As if this first beast from the sea wasn’t enough bad news, John tells us that another beast comes up.  But this one’s from the earth.

John wrote, “And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.  And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence.  And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.  And he performed great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men” (Revelation 13:11-13).

This two-horned beast is usually referred to as the “false prophet” (Revelation19:20).  This creepy creature will bring fire down from heaven and cause people to worship the Antichrist.  But, there is more to this guy.

Remember, these beasts of Bible prophecy aren't only kings.  They are also kingdoms that have some kind of relationship to Israel.  And when we read a little farther, we find that this beast has more than just spiritual authority.

About this second beast John writes: “And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead, and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:16-17).

Here we have one man who has immense religious and economic power.  In fact, I believe this could be the meaning of his two horns.  “Horns” in Bible prophecy indicate power.  This man’s power will be religious and economic power.

This suggests that this person will have control over some kind of global organization where he can exercise these two powers.  Where would we look to find such an organization today?  I believe this organization could well be the United Nations.  I’ll deal more with why I believe the UN could be the organization destined to fall under the control of the false prophet later in the book.

Yet if I’m right, and the first beast – the Antichrist and his kingdom – is now rising from the sea, then it won’t be long until the second beast – the false prophet and his kingdom – also shows up.