Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 13:12

"And he exerciseth all the authority of the first beast in his sight. And he maketh the earth and them dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose death-stroke was healed." — Revelation 13:12 (ASV)

The activity of the land beast is repeatedly described as that of promoting the first beast’s worship (v.14). Could this be the kind of activity referred to in the reference to the false prophets in Pergamum and Thyatira, who seduce the servants of God to idolatry (2:14–15, 20, 24)? The phrase “on his behalf” (GK 1967) is perhaps better translated “before him”; the land beast does not merely exercise his authority as the sea beast’s representative but stands “before him.” One who stands “before” someone else is ready to do that person’s bidding. The same preposition is used of the two witnesses in 11:4: “These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before [GK 1967] the Lord of the earth.” As the antitheses of the two witnesses, the false prophets derive their authority and ministry from the first beast.