Read & explore together
The Beast from the Sea
Revelation 13:1–10 shows a fearsome beast in a vision. The passage describes power, blasphemy, worldwide admiration, and suffering for the saints, then calls God’s people to listen with endurance and faith.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In this vision, John stands by the sea and sees a beast rise with horns, heads, crowns, and blasphemous names. The dragon gives the beast power and authority. The passage stays in the language of apocalypse, describing worship, opposition to God, and a final call to hear and endure.
Revelation 13:1–10Main takeaway
This vision warns that evil power may look impressive and widespread, yet God’s people are called to hear, endure, and remain faithful.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A beast rises from the seaJohn sees a beast coming out of the sea with ten horns, seven heads, crowns, and blasphemous names.
Explanation
John sees a beast coming out of the sea with ten horns, seven heads, crowns, and blasphemous names. These details present a figure of great power set against God. The dragon gives the beast power, a throne, and great authority, so the beast’s rule is linked directly to the dragon’s gift.
02The world marvels and worshipsOne head appears fatally wounded, yet the wound is healed. Because of this, the whole earth marvels.
Explanation
One head appears fatally wounded, yet the wound is healed. Because of this, the whole earth marvels. People worship the dragon for giving authority to the beast, and they also worship the beast itself, praising its unmatched strength and military power.
03The beast speaks against GodThe beast is given a mouth to speak great things and blasphemy, and authority for forty-two months.
Explanation
The beast is given a mouth to speak great things and blasphemy, and authority for forty-two months. Its speech is aimed against God, against God’s name, against his dwelling, and against those who dwell in heaven. The passage stresses proud, hostile speech as part of the beast’s evil.
04War on the saints and a call to endureThe beast is allowed to make war with the saints and overcome them, and it receives authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation.
Explanation
The beast is allowed to make war with the saints and overcome them, and it receives authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. Yet not all belong to the beast, because some have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life. The warning ends with a call to hear, and with endurance and faith for the saints.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What shows that the beast’s power is not self-made?
Look for who gives the beast power, a throne, authority, and even permission to act and speak.
02Why do people worship the dragon and the beast in this vision?
Notice the healed wound, the world’s amazement, and the beast’s apparent strength in war.
03What does the passage say the saints need when facing captivity and death?
Read the final lines carefully and identify the response named there.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Revelation 13:1–10
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, his dwelling, and 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.