TRV
Translation
King James Version
And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Complete Jewish Bible
It performs great miracles, even causing fire to come down from heaven onto the earth as people watch.
Berean Standard Bible
And the second beast performed great signs to cause even fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people.
American Standard Version
And he doeth great signs, that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven upon the earth in the sight of men.
World English Bible Messianic
He performs great signs, even making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And he did great wonders, so that hee made fire to come downe from heauen on the earth, in the sight of men,
Young's Literal Translation
and it doth great signs, that fire also it may make to come down from the heaven to the earth before men,
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Commentary on Revelation 13 verses 11–18
11 ¶ And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Those who think the first beast signifies Rome pagan by this second beast would understand Rome papal, which promotes idolatry and tyranny, but in a more soft and lamb-like manner: those that understand the first beast of the secular power of the papacy take the second to intend its spiritual and ecclesiastical powers, which act under the disguise of religion and charity to the souls of men. Here observe,
I. The form and shape of this second beast: He had two horns like a lamb, but a mouth that spoke like the dragon. All agree that this must be some great impostor, who, under a pretence of religion, shall deceive the souls of men. The papists would have it to be Apollonius Tyranaeus; but Dr. More has rejected that opinion, and fixes it upon the ecclesiastical powers of the papacy. The pope shows the horns of a lamb, pretends to be the vicar of Christ upon earth, and so to be vested with his power and authority; but his speech betrays him, for he gives forth those false doctrines and cruel decrees which show him to belong to the dragon, and not to the Lamb.
II. The power which he exercises: All the power of the former beast (Rev 13:12); he promotes the same interest, pursues the same design in substance, which is, to draw men off from worshipping the true God to worshipping those who by nature are no gods, and subject the souls and consciences of men to the will and authority of men, in opposition to the will of God. This design is promoted by the popery as well as by paganism, and by the crafty arts of popery as well as by the secular arm, both serving the interests of the devil, though in a different manner.
III. The methods by which this second beast carried on his interests and designs; they are of three sorts: - 1. Lying wonders, pretended miracles, by which they should be deceived, and prevailed with to worship the former beast in this new image or shape that was now made for him; they would pretend to bring down fire from heaven, as Elias did, and God sometimes permits his enemies, as he did the magicians of Egypt, to do things that seem very wonderful, and by which unwary persons may be deluded. It is well known that the papal kingdom has been long supported by pretended miracles. 2. Excommunications, anathemas, severe censures, by which they pretend to cut men off from Christ, and cast them into the power of the devil, but do indeed deliver them over to the secular power, that they may be put to death; and thus, notwithstanding their vile hypocrisy, they are justly charged with killing those whom they cannot corrupt. 3. By disfranchisement, allowing none to enjoy natural, civil, or municipal rights, who will not worship that papal beast, that is, the image of the pagan beast. It is made a qualification for buying and selling the rights of nature, as well as for places of profit and trust, that they have the mark of the beast in their forehead and in their right hand, and that they have the name of the beast and the number of his name. It is probable that the mark, the name, and the number of the beast, may all signify the same thing - that they make an open profession of their subjection and obedience to the papacy, which is receiving the mark in their forehead, and that they oblige themselves to use all their interest, power, and endeavour, to promote the papal authority, which is receiving the mark in their right hands. We are told that pope Martin V. in his bull, added to the council of Constance, prohibits Roman catholics from suffering any heretics to dwell in their countries, or to make any bargains, use any trades, or bear any civil offices, which is a very clear interpretation of this prophecy.
IV. We have here the number of the beast, given in such a manner as shows the infinite wisdom of God, and will sufficiently exercise all the wisdom and accuracy of men: The number is the number of a man, computed after the usual manner among men, and it is 666. Whether this be the number of the errors and heresies that are contained in popery, or rather, as others, the number of the years from its rise to its fall, is not certain, much less what that period is which is described by these prophetic numbers. The most admired dissertation on this intricate subject is that of Dr. Potter, where the curious may find sufficient entertainment. It seems to me to be one of those seasons which God has reserved in his own power; only this we know, God has written Mene Tekel upon all his enemies; he has numbered their days, and they shall be finished, but his own kingdom shall endure for ever.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 11–18. Public domain.
