Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. What does John describe for us in Revelation 13:1a (printed below?) What do you think is the meaning of this imagery?
The dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. (Revelation 13:1a)
As Revelation 13 opens, we see the dragon standing on “the seashore.” “The sand of the seashore” represents the “sea of humanity,” as both “sand” (Genesis 22:17a) and “sea” (Isaiah 17:12) are Old Testament symbols for the mass of humanity (note, also, Revelation 17:15). The dragon, as “the prince of this world,” is seen exercising his evil dominion over the world and the human race (cp. 1 John 5:19).
2. What does John now see coming up out of the sea? How does he describe this creature? See Revelation 13:1b-2 (printed below)
And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on his heads were blasphemous names. (2) The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth was like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. (Revelation 13:1b-2)
Now we see “a beast coming up out of the sea.” Note that the description of the beast parallels the description of the dragon given in Revelation 12:3. Revelation 12 focuses on the devil himself as the power behind the throne of a mighty world empire; Revelation 13 focuses on the world empire over which the devil exercises his dominion and by means of which he carries out his demonic desires. This world empire (represented by the beast) is the antithesis to the kingdom of God and stands in opposition to the kingdom of God, as seen by the fact that on the head of the beast were “blasphemous names.” We are informed, “the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.” The devil is permitted to do so in his capacity as “the prince of this world” (cp. Luke 4:5-6).
3. How does the world respond to “the beast” (see verses 3b-4 printed below?) Why do you suppose this is the case?
The whole world was amazed and followed the beast; (4) and worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast. They also worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? And who is able to wage war against him?” (Revelation 13:3b-4)
Verses 3b-4 says, “the whole world was amazed and followed the beast.” That is to say, mankind, out of fear and expectation, looks upon the beast as their “savior” and gives him their allegiance. The peoples of the earth deify the beast, speaking of him and viewing him in terms reserved for the Lord—compare the words men address to the beast as recorded in Revelation 13:4b with the words descriptive of the Lord recorded in Exodus 15:11 and Isaiah 46:5. Sinful mankind is ever ready to view their political leaders as their “savior” who will bring an earthly “utopia.”
4. Describe the second creature John sees (note, especially, verses 11-12 printed below). What do you think this creature represents?
Then I saw another beast, coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. (12) He exercises all the authority of the first beast on his behalf; causing the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, the one whose fatal wound had been healed. (Revelation 13:11-12)
The fact that the second beast comes up “out of the earth” (13:11) means that its origins are of the earth (of man), and not of God (cp. John 3:31-32a, 34a the testimony of John the Baptist). This second beast “had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon.” Outwardly, this beast resembles the Lamb of God (cp. Revelation 5:6a), but as this second beast speaks, he reveals himself to be in league with the dragon (i.e.; the devil), he is not a true prophet of God. Whereas the true prophets of God prepared God’s people for the kingdom of God and pointed them to that kingdom (cp. Matthew 3:1-2 and Matthew 4:17); this false prophet prepares the world for “the beast” and points the world to “the beast” (i.e.; the empire of man)—as verse 12b informs us that he causes the earth “to worship the first beast.” Who is this false prophet known as the second beast? He is not necessarily one individual person; rather, this second beast appears to represent any philosophy, movement, or person who serves to promote the kingdom of the “beast” and its agenda. The second beast appears to represent anything and anyone who serves the cause of secular humanism in opposition to the kingdom of God.
5. Where does John see Christ (the Lamb) standing? Who is with Him? See Revelation 14:1 (printed below) What is the significance of this?
Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him were one hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. (Revelation 14:1)
John lifts up his eyes and testifies, “There before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion” (i.e.; standing in the presence of God). John sees Christ reigning over all, ruling and overruling, ready to come at the Father’s command to redeem His people and to judge the world. Standing with the Lamb “were one hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.” “One hundred and forty-four thousand” is equivalent to 12x12x1000; here is the complete number of the redeemed, not one is missing, all are secure in Christ and sharing in His reign (cp. Romans 8:35-39).
