Revelation: The False Prophet

Revelation 13:11-18 

Satan’s time is running out, so he intensifies his efforts. He appoints someone to imitate Jesus, a false Christ, who is the Antichrist. Then he introduces the Antichrist’s henchman, who demands that everyone worship the beast. 

Last time, we considered five characteristics of the Antichrist (Rev. 13:1-10). Today, let’s look at four characteristics of his right-hand man, who is later identified as the False Prophet (Rev. 16:13; 19:20; 20:10).

1. The False Prophet will be a religious leader (Rev. 13:11).
   John described the Antichrist as the beast rising out of the sea. The False Prophet is explained as “another beast rising out of the earth” (Rev. 13:11a). This beast has two horns like a lamb, trying to imitate Jesus, the Lamb of God, but don’t let his appearance fool you. His words reveal his true nature. John says that he “spoke like a dragon” (Rev. 13:11b). Satan is guiding the False Prophet’s every word.
   
   
2. The False Prophet will direct worship to the Antichrist (Rev. 13:12).
   The False Prophet will possess all the authority of the Antichrist, supported by Satan’s power. He will compel all people around the world to worship the “first beast” (Rev. 13:12). Later, we will see that he uses economic hardship to enforce this devotion (Rev. 13:17).
   
   Twice in this passage, we are reminded that the first beast had a “mortal wound” that was healed (Rev. 13:12, 14). This Christ-like trait will be the beast’s defining feature.
   
   During this time, many believers will refuse to worship the Antichrist. Some will go to prison. Others will be put to death. True believers will show endurance and faithfulness (Rev. 3:10; 13:10).
   
   
3. The False Prophet will demonstrate supernatural ability (Rev. 13:13-14).
   The False Prophet will deceive those living on earth at this time by performing unexplainable signs and will direct the creation of an image of the Antichrist (Rev. 13:13-14). Like the Old Testament prophet Elijah, he will be able to call down fire from heaven (Rev. 13:13).
   
   These supernatural acts will lead people astray. Paul explains it this way:
   
   2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
   The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
   
   This “godlike” ability grants the deceiver credibility. (Rev. 13:14b). Satan often appears as an “angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14).
   
   Satan will allow the “image of the beast” to speak. Will this be a miracle or some form of AI that lets the image communicate with people on Earth? Either way, it will be a form of deception.
   
   
4. The False Prophet will use religion for economic purposes (Rev. 13:16-18).
   The False Prophet will establish a specific method for engaging in commerce. All people—“both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave”—must receive the mark of the beast on their right hand or forehead (Rev. 13:16). The only way a person will be able to trade in the marketplace is by presenting this mark.
   
   We often assume the mark will be visible to everyone, and that might be true. However, with today’s technology, the mark could easily be undetectable to the human eye. John says that the mark will be the number 666 and will be “the number of a man.”
   
   Numerology is a system that assigns letters to numbers, and many have tried to use this method to identify the beast. Jewish mysticism used a technique called gematria, where each Hebrew letter was given a numerical value. According to Irenaeus, a church father (AD 125-202), some early church manuscripts were altered from 666 to 616 to match Nero’s name in Latin through gematria. Irenaeus rejected the manuscripts that included 616.[1]

Let me wrap up with a story told by Robert P. Dugan.[2]

On May 19, 1780, during the Revolutionary War, a fierce storm struck Hartford, Connecticut, while the Connecticut House of Representatives was in session. The sky shifted from blue to gray to a darkness so thick that it seemed as if Judgment Day had arrived. The house members fell to their knees and begged for a final blessing before the end came. 

As the frightened men called for an immediate adjournment, the Speaker of the House, Colonel Davenport, rose to his feet and silenced the chamber with these words: “The Day of Judgment is either approaching or it is not. If it is not, there is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty.”

Who will be the Antichrist? Who will be the False Prophet? We aren’t given specific answers, and I believe that wasting valuable time being “current news theologians” is a pointless effort that benefits no one. Let’s focus on fulfilling our duty to love and serve Jesus and to love and serve others until we are called home.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Revelation 13:11-18. Review the characteristics of the False Prophet.

Talking to God: How can believers anchor themselves in truth when confronted by persuasive or “supernatural” experiences?

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