Who or what is the Beast?
Revelation 13:18 ESV
This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666
The beast is a man.
Revelation 13:2 ESV
And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.
The beast
will be a person of great power and authority.
Revelation 13:3 ESV
One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed,
Revelation 13:14 ESV
for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
An attempt will be made on the beast's life.Revelation 13:15 ESV
And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.
The beast will be a charismatic religious leader who will exercise great power and authority over the whole world. An attempt will be made on the beast life which will be successful. However Lucifer will be allowed to make an image of the beast and give it life
such that it will appear that the beast has been resurrected by God.Thus...
Revelation 13:4 ESV
And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?"