The first beast presented itself as all muscle, seeking to force obedience. But muscle goes only so far; beguiling words can advance your cause in a way that force cannot. The second beast works in the presence of, and thus in tandem with, the first beast to progress the first beast’s agenda (one in turn received from the dragon, as described in Revelation 12:17).
12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.