Revelation 13 Explained-The Mark of the Beast and 666 Explained

Revelation Chapter 13-Introduction

Knowing a bit about Bible numbers, the number 13 is associated with rebellion, and Revelation chapter 13 is no exception. This chapter describes not one, but two different powerful and evil “beasts.”

Revelation 13:1-The First Beast

“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.” (KJV)

The pronoun “I” here is the Apostle John who had the privilege of seeing all of these future events. John found himself in this vision near a sea. As he is watching, he sees a monster come out of the sea with seven heads and ten horns, and on the beast’s horns were ten crowns. Also, upon the seven heads was a blasphemous name.

Bible scholars relate this beast that John saw to the same beast the prophet Daniel saw in his vison recorded in Daniel 7:23. “Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.” (KJV)

The prophet Daniel gave us a hint about this beast that came out of the sea. It was more than just an animal or scary monster. It was a kingdom. John continued to describe what he was allowed to see.

Revelation 13:2 — The Beast’s Description

“And 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.” (KJV)

The seven-headed beast with the ten horns and ten crowns resembled a leopard, very swift and powerful; had feet like a bear, strong and subduing; and a mouth like a lion, loud, powerful, and dangerous. The dragon not only recognized this beast as a “co-worker,” but he willingly handed over his power, kingdom, and authority to this monstrosity.

Revelation 13:3 — The Healed Beast

“And 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.” (KJV)

This beast had a deadly head wound, but instead of dying, it lived. This feat of healing gave it worldwide renown and awe.

Revelation 13:4 — World Wide Worship

“And 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?” (KJV)

Mankind has the innate desire to worship. The “they” referred to in this verse are all the people who will live on Earth at this time who do not worship God. They will worship this entity willingly — or by force.

Revelation 13:5 — The Beast Has Power for a Time

“And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.” (KJV)

This verse begs the question, “Who gave this beast his mouth to speak great blasphemous things for forty-two months?” In verse 2, the dragon gave the beast power and authority, and the dragon will give the beast its power of speech.

Revelation 13:6 — The Beast’s Blasphemies

“And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.” (KJV)

The beast uses his power of speech to blaspheme God and all that pertains to Him in heaven. Speaking blasphemous words against God, His dwelling, and His people is the specialty of this beast. Who else but the dragon that gave it power (Satan) could know about who and what dwells in heaven to blaspheme it?

Revelation 13:7 — The Beast Will Overcome the Saints

“And 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.” (KJV)

Since the beast could only blaspheme God and could not touch heavenly things, he turned his attention to God’s people on earth — all of them, regardless of their ethnicity. The deadly power of this beast against God’s people was to overcome them.

Revelation 13:8 — More Worldwide Worship

“And 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.” (KJV)

Mankind wants something to worship. For all those on Earth at this time who have not worshiped God, they will worship this beast. This beast desires worship, and he will get it, even if he forces people to worship him. He will get this worship as he eliminates God’s people. The rest of the world will then worship him possibly out of fear of being eliminated themselves, or due to the things the beast offers them, or because they believe he truly is God.

Revelation 13:9 — The Command To the Reader

“If any man have an ear, let him hear.” (KJV)

This command causes the reader to both stop and consider the description of this first beast, while it calls the reader’s attention to the powerful verse that follows.

Revelation 13:10 — Karma?

“He 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.” (KJV)

This verse seems to give credence to the concept of karma. Karma is an Indian word from the Hindu religion, which claims that present actions influence future results. This verse, penned under the inspiration of Almighty God, says those who take others captive will be taken captives themselves, and those who kill others will be killed in the same way. This promise of God gives satisfaction to God’s people, many who have been persecuted, knowing God will justly punish those who have persecuted His people.

Revelation 13:11 — The Second Beast

“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.” (KJV)

John saw another beast, and this one came out of the earth instead of the sea. At first glance, this beast is not as grotesque since it only has two horns, but its voice, and possibly its words as well, were evil — just like a dragon!

