Conversations in Revelation: A Crescendo of Counterfeits

by Dennis Michelson
(FaithBaptistOH.org)

A Crescendo of Counterfeits
Revelation 13:1-10

The present struggles of the Church (2:1-3:22) is in stark contrast to its final rest. The Church must maintain its witness and purity. Everything moves forward to the victory of Christ at His coming. There is a spiritual war of cosmic proportions and a prominent feature of this book is the multitude of Satanic counterfeits that oppose God and His people. The Beast, introduced in 13:1-10 is a counterfeit of Christ.

Rev 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.
Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Rev 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
Rev 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

1. The Beast is an image of Satan, whom Satan brought forth, just as Christ is the exact image of God begotten by the Father (13:1)

2. The Beast has ten crowns and blasphemous names, while Christ has many crowns and worthy names (13:1 cf 19:12)

Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Rev 19:12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

3. The Dragon gave the Beast his power, throne, and great authority (13:2), just as Christ has power (5:12-13), throne (3:21), and authority (12:10) from the Father (John 5:21-23)

Rev 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Rev 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever
Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne
Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Joh 5:21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
Joh 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
Joh 5:23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

4. The Beast has a seemingly fatal wound from which he has recovered (13:3), counterfeiting Christ’s resurrection, and the beast’s recovery is one of the principal features that attracts his followers (13:4), just as the resurrection of Christ is one of the principal points of evangelistic proclamation.

Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast
Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

5. Worship is directed both to the Dragon and the Beast (13:4), just as Christians worship both the Father and the Son.

Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

6. The Beast attracts the worship of the whole world (13:7), just as Christ will be worshiped universally

Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

7. The Beast utters blasphemies (13:5) while Christ utters the praises of God (Heb 2:12)

Rev 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Heb 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

8. The Beast makes war against the saints (13:7) while Christ makes war against the Beast (19:11-21) The song of praise to the Beast in 13:4 counterfeits the song to God in Exodus 15:11.

Rev 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
Exo 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

9. Together – Satan, the beast, and the false prophet – form an unholy trio (16:13), counterfeiting the Holy Trinity.

Rev 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
When Divine Revelation opens our eyes, there is a world of difference between Satan’s horrors and God’s beauties. Satan is an imitator, not a creator, and his productions are always degenerate like himself.

10. Babylon the harlot, the counterfeit of the Bride of Christ (17:1-19:10) Babylon sums up in herself the worship of this godless world.

NB: Satan attacks the true saints in two different ways
Beast – attacks with power and persecution, endeavoring to destroy the witness of the saints and force them to worship the beast.
Babylon – attacks with seduction, endeavoring to destroy the purity of the saints.