Revelation 13:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people,

NIV: And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people.

NASB: He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the presence of people.

CSB: It also performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in front of people.

NLT: He did astounding miracles, even making fire flash down to earth from the sky while everyone was watching.

KJV: And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

NKJV: He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.

The second beast (Revelation 13:1–2; 13:11) is most commonly referred to as the "False Prophet." This person is a partner in evil with the first beast, most often labelled as the Antichrist. The False Prophet puts on quite a show to convince people that he is Israel's messiah. He performs great signs and even makes fire drop down from heaven, as the prophet Elijah called down fire from heaven to consume his sacrifice (1 Kings 18:36–39). The exact meaning or scope of these signs is unknown. Undoubtedly, he will perform great signs by the power of Satan (Matthew 24:24; 2 John 1:7).

This is another effort to imitate the true Christ, who performed many miracles when He ministered on earth. Christ's miracles were designed to convince people that He is the Messiah: the Promised One. The apostle John constructed his gospel around miracles or signs Jesus performed. He wrote: "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book [the Gospel of John]; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:30–31).

Revelation 13:11–18 focuses on the second beast of this chapter, the last of seven major figures described in this part of Revelation. This figure is most often labelled as the ''False Prophet.'' While the first beast came from the sea, this one comes from the land. The earth is often equated with Israel, leading many to believe the False Prophet will be ethnically Jewish. The second beast poses as a lamb but speaks like a dragon. It's possible to identify this beast, rather than the first, as the ''antichrist'' because every reference to antichrist or the spirit of antichrist in the New Testament has a religious context (1 John 4:1, 3, 6; 2 John 1:7). Whereas the first beast is a political ruler, the second beast is a religious figure who deceives many. This passage also introduces the controversial and ominous ''mark of the beast.''

This chapter exposes two evil men, ''beasts'' who serve the Devil. The first beast arises from the sea, presumably the Mediterranean. The second beast arises from the land, possibly Israel. The first beast dominates the final form of the Roman Empire and sets himself up as a god to be worshiped. This first figure is the one most often labelled as ''Antichrist.'' The second beast acts as prophet, priest, and king in Israel. As such, he imitates Christ, but he is a False Prophet. This corrupted religious leader sets up an image of the first beast in the temple and commands everyone to worship it. The false prophet executes those who refuse to worship the image. Further, he causes everyone to receive the name or the number of the first beast on the right hand or on the forehead. Without this identifying mark, no one can buy or sell. The number of the beast is 666.

Revelation 13 introduces the last two major figures described in this extended section. Two ''beasts,'' which are actually evil, powerful men, corrupt Israel by forcing idolatry on everyone. While not explicitly given these names in the Bible, the two men mentioned here are most often referred to as the Antichrist and the False Prophet. Later, The Lord sends the northern aggressor into Israel to punish their idolatry. This text also mentions two other infamous concepts: the mark of the beast, and the number 666, which are mentioned in later verses as identifying those who have rejected God in favor of Satan. Related Scriptures are Exodus 20:1–6; Daniel 2:31–43; 7:1–8; and Revelation chapters 9 and 12.

The word ''revelation'' means ''an unveiling or disclosure.'' This writing unveils future events such as the rapture, three series of judgments that will fall on the earth during the tribulation, the emergence of the Antichrist, the persecution of Israel and her amazing revival, as well as Jesus' second coming with His saints to the earth, the judgment of Satan and his followers, and finally, the eternal state. This content, combined with the original Greek term apokalypsis, is why we now refer to an end-of-the-world scenario as ''an apocalypse.''