Revelation 13:12 — Forced Worship

“And 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.” (KJV)

This second beast will also be powerful, and it will focus forced worship toward the first beast.

Revelation 13:13 — The Miracle Worker

“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,” (KJV)

This second beast also will have supernatural power, including bringing down fire from heaven. It will be a miracle worker and, in some ways, an entertainer. People like watching a show.

Revelation 13:14 — The Command to Create an Image

“And 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.” (KJV)

He will utilize his miraculous tricks to deceive. This second beast will hatch the idea of making an image of the first beast, the one who was slain, but came back to life.

Revelation 13:15 — Worship or Die

“And 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.” (KJV)

After this great image is constructed, this second beast will give the inanimate structure life, and the ability to speak. This speaking statue will be a source of worship — forced worship. All those who refuse to worship this talking statue will be killed.

Revelation 13:16 — Mark of the Beast

“And 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:” (KJV)

This second beast will implement the dreaded, satanic “mark of the beast.”

This action of placing a mark on a specific group of people has its origins in Ezekiel, where God instructed the prophet Ezekiel in a vision to mark those who were disturbed about the sins that were popular in Israel. Read about this in Ezekiel 9:4. “And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” (KJV)

The Two Beasts of Revelation Chapter 13 Chart

Feature	First Beast (from the Sea)	Second Beast (from the Land)
Origin	Rises out of the sea.	Rises out of the earth.
Description	Resembles a leopard, with feet like a bear and a mouth like a lion; has seven heads, ten horns, and ten crowns.	Has two horns like a lamb, but speaks like a dragon.
Source of Power	Given his power, throne, and authority directly by the dragon (Satan).	Exercises all the power of the first beast on his behalf.
Role	A global political and military ruler who receives worldwide worship.	Often identified as the False Prophet; a religious deceiver who directs worship toward the first beast.
Key Actions	Survives a fatal head wound, blasphemes God, and makes war with and overcomes the saints.	Performs miracles (including calling down fire from heaven), creates a speaking image of the first beast, and enforces the mark of the beast.
Duration	Permitted to act and blaspheme for 42 months.	Not explicitly stated; his activity is tied to the first beast’s reign.

Download this chart of the two beasts of Revelation here.

Revelation 13:17 — Form of ID

“And 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.” (KJV)

Without this ungodly, beastly mark, which will identify the followers of the beast, no one will be able to buy or sell. Commerce, which is a vital part of existence, will depend on individuals to have this beastly “mark,” which will identify them as belonging to the beast.

Revelation 13:18 — 666

“Here 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.” (KJV)

A “score” is twenty. Threescore is 60, which results in 600 (six hundred) + 60 (threescore) + 6 = 666. This number of the beast is found in chapter 13 and verse 18. The number 13 is the Bible number of rebellion, and the number 18 refers to bondage. The number 6 is the number of mankind.

Revelation Chapter 13 — Personal Reflection Question

Can you see how advances in technology, including the rise of artificial intelligence, contribute to these tribulation events?

Revelation Chapter 13-Study/Review Questions

Revelation Chapter 13 — Behind the Scenes Stuff

For many years, a local amusement park offered a hand stamp for all-day ride passes — and I always found it interesting, and a bit amusing, that they insisted the stamp go on the LEFT hand, not the right. In recent years, they replaced the hand stamp with a bracelet. Obviously, someone knew enough about the ominous events prophesied Revelation chapter 13.

Pin Me For Later!

Today, speculation is that this mark will be some sort of microchip imbedded under the skin through injection since the Bible distinctly uses the word “in.” Some Bible scholars speculate that this “mark” will also change the human DNA into a more “beastly” DNA. Whatever it will be, and the effects it will have on those who will take it, Christians will not have to worry about it since Christ will have already taken His bride, His people, to heaven three and a half years before this mark is instituted.

