The Beast of Revelation, described in Revelation 13, is a symbolic figure representing evil and opposition to God. Emerging from the sea with seven heads, ten horns, and ten crowns, it embodies the Antichrist, empowered by Satan (the dragon). This entity blasphemes God, rules for 42 months, and persecutes believers, ultimately deceiving many before its defeat by Christ at His return.
The Beast rises from the sea with ten horns, seven heads, and blasphemous names. Empowered by the dragon (Satan), it rules for 42 months, waging war on the saints and deceiving with signs (Rev 13:1-8).
A second Beast from the earth promotes the first, enforcing its mark—666—on all. It performs wonders, like fire from heaven, and deceives people into worshiping the sea Beast’s image (Rev 13:11-18).
The mark 666 is "the number of a man." Some link it to Nero via Hebrew gematria (Neron Caesar = 666), symbolizing ultimate human evil opposing God (Rev 13:18).
Scholars debate: it’s Nero, a future Antichrist, or Rome’s empire. Preterists see a 1st-century figure; futurists a coming tyrant; others a system of rebellion against God.
The dragon (Satan) gives the Beast its power, throne, and authority, making it a satanic agent mimicking Christ’s rule but opposing God’s kingdom (Rev 13:2-4).
Written circa 95 AD under Domitian, Revelation 13 may reflect Rome’s persecution of Christians, with the Beast as imperial power demanding worship (e.g., emperor cults).
The Church sees it as evil’s opposition to Christ, possibly a future figure or past regime. The focus is resisting its mark—sin—via faith (CCC 2113).
The mark on the hand or forehead (666) signifies allegiance to the Beast, contrasting the seal of God on the faithful. It’s tied to economic control (Rev 13:16-17).
Yes—Daniel 7’s beasts prefigure it, with horns and dominion. 2 Thessalonians 2’s “man of lawlessness” echoes its defiance, linking it to end-times rebellion.
Read Revelation 13, Daniel 7, or the Catechism (CCC 676, 2113).
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