Is Donald Trump the Beast of Revelation 13?

Whenever any earthly power starts to look like a saviour, the church must remember that there is only one who is worthy of worship.

I’ve never felt comfortable with those who read the political landscape through the lens of the books of Daniel and Revelation, constantly finding new figures to identify as ‘the beast’ and new formulas for generating the number 666. Having said that, Mr. Trump’s most recent self-portrait as Jesus, generating divine healing power while he simultaneously murders countless people in Iran and Lebanon and appears to be intent on engineering a global economic collapse, has prompted me to reconsider the prophecies regarding the Antichrist.

It’s tempting to look to The Revelation of Saint John and other apocalyptic works for straightforward answers to the complex problems confronting us. Even so, such an approach requires a superficial reading of the Scriptures and takes us down dangerous paths. Let’s think instead in terms of theological (and political) anchor points that these books provide for us:

1. Revelation’s critique of empire: when power seeks worship

The Revelation of Saint John is not primarily a timetable for future events but an unveiling—an apocalypse— that exposes the spiritual seduction of empire. At the heart of Revelation’s warning is the moment when political power begins to demand the kind of devotion that belongs only to God. ‘The Beast’ is a ruler who receives worship:

“They worshipped the dragon… and they worshipped the beast” (Revelation 13:4).

This is not just political allegiance but adoration. John goes further:

The Beast “opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God” (Revelation 13:6).

In biblical language, blasphemy is not just insulting God; it is also claiming divine prerogatives and accepting honours that belong to God alone.

Revelation’s imagery is deliberately exaggerated and symbolic because it is meant to help the church recognise a recurring pattern. Empires become beastly when they demand loyalty, devotion, or awe that belongs only to the Lamb. And Revelation’s answer is always the same:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain” (Revelation 5:12).

The Lamb—not any earthly ruler—is the world’s true and only saviour!

2. The “man of lawlessness”: when a human takes God’s place

Saint Paul gives the church another lens for discernment. In 2 Thessalonians, he describes a figure who does not merely receive worship but actively claims divine status:

He “exalts himself over everything that is called God” and “proclaims himself to be God” (2 Thess 2:4).

This is the clearest biblical example of a human leader pretending to be God. Paul’s concern is pastoral rather than prophetic. Even so, he warns the church that spiritual deception can come through:

• charismatic leaders,
• political movements,
• systems that elevate human authority to divine heights.

The danger Paul sees is not that Christians will misidentify the Antichrist but rather that they will misplace their hope. His antidote is simple: hold fast to Christ, and do not let any earthly power take Christ’s place.

3. The counterfeit trinity: when propaganda becomes worship

Revelation deepens the warning by showing not just a leader, but a system that imitates the things of God. John describes a second beast — later called the “false prophet” — who performs signs and directs people’s devotion toward the first beast:

It “deceives those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 13:14).

This is a parody of the Holy Spirit, who glorifies Christ. The dragon, the beast, and the false prophet form a counterfeit trinity — a political‑religious machine that mimics divine authority.

The point here is not to identify particular players. The key is recognising the pattern. When political power is supported by a religious aura, a myth of destiny or a cult of personality, the church must stand up!

4. We must be cautious about political-messianic imagery

Throughout history, empires have used religious imagery to sanctify their political authority:

• Roman emperors were called “divi filius”—”son of god.”
• Mediaeval kings were anointed with chrism.
• Modern regimes have used sacred symbols to inspire devotion.

Revelation unmasks this as a spiritual danger. It is not that every empire is evil but that every empire is tempted to claim more than it should. Whenever a leader is portrayed as a healer, saviour, redeemer, or chosen deliverer, the church must remember the following:

“Salvation belongs to our God… and to the Lamb” (Revelation 7:10).

Who is worthy of worship?

• Not presidents.
• Not emperors.
• Not nations.
• Not movements.

Only the Lamb is worthy!

So … I’ve deliberately laid out the biblical principles above without aligning them directly with any current political figures. You can do that for yourself. Are there any leaders out there who are blaspheming, claiming divine prerogatives or leading the faithful astray? Do the maths. Come to your own conclusions.

In truth, I don’t think we really need you to identify ‘the Beast’. What is far more essential is to recognise when our imaginations are being shaped by something other than the gospel. Whenever any earthly power starts to look like a saviour, God’s people must remember that only the Lamb is worthy of worship.

• Revelation calls us to discernment.
• Paul calls us to steadfastness.
• Jesus calls us to worship God alone.

Amen!