Revelation 13

“And I saw a beast rising out of the sea ...” (v1). John’s vision of the anti-Christ forces that war against the Church include a beast that comes “out of the sea” and another that comes “out of the earth” (v11), and the dragon gives them authority. They mimic the glory of the Messiah: one has a “mortal wound” that is healed (v3), the whole earth worships it (v8), and the other beast “performs great signs” (v11). The dragon and his beasts offer a dark substitute for the Messiah’s power.

Twisted and destructive God-substitutes display power without love, victory without sacrifice. The Christ that we worship (v8) gave his life for us and asks us to “conquer” by our witness.