The Complete Revelation Bible Study Series

Chapter	Summary
Revelation Chapter 1: John’s Vision of Jesus Christ	John’s vision of the risen Christ standing among seven golden candlesticks on the island of Patmos; Christ identifies Himself as the Alpha and Omega.
Revelation Chapter 2: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos & Thyatira	Christ’s messages to four of the seven churches of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira.
Revelation Chapter 3: Sardis, Philadelphia & Laodicea	Christ’s messages to the remaining three churches: Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.
Revelation Chapter 4: John’s Vision of God’s Throne in Heaven	John is caught up to heaven and sees God’s throne room, the twenty-four elders, and the four living creatures.
Revelation Chapter 5: The Lion of Judah and the Lamb Who Was Slain	God holds a seven sealed book; but only Jesus Christ, Who is both the Lion of Judah and the Lamb Who was slain, is worthy to open it.
Revelation Chapter 6: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse	The Lamb opens six of the seven seals, releasing the Four Horsemen, the cry of martyrs, and cosmic disturbances.
Revelation Chapter 7: The 144,000 and the Great Multitude	An interlude: 144,000 are sealed from the twelve tribes of Israel, and a great multitude in white robes stands before God’s throne.
Revelation Chapter 8: Meaning of the Seven Trumpets	The seventh seal is opened, bringing silence in heaven, followed by the first four trumpet judgments.
Revelation Chapter 9: The Locusts of Abaddon and the 200 Million	The fifth and sixth trumpets release demonic locusts led by Abaddon and an army of 200 million horsemen.
Revelation Chapter 10: The Little Book and the Seven Thunders	A mighty angel gives John a little book; the words of seven thunders are sealed; the book is sweet, then bitter.
Revelation Chapter 11: Who Are the Two Witnesses of the Apocalypse?	The ministry, death, and resurrection of the two witnesses; the seventh trumpet sounds.
Revelation Chapter 12: The Woman, the Dragon, the Angel Michael and War in Heaven	A woman, a great red dragon, and a man child; war breaks out in heaven as Michael defeats Satan.
Revelation Chapter 13: The Mark of the Beast and 666 Explained	Two beasts rise — one from the sea, one from the land — introducing the mark of the beast, 666.
Revelation Chapter 14: The 144,000, the Three Angels, and the Harvest of Wrath	The 144,000 stand victorious on Mount Zion; three angels proclaim their messages; the wheat and grape harvests.
Revelation Chapter 15: The Sea of Glass and Song of Moses	Seven angels prepare the seven last plagues; the redeemed sing the song of Moses and the Lamb beside a sea of glass.
Revelation Chapter 16: The Seven Vial Judgments and the Battle of Armageddon	The seven vial (bowl) judgments are poured out; the Euphrates dries up, gathering the nations to Armageddon.
Revelation Chapter 17: The Woman on the Beast	A vision of “Mystery, Babylon the Great,” a woman riding a scarlet, seven-headed beast.
Revelation Chapter 18: The Fall of Babylon the Great	The sudden fall of Babylon the Great; kings and merchants mourn her destruction while heaven rejoices.
Revelation Chapter 19: The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and Christ’s Return	The Marriage Supper of the Lamb; Christ returns as King of Kings and defeats the beast and false prophet.
Revelation Chapter 20: The Millennium, Satan’s Doom, and the Great White Throne	Satan is bound for a thousand years; the Millennium; Satan’s final rebellion; the Great White Throne judgment.
Revelation Chapter 21: The New Jerusalem Described	A new heaven and a new earth; the heavenly city of New Jerusalem descends from God, adorned like a bride.
Revelation Chapter 22: The River of Life and the Bible’s Final Invitation	The river and tree of life; the Bible’s final invitation and the promise and warning; “Surely I come quickly.”

Download a printer-friendly PDF of this Revelation Bible study chapter by chapter guide here.

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