Study Desk

It worked for the beast whose fatal wound had been healed. And it used all its authority to force the earth and its people to worship that beast.

This second beast fooled people on earth by working miracles for the first one. Then it talked them into making an idol in the form of the beast that did not die after being wounded by a sword.

they all had to have this mark, or else they could not buy or sell anything. This mark stood for the name of the beast and for the number of its name.

You need wisdom to understand the number of the beast! But if you are smart enough, you can figure this out. Its number is six hundred sixty-six, and it stands for a person.

The angel shouted, "Worship and honor God! The time has come for him to judge everyone. Kneel down before the one who created heaven and earth, the oceans, and every stream."

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Put this in writing. From now on, the Lord will bless everyone who has faith in him when they die." The Spirit answered, "Yes, they will rest from their hard work, and they will be rewarded for what they have done."

After this, I noticed something else in heaven. The sacred tent used for a temple was open.

The sixth angel emptied his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it completely dried up to make a road for the kings from the east.

These evil spirits had the power to work miracles. They went to every king on earth, to bring them together for a war against God All-Powerful. But that will be the day of God's great victory.

I could tell that the woman was drunk on the blood of God's people who had given their lives for Jesus. This surprising sight amazed me,

Anyone with wisdom can figure this out. The seven heads that the woman is sitting on stand for seven hills. These heads are also seven kings.

Five of the kings are dead. One is ruling now, and the other one has not yet come. But when he does, he will rule for only a little while.

The ten horns that you saw are ten more kings, who have not yet come into power, and they will rule with the beast for only a short time.

Treat her as she has treated others. Make her pay double for what she has done. Make her drink twice as much of what she mixed for others.

The heavens should be happy with God's people and apostles and prophets. God has punished her for them."

because his judgments are honest and fair. That filthy prostitute ruined the earth with shameful deeds. But God has judged her and made her pay the price for murdering his servants."

She will be given a wedding dress made of pure and shining linen. This linen stands for the good things God's people have done."

But the beast was captured and so was the false prophet. This is the same prophet who had worked miracles for the beast, so that he could fool everyone who had the mark of the beast and worshiped the idol. The beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into a lake of burning sulfur.

He chained the dragon for a thousand years. It is that old snake, who is also known as the devil and Satan.

Then the angel threw the dragon into the pit. He locked and sealed it, so that a thousand years would go by before the dragon could fool the nations again. But after that, it would have to be set free for a little while.