Revelation 13 Commentary

The dragon gives power to the beast who appears to be the same figure as “the prince who is to come” spoken of in Daniel 9:26. He will be a ruler that openly wars against the people of God and the Lamb.

Satan has been thrown down to earth, and now focuses his efforts on earth. He is authorized to reign over the earth. He uses the power given him to impose upon all to worship him. He makes war on the only ones that resist him, who are the saints written in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. Believers are called to persevere, trusting in God’s judgment of those who persecute them.

Power is given to the second beast, the false prophet. He performs great signs that deceive the world into worshipping the beast. He also leads the world to make an image to the beast that speaks and kills people that will not worship it.

The beast increases his persecution through disallowing any who do not take his mark from participating in the world economic system. We are told the number of the beast: six hundred and sixty-six.