Who gives the beast its power in Revelation 13 and how does Satan use that power?
Satan, the dragon, gives the beast its power in Revelation 13. Satan uses that authority through the man Antichrist, who blasphemes God’s name, His tabernacle, and those dwelling in heaven, and wages war against the spiritual powers of God and heaven itself.
Les explains that in Revelation 13 the beast has attributes of previous empires—leopard, bear, lion—coming to a head in the revived Roman Empire. Then verse 4 says they worshiped the dragon who gave power to the beast. Les teaches that Satan begins to show his authority through the man Antichrist, and the world worships the beast. In verse 6 the Antichrist opens his mouth in blasphemy against God, blaspheming His name, His tabernacle, and those in heaven, literally warring against the spiritual powers of God and heaven itself.
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
More Questions
Why do people worship the dragon and the beast in Revelation 13:4?
People worship the dragon because the dragon gave power to the beast, and in that way Satan begins to show his authority through the man Antichrist.
Who gives the beast its power in Revelation 13 and through whom does Satan show his authority?
In Revelation 13:4, the dragon is Satan, and the dragon's giving power to the beast means Satan will begin to show his authority through the Antichrist.
According to Les, what does Revelation 13:4 mean when it says the dragon gave power to the beast?
In Revelation 13:4, the dragon (Satan), whom the whole world worships, gave power to the beast, and Les identifies this beast as the man antichrist and also as the empire associated with him.