Revelation 13:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.

NIV: Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon.

NASB: Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.

CSB: Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; it had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon.

NLT: Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth. He had two horns like those of a lamb, but he spoke with the voice of a dragon.

KJV: And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

NKJV: Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.

John saw another beast. This second beast is the seventh dominant character described in this part of Revelation. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. This beast was rising from the earth. Many understand this to be a reference to Israel, because this beast sets up an idol in the temple (Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13:14–15). Whereas the first beast rises up from the Gentile world, the second beast emerges from Israel and poses as a lamb. By this interpretation, the second beast is apparently a Jew who may present himself as Israel's messiah, although he is a false messiah whose speech is Satanic. He deceives his followers.

Many Bible teachers, if not most, view the first beast, the beast from the sea, as the "Antichrist." Still, it's in keeping with Scripture to call this second beast the Antichrist. However, neither beast is specifically named "the Antichrist" in the book of Revelation. So, this designation is not crucial, and no one should be dogmatic about identifying any specific figure using that exact term. The word "antichrist," can mean both "against Christ" and "in the stead of Christ."

Both beasts are opposed to Christ, but the second beast appears to assume the role of Christ, the Lamb of God. Further, every mention of "antichrist" in the New Testament refers to him in a religious context, not a political context (see 1 John 4:1, 3, 6; 2 John 1:7).

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.''