The Beast from the Earth

The second beast performs great signs. It even makes fire come down from the sky while people watch.

Through these signs, it deceives people. It tells them to make an image of the first beast, which survived a wound from a sword.

It is allowed to give breath to the image, so the image speaks. Those who refuse to worship the image are to be killed.

A sign is an extraordinary act. In this passage, impressive signs are used to lead people into worshiping the beast.

People of every position—small and great, rich and poor, free and enslaved—are made to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead.

Without the mark, they cannot buy or sell. John connects it with the beast's name or the number of its name.

John calls for wisdom and understanding to calculate the number: six hundred sixty-six.

Christians interpret the mark and number in different ways. This exhibit does not identify a present-day person, device, or product as the mark.

The passage describes two horns like a lamb's and speech like a dragon's. It does not describe the creature's entire body. Its wool, face, and feet here are artistic choices.

The statue's material, the town, the clothing, and the arrangement of the crowd are also artistic details. The painting combines several moments from the passage.

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