“The Beast from the Earth”
Revelation 13:11-18
“Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” [Rev 13:11-12]
Here in this latter half of Rev 13 is the description of a second beast, “the beast coming up out of the earth.” This is the false prophet, the third person of the false trinity. Last week was the description of “the beast rising up out of the sea,” the Antichrist, the second person of the false trinity. He is described as “having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his head a blasphemous name.” [Rev 13:1] He is the image of Satan [the dragon] “having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.”
During the Tribulation the false prophet will exercise great power and authority [vv.12, 15]; he will perform miracles [v.13], and will be deceptive [v.14]. He will be spiritual, and a force behind a global religious ecumenical movement. His ultimate goal will be to “cause the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast.” Just as the Holy Spirit’s work is to lead people to worship Christ, the “beast coming out of the earth” will lead people to worship Antichrist. Note the several times “worship” is used in Rev 13; all in reference to Antichrist. In this, Satan will make a final push to be worshipped “like the Most High” [ref. Isa 14:14], and his false prophet will be a key to doing so.
Notice the effort to “deceive those who dwell on the earth.” The word “deceive” is from the Greek planao, which means “to wander.” Deceived and wandering are closely related. Ever feel like you’re spiritually wandering? It is quite possible you are dwelling with the wrong crowd.
Choose to dwell with Christ and those who are actively serving Him. Do not wander and be deceived into thinking you can dwell with the world and not be taken by it.
May we continue, especially in this day, to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
