'Rev 13:1-10

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Beast from the sea (Rev 13:1-10)

Like the dragon of Chapter 12, the beast that arises out of the sea has seven heads and ten horns. If the dragon symbolizes Satan, the opponent of God in the spirit world, the beast out of the sea probably symbolizes the opponent of God in the world of humankind. As God took human form in Jesus Christ, so Satan takes human form in one called the antichrist (GNB: enemy of Christ), or man of lawlessness (GNB: wicked one). He combines cunning, strength, cruelty and ferocity (Rev 13:1-2).

Though always in the world, the spirit of antichrist expresses itself in different ways in various people, eras and systems (1 John 2:18).

In John’s time it expressed itself in the Roman Empire, but its fullest expression will be in the days immediately before Christ’s return (2 Thess 2:3-10).

The antichrist tries to imitate Christ by giving an appearance of death followed by resurrection. He appears to lose his power, only to regain it and do greater and more horrible evil. People in general are impressed with his show of power and believe that none, not even God, can fight against him. They are overcome with a sense of awe, and gladly give their allegiance to the antichrist and his master, Satan (Rev 13:3-4; cf. 2 Thess 2:3-4,9-12).

Suffering Christians are encouraged to endure by the news that God has set a limit to the time of the antichrist’s rule. But while he rules he curses God and demands that people worship him instead. All people give him homage except the Christians, and these he mercilessly attacks (Rev 13:5-8).

Christians are given a special reminder that it is useless to resist when they are about to be captured or killed. They cannot establish God’s kingdom in the world by force (Rev 13:9-10).