The Beast: False Prophet Series

THE SECOND BEAST : the false prophet

Revelation 13:11-18

The first beast has the primary role of serving as the political leader, whereas this second beast is the False Prophet. He is the very deceptive counterpart of the first beast. All that he does is in support of the first beast for the purpose of doing the will of Satan. He has a very deceptive description, but his true nature is revealed when he opens his mouth. There is nothing about him other than his looks that are lamb-like. This beast is further described in the following verses:

Revelation 16:13: And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs [come] out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

Revelation 19:20: And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Revelation 20:10: And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

These verses above tell us the fate of the two beasts along with what is going to happen to Satan. I wish to remind each of us as we study that Satan and his entire league are to be doomed. In the meanwhile, we will continue to expose what he and his followers will be doing up until the very last.

III. THE FINAL BEAST COMES TO POWER. (Vv. 11-18).

John the writer, saw another beast “coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.” The description of this second beast is given showing him coming up out of the earth. I do not know the significance of this beast coming up out of the earth versus the first beast coming up out of the sea. We do have an understanding of the mystery pertaining to the first beast because of an explanation that is given to us in the seventeenth chapter. Chapter seventeen also gives further indication of what the seven heads represent.

We must keep in mind that the introduction of this second beast is just another way that Satan has for trying to bring creation under his control. We will consider how this false prophet is nothing more than a powerful imitator.

A. This Beast, Who Is The False Prophet, Serves As A Powerful Imitator. (Vv. 11-12).

Gathering as much as we can from our Text, we find first of all that the beasts are similar in that they both are referred to as beasts, which means “wild animal”. Anything pertaining to Satan, no matter how tame it may appear as he disguises himself, will still have all of the attributes of Satan. This creature presents himself as a docile lamb, but when he speaks he is identified as the dreadful dragon. In symbolic language, this beast as we have already stated, is a great pretender or imitator. There are so many who have become victim to his pretending ways. He will possess and influence people and cause them to become the great pretender like himself. The hypocrites in Jesus’ day were no different. They, as the word implies were “play actors”. This is the reason that Jesus told the hypocritical, Pharisee Jews that they were of their father the devil in John 8:44.

With this beast being described this way, it gives indication that he will suddenly appear on the scene for the purpose of causing the world population to accept the first beast. Everything that this beast does will be done in support of the first beast and he will position himself under the authority of the first beast to accomplish this purpose. This beast’s charming ways will have a charismatic impact on those who will be inclined to worship the beast or the Antichrist. With this beast having the appearance of a lamb is only another way that he is attempting to impersonate the true Lamb of God.

To resonate with the Jewish people upon the earth, this beast is probably a Jew. As such, he is working in close proximity with the first beast to initiate all of the political and religious programs that the first beast is demanding. This is done so that the first beast will receive the worship that he so much desires.

And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. (V.12).