THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST?
When we think about the image of the beast, what readily comes to mind is a literal image, an idol. Take a look at the verses in question.
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth 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.
Rev 13:15 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.
So when we read this prophecy, it will be tempting to believe it is an idol that will be set up for us and we be forced or coerced to worship it, as Nebuchadnezzar did in the time of Daniel.
Dan 3:1 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Dan 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
Dan 3:6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST IS A DECEPTION
However, that would be too, too easy! How then would it be a deception if it was a simple, regular idolatrous physical image? Remember, the beast and the false prophet are going to deceive the world. The image of the beast is a deception!
Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
How then would a literal image deceive the world?
Hence we have to dig deeper!
WE MUST DIG LIKE EZEKIEL!
The similitude of digging deep to find mysteries not revealed to others is in the story of Ezekiel. This was when the Most High was revealing the sinfulness of the nation unto him.
Eze 8:8 Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.
Eze 8:9 And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here.
Eze 8:10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.
Ezekiel had to dig to see the abominations. It could not be easily seen by the every man! Had he not dug, he would not have found.
After he dug, he came upon a door. A door is our entry into the realm of truth, because stepping through the door, he could see the abominations.
Without us digging, we will not receive knowledge and understanding in order to see the evil of the people in this world. We will not be able to see the door.
So let’s dig!
MEANING OF THE WORD “IMAGE”
The most important place to start digging is to find out the meaning of the word “image.”
Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But you will see how important this is.
Rev 13:14 And deceiveth 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.
Now let’s look at the meaning in the sentence as it was used.
New Testament Meaning Of The Word “Image”
G1504
MEANING OF “IMAGE”
εἰκών
eikōn
i-kone’
From G1503; a likeness, that is, (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance: – image.
So the image there also means likeness or representation.
Likeness?
Where did we hear this before?
Gen 1:26 And the Most High said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Old Testament Meaning Of “Image” (From Genesis 1:26)
H1823
דְּמוּת
demûth
dem-ooth’
From H1819;
resemblance; concretely model, shape; adverbially like: – fashion, like (-ness, as), manner, similitude.
Total KJV occurrences: 25
Look carefully. The image of the beast is the likeness or resemblance of the beast. Just as how the Most High made man in his own image, man has come with his inventions in these latter days, to create a machine after his own image!
Ecc 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that Most High hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
That is why the machine run by AI can speak and bear the likeness of men. It is the image of the first beast of Revelation 13.
This means that the image is there for man to (eventually) extend his rulership over man. It is there to be an extension of the first beast, which is the rulership of the kingdoms of the earth.
Eventually, as the beast tightens his grip on man, the image will mandate that those who do not worship the image (partake of the beast system) should be killed. This is the time of great tribulation.
Rev 13:15 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.
Mat 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
THE FOURTH KINGDOM
So, unfortunately for most of us, the time will come when these machines take over and mandate that all who are not part of the beast system should be killed.
Just as in Genesis 1:26 when the Most High created in his likeness and gave them dominion over the earth? It is the same way Satan intends to make AI in his likeness to take dominion over the earth.
This is the fusing of man and machine that the book of Daniel speaks about, but told us even from that time, that it will not work. This is the iron (machine) mixed with clay (human beings):
Dan 2:40 And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
Dan 2:41 And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.
Dan 2:42 And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.
Dan 2:43 And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
Dan 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
This is the fourth kingdom of Daniel, which the leaders of the world call the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
We are in the midst of Revelation 13. Wake up!