The first beast had received “great authority” from the dragon (Revelation 13:2), an authority built upon its bullying powers. This second beast now acts (“exercises”) in step with the authority the dragon had given the first beast, and that’s to say that with its beguiling voice it instructs people to do what it wants. We need to note the close link between these two beasts; they work in close conjunction with each other.
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.