Revelation 13:4 Contradictions and Paradoxes

According to John, people were following a bad creature called the dragon, and this dragon made another scary creature, the beast, powerful. The people thought the beast was so strong that nobody could fight it, and they started to worship it.

Contradiction with Isaiah 45:5

This verse states that there is no God beside the LORD, contradicting the notion of worshipping or revering any other power as mentioned in Revelation 13:4.

Isaiah 45:5: I [am] the LORD, and [there is] none else, [there is] no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:

Contradiction with Exodus 20:3

It commands not having other gods, which contradicts the act of worshipping the dragon and the beast in Revelation 13:4.

Exodus 20:3: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Contradiction with Deuteronomy 6:13-14

These verses command worship and fear only of the LORD, conflicting with the worship of the dragon and the beast noted in Revelation 13:4.

Deuteronomy 6:13-14: Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.

Contradiction with Matthew 4:10

This verse mentions worshipping the Lord alone, contradicting the worship given to the beast in Revelation 13:4.

Matthew 4:10: Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Contradiction with 1 Corinthians 8:6

It emphasizes there is only one God, conflicting with the worship of any other entity as suggested in Revelation 13:4.

1 Corinthians 8:6: But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by him. [in: or, for]

Contradiction with Isaiah 42:8

This verse indicates that God does not share His glory with others, contradicting the glorification of the beast in Revelation 13:4.

Isaiah 42:8: I [am] the LORD: that [is] my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

Paradox #1

Revelation 13:4 might conflict with theological views concerning the sovereignty and ultimate power of God. Some could see a contradiction if this verse seems to imply that any created being (like the beast) could rival God's power or authority, challenging the belief that God is supreme and unmatched in might and sovereignty.