November 12, 2014
GOD'S WORD AND RECOGNIZING THE BEASTS: THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM
Revelation 13:11–18
Rebe Long
Central Truth
This passage is about the second beast, the purpose he serves, and the signs and schemes of the first and second beasts. In light of the enemy's attacks, will we stand strong, or will we take the mark of the beast?
Key Verse | Revelation 13:14
[A]nd 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. (Revelation 13:14)
Revelation 13:11–18
The Second Beast
11 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, 1 13:12 Or on its behalf and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, 14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of 2 13:14 Or on behalf 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. 15 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. 16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, 3 13:16 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 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. 18 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. 4 13:18 Some manuscripts 616
Dive Deeper | Revelation 13:11–18
Fun fact: Did you know that the fraud department for the Treasury spends thousands of hours studying to catch counterfeit bills? Do you know what they study to catch the fakes? They spend all of their time studying the REAL THING.
As we get into the second half of Revelation 13, we see the first beast get a "hype man," if you will. The hype man (or the second beast/false prophet) will perform miraculous signs. Through his signs and limited authority, he will force the earth to worship the beast's image and call for all to be marked for the beast. The beasts seek devotion from the world, and they scheme to appear like Jesus, with great signs and a great image. But the beasts are liars and blasphemers. They are counterfeit; they are fake. To align with them is to align with death and evil. So, how appropriate is it that verse 18 calls for wisdom.
In John 8, Jesus is talking to the Jews and religious leaders at the synagogue. He shares that He is the Son of God, and many come to believe. "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" (John 8:31-32) Jesus continues in John 8 to address those who will not believe in Him. "You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44)
God's Word is truth. Through abiding in Christ and His Word, we learn His truth. As it is written in 1 Peter 5:8, the enemy prowls around us seeking to devour, but we must stand firm and ready.
Discussion Questions
1. What is the position we are called to take in our minds in 1 Peter 1:13-14 and 1 Peter 5:8-9? How does that relate to this passage?
2. What does it look like in your life to be ready, specifically ready for these kinds of attacks? What does resistance look like?
3. In Romans 6, we see we are either slaves of righteousness and our heavenly master or we are slaves to sin. When thinking about that passage and Revelation 13, what does receiving the mark of the beast mean?
4. How do we choose, this day, allegiance for Christ? What does our battle on His side look like?