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Revelation 13

18 verses

TL;DR

Revelation 13 portrays two beasts—one rising from the sea and one from the earth—symbolizing oppressive powers that heal a fatal wound, deceive with miracles, and compel worship through a destructive mark.

Summary

The chapter opens with a vision of a sea‑born beast possessing seven heads and ten horns, given authority by the dragon. This beast heals a seemingly mortal wound, inspiring awe and worship, and declares blasphemy against God. A second beast emerges from the earth, resembling a lamb but speaking like a dragon, exerting the first beast’s power, performing miracles, and creating a counterfeit image to further deceive. It issues a mark on the right hand or forehead of all people, enabling commerce only for those who bear the beast’s name and number, which is revealed as 666. The narrative warns of persecution, the triumph of false power, and the perilous cost of refusing worship.

Outline
  1. Beast from the sea: power, healing of a wound, worship, blasphemy.
  2. Beast from the earth: miracles, deception, compulsion to worship.
  3. The mark of the beast and the significance of the number 666.
Themes
Idolatry and forced worshipDeception and supernatural miraclesPersecution and divine judgment
Keywords
beastdragonblasphemymark666deceptionwoundworshipsaintspersecution
People
The narrator (prophetic witness)The dragon (Satan)First beastSecond beastThe saintsGeneral populace
Places
SeaEarthHeavens (implied)Markets (commerce)
Things
Seven headsTen hornsCrownsDeadly woundBlasphemous declarationsMark on hand or foreheadNumber 666Image of the beast
Key Verses
  • Revelation 13:1: Introduction of the first beast and its symbolic attributes.
  • Revelation 13:3: Illustrates the miraculous healing of the beast’s wound, a central image of false power.
  • Revelation 13:6: Shows the beast’s blasphemous speeches against God.
  • Revelation 13:11: Describes the emergence of the second beast and its deceptive nature.
  • Revelation 13:16: Details the imposition of the mark that governs economic activity.
  • Revelation 13:18: Reveals the symbolic number 666 and its significance.
Questions
  • What does the number 666 symbolize in a broader theological context?
  • How does the vision use the healing of a wound to critique false divinity?
  • In what ways does the chapter depict the relationship between political power and religious obedience?
  • What are the implications of the mark for modern believers concerned with identity and ethics?
  • How does the narrative warn against the allure of miracles and visible signs?
Sentiment

negative
The passage emphasizes persecution, false worship, and ominous judgment.