Chapter 13: Two “Beasts”
Next Part Chapter 15: The Seven Last Plagues Introduced
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The 13th chapter describes a symbolic “beast” and a second beast with “two horns” (Rev 13:11). The first beast is a description of the Roman Empire—a political kingdom. The second two-horned beast represents the headquarters of the great false church that controls the first beast.
Only by comparing Revelation 13:1-18 and 17:1-18 and Daniel 7:1-28, with Daniel 2:1-49, can you fully understand the scope and magnitude of the beasts, and the system they represent. Numerous Old Testament scriptures refer to them, but these chapters describe them best.
(Read our free booklet Who or What Is the Beast of Revelation? for a more thorough explanation of the Roman system and the beast.)
Chapter 14: The 144,000
Chapter 7 introduced the 144,000, and the 14th chapter gives more details about their identity. Rev 14:1-5 give a nine-point description of them standing before God’s throne as “the firstfruits” (Rev 14:4) of God’s kingdom.
As when He protected Israel from the plagues of Egypt, God often protects His servants. We will see in the next chapter that the seven last plagues will soon be poured out on the earth. The 144,000, plainly the number of saints in the First Resurrection, are with Christ in His kingdom, and are therefore protected from these terrifying last plagues.
The Three Angelic Messages
Chapter 14 also pictures three angels bearing three messages (Rev 14:6-11). Examine these angelic messages, which include a warning not to receive the “mark of the beast.” Other prophecies show that most will ignore this important warning!
Those of the final great babylonish system will be deceived into receiving the much talked about, but little understood, MARK OF THE BEAST. These messages announce the fall of Babylon through the seven last plagues and warn against receiving the mark.
The final destruction of this system is an incredible event. Like so much of Revelation, many take phrases out of context in order to support the false ideas and doctrines of men. Rev 14:11 states, “And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever.” Many dismiss this as merely a reference to souls burning forever in hell, and misunderstand the point of the context.
The time frame of this event is yet to come. It refers to “Babylon” (Rev 14:8), “that great city, because she made all nations drink of…her fornication.” This is the final, religious/political, end-time revival of the Holy Roman Empire also described in Daniel 2:42-43 as the “toes,” and in Daniel 7:7, 24 as the tenth horn. Revelation 13:1-18 describes it as the seventh and last horn. Revelation 17:12 describes it as the seventh head (which has not yet appeared), and having ten horns.
Revelation 14:9-10 states, “If any man WORSHIP THE BEAST [this final end-time revival and its leader] and his IMAGE, and receive his MARK…he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone…in the presence of the Lamb.” As long as those participating in this “beast” system continue to rebel against God, they will receive “no rest day nor night” (Rev 14:11). This does not say that they will be burning in hell for eternity. What it does say is that once their bodies are burned up, the smoke ascends forever. The fire extinguishers itself, but the gases from the smoke will continue to circulate in the atmosphere.
The fire that is talked about is here on earth, not in an “ever-burning hell.” Malachi plainly states, “And you shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, says the LORD of hosts” (Mal 4:3).
Revelation 14:12 contains a description of God’s servants, who will not take the mark of the beast. These are only a relative few commandment-keepers in a sinning world that has followed a system that has rebelled against God. This verse explains that only the “faith of Jesus” (not merely faith IN Jesus) gives them the strength to resist receiving the mark. Typical human faith will be of no value!