Beast

<<two evil beings>>

In the Book of Revelation two evil creatures appear in the last days. Both use deception, are totally opposed to Christ as they are under Satan’s control, have outstanding power and ability yet their destiny is eternal punishment (Rev 19:20, 20:10).

1/. The beast that comes up out of the sea is symbolic of the last anti-Christian power, and is worshipped by all people except the Christians (Rev 11:7, 13:1-10, 17:7-18). This is identified as a political, military, social and economic power which dominates the world and given power to make war against the believers.

2/. The beast from the earth (also called the false prophet) serves as the public relations official for the former beast and performs awesome wonders (Rev 13:11-18).  The main function of the second beast is to cause the world to worship the first beast, using his religious authority to create the instruments and rituals of worship in his name. 

The Mark of the Beast.  At the end of this age the requirement is for everybody to receive a mark on the right-hand or forehead, to enable them to be able to buy and sell (Rev 13:16,17).  This will probably be a silicon chip implant. This divisive mark, a logical move to avoid fraud and simplify financial transactions, is a subtle move of Satan to gain control. Those who accept this mark will be showing their allegiance to Satan and rebellion against God.  Bank and EFTPOS cards that are acceptable for Christians to use are a forerunner to this identification device or mark of the beast. Those receiving the mark will experience God’s wrath, and eternal damnation (Rev 14:9-11). The Bible says don’t fear those who can only destroy the body, rather we are to fear God who can destroyed both body and soul (Mt 10:28).

Note: some older translations of the Bible use the misleading term ‘four beasts” when referring to the “four creatures” the special angelic beings who worship Jesus Christ, declare the holiness of God and are involved in administering God’s justice (Rev 4:6-11, 5:6-14, 6:1-8, 15:7, 19:4).

See also: Antichrist, end times, mark of the beast.