The subject in chapters 12 and 13 is the Antichrist and his rule in the apocalyptical time. A “beast” was summoned out of the sea by the dragon to serve as his pawn and do his bidding. The “sea” is representative of the abyss (see Revelation 11:7 and 17:8). In the Old Testament, the sea is used to describe the place where satanic activities take place (Job 26:12; Psalm 74:13-14). In Revelation 20:1-3, Satan is imprisoned in the abyss during the millennial. The term “Beast” highlights the wild and ferocious nature of his rule.

The personal pronoun makes it clear that this is a person (Daniel 7:25; 8:24-25; 11:36-45). Although he is human-like, he is under the control of Satanic power. He has ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on the horns similar with the description of Satan in chapter 12:3. Horns and crowns represent strength and power to attack and defend. “Ten” symbolizes his political and military might among the ten nations (Daniel 7:16-24). The seven heads are said to represent seven successive empires possibly Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome, and the final one, Antichrist’s final kingdom. On the heads were the blasphemous names in opposing God. Roman and pagan rulers often chose divine names for themselves in opposition to God.

People are drawn to the Antichrist because of his charisma and leadership. It is not surprising even Christians would follow the ungodly ruler despite knowing God and His word. The beast had characteristics like the leopard, the bear, and the lion (Daniel 7:3-7). The lion is fierce and powerful; the bear is ferocious and strong, and the leopard is swift and vicious. The dragon is powerful and with great authority is the one behind all these empires. The final empire is a restoration of the Roman Empire with the characteristics of the first three: ferocity, viciousness, swiftness, and strong. It will be his last attempt to stop Christ from setting up His kingdom. But the gate of hell will not prevail against His Church. So, we do not need to fear Satan.

Some people think the Roman Empire will be restored by the Antichrist once again. He will then unite the countries occupying the territory of ancient Rome into a new empire. People will follow him because of a miracle he performed imitating the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is by the “One of the heads seemed to have had a mortal, but its mortal wound was healed.” Thus, whether the Antichrist’s death is real or fake, he will gain fame and many people have been led astray even Christians must be aware of those who can perform signs and wonders.

He will not be contented with being famous and with many followers. But he wants to be worshipped like God. So, he will set himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God also known as the Desolation of the Abomination that will take place. With the help of the false prophet, many will “worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed” (verse 12). The Antichrist will also be a gifted orator and an intellectual genius, possessing great charm and charisma, with immense leadership power. He will use his oratory skill to lure people to follow Him and to curse and blaspheme against God.

The prophet Daniel predicted of this that God will allow the Antichrist to do all these evil things only for forty-two months in the second half of the seventy weeks. Likewise, although God allows men to do evil today, it is only for a limited time. Christians will suffer and die during this time, but when Christ returns, He will judge them all. “All who dwells on earth” those whose names have “not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life” who worship the Antichrist will be judged.

The vision ended with a call: “If anyone has an ear, let him hear.” This call is echoed fifteen times in the NT. It is to emphasize an important truth that the listeners must heed God’s word. It is always followed by, “what the Spirit says to the churches” but not in this chapter. The omission suggests the church has been raptured as some surmised. Instead, it is amended by a proverb: “If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must be slain.” The emphasis is calling all believers alive during this time of the Antichrist, they must endure to the end.

Enduring persecution is difficult. But this is what God calls us to do and to do so faithfully as it bears witness of our faith in Him. The Book of Revelation was written for the seven churches in Asia Minor, and it is also written for the churches today. The road ahead for us will not be easy just as life is not easy. But God calls us to endure and live by faith until He returns as the endurance of our faith will reap a bountiful reward for us who stand firm till the end! Don’t give up but press on in whatever difficulties we may face right now!