The False Prophet

REVELATION 13:13-14

Not everything that appears to be a miracle is a miracle. And not everything that is a miracle is a miracle from God. That is true today, and it will clearly be true during the reign of the antichrist. Our text tells us that the false prophet “performs great signs.” This same phrase is used for the miracles of Jesus in John 2:11,23 and 6:21. The false prophet is also something of a false Christ.

One specific sign miracle he performs is “causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in front of people.” Here he duplicates the miracle of Elijah (1 Kgs 18:28; see Mal 3:5-6) and the two witnesses (Rev 11:5). The spectacular nature of these miracles mesmerizes and deceives the earth dwellers. Amazingly, they reject the true fire of 11:5 for a false fire in 13:14. But their deception and seduction do not stop here.

The false prophet tells them to make an image, an idol, to “the beast who had the sword wound and yet lived,” and that is exactly what they do. Like Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2, a great idol will be erected, this time to honor and worship antichrist. This will take place probably near the midpoint of the tribulation, possibly in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (Matt 24:15; 2 Thess 2:2-12).

Swindoll says,

Blinded by unbelief and sin, the world will easily fall prey to the second Beast’s deceptive message and methods. Intellectually attracted to him, emotionally drawn by his appealing style and convinced by his amazing signs, they will voluntarily submit and obey [and worship]. (Insights, 184)

REVELATION 13:15

Verse 15 is a mixed bag in terms of interpretation. The first part is extremely difficult as to the meaning, whereas the second half is straightforward and transparent. The false prophet is allowed (by God) to “give a spirit,” or breathe life, into the image, the idol, of the antichrist. The image is even said to speak. The miraculous and the mysterious merge. Some believe this is trickery that uses ventriloquism to make it seem like the image comes to life. Others believe that through Satanic and demonic enablement, the statue will come to life and speak (Osborne, Revelation, 515–16). Alan Johnson makes a sound observation when he says,

In speaking about giving “breath” (pneuma) to the image, John implies the activity of the false prophets in reviving idolatrous worship, giving it the appearance of vitality, reality, and power (cf. Jer. 10:14). Curiously, the two witnesses were also said to receive “breath” (11:11). (“Revelation,” 2006, 713)

Idols normally cannot hear or speak, walk or see. They also do not murder. However, this is not a normal idol. Breathing and talking, it goes on a vicious campaign, a Christian holocaust, a Christian pogrom. Duvall is on target:

The demonic idol demands worship on penalty of death (cf. 16:14; 19:20). Christians may either give allegiance to false gods and ‘live’ or stay faithful to Christ with the real possibility of physical death. (Revelation, 186)

No doubt the temptation to compromise and give in will be great. The power of the gospel to endure and persevere will never be more needed.

REVELATION 13:16-17

Determined to coerce and enforce worship of the antichrist, the false prophet will engage in a global movement, a plan and program, to bring everyone into submission. All the various categories of humanity (13:16) will receive some type of mark, some form of identification on their right hand or their forehead. Without it they will not be able to buy or sell. While we do not know exactly what the mark is, we know its design is to mark people as belonging to the antichrist so they might be able to do the things necessary to live. It is clear from this passage that no one will receive it unknowingly. All will know exactly what they are doing. Believers will face economic boycott and social alienation in that day. The beast counterfeits the mark, the seal, of God in 7:3 and 14:1. God marks His people and Satan marks his too!

John MacArthur tells us the mark

will consist of either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Antichrist will have a universal designation, his name within a numbering system. The exact identification of that phrase is unclear. What is clear is that everyone will be required to have the identifying mark or suffer the consequences. (Revelation 12–22, 63)

David Platt is right: “Mark it down: there will always be a price to pay for believers who do not worship the idols of this world. Life will not be easy in this world when you fight the idolatry of this world, plain and simple” (“Fighting”).

REVELATION 13:18

More paper, ink, and worry have been wasted on this verse than perhaps any other verse in the Bible. What is “the mark of the beast” and the “number of his name”? The ancient Hebrew game called Gematria recognized that letters could also stand for numbers. Hence a series of letters could form a word and at the same time indicate a number. Hence the 666 of verse 18 has given us various identifications of the antichrist:

Speculation has not been helpful, and in many instances it has been rather harmful.

verse 18 issues a call for wisdom. Perhaps the wise person would avoid this hermeneutical quicksand altogether. But an important statement in the verse might lead us to make a cautious suggestion. The statement is, “It is the number of a man. His number is 666.” I think the number is more of a description than an identification. Six is the number of man. He was created on the sixth day. He is to work six days. In contrast, the number of perfection is seven, and the superlative of seven is 777.

The beast is the greatest man but still a man. He is a six, not a seven. He, along with Satan and the false prophet, is a 666, a trinity of imperfection. Not now or ever will they be a 777! He is the best man can produce, but he is still just a man! He is “the completeness of sinful incompleteness,” the ultimate in “coming up short.” He is good enough to deceive many, but he is nowhere close to good enough to displace Jesus (Beale, “Number of the Beast”).

Some people put their trust in government. Some people put their trust in money and the economy. Many people put their trust in religion. The Bible teaches that none of these will meet your expectations. None of these is the answer. Rather, our faith and confidence should be put in the kingdom of God, a bloody cross, and an empty tomb. We should put our trust in King Jesus and His gospel. Tragically, the world would rather believe a lie than the truth. They would rather align with antichrist than Jesus Christ. They are quicker to follow a false prophet than a true prophet of God. Do not be deceived! Follow Him who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Do not seek the mark of the beast. Seek to have the seal of the Savior of all men. Seek to bear the true mark, the mark of Jesus Christ. The decision is yours, and it is an important one.