The beast may refer to two beasts described in the Book of Revelation. The first beast comes from “out of the sea” and is given authority and power by the dragon, and is described as coming out of the abyss. The second beast comes from “out of the earth” and directs all peoples of the earth to worship the first beast, and is referred to as the false prophet. The two beasts are aligned with the dragon in opposition to God. They persecute Christians and influence the kings of the earth to gather for the battle of Armageddon. The two beasts are defeated by Christ and are thrown into the lake of fire eventually.
The description of the beast is found primarily in Revelation chapters thirteen and seventeen. Chapter thirteen gives the fullest description of the beast. John saw the beast “rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”
