The False Prophet

Revelation 13:11

11Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.

Revelation 13:12

12It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the

Revelation 13:12

first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people,

Revelation 13:14

14and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth,

Revelation 13:14

telling them to make an image for
the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

Revelation 13:15

15And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might

Revelation 13:15

cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.

Revelation 13:16

16Also 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,

Revelation 13:17

17so 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.

Revelation 13:18

18This 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

11Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.

Revelation 13:12

12It 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

Revelation 13:13

healed.13It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people,

Revelation 13:14

14and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth,

Revelation 13:14

telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

Revelation 13:15

15And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might

Revelation 13:15

cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.

Revelation 13:16

16Also 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,

Revelation 13:17

17so 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.

Revelation 13:18

18This 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.

“The beast seems to be near perfection and almost messianic; it is, after all, a caricature of the Lamb who was slain.

But it is not perfect, and that makes all the difference. It is actually diabolically and utterly opposed to God. The number 666 represents a threefold falling short

of perfection (dragon: 6, beast: 6, false prophet: 6). But it is close to perfection, and has most of the hallmarks of truth,

and so can easily deceive. No wonder wisdom is required!” - Africa Bible Commentary