Who is the 2nd beast? (Revelation 13) Part 1

Let's discuss the second beast of Revelation 13 and what it means for us in the near future.

Revelation 13:11-12 reads: "Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed." (NIV)

This beast doesn't come out of the sea, but from the earth. The 'sea' is representative of all the peoples and nations of the earth, so I believe the 'earth' is representative of a more select group of people...meaning that this beast arises from a much smaller population. It has two horns, which I believe represents two seats of power or two places of power. It is 'like a lamb', meaning that this beast comes to power by giving the appearance of peaceful intentions. I have read Christian authors that interpret this to mean this beast initially has the appearance of being a Christian nation or power. Regardless, this beast is going to be very deceptive. Initially, it will be perceived as the good guy, speaking as though it has the best interests of the world in mind. The next words of Revelation 13:11 give the true nature of this beast, "but he spoke like a dragon." His true nature will be revealed as a power that is evil. The dragon represents Satan throughout the Bible, so I think it is safe to assume that this beast will behave like satan....proud, boastful words and evil actions....and receive its power and authority from satan. This beast will also have great political and military power since it will 'exercise all the authority of the first beast' and make all the people of the world "worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed."

So, this beast will be a very powerful political entity that forces the world to join the Roman Catholic Church (first beast) and its doctrine. So, looking at the world today, can we tell who this beast is? I have read many scholars who believe that the United States is this beast....including Steve Wohlberg. It sounds logical, a Christian nation that has fallen away from God who has great political and military might - the world's lone superpower. The two horns could represent our political parties or something else within the United States. It seems to make sense if you simply view the world today through the information we are given in the media and by our government and believe we are in the last days. I have noticed that those that believe this, never mention anything about secret societies or the Illuminati. They probably have never looked into these things.

If I take the knowledge and wisdom that I have been given through prayer and apply it to the Book of Revelation, I believe the truth begins to be revealed. If you've read my previous postings on the Illuminati, then you won't be surprised who I believe the second beast is. Secret societies of the Illuminati have been planning a 'New World Order' for at least two centuries. This 'New World Order' promotes the idea of no national boundaries and a one world socialist government. I'm not going to go into details here (previous postings have covered some of their goals and beliefs), but it is safe to say that their goals are very similar to what is described in Revelation 13 regarding this second beast....worldwide political control. If you think this is impossible because the U.S. seems to be firmly in control, I would suggest that you spend some time researching the Illuminati and how they have infiltrated world governments. The Council on Foreign Relations is a U.S. organization that promotes the New World Order agenda. It's members include most of the major political figures in our government. President Bush is currently, in secrecy, expanding NAFTA politically to create a future 'North American Union'. If you think this is simply another 'conspiracy theory', Lou Dobbs focused on this topic on his CNN program a few days ago and said that he couldn't believe that Americans were going to let it happen....so this topic has made it into mainstream media. How could Americans let this happen? Well, that's where our country's future judgment will come into play. The members of the Illuminati are going to create some type of horrible 'terrorist' event in this country that will make it feasible (through martial law or other forceful means) for the U.S. to be morphed into this world government. Americans and the world will allow these things to happen due to fear. We will 'save' ourselves by joining this world government. Sound impossible? It worked with 9/11....we have given up freedoms (Patriot Act, Military Commissions Act) for a false sense of security. Whether you want to believe it or not, this beast is coming and it's rising at the same time that the Roman Catholic Church has regained it's former influence in the world. Think this is a coincidence?

The New King James Version translates Revelation 13:12, "And he exercises all authority of the first beast in his presence....". I believe that it is clear that these two beasts are working together very closely to achieve global dominance. Think about how religion is causing such turmoil in the world today. If you're an evil organization with no belief in the One, True God of the Holy Bible, then how do you solve this problem? You would probably try to consolidate religions (through forceful means if necessary). The authors of Left Behind tell you that this global religion is a new religion that encompasses all world religions. I believe the truth is that the Roman Catholic Church is going to consolidate the world's religions through forceful means. If you don't believe the Catholic Church is open to approving other religious beliefs, think about this. In 1986, John Paul II invited leaders of the world's 12 largest religions to Assisi, Italy for a prayer summit. Each religious leader prayed to "whichever 'God' they believed in, beseeching these deities to bring peace to the world." In order to justify honoring prayers of even witch doctors and fire worshipers, John Paul II told participants that "the challenge of peace.....transcends religious differences." Does this sound Godly? Should we ever allow other religious beliefs, other than His Holy Word, to be accepted in the name of peace? Absolutely not! Once again, our enemy is attempting to morph the truth with lies. "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised - Amen." (Romans 1:25). Let's focus back on the 2nd beast. Revelation 13:11 says, "He had two horns like a lamb....". I believe that the 'two horns' could represent the two powers of Europe and the United States working together to bring about the New World Order. They are also moving us toward the New World Order secretly. We are consistently told that we are being 'protected' from terrorists by this 'war on terror'. This is similar to buying 'insurance' from the Mob.....you're buying protection from the very people you need protecting from. The 'war on terror' is no different. We think we're 'buying' protection by giving up our freedoms, when this is exactly what our government's goal actually is......the removal of individual freedoms. It is subtle, it is patient, but it is happening. I believe that Revelation 13:13-14 give us a very clear picture of what we can expect from this beast. "He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived" (Revelation 13:13-14). In the Left Behind series, there is a character who is said to be the false prophet of Revelation who stands before a huge metal 'image' (it's a statue) of the antichrist Nicolae Carpathia and calls down actual fire and lightning from heaven. Is this what this passage refers to? Once again, a prophecy is taken literally by futurists which leads to a misinterpretation.

This passage is not referring to some sorcerer who will cause 'signs' through demonic power. In Revelation 13:13, 'He' is the 2nd beast, and as we've learned in previous postings, a beast is a kingdom, not a man. This beast is the political world government (New World Order) that will cause many types of ‘fire’ from heaven (September 11, 2001 is one example of this). This is the 'fire' that is referenced in this verse. We are also told that these 'great signs' will be used to deceive the inhabitants of earth. I believe these 'signs' will be used to strike fear in us in order to tighten their control over the world. It also appears that these 'signs' were coordinated with the first beast. Again, it appears that the 'beasts' are working together. Eventually, it appears – based on Revelation chapter 13 - that the Catholic Church will be replaced by an ‘image’. More on this in later posts.

The 2nd beast will give power to this 'image'. "He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed" (Revelation 13:15). You may have thought that my previous postings regarding our need to stand for Jesus even if it leads to our death was a bit harsh. I'm not saying this simply to scare everyone, it's in the Bible. Basically, you and I will be forced to join this worldwide false religion or be killed. The political beast will enforce this. If you think you can somehow escape this death sentence if you refuse, pay close attention to the word 'all' in this verse. I have no doubt that some of us will survive to the return of Jesus, but the Bible makes it clear that most true believers that refuse this false religion will not survive to the end. This beast will also enforce the 'mark of the beast', which we will discuss in another posting. As I've mentioned many times before, now is the time to get close to God, through His Son, and prepare yourself for what we face. I believe that the next 'sign' we will see is the 'fire' from heaven that will 'deceive the inhabitants of the earth'. After this 'sign', things are rapidly going to get worse as both beasts begin to gain worldwide control.