Revelation 13. We continue in this section of Revelation 10-14 which explores what is going on in heaven through various symbols and visions. (Watch for the phrase “in heaven” as you read, it’s a great clue to what John is seeing.) Chapter 12 introduced the symbols of the woman (and her offspring) and the dragon who are at war in a cosmic spiritual battle that began long ago. The dragon unleashes his anger by making war on the woman and the rest of her offspring, those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus (12:17).

How does the dragon make war against Christians? In Revelation 13 we see two more symbols that shine light on this war – Beast #1 and Beast #2. The beasts are terrible, fantastic creatures that defy all types of typical animals. John uses the language and imagery from Daniel 7 (the four beasts) and creates a terrifying mishmash of something powerful and beyond description. Trying to figure out all the beast details seems to be a fruitless exercise, so let’s focus on what John does makes clear.

John points out repeatedly that the beasts are not independent powers – they have been given authority from the dragon (13:2,4,5,7,12). The phrase the beast was allowed authority, or given authority, is repeated so often that it stands out – John wants his readers to know that the beasts are simply agents in a wider war. They cannot do whatever they want, God has given the dragon limited authority on the earth, and the dragon has deputized the beasts to do his bidding.

Both beasts are characterized by their repeated blasphemies against God. Beast #2 is a deceiver who does great signs and leads others into worshipping Beast #1. The whole earth – other than those marked by God – marvels at the beasts and worships them. There is a sense of one beast with military powers that conquers, and the second beast with economic powers that control, and together with the dragon they make an evil trio of sorts.

There is a whole lot going on in heaven that we are not normally aware of, and we struggle to make sense of it all and the weird elasticity of time and space in the spiritual world. I am not sure we were ever meant to understand the finer details of all the symbolism. Yet we can ask the question:

What is the Christian’s response to the evil trio and their blasphemies and persecution? John tells us, “Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints” (13:10). The instructions were similar for the seven churches who received this letter – the call is to persevere under trial and keep the faith, the promises are for the ones who overcome (or conquer).