the beast out of the earth and the victorious followers of the lamb revelation 13:11 – 14:5

The Beast out of the Earth The Beast out of the Earth and the Victorious Followers and the Victorious Followers

of the Lambof the Lamb

Revelation 13:11 – 14:5Revelation 13:11 – 14:5

Outline of RevelationOutline of Revelation Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future Publication of the Prophecy: Its Future

Expectation (4:1 – 22:5)Expectation (4:1 – 22:5) Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll Opening of the Seven-Sealed Scroll

(4:1 – 8:1)(4:1 – 8:1) The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets The Sounding of the Seven Trumpets

(8:2 – 11:19)(8:2 – 11:19) Pouring Out of the Seven Bowls Pouring Out of the Seven Bowls

(12:1 – 18:24)(12:1 – 18:24) Background of the Bowls (12:1 – 14:20)Background of the Bowls (12:1 – 14:20)

The woman, the male-child, and the dragon (12:1-17)The woman, the male-child, and the dragon (12:1-17) The beast out of the sea and the beast out of the The beast out of the sea and the beast out of the

earth (13:1-18)earth (13:1-18) The Victorious Followers of the Lamb (14:1-5)The Victorious Followers of the Lamb (14:1-5)

The Beast out of the Earth The Beast out of the Earth (13:11-18)(13:11-18)

The character of the beast (13:11)The character of the beast (13:11) A second beast ascends from the earth and plays a A second beast ascends from the earth and plays a

supporting role to the beast from the sea. This supporting supporting role to the beast from the sea. This supporting role is of a religious nature, as his title of “false prophet” role is of a religious nature, as his title of “false prophet” later in the book (16:13; 19:20; 20:10) indicates.later in the book (16:13; 19:20; 20:10) indicates.

In fact, all of chapter 13 is a counterfeit of the Christian era. In fact, all of chapter 13 is a counterfeit of the Christian era. There is a counterfeit trinity (dragon, false Christ, and false There is a counterfeit trinity (dragon, false Christ, and false prophet), a death and resurrection, and a universal church prophet), a death and resurrection, and a universal church with its special mark of membership.with its special mark of membership.

The false prophet has only two horns, indicating that he The false prophet has only two horns, indicating that he has less power than the first beast. has less power than the first beast.

His comparison to a lamb indicates that his manner is more His comparison to a lamb indicates that his manner is more gentle. He does not speak with the fierceness of the first gentle. He does not speak with the fierceness of the first beast, but his words are still satanic (like the dragon’s).beast, but his words are still satanic (like the dragon’s).

As the true Holy Spirit points people towards the true As the true Holy Spirit points people towards the true Christ, this false prophet points people towards the false Christ, this false prophet points people towards the false Christ.Christ.


The activities of the beast (13:12-17)The activities of the beast (13:12-17) He fully supports the work of the first beast; there He fully supports the work of the first beast; there

is an intimate relationship between the two.is an intimate relationship between the two. He seeks to have the whole world worship the first He seeks to have the whole world worship the first

beast on the basis of the first beast’s recovery beast on the basis of the first beast’s recovery from his fatal wound.from his fatal wound.

He performs signs to verify his claims as a He performs signs to verify his claims as a prophet.prophet.

These will be so impressive that they will almost deceive These will be so impressive that they will almost deceive even the elect (Matt 24:24).even the elect (Matt 24:24).

He will command those that dwell upon the earth He will command those that dwell upon the earth to make an image to the first beast, which will to make an image to the first beast, which will serve as an object of worship for the earth-serve as an object of worship for the earth-dwellers. dwellers.

By divine permission, the second beast is even By divine permission, the second beast is even able to give life to the image of the first beast.able to give life to the image of the first beast.

The image of the beast will not only be able to speak but The image of the beast will not only be able to speak but will also be able to destroy all those that do not worship will also be able to destroy all those that do not worship the image. the image.


The activities of the beast (13:12-17)The activities of the beast (13:12-17) The second beast also requires that every person The second beast also requires that every person

receive a visible mark of loyalty to the first beast receive a visible mark of loyalty to the first beast and to his worship, on either the right hand or and to his worship, on either the right hand or the forehead.the forehead.

The mark will probably be a branding or tattoo, The mark will probably be a branding or tattoo, similar to that given to soldiers, slaves, and similar to that given to soldiers, slaves, and temple devotees in John’s day.temple devotees in John’s day.

To ensure that all receive this mark, it will be To ensure that all receive this mark, it will be impossible to obtain even the necessities of life if one impossible to obtain even the necessities of life if one does not have it.does not have it.

The mark consists of a name which is also a The mark consists of a name which is also a number. number.


The number of the beast (13:18)The number of the beast (13:18) Verse 18 says that the one who has wisdom Verse 18 says that the one who has wisdom

can compute the number of the first beast.can compute the number of the first beast. ““Wisdom” here pertains to a special intelligence Wisdom” here pertains to a special intelligence

given to believers who live during this future period, given to believers who live during this future period, so that they will be able to unravel the mystery of the so that they will be able to unravel the mystery of the number.number.

It will probably include the use of It will probably include the use of gematria gematria or or something like it. something like it. GematriaGematria is the practice of is the practice of assigning numbers to an alphabet and then assigning numbers to an alphabet and then calculating a number from the letters of a calculating a number from the letters of a name.name.

Example: Christ’s genealogy in Matthew 1.Example: Christ’s genealogy in Matthew 1.

