A Revelation Invitation

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. (Revelation 13:11-18 ESV)

After dinner at the year-end Cub Scout banquet, I was invited on stage to assist a magician in performing one of his tricks. Up to this point his performance had been quite convincing. However, from my new vantage point, I could observe his slight of hand and came to admire his playful and slick delivery. Still, he was not really doing what he claimed to be doing. I saw through him, but went along with him to benefit his show. Like this magician, the beast that arose out of the earth was not what he appeared to be. But unlike the magician, the beast’s intentions were sinister.

Who was this beast and what was he up to? What John describes above is the enforcement of emperor worship (“makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast”). Temples with busts and statues of the emperor (“an image for the beast”) were erected in major cities. The priests of this cult would deceive people with their impressive displays of power which appeared miraculous (“It performs great signs”). The power behind the throne and behind this priesthood was Satanic (“it spoke like a dragon”) and the pressures to comply were strong. When a compliant resident offered the required pinch of incense on an altar to the emperor, Roman officials would issue a certificate acknowledging this pledge of loyalty (“marked on the right hand or the forehead”). Without the certificate Christians were excluded from commerce in the marketplace (“so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark”). Some who refused were even executed (“cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain”). While some Christians would compromise and submit to the ceremony, others might pay a third party to do it for them. The ceremony and threats were employed to prop up a ruler who was not what he appeared to be—not beneficent, but Satanic; not almighty, but fragile.

John assigns this ruler a number, 666, for which much ink has been spilled and countless hypotheses offered to identify him. Because ancient languages did not have separate symbols for numbers, they assigned numeric values to their alphabets. Thus, any name could be represented by a number after summing the values of the letters in that name. The most convincing explanation I’ve heard is that the number adds up to NERO CAESAR representing the office of emperor and its evil nature more than the man who had ruled and died before the writing of Revelation. That being said, the specific identity of this man misses the point especially for modern readers. 666 is superficially and deceptively close in quality to the perfect 777 which gives this man an appearance of divinity when he is actually of the world.It is better to recognize thecharacterof any man of power and authority who presents himself as some messianic figure while his intentions and actions are self-serving. Let’s not be distracted by speculations about his identity; pray for wisdom to see through the deception of rulers who claim to be what they are not.

There is only one who rules the world, Jesus Christ. All others are parodies. When political leaders promise what they can’t deliver, we must not fall for their duplicity. When a government becomes weaponized against Christians, we shouldn’t be surprised. When politicians convince the population that persecuting Christians benefits the nation, we should expect it. This scene depicts a disturbing state of affairs for God’s people because persecution is likely. While this is not news that brightens our day, we need to frame this scene within the context of the previous chapter. The dragon who gives his authority to these beasts has already been defeated—three times! We were also told that the church will be cared for during these times of tribulation. God has not abandoned us even when we suffer trials of many kinds. He is faithful.

Heavenly Father, great is your faithfulness! You are worthy of my faithfulness and devotion. I know that tribulation will come. The people who persecute may seem powerful but I know that their rule is fragile and their boasts are empty. Give me wisdom and insight to recognize the deception. Your power is matchless and it is good. Preserve me when troubles and persecutions come. Remain with me and nourish me within the shelter of the church for you have promised that you will care for your church. Amen.