The Bible — World English Bible
Revelation 13
In brief
Revelation 13 presents two beasts. The first rises from the sea, receives its power from the dragon, is worshiped and makes war on the saints for forty-two months. The second rises from the earth, looks like a lamb but speaks like a dragon: it deceives with wonders, has an image of the first beast set up and imposes a mark without which no one can buy or sell. The chapter calls the saints to perseverance, faith and wisdom.
The chapter in 4 parts
1Then I stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names.
2The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
3One of his heads looked like it had been wounded fatally. His fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled at the beast.
4They worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
5A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him.
6He opened his mouth for blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his dwelling, those who dwell in heaven.
7It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him.
8All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed.
9If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
10If anyone is to go into captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.
11I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon.
12He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
13He performs great signs, even making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people.
14He deceives my own people who dwell on the earth because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast, saying to those who dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast who had the sword wound and lived.
15It was given to him to give breath to it, to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as many as wouldn’t worship the image of the beast to be killed.
16He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their foreheads;
17and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
18Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.
Key verses
All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed.
All who dwell on the earth will worship the beast, except those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. The test is not strength but belonging to Christ.
If anyone is to go into captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.
This verse calls the saints to perseverance and faith in the face of persecution. It recalls that violence turns back on the one who uses it, and it invites us to hold firm without taking revenge.
I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke like a dragon.
The second beast looks like a lamb but speaks like a dragon. The gentle appearance hides a deceptive message: the text asks for discernment before what looks good.
and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
Without the mark, no one can buy or sell. Christians differ on how to read this mark, literally or symbolically, but all see in it the control of a power that demands worship.
Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.
The number of the beast is a number of a man: six hundred sixty-six. The text calls for wisdom without giving an identification, and interpretations have varied widely over the centuries.
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Frequently asked questions about Revelation 13
What does the number 666 represent in Revelation 13:18?
The verse says it is a number of a man and calls for wisdom to work it out. It does not clearly point to a specific person. Over the centuries people have seen in it a Roman emperor, a system of power or a symbol of human imperfection. Christians differ, but all keep the warning against worshiping a human power.
Who are the two beasts of Revelation 13?
The first, rising from the sea, is a power that receives its authority from the dragon, that is, from Satan, and is worshiped. The second, rising from the earth, supports it with wonders and propaganda. Readings differ: some see individuals of the end times, others see powers present in every age.
What does the mark of the beast mean?
The mark is received on the right hand or on the forehead and determines who can buy and sell. It signifies allegiance to the beast, just as God's seal marks his servants. Believers differ between a literal and a symbolic reading. Above all, the text calls us to stay faithful to Christ, whatever the cost.
Articles quoting Revelation 13
- The Last Hour: Facing the Antichrists
- After the Rapture: What Happens Next to the World
- Let Him In: Jesus Is Still Knocking at Your Door
- Faithful to His Promises: Standing Firm Through Confrontation
- The Wall of Hostility Torn Down: Reconciled in Jesus Christ
- Test Everything: 4 Traps to Discern Through the Word
World English Bible translation — public domain.