The Value of David’s NameThe Value of David’s Name

a a = 1= 1

b b = 2= 2

g g == 3 3 d d = 4= 4

h h = 5= 5

w w == 6 6

d w d4 + 6 + 4 = 14


The number of the beast (13:18)The number of the beast (13:18) Verse 18 says that the one who has wisdom Verse 18 says that the one who has wisdom

can compute the number of the first beast.can compute the number of the first beast. ““Wisdom” here pertains to a special intelligence Wisdom” here pertains to a special intelligence

given to believers who live during this future period, given to believers who live during this future period, so that they will be able to unravel the mystery of the so that they will be able to unravel the mystery of the number.number.

It will probably include the use of It will probably include the use of gematria gematria or or something like it. something like it. GematriaGematria is the practice of is the practice of assigning numbers to an alphabet and then assigning numbers to an alphabet and then calculating a number from the letters of a calculating a number from the letters of a name.name.

Example: Christ’s genealogy in Matthew 1.Example: Christ’s genealogy in Matthew 1. The false Christ’s number will be 666.The false Christ’s number will be 666.

Overview of Revelation 14Overview of Revelation 14

The whole of chapter 14 is proleptic, i.e., the The whole of chapter 14 is proleptic, i.e., the scenes are described from the vantage point scenes are described from the vantage point of a future point in time.of a future point in time. The first 5 verses feature the Lamb and His The first 5 verses feature the Lamb and His

follower’s victory over the beast.follower’s victory over the beast. The rest of the chapter furnishes an outline of both The rest of the chapter furnishes an outline of both

the catastrophes and the bliss that will be treated the catastrophes and the bliss that will be treated chronologically and in more detail in 16:17-22:5.chronologically and in more detail in 16:17-22:5.

Thus chapter 14 provides an important word of Thus chapter 14 provides an important word of encouragement for the faithful by describing the encouragement for the faithful by describing the ultimate triumph for those who refuse the mark of ultimate triumph for those who refuse the mark of the beast and the doom of those who do receive the beast and the doom of those who do receive it.it.

The Victorious Followers of the The Victorious Followers of the Lamb (14:1-5)Lamb (14:1-5)

The figure of Christ as a Lamb represents The figure of Christ as a Lamb represents not only His meekness and sacrificial not only His meekness and sacrificial death, but also His resurrection and death, but also His resurrection and ultimate victory, for it is through His shed ultimate victory, for it is through His shed blood that such a victory comes.blood that such a victory comes.

The 144,000, earlier sealed and protected The 144,000, earlier sealed and protected from the wrath of God and now from the wrath of God and now resurrected after being slain by the beast, resurrected after being slain by the beast, stand victoriously with Christ after He has stand victoriously with Christ after He has returned to the earth as a warrior-king and returned to the earth as a warrior-king and reigns during the millennial kingdom.reigns during the millennial kingdom. Mount Zion is the site of the temple in Mount Zion is the site of the temple in

Jerusalem. Jerusalem.


After seeing the 144,000 standing with After seeing the 144,000 standing with Christ on Mount Zion, John heard a loud Christ on Mount Zion, John heard a loud voice from heaven singing a new and voice from heaven singing a new and beautiful song, like harpists playing on beautiful song, like harpists playing on their harps.their harps.

Though not explicitly identified, the Though not explicitly identified, the singers here are probably a large angelic singers here are probably a large angelic multitude (as at 5:11 and 7:11) who sing multitude (as at 5:11 and 7:11) who sing before the throne of God.before the throne of God. Note the elders and four living creatures are Note the elders and four living creatures are

part of the audience.part of the audience.


No one could learn this new song except No one could learn this new song except the victorious 144,000, who had been the victorious 144,000, who had been purchased from the earth.purchased from the earth. In the OT, the “new song” was typically one of In the OT, the “new song” was typically one of

praise to God for new mercies (cf. Pss. 33:2,3; praise to God for new mercies (cf. Pss. 33:2,3; 40:2,3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isa 42:10).40:2,3; 96:1; 98:1; 144:9; 149:1; Isa 42:10).

This song also resembles the one sung by the This song also resembles the one sung by the Israelites when they were delivered from Egypt Israelites when they were delivered from Egypt (Exo 15:1-18). Such a song celebrates the (Exo 15:1-18). Such a song celebrates the mighty acts of God.mighty acts of God.

Here in Revelation 14 the song is in celebration Here in Revelation 14 the song is in celebration of the new age about to come, a song of victory of the new age about to come, a song of victory based on the sacrificial death of the Lamb.based on the sacrificial death of the Lamb.


Several characteristics distinguish this group:Several characteristics distinguish this group: They are men only, and they have had no sexual They are men only, and they have had no sexual

intercourse with women.intercourse with women. They are followers of the Lamb wherever He goes, They are followers of the Lamb wherever He goes,

having been loyal to Him even unto to death.having been loyal to Him even unto to death. They are “firstfruits” to God and to the Lamb.They are “firstfruits” to God and to the Lamb.

While this Greek term (While this Greek term (avparch.) sometimes means the ) sometimes means the first of a larger group to follow, it also frequently conveys first of a larger group to follow, it also frequently conveys the idea of a special, one-time contribution to God, the idea of a special, one-time contribution to God, without a larger group to follow.without a larger group to follow.

These men are also distinguished by their These men are also distinguished by their truthfulness, particularly in a time when lies and truthfulness, particularly in a time when lies and false worship dominate like never before.false worship dominate like never before.

Like the OT sacrifices, they are “blameless”, Like the OT sacrifices, they are “blameless”, without flaw and therefore fit to be offered to God. without flaw and therefore fit to be offered to God.

Next Week:Next Week:Four Climactic Four Climactic

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the Harvest and the Vintage the Harvest and the Vintage (Rev 14:6-20)(Rev 14:6-20)Read Rev 12 - 14Read Rev 12 - 14

the beast out of the earth and the victorious followers of the lamb revelation 13:11 – 14:5

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false christ

title of false prophet

false prophet points

special mark of membership

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object of worship

visible mark of loyalty

victorious followers