Who is the beast of Revelation?

TL;DR:

In Revelation 13, John describes two beasts, symbolizing the Antichrist and the false prophet, empowered by Satan to deceive unbelievers and wage war against Christians. Despite the beasts’ temporary power, Christ's ultimate victory over evil calls believers to stand firm in God's Word and to remain vigilant against deception.

what does the bible say?

In Revelation chapter 13, John gives an account of a terrifying vision he has of two beasts and a dragon. The creatures in John's vision are symbolic representations of key figures in the end-times timeline. The first beast is a group of nations and leaders who will rise up against Jesus during the end times. In addition, the beast is also the leader of this group, known as the Antichrist. The second beast is the false prophet who will deceive people into following the Antichrist and worshipping the image of the beast. The dragon is Satan, and he will empower both beasts so that they can take over the world and wage war against Christians and Israel. Christ's ultimate victory over evil is assured despite the temporary power of the forces of darkness. Christ’s victory over the beasts of Revelation calls us to stand firm in God’s Word, vigilant against Satan’s deceptive schemes.

from the old testament

John sees two beasts in Revelation 13. The first beast John sees is very similar to the beast Daniel saw in a dream (Daniel 7). Both beasts depict a strong, authoritative force that will conquer the nations of the world and oppress those who follow Christ. The two accounts also agree that the beast will have complete power on earth for forty-two months, or three and a half years.

from the new testament

In Revelation 13:1–2, John describes a beast he saw, "And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its head. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority."
Revelation 13 states that the beast will be mortally wounded but will then be healed. This will cause many people to worship the beast. In addition, the beast will speak blasphemous things against God and attack God's people.
John goes on to write, "Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon" (Revelation 13:11). The second beast, often referred to as the false prophet, will also have great authority. This beast will perform miracles and deceive the people of the earth. It will convince them to make an image of the first beast, and it will give the image breath to speak and act. The people will be forced to worship the image of the first beast and to put a mark of the beast on their hands or foreheads in order to buy and sell things. Those who do not worship the image of the first beast will be put to death.
Although the beasts will have great authority, their power will be short-lived. God will allow them to rule for only forty-two months. At the end of those months, Jesus will return, and Satan will wage war against Him. The beasts will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:11–21), and Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit (Revelation 20:1–3). Jesus will then establish His millennial kingdom on earth.
After those thousand years, Satan will be released but will then be defeated and cast into the lake of fire, where the two beasts of Revelation 13 are, and they will be tormented forever (Revelation 20:7–10).

implications for today

The two beasts of Revelation serve as an unholy trinity with the dragon. They will seek to deceive and conquer the world that has rejected Christ. Their rise serves as a warning for believers today to stay vigilant and faithful, knowing that spiritual deception and opposition to God will intensify in the future. The beasts' authority, granted by Satan, warns us of the reality of spiritual warfare and the necessity of resisting worldly influences that oppose Christ. As the false prophet will deceive many through signs and wonders, it is crucial for us to root our faith in God's Word, ensuring that we are not led astray by false teachings or temptations to worship false powers. The short-lived rule of the beasts emphasizes Christ’s ultimate victory over evil. It offers us the hope that no matter how powerful the forces of darkness seem, they are ultimately subject to God's sovereign will. Recognizing the coming tribulation helps us prioritize the mission of sharing the gospel and preparing ourselves and others to stand firm in faith when faced with challenges in the world today.

understand

The first beast represents the Antichrist and his followers, empowered by Satan.
The second beast, the false prophet, deceives people into worshiping the Antichrist and taking the mark of the beast.
Christ's ultimate victory assures believers that the beasts and all evil will be defeated.

reflect

How can you stay vigilant in your faith, knowing that spiritual deception and opposition to God will intensify in the future?
How can you guard against being deceived by false teachings or temptations that oppose Christ?
How does the short-lived rule of the beasts remind you of the hope you have in Christ’s ultimate victory over evil?

engage

How can we help each other remain steadfast in faith during times of spiritual deception?
How can understanding the reality of spiritual warfare shape the way we respond to worldly influences today?
What can we do as a community to recognize deception?