FocusPower, worship, and endurance
Connection to the wholeThe first beast receives authority and worship while making war against the saints, bringing a call for patience and faith.
interpretation Revelation 13:4
KJVAnd 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?
Read it in context
The beast from the sea
Start reading at Revelation 13:1 (Revelation 13:1 to Revelation 13:10).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The first beast receives authority and worship while making war against the saints, bringing a call for patience and faith.
- 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.
- 13:2 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.
- 13:3 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.
- 13:4 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?
- 13:5 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.
- 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
- 13:7 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.
- 13:8 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.
- 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
- 13:10 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? John is the named writer. Early Christian tradition identifies him as John the apostle, although that further identification has been debated. Biblical references: Revelation 1:1; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 22:8. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Revelation 12:1–14:20): John sees symbolic scenes involving the woman, dragon, beasts, the Lamb and His followers, and angels proclaiming messages to earth's inhabitants. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Seven churches in the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The message also calls on everyone with an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Biblical references: Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 2:7. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The beast from the sea. Read Revelation 13:1 through Revelation 13:10 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The first beast receives authority and worship while making war against the saints, bringing a call for patience and faith. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? John describes receiving the revelation and being in the Spirit on the Lord's day. The book does not state a modern calendar date, and the order of visions should not automatically be equated with a settled event timetable. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? John names Patmos and addresses seven churches in Asia. The visions portray earthly and heavenly scenes that must be distinguished from his stated location. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The beast from the sea (Revelation 13:1 to Revelation 13:10). Start reading at Revelation 13:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ, the slain Lamb, His testimony, judgment, and reign are central. Read symbols with their supplied explanations and retain the exhortations to hear, keep, repent, and overcome. See Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 22:7. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Remain faithful in worship and conduct under pressure. Do not turn symbolic visions into confident identifications of modern people, nations, or dates without evidence and explicit labeling as interpretation. interpretation
Cited: Revelation 13:1, Revelation 13:10, Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 22:7
Who wrote it, and how we know
John the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names John four times as the one who saw and wrote these things.
Revelation 1:1Revelation 1:4Revelation 1:9Revelation 22:8
Early traditionEarly testimony, notably Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, names John the apostle.
What is debatedSome ancient and modern voices distinguish this John from the apostle because the Greek style differs from the Gospel.
Related passages
- And they Rev 13:2 Rev 9:20 Ps 106:37-38 1 Cor 10:20-22 2 Cor 4:4
- and they Rev 13:12-13,15 Dan 11:36-37 2 Thess 2:4
- Who is like Rev 18:18
- who is able Rev 17:14 Deut 9:2 1 Sam 17:24
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Revelation 13
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Revelation 1:1 Revelation 1:4 Revelation 1:9
The beast from the earth
Revelation 13:11–18FocusDeception and enforced allegiance
Connection to the wholeThe second beast promotes the first through signs, image, and mark, making worship and coerced allegiance central.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Revelation
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Revelation 1:1 Revelation 1:4 Revelation 1:9
The revelation introduced
Revelation 1:1–20FocusThe risen Christ and His churches
Connection to the wholeThe opening locates the prophecy among its first hearers and presents the vision of Christ who commands John to write.
interpretation The messages to seven churches
Revelation 2:1–3:22FocusHearing, repentance, and overcoming
Connection to the wholeThe individual messages apply Christ's knowledge and authority to the churches' actual conditions, joining promises with rebukes and commands.
interpretation The throne and the Lamb
Revelation 4:1–5:14FocusHeavenly worship and the sealed book
Connection to the wholeThe throne scene and the Lamb's reception of the book establish the heavenly setting for the judgments that follow.
interpretation The seals
Revelation 6:1–8:5FocusJudgment, witness, and the sealed servants
Connection to the wholeThe opening of the seals includes scenes of suffering, judgment, and preservation, leading to the seventh seal and the preparation for trumpets.
interpretation The trumpets and accompanying visions
Revelation 8:6–11:19FocusWarning, witness, and proclaimed reign
Connection to the wholeTrumpet judgments are interwoven with John's renewed commission and the witnesses, culminating in the seventh trumpet's proclamation.
interpretation FocusThe dragon, beasts, and the Lamb's people
Connection to the wholeThe visions portray opposition and demanded worship alongside the Lamb's followers, proclamations, and harvest scenes.
interpretation The last plagues poured out
Revelation 15:1–16:21FocusGod's righteous judgments
Connection to the wholeThe heavenly preparation and seven vials develop the judgment sequence while retaining warnings and examples of refused repentance.
interpretation Babylon judged and heaven rejoicing
Revelation 17:1–19:21FocusThe fallen city and the victorious rider
Connection to the wholeThe explanation and fall of Babylon lead to heavenly praise, the marriage announcement, and the defeat of the beast and its allies.
interpretation Final rebellion and judgment
Revelation 20:1–15FocusThe thousand years and the throne
Connection to the wholeThe vision includes Satan's restraint and release, the final defeat of rebellion, and judgment before the great white throne.
interpretation The new creation and final appeal
Revelation 21:1–22:21FocusGod with His people
Connection to the wholeThe holy city and the removal of the curse bring the visions to their close, followed by commands, invitations, warnings, and the promise of Jesus' coming.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.