Changes

::Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|13:11-12|ESV}}</ref>

::Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|13:11-12|ESV}}</ref>

The opening of Revelation implies that the author was sent to Patmos as part of a persecution of Christians.<ref>{{bibleverse|1:1-2|ESV}}</ref> So the beast may represent the Roman Empire, especially Nero and other emperors persecuted Christians. The [[Number of the Beast]], given as 666,<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|13:18|ESV}}</ref> yields the name of Nero (''Nerōn Kaisar'') when transcribed into Hebrew. Revelation is noted for a multi-layered symbolism that lends itself to open ended interpretation.

The opening of Revelation implies that the author was sent to Patmos as part of a persecution of Christians.<ref>{{bibleverse|1:1-2|ESV}}</ref> So the beast may represent the Roman Empire, especially Nero and other emperors who persecuted Christians. The [[Number of the Beast]], given as 666,<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|13:18|ESV}}</ref> yields the name of Nero when transcribed into Hebrew (''Nerōn Kaisar''). At this time, many Romans expected Nero's return as ''Nero Redivivus'' (Nero revived). Revelation is noted for a multi-layered symbolism that lends itself to open ended interpretation.

==References==

==References==

{{reflist|1}}

{{reflist|1}}