From the Greek it is clear that this beast’s speaking is not once off but is ongoing. And through its speaking this second beast accomplishes things. No less than seven times this paragraph uses the verb that means to do or to make (translated variously as exercises or makes or performs or to work or causes). The beast seeks to imitate God who through his speaking created the earth (Genesis 1:1–31; Psalm 33:6). In fact, throughout this paragraph the beast repeatedly mimics God and the Lamb—and thereby deceives.