The United States in Prophecy
    So we see that Revelation 13 speaks about two beasts and it is the second beast that enforces the image of the beast and has the number 666. But, in order to understand who this second beast is we must be very clear on who the first beast is.

    If you have viewed the pages for Dan 7, 8 and the little horn power then you probably already know who the first beast is. We can be certain because John is using the exact same imagery for the first beast as Daniel used for the beast and little horn power. Let's parallel these characteristics:

    Characteristic Little Horn Power of Dan 7 1st Beast of Revelation 13
    Rise out of the sea Dan 7:3 Rev 13:1
    10 horns Dan 7:7, 20 Rev 13:1
    Very powerful Dan 7:20 Rev 13:2
    Speaks blasphemy against God Dan 7:8, 20, 25 Rev 13:1
    Persecutes the saints Dan 7:25 Rev 13:7
    Survives for "1260 days" Dan 7:25 Rev 13:5

    If you have not gone through the lesson covering the little horn power of Daniel 7 and 8, please do so now. This next part won't make much sense if you don't.

    The Little Horn Power
    We saw clearly in that lesson that the description of the little horn power clearly fits the Papacy. This is because it:

    • Grew out of the Roman empire
    • Wielded power over the 10 tribes of the Roman empire
    • Was different (religious) from all the other (civil) powers
    • Made boastful claims (e.g. infallability, right to change God's laws, etc)
    • Persecuted God's people (e.g. the inquisition)
    • Was given power for 1260 years.
    So we see clearly that the first beast of Revelation 13 is that same little horn power of Daniel 7 which is the Papacy.

    The Deadly Wound
    In Revelation 13:3 the Bible says that the Papacy would receive a deadly wound but that this wound would be healed. In 1798 (the end of the 1260 year period) the French general, Berthier, invaded Rome and took the Pope prisoner thereby essentially decapitating the Roman Catholic Church. One would have thought that the Catholic Church was done for. But that wound healed over time to the point where now the Pope travels the world meeting with huge masses of people. But still, the power of the Papacy is nowhere near what it used to be. Revelation 13 says that the power which the first beast had will be reproduced when the second beast creates an "image of the first beast".

    So, who's the second beast?