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Hippolytus of RomeAD 235
Hippolytus Dogmatical and Historical Fragments
But as it is incumbent on us to discuss this matter of the beast more exactly, and in particular the question how the Holy Spirit has also mystically indicated his name by means of a number, we shall proceed to state more clearly what bears upon him. John then speaks thus: "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns, like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exercised all the power of the first beast before him; and he made the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he did great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast, saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast which had the wound by a sword and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand or in their forehead; and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast; for if is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred threescore and six."
By the beast, then, coming up out of the earth, he means the kingdom of Antichrist; and by the two horns he means him and the false prophet after him. And in speaking of "the horns being like a lamb," he means that he will make himself like the Son of God, and set himself forward as king. And the terms, "he spake like a dragon," mean that he is a deceiver, and not truthful. And the words, "he exercised all the power of the first beast before him, and caused the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed," signify that, after the manner of the law of Augustus, by whom the empire of Rome was established, he too will rule and govern, sanctioning everything by it, and taking greater glory to himself. For this is the fourth beast, whose head was wounded and healed again, in its being broken up or even dishonoured, and partitioned into four crowns; and he then (Antichrist) shall with knavish skill heal it, as it were, and restore it. For this is what is meant by the prophet when he says, "He will give life unto the image, and the image of the beast will speak." For he will act with vigour again, and prove strong by reason of the laws established by him; and he will cause all those who will not worship the image of the beast to be put to death. Here the faith and the patience of the saints will appear, for he says: "And he will cause all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand or in their forehead; that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, the name of the beast, or the number of his name." For, being full of guile, and exalting himself against the servants of God, with the wish to afflict them and persecute them out of the world, because they give not glory to him, he will order incense-pans to be set up by all everywhere, that no man among the saints may be able to buy or sell without first sacrificing; for this is what is meant by the mark received upon the right hand. And the word-"in their forehead"-indicates that all are crowned, and put on a crown of fire, and not of life, but of death. For in this wise, too, did Antiochus Epiphanes the king of Syria, the descendant of Alexander of Macedon, devise measures against the Jews. He, too, in the exaltation of his heart, issued a decree in those times, that "all should set up shrines before their doors, and sacrifice, and that they should march in procession to the honour of Dionysus, waving chaplets of ivy; "and that those who refused obedience should be put to death by strangulation and torture. But he also met his due recompense at the hand of the Lord, the righteous Judge and all-searching God; for he died eaten up of worms. And if one desires to inquire into that more accurately, he will find it recorded in the books of the Maccabees.
Victorinus of PettauAD 304
Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John
"And he shall make fire come down from heaven in the sight of men." Yes (as I also have said), in the sight of men. Magicians do these things, by the aid of the apostate angels, even to this day. He shall cause also that a golden image of Antichrist shall be placed in the temple at Jerusalem, and that the apostate angel should enter, and thence utter voices and oracles. Moreover, he himself shall contrive that his servants and children should receive as a mark on their foreheads, or on their right hands, the number of his name, lest any one should buy or sell them. Daniel had previously predicted his contempt and provocation of God. "And he shall place," says he, "his temple within Samaria, upon the illustrious and holy mountain that is at Jerusalem, an image such as Nebuchadnezzar had made." Thence here he places, and by and by here he renews, that of which the Lord, admonishing His churches concerning the last times and their dangers, says: "But when ye shall see the contempt which is spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place, let him who readeth understand." It is called a contempt when God is provoked, because idols are worshipped instead of God, or when the dogma of heretics is introduced in the churches. But it is a turning away because stedfast men, seduced by false signs and portents, are turned away from their salvation.
