Revelation 13

King James Version

Full text for Revelation Chapter 13

1¶ And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as [the feet] of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

3And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who [is] like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months.

6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

9If any man have an ear, let him hear.

10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

11¶ And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

16And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Revelation 13 describes two beasts that rise to power, deceiving and controlling the inhabitants of the earth. The first beast, from the sea, has seven heads and ten horns, receives power from the dragon, and blasphemes God while making war with the saints. The second beast, from the earth, appears lamb-like but speaks as a dragon, performing great wonders to compel worship of the first beast and its image. This second beast enforces a mark, without which no one can buy or sell, and its number is six hundred threescore and six.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins with John seeing a beast rise from the sea, adorned with seven heads and ten horns, bearing names of blasphemy. This beast, resembling a leopard with bear's feet and a lion's mouth, receives its power and authority from the dragon, and one of its heads appears to have a deadly wound that miraculously heals, causing the world to marvel. It speaks great blasphemies against God and His dwelling, and is given power to continue for forty and two months, making war with and overcoming the saints. Subsequently, another beast emerges from the earth, appearing with two horns like a lamb but speaking like a dragon. This second beast exercises all the authority of the first beast, compelling the earth's inhabitants to worship it. It performs great miracles, even causing fire to descend from heaven, and deceives people into making an image to the first beast. This image is given power to speak and to cause the death of those who refuse to worship it. Finally, the second beast mandates a mark on the right hand or forehead for all people, without which no one can buy or sell, identifying it with the name or number of the beast, which is six hundred threescore and six.

Long Summary

Revelation 13 details the appearance and actions of two significant beasts. The first beast, seen by John rising from the sea, is a formidable creature with seven heads and ten horns, upon which are ten crowns, and its heads bear the name of blasphemy. Its form is described as being like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion, signifying its composite and fierce nature. This beast receives its immense power, seat, and great authority directly from the dragon, who is worshipped by the people. A remarkable event occurs when one of the beast's heads appears to suffer a deadly wound, yet it is miraculously healed, leading the entire world to wonder and worship the beast. This beast is granted a mouth to speak great things and blasphemies against God, His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven, and is permitted to exercise its authority for a period of forty and two months. During this time, it is given power to wage war against the saints and overcome them, extending its dominion over all kindreds, tongues, and nations, ensuring that all who dwell on earth, whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life, will worship it. The chapter then introduces a second beast, which ascends from the earth, presenting a deceptive appearance with two horns like a lamb, yet speaking with the voice of a dragon. This second beast wields all the power of the first beast in its presence, actively compelling the inhabitants of the earth to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. It performs astonishing miracles, including causing fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men, thereby deceiving those on earth. Through these deceptions, it persuades people to create an image in honor of the first beast, which had the sword wound and lived. Furthermore, it is given power to animate this image, allowing it to speak and to decree that all who refuse to worship the image shall be killed. This second beast also enforces a universal mark, to be received on the right hand or forehead by all people, regardless of their status. This mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name, becomes essential for economic activity, as no one can buy or sell without it. The chapter concludes by stating that the number of the beast, which is the number of a man, is six hundred threescore and six, urging those with wisdom and understanding to discern its meaning.

Core Concepts

  • The Beast from the SeaThis beast is described with seven heads and ten horns, receiving its power and authority from the dragon. It blasphemes God and makes war with the saints, holding global dominion for forty and two months.
  • The Deadly Wound HealedOne of the first beast's heads suffers a wound that appears fatal but is miraculously healed. This event causes the entire world to marvel and worship the beast.
  • The Beast from the EarthThis second beast appears with two horns like a lamb but speaks like a dragon, exercising the power of the first beast. It performs great wonders and deceives humanity into worshipping the first beast.
  • The Image of the BeastThe beast from the earth compels people to make an image to the first beast, which is then given power to speak. This image causes the death of those who refuse to worship it.
  • The Mark of the BeastA compulsory mark enforced by the second beast, placed on the right hand or forehead. Without this mark, which is the name or number of the beast, no one is able to buy or sell.
  • The Number 666This is identified as the number of the beast, and also the number of a man. It is presented as a point of wisdom for those with understanding to calculate or discern.