The Two Beasts of Revelation 13

Revelation 13 reveals two great powers—two prophetic “beasts”—that dominate the closing scenes of history. The first rises from the sea, and the second from the earth. Together, these powers work in unison to influence the whole world.

❖ The First Beast – Papal Rome

John writes:
“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” (Revelation 13:1).

In prophecy, sea represents “peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues” (Revelation 17:15), meaning this power arises in an already populated and politically active region—the Old World.

Link to Daniel’s Prophecies
This beast blends features from the lion, bear, and leopard of Daniel 7, which represented Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece. The dragon (Pagan Rome) gives this beast its “power, seat, and great authority” (Revelation 13:2). This shows a direct line of succession from Imperial Rome to this new religious-political power.

Seven Heads and Ten Horns
The seven heads represent successive forms of Roman government—kingly, consular, decemvirate, dictatorial, triumvirate, imperial, and finally papal.
The ten horns are the ten kingdoms into which the Western Roman Empire divided.

When Pagan Rome collapsed, the imperial power transferred to the Bishop of Rome. Emperor Justinian’s decree in AD 533 recognized the Pope as head over all the churches, and by AD 538, after removing opposition in Italy, the Papacy stood as the dominant authority in Christendom.

Defining Characteristics
- Rises from the sea – emerges from the political-religious ferment of Europe.
- Receives power from the dragon – inherits authority and position from Pagan Rome.
- Exercises worldwide influence – “all the world wondered after the beast” (Rev. 13:3).
- Blasphemous claims – assumes titles and prerogatives belonging to God alone.
- Persecution of dissenters – waging war against those who opposed its authority.
- 42 prophetic months of dominance – 1,260 years of rule (AD 538–1798).
- Deadly wound – inflicted in 1798 when Napoleon’s general captured the Pope, ending papal political supremacy.

The composite nature of the beast shows that it carries forward the political cunning of Babylon, the strength of Medo-Persia, the culture of Greece, and the administrative might of Rome—merged into a single religious-political system.

Identification: This first beast is Rome in its papal form—the Roman Catholic Church as a union of church and state.

❖ The Second Beast – The United States of America
Prophetic Origin

Immediately after the first beast receives its deadly wound, John sees another power:
“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon” (Revelation 13:11).

While the first beast arose from the sea (Old World nations), this one rises from the earth—a sparsely populated area. This symbolizes a new nation emerging free from the political and military struggles of Europe.

Timing
The second beast rises “coming up” (Greek: anabainō, meaning to spring up gently) around the late 18th century—precisely when the first beast’s power was broken in 1798. Only one nation fits this timing and description: the United States of America.

Two Horns Like a Lamb

Horns represent power, but here they are lamb-like—symbols of innocence and liberty. These two horns point to the nation’s founding principles:
- Civil Liberty – Republican form of government (no king).
- Religious Liberty – Protestant heritage (no pope).

From its beginning, the U.S. was a haven for those fleeing religious persecution, declaring that church and state should remain separate.

Global Influence
Today, America stands as the foremost global superpower—maintaining 800+ military bases worldwide, active military operations in over 80 countries, and six major military commands covering every part of the globe. Such reach matches the prophetic picture of a nation capable of influencing “the earth and them which dwell therein” (Revelation 13:12).

Change of Character
Though beginning as a defender of liberty, prophecy warns that the second beast “speaks as a dragon”—adopting the language of coercion, force, and control. The dragon represents Satan working through earthly powers, especially those that unite church and state to enforce their will.

This transformation involves:
- Using economic pressure and sanctions to achieve political aims.
- Shaping global policy through military and economic dominance.
- Abandoning constitutional freedoms under certain political or religious pressures.

❖ The Prophetic Relationship Between the Two Beasts

The prophecy shows a progression:
- Papal Rome (First Beast) – dominates the Old World for over a millennium.
- Deadly wound (1798) – Papal political supremacy broken.
- Rise of the United States (Second Beast) – emerges in the New World with principles of liberty.
- Global partnership – eventually, the second beast uses its power to elevate and support the first beast’s influence again.

One arises from the crowded waters of European history; the other springs from the wilderness of the New World. One begins with monarchy and religious control; the other begins with liberty and self-government. Yet prophecy foresees them aligned in purpose before the end.