Revelation 13

The Explanation

John is standing on the beach. The waves roll in, and suddenly something rises up out of the sea. It is a beast, terrifying to look at. Ten horns, seven heads, and on those heads names that curse God. The beast looks like a leopard, but with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. It seems put together from every dangerous animal you can think of.

Behind the beast stands the dragon. In the chapter before this one, we already met him: that is Satan. The dragon gives the beast his power and his throne. So the beast is not working alone. He is like a puppet of the dragon.

One of the heads of the beast looks like it once received a deadly wound, but the wound has healed. People stare in amazement. They begin to worship the beast, and they say: "Who is like the beast? Who can fight against him?" That sounds almost like a song people usually sing about God. But now they sing it about a monster.

For forty-two months the beast is allowed to speak big words and curse God. He even makes war against the saints, that means Christians who belong to Jesus, and he wins from them on earth. Everyone whose name is not written in the book of life of the Lamb worships him.

Then John hears a serious sentence: "If anyone has an ear, let him hear." Pay attention. Sometimes Christians will go to prison. Sometimes they will die. That is hard, but here we see who the true saints are: those who keep believing and stay faithful.

Then a second beast appears, this time out of the earth. He looks softer, with two horns like a lamb. But when he opens his mouth, he sounds like a dragon. He acts like Jesus, but he is not. He does big miracles, even fire from heaven, so that people think he is powerful and true. He forces everyone to worship the first beast and to receive a mark on their hand or forehead. Without that mark, you cannot buy or sell anything. His number is 666.

What Does This Mean?

Revelation is a book full of images. John does not describe animals from a zoo. He shows us, in pictures, what evil looks like when you strip away the mask. Evil often looks strong, impressive, and admired. People cheer for it.

The second beast is almost worse than the first, because he pretends to be a lamb. He looks like Jesus, but he speaks the dragon's words. That is what lies do: they dress up like the truth.

The number 666 has puzzled Christians for centuries. Seven is God's number of completeness. Six always falls short. Three sixes: something that keeps trying to be like God but never is. It is honest to say: we do not know exactly who or what this points to. The text itself calls this "wisdom", something you need to think about carefully.

The Common Thread

Notice one small sentence: "the Lamb who has been killed." In the middle of all this violence, John points to Jesus. Jesus is the Lamb. He also received a deadly wound, on the cross. But He truly rose, not as a trick, but really and forever. The beast copies that, but it is fake. Jesus is the real King. And He has a book, the book of life, where He writes down the names of those who belong to Him.

For You

You will meet things in your life that look strong and cool, and everybody follows them. Sometimes at school, sometimes online, sometimes in what everyone thinks is normal. Not everything that looks like a lamb really is a lamb. Learn to listen carefully: what is being said here, and does it fit with Jesus?

You do not have to be afraid of the beast. Jesus already knows your name. Being faithful is sometimes hard, but you are never alone in it.

Talk About It

Why do you think the second beast looks like a lamb but speaks like a dragon? Where do you see things today that look good on the outside but are not?

Which questions about this chapter do you still have that nobody can fully answer?

Praying Together

Lord Jesus, You are the true Lamb. Write my name in Your book. When I see scary or confusing things, help me not to be afraid. Teach me to listen well and to stay faithful to You. Amen.