The Beast of the Earth

Again, there is a lot of copy-cat going on. S. L. Morris notes that in the Divine Trinity, God the Father is synonymous with righteousness, God the Son in synonymous with redemption, and God the Spirit with the revelation of truth. Notice how the false trinity is in direct opposition to all of this. The dragon is the embodiment of wickedness. The first beast is a beast of enslavement, making war with the saints and taking them into captivity (V.10a). The second beast will later be called the false prophet (16:13), deceiving those who dwell on the earth ( V. 14).

This last beast seems innocent like a lamb, but it speaks like a dragon. Remember the enticing words of the Ancient Serpent and how he was able to lead Adam and Eve astray. The fact that he is later called the false prophet, combined with his worshipful intentions, could mean he is somehow affiliated with the church. Remember Jesus’ instruction — look out for wolves in sheep’s clothing. There will be the temptation to want our itchy ears tickled. False teachers had come already, and the church must continue to be on guard.

This beast performs signs. These are counterfeit signs, possibly copying Moses and Elijah. Remember that Jesus said that even unbelievers will perform many signs, even doing them in His name (Matt.7:21-23). Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise us that this false beast does miraculous things. This was already foretold by Jesus. Matt 24:11 says that “many false prophets will arise and lead many astray,” and Matt.24:24 says these false prophets will “perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray…”

Until finally we get to this little bit that everyone seems so worried about…so intrigued by: the mark of the beast! (Pause for dramatic effect!)

Much has been said about the number 666. Here are a couple of observations. First, many use “gematria” to determine the identity or meaning behind the number. This is the practice of assigning numerical values to letters. Following this practice, 666 could equal “Nero” or “latinoi” (a version of the title Rome). Is John pointing us to a single historical figure or simply pointing to “Babylon’s” absolute and sinful imperfection (Babylon or Babylon as a type and final form of rebellion). It is interesting that the term man has no definite article. Grammatical this makes sense, but if the number refers to a specific individual, it might would have a definite article — “the man.”

I think there is a more pertinent observation we can make: this is the anti-shema. Deut.6:4-9 commands Israel to love God with all they have, bind God’s commands “as a sign on your hand, and…frontlets between your eyes.” The shema, which functioned as a prayer of allegiance to YHWH, is copied and mimicked by the enemy.

Further, this verse should be read in contrast with 14:1. Those belonging to the Lamb’s army have the Father’s name written on their foreheads.

Being marked on both the forehead and hand shows allegiance in both deed and thought. Those aligned with the dragon/beast of the sea/beast of the land are committed to the enemy in deed and thought. While there has been much ink spilled on the physical mark of the beast (I’ve heard things ranging from debit cards to microchip implants, and it’s even a little odd that our passports are chipped giving our information and location whenever we travel!), that’s not the heart of the Mark of the Beast. The true sense of the idea is giving one’s allegiance to the systems of the enemy. And, believers need not fear receiving this mark, for their names are written already in the book of life, and they have a different name written on their foreheads (see 14:1).

Those without the mark can’t buy or sell. This could be understood literally in the sense that if you do not mark yourself with the Mark of the Beast, you will not be allowed to purchase and sell goods. Or, it could simply be another way of emphasizing the fact that the church will be persecuted by the world, the enemy, and their systems.

An interesting cross-reference here with the inability to purchase things and the poverty that comes from alignment with Christ is the church of Smyrna (Rev.2:9). Because of their commitment to Christ, it literally cost them standing in the world. But, this was to their credit, for though they were financially poor, they were spiritual billionaires.

What’s it all Mean?

The world will tend toward beast-like practices, and this can and will come through political and religious avenues.

Satan will try to mimic God, so we must constantly be on guard.

There is no middle ground — you either embrace Christ or the dragon.

The mark of the beast doesn’t terrify believers because their names were written in the book of life before history began.