1. Revelation 13:14 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why are we told that the beast was mortally wounded by the sword?

Revelation 13:14 (ESV)

14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

A sword was a military weapon. We find this sword coming from the mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 1:16, Revelation 2:12, Revelation 2:16, Revelation 19:15, Revelation 19:21. In each instance the sword in Jesus’ mouth represents his powerful word (Hebrews 4:12). Though the beast initiates his activities through speaking, the word of the Lord Jesus Christ was sufficiently powerful to wound him mortally.