Revelation 13: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Revelation 13 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

A beast emerges from the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, with blasphemous names on his horns (vv. 1-2). This beast resembles a leopard, bear, and lion, and receives power from the dragon.

Key verse

“It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him.”
Revelation 13:7 (WEB)

Outline

Revelation 13:1–2 The First Beast Emerges
Revelation 13:3–4 Fatal Wound and Worship
Revelation 13:5–8 Authority and Blasphemy
Revelation 13:9–10 Call to Endurance
Revelation 13:11–12 The Second Beast Appears
Revelation 13:13–15 Deception and Image
Revelation 13:16–18 The Mark of the Beast

Discussion questions

In v4, why do the people worship the dragon and the beast?
What does the beast look like in v2, and what features does it have?
The phrase 'forty-two months' in v5: what does it signify in terms of the beast's authority?
In v18, the number 'six hundred sixty-six': why is this number significant or puzzling?
When have you felt pressured to conform, similar to receiving the 'mark' (v16)?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Revelation 13: Romans 8, Revelation 17, Daniel 7.

Before next time: read Revelation 14.