The Image of the Beast Alive Revelation 13:15

After writing about the “beast or the antichrist” and “the dragon – the devil or Satan” being worshiped by people upon the earth, John the apostle wrote, “If any man have an ear, let him hear.” John continued with the words, “He that leads into captivity shall go into captivity: he that kills with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exercises all the power of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he does great wonders, so that he makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceives them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live”, and in chapter thirteen and verse fifteen of Revelation John saw how this second beast, “had power to give life unto the image of the beast” where we read:

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

The verse reads, “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, ...” John began with the words, “and he had power” which means “and the second beast or false prophet held, owned and possessed ability, strength and authority” “to give life” or “to provide, grant, furnish and supply the vital principal by which the body is animated” “unto the image” which means “toward the figure, likeness and idol” “of the beast” or “of the savage, ferocious, brutal and wild being which is the antichrist”. John shared how the “false prophet” was given the ability to make the “image or idol of the antichrist” come alive.

The verse goes on to say, “... that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” John added words, “that the image” which means “that the idol or figure” “of the beast” or “of the savage, ferocious, brutal and wild being which is the antichrist” “should both speak” which means “should use the tongue, utter, emit a sound or articulate words”, “and cause” or “make, produce, construct, form and fashion” “as many as” which means “as great as, how much, how many and whoever” “would not worship” or “would not do homage to, prostrate themselves, reverence and adore” “the image” which means “the figure or idol” “of the beast” or “of the savage, ferocious, brutal and wild being which is the antichrist” “should be killed” which means “were to be destroyed, extinguished, allowed to perish and inflict mortal death”. John shared how the “false prophet” will not only make the “image” “speak”, but will also have everyone who does not “worship” the image to be “killed”.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we see how the “false prophet” shall give “life” and “speech” to this “idol” which is made in likeness to the antichrist. He will have the “power” to “kill” anyone who does not bow in “worship” to this “image”, and only God will be able to save them from His hand. In Leviticus chapter twenty-six and verse one we read, “You shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall you set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God”, and this act directed by the “false prophet” is in direct opposition to that command. God desires to be the only One who is “worshiped”, and the greatest worship to Him is by having a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus. Let all who read these words consider what God has declared by John the apostle.

Next time John shares how this second “causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond to receive a mark”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.