The unholy trinity
Revelation 13:1-18
Main Idea: We resist the deceptive schemes of Satan through faithful, enduring worship and loving the truth.
I. The First Beast: Deceptive Power (13:1-10)
John sees the dragon call up a beast from the “sea,” the place of chaos (cf. Rev. 21:1). The description of this beast is a call back to Daniel 7. John sees a combination of the first three beasts of Daniel’s vision (representing Babylon, Persia, and Greece) in a grotesque fourth beast, representing the Roman Empire.
This first beast represents governmental tyranny throughout history working against Christ and his church. It is political and governmental powers demanding the loyalty that belongs to Christ alone. Because this beast is so devious, we don’t always recognize the work of the beast for the tyranny it is. Sometimes the evil of political, social, and economic entities is subtle. Instead of appearing beastly, it appears beautiful. Instead of outright persecution, its ideas and actions are much more subtle, yet equally as evil. They are beastlike in the way they demand loyalty to their philosophies, language, sexual ethics, priorities, and methods.
~ Nancy Guthrie, Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation
1 John 2:18: Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4a, 9-10: Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship… The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
This beast is an “antichrist” and a counterfeit parody of Jesus:
He is given “power and great authority” with many horns and diadems, just as the Father gives his Son power and authority (13:2b; cf. 5:6; 19:12; Jn. 5:22-27)
He received a mortal head “wound” (cf. Gen. 3:15), but has a counterfeit resurrection and recovery (13:3; cf. Isa. 27:1)
He prompts the worship of the Dragon, the one who gave him authority (3:4; cf. Ex. 15:11)
Authority is given to the beast over “every tribe, and people, and language and nation” (13:7b; cf. 5:9, 7:9, 11:9)
The beast is allowed to “make war on the saints and to conquer them” (13:7a). However, it is through being “conquered” that the saints actually overcome, “for they loved not their lives even unto death.” (12:11; 13:10). This is all a “call for endurance and faith of the saints,” who must not yield and worship the seemingly powerful beast, and who must not grasp for power or position that belongs to God alone and become like the beast themselves (Dan. 4; Gal. 5:15).
II. The Second Beast: Deceitful Propaganda (13:11-18)
John sees a second beast summoned by the dragon, this time from the earth (the land). This beast deceives by providing “religious” justification to worship the first beast. He speaks with authority, but what he says is deceitful and false.
Whereas the first beast speaks loudly and definitely against God, the second beast makes the first beast’s claims sound plausible and persuasive. False teachers within the church are encouraging compromise with the culture’s idolatrous institutions.
~ G.K. Beale, Revelation: A Shorter Commentary
Jesus and the Scriptures continually warn of false and deceptive teachers like this beast:
2 Corinthians 11:13–14: For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Matthew 7:15: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. (cf. Act 20:29)
Matthew 24:24: For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
This beast is a “false prophet” (cf. 16:13; 19:20) and a counterfeit parody of the Holy Spirit:
It directs worship to the first beast, just as the Holy Spirit has a “spotlight ministry” on Christ (13:12)
It is able to perform great signs and wonders (13:13), like the prophet Elijah (fire from heaven - 1 Kgs. 18:38-39), and the scene at Pentecost (Acts 2)
It was allowed to give breath and life, just as the Holy Spirit does (Gen. 2:7; Ezek. 37)As a consequence of Satan’s removal from heaven, he is no longer able to make accusation against the people of God (cf. Job 1; Zech. 3). Though he once had a case against a guilty people, there is “now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).
The “mark of the beast” is a counterfeit “mark” to the saints who have the “seal” of God on their foreheads (Rev. 7:3; 9:4; Deut. 6:8). This “mark” is an invisible spiritual reality that a person thinks (on the forehead) and acts (the right hand) in a manner consistent with the beast. It was a needed “stamp of approval” to participate in the economic and cultural life of society.
Matthew 10:28: And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
The number 777 represents perfection, but John says 666 is the number of a man. The number 666 represents what is anti-god and antichrist, all that is in opposition to the one true God. If 777 represents holiness and perfect goodness, then 666 signifies the enormity and totality of evil.
~ Thomas Schreiner, ESV Expository Commentary: Revelation
This scene requires “wisdom” and discernment from the saints; when we try to grasp for the position of God, we end up becoming less than what we were created for, and serving the beast. When we humbly submit ourselves to God, loving the truth, and worshipping him with faithful endurance, we resist the beast.
