Revelation 13:11-18

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.  It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.  It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of 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.  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.  Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 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.  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.

The second beast that emerges from the land actively promotes and enforces the worship of the dragon and the first beast.  In this way, the second beast completes what could be called the unholy trinity.  The dragon, Satan being a falsified father, the first beast, Antichrist being a falsified son, and the second beast, false prophet being a falsified spirit.  Since the second beast is described as coming from the earth, it is possible that the second beast may be from Israel.  Another possibility is that the earth is representing the abode of Satan or the underworld.  At any rate, this second beast is characterized by several descriptions.

FALSE PROPHET: This second beast performs the function of a false prophet as it promotes the worship of a false god.  The dragon and the first beast are not worthy of worship as they are not God.  They are powerful and have been allowed to exercise authority on the earth for a season, but they are no more than idols.  The spectacular acts the second beast performs are meant to deceive the inhabitants of the earth.  Things like calling fire down from heaven will impress people and cause them to think that they are observing a divine act.  The reality is they are observing that which is diabolical.

FAKE WORSHIP: Any worship that is not directed towards God is fake worship or idolatry.  The second beast desires to deceive the world into offering worship to Satan and Antichrist.  He goes so far as to create an image of the Antichrist and requires that all men worship this image.  The false prophet’s power is great enough that he is able to give life to the second image that allows it to have breath and to be able to speak and even to kill those people who refuse to worship the image of the beast.  Those who have placed their faith in Christ and know the Word of God will never obey the command to worship a false god and bow before an idol.  As in every stage of history, believers will be persecuted for obeying God rather than those who are given power on the earth.

FORCED ALEGIANCE: The second beast will exercise a different form of coercion to require idolatry.  It will be required that every person will need to accept a mark on their bodies as a form of allegiance to the beast.  That mark is the number 666 which is an afront to God and in every case falls short of God’s number 7 of perfection.  Those who refuse to worship the beast and be marked with this number will be prohibited from purchasing food or being able to do commerce on the earth.  The lines between good and evil will be clearly drawn and people will need to make a choice between immediate comfort and eternal reward.  The wise who fear the Lord will refuse any allegiance to or worship of Satan and the beasts.  This will bring about suffering and death on earth but eternal life in heaven.

APPLICATION: Beware of the deceitful power that Satan and his followers may exhibit.  Worship God alone as the only Person worthy of worship.  Be prepared to face persecution, peer pleasure, and different kinds of coercion to practice idolatry.  Don’t be deceived no matter what the cost.

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