In order for us to benefit from any Bible study on Revelation 13, it must be based on the strict interpretations that is supplied by the scriptures. The trick to solving this prophecy is to look outside the chapter for the solution to all the symbols and apply them according to the narrative development of the prophecy. However, the focus of this article is on the identity of the two-horned beast.
First to begin with, let us settle it from the scriptures what the two-horned beast is not. A careful study of Revelation 13 will clearly lead you to the following conclusions:
• The two-horned beast is not the Antichrist: When we examine the role of this second beast, it does not seem to be comparable to the man of sin in 2 Thessalonians 2. The specifications of the man of sin (the Antichrist) bear more of a resemblance to the first beast. While the man of sin exalts himself above all that is called god, in a strikingly similar fashion, Revelation 13:8 declared that all the sinful inhabitants of the earth shall worship the first beast. Thus the purpose of the second beast is to get the world to give homage to the first beast with seven heads and ten horns.
• He is not a dictator: In your Bible study of chapter 13:14 of Revelation you cannot fail to see that this man is merely a deceiver; that he accomplishes his aims purely by deception. And, by the way, if he is already accomplishing his objectives by deception, why would he need to exercise dictatorial force.
By virtue of the enormous influence that this individual is going to wield, he will be more than just a miracle worker; he will be one of the most influential personalities on the international stage. Furthermore, from what we read in Revelation 13:15 and 19:20, this person is clearly a false religious leader. We are talking about a person who is able to convince the entire world to do something that they would not otherwise have done under normal circumstances; something as bad as abandoning the worship of Jehovah to give homage to the beast! That is downright idolatry and it will take a lot of convincing to get the world to do such a thing. Only an enormously popular religious figure, invested with satanic powers, could have accomplished such a feat.
The activities of the two-horned beast is what made the study of Revelation 13 so interesting. It seems as if Satan has assigned him a vital role in the final campaign to deceive the world and keep them in darkness. The Devil’s end-time deception plan will never succeed without the achievement of this second beast. And the only way to remove ourselves from within his crosshairs is to fortify our minds with the truths of the Bible. Bible study on Revelation will not be beneficial if it is not able to shield us from the deceptions of the last days.
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