TiconiusAD 390
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13:12
It exercised all the power of the first beast on the earth. He spoke of that earlier beast that he had seen rising from the sea and to which the dragon had given his own great power. He said that the beast exercised this power before the beast. For all the power of the people is in their leaders, which he described, just as the power of the locusts and the horses is in their tails. In front of the people, the leaders do what is useful to the will of the devil under the cover of an imitation of the church. Clearly, in both beasts there is one body, and they practice the worship of one iniquity, so that the mimicry of the latter beast may be said to work to the advantage of that earlier beast.… “So that those who dwell on the earth worship the first beast.” … Or as another translation renders, “so that the earth and those who inhabit it.” … And he mentioned the earth and those who inhabit the earth with good reason. For it might have sufficed to mention either the earth or those who inhabit the earth. However, he shows the force of [the beast’s] seduction which has given both body and soul to him as property. For whoever falls by force without being enticed away is made captive in the body alone. However, whoever falls to seduction is made captive both in the body and in the mind, and for this reason he said, “He caused the earth and those who inhabit it to worship the beast whose mortal wound was healed.”
Caesarius of ArlesAD 542
EXPOSITION ON THE APOCALYPSE 13:12-13, HOMILY 11
Since the church is “heaven,” what is this fire that falls from heaven other than heresies that fall from the church? As it is written, “They went out from us, but they were not of us.” For fire falls from the church whenever heretics leave the church as though fire and persecute the church. Therefore, the beast with the two horns causes the people to worship the image of the beast, that is, the devices of the devil.
Primasius of HadrumetumAD 560
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13:13
“And he did great signs, even making fire come down from heaven in the sight of people.” Although it says that he would do many signs, he mentions only this remarkable sign. This translation speaks as though of the past, while it announces the future, although indicating that the future will also be different. And so it says, “so that he also makes fire come down from heaven.” That he causes fire to descend from heaven to the earth, that is, from the church to those who are earthly, indicates that whether from a variety of peoples or by the wiles of a falling enemy he causes his servants to speak in new and multiple tongues. In this manner they prattle as though they had received the gift of the Holy Spirit who in the form of fiery tongues had once truly shined upon the individual disciples of Christ. And, indeed, the Lord especially commended this sign of those who believe, saying, “These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues,” and the like. It is not surprising, therefore, if that beast which by imitation usurped the name of the Lamb who had been killed and now is living should also fraudulently lay claim by mimicry to that great gift of the Holy Spirit and feign that gift also for his servants, even as we recall what once Simon boasted but was unable to do. For when the very ministers of Satan listed their expulsions of demons and their various wonders and said, “Did we not cast out demons in your name?” and the like, the Lord did not approve of their boasting but reproved them as arrogant and worthy of damnation. And therefore, perhaps by emphasizing this sign [of fire], which represents the Holy Spirit, he wished to indicate especially that which is superior to all else. For although heresies seem to have some things in common with us, only the church of Christ can boast that she especially is possessed of this gift. Although the magicians of Pharaoh performed wonders similar to those of Moses, we are told that they were frustrated by the Holy Spirit. When they gave up on their own claims and were defeated, they spoke a true confession and said, “This is the finger of God.” The Gospel testifies that the Holy Spirit is called “the finger of God” when one Gospel says, “By the Spirit of God I cast out demons,” while another says, “By the finger of God I cast out demons.” And so the sheer force of the seduction is indicated, that the beast is thought to possess that Spirit that resisted the magicians and brought their deceptions to nothing.
Andreas of CaesareaAD 614
COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 13:12-13
The forerunner of the apostate false christ will do all things through sorcery for the deception of humankind, so that the antichrist will be regarded as God. And, since [the antichrist] receives the witness of the worker of such marvels, he receives undisputed honor, in imitation of the Baptist, who led those who believed to the Savior. For falsehood is zealous to imitate the truth for the deception of humankind. Therefore, it is not remarkable that to the eyes of those deceived, fire is seen coming down from heaven. For somewhere in the story of Job we are taught that, with the permission of God and by the activity of Satan, fire came down and consumed his flock.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Revelation
And he performed great signs, so that he even made fire come down from heaven to earth. He presented the miracle of fire as the greatest among others, so that, just as the Lord Christ gave His disciples the grace of virtues with the coming of the Holy Spirit in fire, so he, with deceptive cunning, might also deceive his followers with a similar charisma.
