Revelation 13:4 — People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse shows a sobering moment in the vision. People are not just amazed by the beast—they start worshiping it. But in doing so, they’re also worshiping the dragon, who gave the beast its power. This tells us that when people bow down to the beast, they’re actually giving their hearts to Satan, whether they know it or not.
The crowd’s words—“Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”—show their admiration and awe. They see the beast as unbeatable, almost godlike. These questions echo words used to praise God in the Old Testament, but now they’re being twisted to honor the beast instead. It’s false worship. The world has been so deceived that they no longer look to God for power or salvation—they look to a counterfeit.
Historical Context
When Revelation was written, the Roman Empire was at its height. Emperors were worshiped as gods, and loyalty to Rome often meant participating in emperor worship. For Christians, refusing to bow to the emperor could mean death. Many believers likely heard these kinds of statements—people boasting about Rome’s strength and mocking anyone who dared stand against it.
The verse reflects how worldly powers can demand worship and how crowds can be swept up in the praise of a leader or system that stands in opposition to God. John’s vision reveals the spiritual truth behind what people saw happening politically and socially in his day: it wasn’t just about Rome, it was about spiritual deception and misplaced worship.
Theological Implications
This verse gets to the heart of spiritual warfare: worship. Who gets our highest praise? Who do we trust with ultimate authority? This verse shows that Satan’s main goal is to steal worship from God. He doesn’t always do it by scaring people—he often does it by offering something impressive, powerful, or popular.
People worship the beast because they think it can’t be defeated. That’s a dangerous place to be spiritually—putting ultimate trust in something other than God. It reveals how easily human hearts can be drawn away when they focus on strength, safety, or control instead of truth and righteousness.
Literary Analysis
Revelation often uses contrast to teach spiritual truth. Here, the beast is being treated like God. The phrase “Who is like the beast?” sounds a lot like Exodus 15:11, which says, “Who among the gods is like you, Lord?” But now those words are being used for evil. This literary twist shows how deception doesn’t always come by denying God—it can come by replacing Him with a false image.
The structure of the verse—first worshiping the dragon, then the beast—emphasizes the chain of influence. The beast is the visible figure, but the real source behind it is Satan. This reminds the reader to look beyond appearances.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Exodus 15:11 – “Who among the gods is like you, Lord?” A question of praise now twisted for the beast.
- Isaiah 14:13-14 – Satan’s desire to be worshiped like God.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 – The man of sin sets himself up in God’s temple and demands worship.
- Revelation 12:9 – Identifies the dragon as Satan, the deceiver of the world.
- Matthew 4:8-9 – Satan offers Jesus the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship, showing his obsession with being worshiped.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse is a warning: be careful who or what you worship. Worship isn’t just about singing or praying—it’s about what you trust, what you admire, and what you obey. Today, people still worship power, fame, government, money, or leaders, often without realizing they’ve given their hearts to something that opposes God.
Christians are called to be wise and discerning. Just because something is popular or seems unstoppable doesn’t mean it’s right. We must keep our worship fixed on the Lord, even when it costs us something, even when the world mocks or pressures us.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God doesn’t leave His people in the dark. He shows us this picture of false worship so we won’t be deceived. In His love, He warns us about what’s coming and who is behind it. He wants us to recognize the lies and hold fast to the truth.
Also, God’s love is unshakable—even when the world falls for the beast. God is still on His throne. His power is real, and His promises are true. He loves His people enough to preserve them, guide them, and give them hope in the middle of deception.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
While the world says, “Who is like the beast?”, Scripture tells us something better: There is no one like Jesus. He is the true King, the one with real authority over all creation (Matthew 28:18).
Jesus didn’t demand worship through fear—He earned it through sacrifice. Philippians 2:9-11 says that God gave Him the name above every name, and one day every knee will bow to Him. Revelation 5 shows the Lamb being worshiped in heaven. That’s the worship that lasts.
In contrast to the beast, Jesus is not a deceiver—He is the truth (John 14:6). He doesn’t gain followers by trickery, but by giving His life.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What are some things people today might worship without realizing it?
- Why do people tend to follow power, even when it’s used for evil?
- How can you tell if something is demanding your worship or loyalty over God?
- What does true worship of Jesus look like in everyday life?
- How does this verse help you stay alert in a world full of spiritual distractions?