The False Prophet, the Antichrist's "John the Baptist," if you will, is first introduced in Revelation 13:11-17. Interestingly, the prophet Daniel didn't address this character. As a matter of fact, he is only explicitly mentioned in the Book of Revelation**. He is called the "False Prophet" in Revelation 16:13, 19:20, and 20:10.
From Revelation 13:11-17, the following are seven facts about the False Prophet:
A) "Then I saw a second beast.." per Revelation 13:11 NIV. The King James Version puts it this way,"...And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth..." This passage refers to the False Prophet. Although, he is mentioned after the first beast of Revelation 13:1-10, this, in my view, doesn't necessarily mean he will come on the scene after the "first beast", aka the Antichrist. It does mean, that his role will be to help or assist the first beast. Or, in his final days, to focus worship to the first beast, or the Antichrist.
B) Revelation 13:11 continues, "...coming out of the earth..." as opposed to the first beast who comes up out of the sea. There is disagreement on this meaning. Some maintain it means the False Prophet is a Jew*** since he is from out of the earth, or deemed to mean the chosen land or Israel. Others maintain it could mean he is Judas coming up from hell.
Others, maintain, and I agree, that whether "out of the sea" or "out of the earth" both meanings symbolize, peoples.** Finis Jennings Dake, in his book, "God's Plan for Man", remarks that Daniel 7:3 ("came up out of the sea") and Daniel 7:17, referring to the same beasts ("that will rise from the earth") uses similar construction as seen here in Revelation 13:11. Dake maintains that the two beasts are both natural men arising from peoples as Daniel 7:3 and 7:17 suggests and affirms. This interpretation affirms the fundamental principle that one verse of the Bible confirms and affirms another, i.e. scripture interprets scripture.
I would only add that both descriptions imply worldly persons, rather than heavenly in character.
C) And Revelation 13:11 goes on, "...It had two horns , like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon." The lamb-like appearance, implies a gentleness, at least in appearance. He may look the part of a gentle, harmless, fatherly figure of religion. However, his speech will be deceptive, like that of his father, the Devil. Indeed, in a similar way, Jesus spoke to religious Jews in John 8:44, saying of them, "You are of your father the devil..."
So, how will this False Prophet person handle his skeptical, reasoning (not even close to being violent) critics? Lovingly or perhaps at least with tolerance, correcting them with the Word, or in a hostile, mocking and vindictive attempt to marginalize or silence them. A study of Rev. Jim Jones of the People's Temple could be an enlightening example of the future False Prophet, a leader who was about being exalted or one who deceitfully exalted a false christ, rather than being a servant-leader like Jesus Christ!
D) Revelation 13:12 notes, "..he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence..." Biblestudytools.com**** has an interesting insight here; the second beast's power will be under a tight leash, restricted to being exercised in the presence of the Antichrist or "first beast." The False Prophet will likewise, ultimately be serving his father, Satan, when he requires the people of the earth to "...worship the first beast", and not himself.
E) The False Prophet "performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." (Revelation 13:13). I would say that, today if a popular person like Barack Obama, Pope Francis, or some other celebrity performed such a miracle, it is hard to think that they would not be accepted with mindless wonder by a rebellious and foolish people! Look at how mindlessly Obama-Care and the global warming hoax were received by so many!! II Thessalonians 2:9 affirms this verse and implies that this Satanic power will be allowed by God as a judgment on an unbelieving world "...because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie." II Thessalonians 2:10-11. And Proverbs 16:4 confirms this, noting the Lord even uses the wicked for His own ends.
F) The False Prophet tells the people of the world "...to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword (see Revelation 13:3) and lived." (Revelation 13:15). Revelation 13:3 confirms this verse, noting "...the world marveled and followed the beast." Whether the Antichrist was actually killed or it just appears to be so, is not clear. The point is, that the masses think he was! This prompts the False Prophet to order an image to be made of the Antichrist. This fulfills Jesus' words of Matthew 24:15 concerning "...the abomination of desolation" which in turn refers to Daniel 9:27.
G) Finally, Revelation 13:16-18 describes the culmination of the False Prophet's false ministry. "It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name." The False Prophet will control commerce, mixing the economic realm with religion. The Mark will cause people to identify openly with the Antichrist and Satan. The choice will also mix politics and religion! The choice will be a clear decision to accept Satan rather than God. In Revelation 14:9-11, the third angel pronounces that such people "...will drink the wine of God's fury..", kind of the fullest extent of God's wrath noted in Romans 1:18.
Now, that these basic facts about the False Prophet have been addressed in his resume stated in Revelation 13:11-18, other questions about him are raised such as:
*Who exactly is he?
*Is he alive now? Does he hold office now?
*Will he assume his position suddenly or grow into it?
*What specifically will show the deceptive nature of his character?
*Why doesn't he assume power himself?
*What is his relationship to the Great Harlot also found in the Book of Revelation?
Stay tuned as issues such as these are considered in future postings about the Antichrist's sidekick, the False Prophet.
Sources, other than the Bible include:
**"God's Plan for Man", by Finis Jennings Dake, pg. 902-904.
***"Things to Come, A Study in Biblical Eschatology," by J. Dwight Pentecost, pg. 336-337.
****www.biblestudytools.com.
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