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The Beast from the Earth
In this vision, a second beast appears with a lamb-like look and a dragon-like voice. The passage shows authority, signs and deception being used to turn worship towards the first beast.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
These verses are part of a vision in Revelation. The text says, "I saw another beast," then describes its appearance, the authority it uses, the signs it performs, whom it deceives, and what happens with an image of the beast. The passage remains in the language of vision and apocalypse.
Revelation 13:11–15Main takeaway
This vision warns that impressive appearance, authority and signs can be used to deceive people into false worship.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A lamb-like look, a dragon-like voiceThe vision shows "another beast" coming "out of the earth". It has "two horns like a lamb", yet "it spoke like a dragon".
Explanation
The vision shows "another beast" coming "out of the earth". It has "two horns like a lamb", yet "it spoke like a dragon". That contrast matters. Its appearance suggests one thing, while its speech reveals something else. From the start, the description signals danger and deception within the vision.
02Authority used to direct worshipThis beast "exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence". Its action has a clear goal: it makes "the earth and those who dwell in it" worship the first beast.
Explanation
This beast "exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence". Its action has a clear goal: it makes "the earth and those who dwell in it" worship the first beast. That first beast is identified again as the one "whose fatal wound was healed". The vision closely links this second beast to the first beast’s authority and worship.
03Great signs seen in publicThe beast performs "great signs". One example is especially striking: "making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people".
Explanation
The beast performs "great signs". One example is especially striking: "making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people". These are public signs, visible to observers. The next verse shows why this matters, because the signs are connected directly to deception and influence within the vision.
04Deception leads to an imageThe text says, "He deceives my own people who dwell on the earth" because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast.
Explanation
The text says, "He deceives my own people who dwell on the earth" because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast. This deception leads to a command that those who dwell on the earth should "make an image to the beast" who had "the sword wound and lived". In the vision, signs are tied directly to deception and to the making of an image.
05Breath, speech and a deadly demandThe final verse intensifies the warning. It was "given to him to give breath to the image of the beast", so that the image should speak.
Explanation
The final verse intensifies the warning. It was "given to him to give breath to the image of the beast", so that the image should speak. The image also causes those who would not worship it to be killed. The vision presents false worship joined with coercion and deadly pressure rather than willing devotion.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What contrast do you notice in the beast’s description, and why does that matter in this vision?
Look closely at the difference between "two horns like a lamb" and "spoke like a dragon" and consider how that prepares readers for deception.
02How does this beast use its authority, according to the passage?
Trace the action in the verse: it has the first beast’s authority and uses it to make the earth’s inhabitants worship the first beast.
03According to the text, who is deceived because of the signs, and what are they told to do?
Notice the exact wording, "He deceives my own people who dwell on the earth", and then follow the command to make an image to the beast who had the sword wound and lived.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Revelation 13:11–15
11I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb and it 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 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.