Beast from the Earth
11. John saw another beast
The Greek for another shows us that this beast will be a person.
This beast is coming from the earth.
Coming up out of the earth “is symbolic of Palestine, and it is naturally assumed that the second Beast comes from Israel. He is a messiah, and Israel would not accept him unless he had come from their land and was one of them.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume V: Nashville: [Thomas Nelson, 1983], 1002)
For clarity, the phrase “He is a messiah” would be easier to understand if it stated that the Beast was a false messiah. Jesus is the Messiah!
With two horns like a lamb he is really “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” (McGee, 1002)
This beast spoke like a dragon.
“His speech was like his true master, Satan the dragon.” (Easley, Kendell H., Holman New Testament Commentary: Revelation. [Nashville: B&H, 1998], 231)
McGee says, “It takes two men to fulfill the position that Christ fulfills—and of course, they do not fulfill it. But Satan needs two men to attempt even an imitation of Him.” (1003)
12. He exercises all the authority of the first beast [a]in his presence
a. Or by his authority
This beast is called a false prophet.
“What is being said here is that the false prophet will exercise the same kind of power and authority as the Antichrist does, since both are empowered by the same hellish source.” (MacArthur, John. New Testament Commentary: Revelation 12-22. [Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2000], 59)
His mission is to make the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast.
This earth beast will be making the people who are still on the earth to worship the first beast.
Whose fatal wound was healed “reveals that both the first and the second Beasts are healers and miracle workers. This is the big lie, the ‘strong delusion’ that is going to come to the world.” (McGee, 1003)
13. He performs great signs
Jesus predicted this would happen in Matthew 24:24.
Below is about the two beasts:
We need to read 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (especially 10) carefully.
I like the Amplified Bible here – “because they did not welcome the love of the truth [of the gospel] so as to be saved [they were spiritually blind, and rejected the truth that would have saved them].
He even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth
These demons are following what Elijah did!
Elijah in 1 Kings 18:24-39 had called down fire from heaven.
The people who were there turned to the Lord!
“Now in ironic reversal, fire will persuade those who see it to worship the dragon instead of the Lamb.” (Easley, 232)
This was done in the presence of men “to impress them with his power.” (MacArthur, 60)
14. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth
“Satan is the greatest deceiver, the one ‘who leads the whole world astray (12:9 NIV)’” (Easley, 232)
Those who dwell on the earth
John uses this expression to indicate the unbelievers who are on the earth. (MacArthur, 61)
God is guarding those who have accepted Him as their Savior. John 10:3-5, 14, 27-30
They will not be persuaded.
They will know that these signs are from Satan and will not follow him.
Make an image to the beast
“Bowing before the deity’s statue was the same as worshiping the false god or goddess.” (Easley, 232)
Who had the wound of the sword and has come to life.
It will appear that the injured best has been brought back to life.
15. And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast
This is a great imitation. God breathed the Breath of Life into Adam.
Jesus brought several back to life.
In John 11:38-44 we read that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
Satan and the beasts are showing they have that power also.
Idols cannot speak. Psalm 115:5, 135:15-17 Habakkuk 2:18-19
But this image of the beast would even speak.
This will cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
Zechariah 13:8-9 tells us that one-third will survive.
Even during the Tribulation God is still protecting His Children!
16. And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,
God’s people will be protected by a seal on their foreheads. Revelation 7:3
Satan is marking those who follow him with a mark on their right hand or on their forehead
17. and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell
Those without the mark will have financial troubles.
They will not be able to buy or to sell.
“Both Greek and Hebrew speakers used letters of the alphabet to double for numerals.” (Easley, 234)
Except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name
“The exact identification of that phrase is unclear.
What is clear is that everyone will be required to have the identifying mark or suffer the consequences.” (MacArthur, 64)
18. Here is wisdom.
“This is “a warning to those alive at that time to be wise and discerning.” (MacArthur, 64)
Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is [One early manuscript reads 616] six hundred and sixty-six.
“Perhaps no detail in Revelation has intrigued people more than this number.
There has been no end to the speculation as to its significance and how to calculate it.” (MacArthur, 64)
“All such speculation is futile; since the Antichrist is still to come, the number 666 cannot be associated with historical individual.” (MacArthur, 64)
Remember that this is in the future.
“This sobering passage is not intended to be the source of fruitless speculation about its details. Rather, it stands as a warning to the unbelieving world.” (MacArthur, 65)
Scripture quotations taken from the NASB1995. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation.
Easley, Kendell H., Holman New Testament Commentary: Revelation. Nashville: B&H, 1998
MacArthur, John. New Testament Commentary: Revelation 12-22. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2000
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume V: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