OecumeniusAD 990
Commentary on Revelation
And it performed great signs, so that it even made fire come down from heaven to the earth in the sight of men. And the doing of signs and wonders by the power of the Devil is attested by the apostle; for after saying where "the presence is by the operation of Satan, he brings upon all power and signs and lying wonders." (2 Thess. 2:9)
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Revelation 13:13 vividly portrays the deceptive power of the second beast, often identified as the False Prophet, who performs astonishing, counterfeit miracles designed to mislead humanity. Specifically, he calls down fire from heaven in full public view, an act intended to mimic divine authority and validate the first beast's claim to worship, thereby cementing global allegiance to the antichrist system through a display of supernatural, yet malevolent, power.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Revelation 13 introduces two formidable adversaries of God and His people during the end times. The first beast, emerging from the sea, represents a global political and economic power, embodying the antichrist spirit and receiving its authority from the dragon (Satan). The second beast, rising from the earth, functions as the first beast's chief propagandist and enforcer. His primary role, as detailed in Revelation 13:11-17, is to deceive the world into worshipping the first beast and accepting its mark. Verse 13:13 specifically highlights one of his most dramatic and convincing methods: the performance of "great wonders," particularly the act of calling fire down from heaven. This miracle is presented as a key component of his strategy to establish false prophetic credibility and compel worship, leading directly to the enforcement of the mark of the beast.
Historical & Cultural Context: In the ancient world, signs and wonders were widely understood as demonstrations of divine power or spiritual authority. Both true prophets and false prophets often performed such acts to validate their claims or messages. The specific act of calling fire down from heaven would have immediately brought to mind the prophet Elijah's dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, where God consumed the sacrifice by fire, proving His sole deity. Similarly, Elijah later called down fire to consume soldiers sent to arrest him (2 Kings 1:10-12). This historical and cultural backdrop makes the second beast's imitation particularly potent; it is a direct usurpation of a powerful, divinely authenticated act, designed to mislead those familiar with biblical narratives and expectations of prophetic validation. The Roman imperial cult, which demanded worship of the emperor, also provides a parallel, as it often employed grand spectacles and propaganda to enforce allegiance, though not typically supernatural signs.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several major themes within Revelation and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of Deception Through Miracles, illustrating that not all supernatural signs originate from God. The "great wonders" performed by the second beast are not divine attestations but rather malevolent deceptions, designed to authenticate a false message and a false authority, leading people astray from the true God. This also highlights the theme of Counterfeit Power, where the enemy attempts to imitate God's omnipotence to gain allegiance. By making "fire come down from heaven," the False Prophet attempts to emulate the dramatic and undeniable displays of divine power seen throughout the Old Testament, creating a counterfeit spirituality that appears legitimate to the unsuspecting masses. Finally, the phrase "in the sight of men" underscores the theme of Public Display and Credibility, emphasizing that these deceptive acts are public, spectacular, and strategically calculated to impress, intimidate, and convince a wide audience of the False Prophet's (and thus the first beast's) legitimacy and power, setting the stage for universal worship and control (Revelation 13:15-17).
