NOTES for Rev 13:11-18

The false prophet mentioned in this text was apparently a real historical person. But in his description the apostle uses terms and signs characteristic of such people in every age. There is the working of miracles to convince those who need visible proof of power, the attempt to find a predecessor or image in the past that would confirm the validity of a claim to prophetic ministry, and the common mark distinguishing all those who have surrendered their soul to the antichrist. It is no longer so important by what particular name the false prophet is called; every age and nation has had many of them since then. But the Lord teaches us to recognize what cannot come from Him.