15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause all who do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
This is the second beast being talked about in these verses, the beast from the sea. The beast from the earth, who gets its power from the Dragon, (which most writers/scholars agree symbolizes Satan,) is the first beast, the one that has a mortal wound that was miraculously healed.
A few of the writers whose commentary about this chapter I read characterized these two protagonists as a political leader being facilitated in power by a false prophet. The reference to making the beast talk and giving breath to it could refer to some form of visual media, which would have been unknown to John of Patmos at the time of this writing.
Bibleref.com draws a similar conclusion; the writer at the bibleref.com article on this verse even goes so far as to suggest that perhaps the second beast is able to animate the first beast using robotics, and says, "Today's technology allows for the possibility that the false miracles of this chapter might be just that: entirely faked."
Many Protestant writers of the 18th and 19th century espouse the theory that this first beast characterizes the papacy and it is understandable for writers in the late middle ages and afterward (who witnessed or read about the persecutions and Inquisition at the hands of the Catholic church) to believe this and preach about it in their sermons and commentary such as Gill's exposition here on biblestudytools.com .
The writer of this article at thebookofrevelationmadeclear.com gives more of a preterist view of these events, which I think is helpful in understanding the period in which John of Patmos was writing. It also makes clear that until we see a global leader arise who rivals the ceasars of the Roman Empire then we have not yet identified the Anti-christ who proceeds and then compels the imposing of the 'mark of the beast' on humanity. I hope everyone will accept Salvation from Christ before this happens.
A Prayer for Salvation from Christ:
Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and for answering my prayer.
A more detailed step by step process:
https://www.wikihow.com/Accept-Jesus-Into-Your-Life
