John sees another beast, coming out of the earth. It has two horns like a lamb but speaks like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast.
It performs great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. Because of the signs it's allowed to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceives the people.
It orders them to set up an image in honor of the first beast. The image is given power to come alive and kill all who refuse to worship it. It forces all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead so that no one can buy or sell unless they have the mark.
The mark is the name of the beast or the number of his name. The number is six hundred sixty-six. This second beast is the false prophet, using miraculous signs to deceive and enforce worship of the earthly power.
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