The Beast From the Earth

Then I saw another beast come up out of the earth: he had two horns like a lamb, but he sounded like a dragon. He e exercises all authority of the first beast on his behalf and compels the earth and those who live on it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed. He also performs great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in front of the people. He deceives those who live on the earth because of the signs that he is permitted to perform on behalf of the beast, telling those who live on the earth to make an image of the beast who had the sword wound and yet lived. He was permitted to give a spirit to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast could both speak and cause whoever would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. And he requires everyone- small and great, rich and poor, free and slave- to be given a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark: the beasts name or the number of his name.

Here is wisdom: the one who has understanding must calculate the number of the beast, because it is the number of man, his number is 666. Revelation 13:11-18

It is thought that because this beast comes up out of the earth he is of a pure race and some think he is a Jew. This would make sense as the Jews were a target and if cruelty was not available he would attempt to deceive.

He has two horns, again authority, not as great as the first beast but authority is given him by the first beast. He appears as a lamb, a type of Christ. His voice is like the dragon, no misunderstanding there, he is not what he seems to be.

He performs greats signs, he mimics the witnesses in calling down fire from heaven. He goes one step further. He does not seek glory for himself but for the first beast, much like the Holy Spirit does for Christ. He creates an image of the first beast and gives it voice. He commands everyone to bow down and worship the image.

This beast is named the false prophet. He causes all men to be marked with the mark of the beast so that they cannot buy or sell without it. Whether it is the actual number 666 or a derivative of it, we have seen enough bar codes to understand how this would work.

This false prophet is a dangerous man, enough to drive you to the arms of Christ, He alone is faithful and true. Amen!