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Revelation 13:13 employs several powerful Literary Devices to convey its message. Allusion is central, as the act of calling fire down from heaven directly alludes to the miraculous acts of the prophet Elijah in the Old Testament (1 Kings 18:38). This allusion serves to highlight the deceptive nature of the second beast, who attempts to mimic divine power and prophetic authority to mislead. By mirroring a genuine act of God, the beast's actions become a Counterfeit or a Parody of divine power, designed to confuse and draw worship away from the true God. There is also an element of Symbolism in the "fire from heaven," which traditionally symbolizes divine presence, judgment, or authentication. Here, it is co-opted and corrupted to symbolize false power and destructive deception. The "great wonders" themselves are a form of Hyperbole, emphasizing the extraordinary and awe-inspiring nature of these deceptive acts, intended to overwhelm human reason and discernment.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 13:13 serves as a profound theological warning: genuine spiritual power can be counterfeited, and not all supernatural manifestations originate from God. This verse underscores the biblical truth that the ultimate test of any prophet or spiritual phenomenon is not merely the presence of signs and wonders, but whether their message aligns with God's revealed truth and whether they direct worship to the one true God or to another. The False Prophet's ability to call fire from heaven, a feat that mimics divine authentication, highlights the extreme lengths to which evil will go to deceive humanity, blurring the lines between divine power and demonic imitation. This necessitates a deep reliance on biblical discernment, recognizing that even impressive miracles can serve an anti-God agenda, leading people into idolatry and ultimately, destruction.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 13:13 issues a timeless and urgent call for spiritual discernment in an age saturated with information and sensationalism. It warns us against being swayed by impressive displays of power or seemingly miraculous occurrences alone. The critical lesson is that the source, message, and ultimate allegiance of any "wonder-worker" must be rigorously tested against the unchanging truth of God's Word. In a world where spiritual counterfeits and charismatic deceptions abound, believers are called to cultivate a deep understanding of Scripture, allowing it to be the plumb line by which all claims of divine authority and supernatural power are measured. Our faith must be anchored in the person of Jesus Christ and the revealed truth of the Gospel, not in fleeting spectacles or the allure of extraordinary signs. This verse compels us to be vigilant, to "test the spirits" (1 John 4:1), and to recognize that true divine power always glorifies God and leads to Christ, never away from Him.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does the "fire from heaven" in Revelation 13:13 refer to literal fire, or is it symbolic?
Answer: While the book of Revelation often employs rich symbolism, the description of the fire coming down "from heaven on the earth in the sight of men" strongly suggests a literal, observable phenomenon. The purpose of this act is to provide a convincing, public display of power that mimics divine acts (like Elijah calling fire down) to deceive humanity. The impact of the miracle depends on its visible, tangible reality. Therefore, it is best understood as a literal, though supernaturally enabled, event that serves a deceptive purpose.
How can believers distinguish between genuine miracles from God and deceptive signs like those performed by the False Prophet?
Answer: Distinguishing between true and false miracles requires spiritual discernment rooted in biblical truth. First, the source matters: genuine miracles always originate from God and glorify Him, while deceptive signs are empowered by Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:9). Second, the message is crucial: true miracles confirm God's Word and lead people to repentance and faith in Christ; false signs validate a message that contradicts Scripture or promotes idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:1-3). Third, consider the fruit: true miracles build up the body of Christ, promote righteousness, and foster genuine worship of God, while false signs lead to spiritual bondage, compromise, and worship of the creature rather than the Creator (Matthew 7:15-20). Ultimately, a deep knowledge of God's Word and reliance on the Holy Spirit's guidance are essential for discernment.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 13:13 depicts the ultimate deception by the False Prophet, it implicitly points to the absolute truth and power of Jesus Christ. The beast's counterfeit miracle of calling fire from heaven is a stark contrast to Christ's genuine divine authority and His warnings against deception. Jesus Himself prophesied the rise of false prophets who would perform "great signs and wonders" to mislead, even the elect if possible (Matthew 24:24). Unlike the beast, who performs signs to draw worship to himself and another, Jesus performed miracles not for self-glorification but to authenticate His divine identity, confirm the truth of His message, and demonstrate the compassion of God (John 10:38). His power was always aligned with His Father's will, culminating in the ultimate act of self-sacrifice on the cross, a power displayed in humility rather than ostentation (Philippians 2:5-8). The False Prophet's fire from heaven is a destructive, manipulative display, whereas Christ is the true "light of the world" (John 8:12), whose power brings life, healing, and salvation. Ultimately, the victory over the beast and the False Prophet comes through the Lamb of God, whose true power is revealed not in deceptive wonders, but in His atoning death and glorious resurrection (Revelation 5:9-10), ensuring that all who trust in Him will not be deceived but will stand firm in His truth.