(15) And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; (16) and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
(15) The second part of the vision, concerning the ecclesiastical dominion, which in Rome succeeded that which was politic, and is in the power of the corporation of false prophets and of the forgers of false doctrine. Therefore the same beast, and the body or corporation is called a false prophet by John; (Revelation 16:13; Revelation 19:20). The form of this beast is first described in this verse, then his acts in the verses following: and the whole speech is concluded in the last verse. This beast is by his breed, a son of the earth (as they say) obscurely born, and little by little creeping up out of his abject estate.
(16) That is, in show he resembled the Lamb (for what is more mild or more humble then to be the servant of the servants of God? but indeed he played the part of the dragon, and of the wolf; (Matthew 7:15). For even Satan changes himself into an angel of light; (2 Corinthians 11:14) and what should his honest disciples and servants do?