The Image of the Beast
Revelation 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 (ποιῆσαι – poiēsai) an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.”
Revelation 13:15 “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak (lalēsē, λαλήσῃ), and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”
We see leading up to this verse, the earth dwellers have made an image to the beast and the second beast (of the land/man of sin) had the power given to him from the first beast (the culmination of Satan’s Kingdoms which is in turn the eighth and final Kingdom) to give life into this image that was made. This man of sin had the power to give life unto this image. He had deceived the earth dwellers with miracles and told them that they should make and image to the beast. They do. Now this word “make” in verse 14 is ποιῆσαι (poiēsai) and can be translated as make, to do, have done, to continue, fulfill and execute. In the KJV of Revelation 13:14 it is translated as ‘to make’. This particular word is used 47 times and some of the times it is used in context, is for someone “doing” something internally, like doing the will of the Father or in the case of Revelation, to make war. In Revelation 17:17 it is used for God putting it in the hearts of the ten kings to “fulfill” His will and to “agree” of giving up their kingdoms until the words of God are fulfilled. This reminds me of Satan filling Judas’ heart first and then to indwell him to fulfill Satan’s will. I wonder if this is what is going on with these earth dwellers here? Are they this image that is made in Satan’s image that has something to do those who don’t worship the image to be killed? This is along the same lines of Rev. 13:14 when the 2nd beast tells them to make an image of the beast which is in my opinion the culmination of Satan’s kingdoms here in earth or his authority and power coming to a head. When they give him their ten kingdoms at this point he has total control of the world as a whole. Not only that, he has complete control of those who are not sealed by the Spirit of God.
This first two times this word (ποιῆσαι – poiēsai) is used is in Genesis 2:3 (when God rested on the 7th day and from all he ‘made’) and 11:6 (referring to the one language and the tower of Babel). You can see the institution of the Sabbath (rest) from all that He made and something that profaned the Sabbath was them making the tower of Babel and their unified language so that they could revolt against God. We weren’t seeing rest from the Sabbath when they were building this tower now were we? We are seeing another type of this revolt against God with them making their image of the beast in the form of the tower of Babel and that they had it in their heart to be of one accord. Was this tower of Babel a symbol of Nimrod like we are led to believe? Or maybe it was also representing a people that were being unified under his name “Nimrod” for the great rebellion. Was this image his revolt against God? Was this representing their temple i.e. body as this image in Rev. 13 represents the body of Satan? I think so and we are seeing this happen again. And notice that it was a dual fulfillment here. The people being made as one voice (the earth dwellers of Revelation) and a literal image being built. Spiritual and physical connotations. Keep reading, I will touch on this in a few.
The same wording for Revelation 13:14 (that they should make) is also used in Stephen’s dissertation and history lesson of Israel in Acts 7:44 (that he should make it). This was speaking of Moses and the Tabernacles of Testimony. What is interesting is that this is a continuous thought from the previous sentence that Stephen says “Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.” You have the same English translation and wording in both of these verses and Stephen was previously referring to the tabernacle and this star worship that was referencing Saturn. Stephen counters this abominable Moloch worship and tent with the real Tabernacle that was after the pattern of what Moses was shown by God. We are almost seeing the antithesis of what Stephen said, to what the man of sin makes the earth dwellers make to worship this beast. They are making their tent/temple to Moloch in the image of the beast that represents these followers. So is this image that they make related to what Israel did in the wilderness with their idol worship or a tabernacle itself (something related to the Temple Institute) or something associated with Saturn (black cube) or is it relating to their bodies? As far as the latter goes, are those who have rejected Jesus and have taken this mark (by rejecting Jesus as Lord), giving permission to the man of sin to be indwelled by Satan so that they will be of one accord? It’s just a thought. Is this the antithesis of doing the Fathers will (Hebrews 10:7, 9; 13:19, 21) and doing the will of their father the Devil? Are the earth dwellers becoming this image that they are making, in honor of the beast and his kingdom? Is this making the image of the beast speak, some sort of possession that happens in accordance with the restrainer being taken out of the way and the signs (σημεῖα – sēmeia) that are happening? Are these connected? They may just be.
This word for signs, σημεῖα (sēmeia) (used 32 times) is also used of the signs and wonders Jesus did and the signs in the sun, moon and stars. The Old Testament usage of this word referred to the Sun and Moon also (Genesis 1:14). Interestingly enough it’s also used in Revelation 16:14 of the three frogs that are demons that come out of the mouth of the dragon, beast and false prophet that perform ‘signs’ that will eventually gather those for the final battle. This is related to “making war’ with the remnant (Rev 12:17), the saints and overcoming them (Rev. 13:7) and against Jesus and His army (Rev. 19:19). Revelation is just recapitulating what has already been said prior in other chapters. This is not a chronological book like some would like to think. Now in reference to the beast being able to speak, he was given speech from the 2nd beast, we see that this word is λαλήσῃ (lalēsē) ‘to speak, i.e. to use the tongue or the faculty of speech; to utter articulate sounds’. It literally is used for a human being using his tongue to speak and talk. This particular word is used one other time in Acts 3:22. We see Peter at the ninth hour (Jesus gave up the ghost at this hour and was also the time of the evening sacrifice), has went to the Beautiful gate and has healed a man. Peter didn’t take the glory for this but directed them to honor and worship God. God gets all of the glory not man. In verse 22 Peter references Moses (first it was Stephen now Peter) on how he spoke of Jesus and He would speak to them, which He did. Now I already made reference to this 9th hour and this was the time of the evening sacrifice and the evening prayers. This is in fact the “daily” that Daniel references when referring to it being taken away and the abomination of desolation is set up shortly after. So we see that Moses is referenced twice so far, so this was in fact being referred to by the Jews. We have Peter speaking about the Messiah while the man of sin is referring to the image of the beast, using the same word for them both speaking. And we have reference to an idol/image of the beast and the evening prayers, the daily that is referenced in Daniel that is taken away that brings about this abomination. Are they all pointing in the same direction? In my book I connect how this daily being taken away will lead to the abomination standing in the holy place and this abomination will not only be the turning point for Satan to indwell this man of sin, but will also possess the earth dwellers with demons (Rev. 9).
Let me also point out that the word for this image is feminine, beast is neuter meaning no gender and to speak is 3rd person singular like how the Holy Spirit would be referred to. The understanding of the image being feminine is crucial. The body of Christ is referred to as a bride/woman who represents the saints and believers and this image of the beast is also represented as a feminine ‘body’. Now let me point out that those who won’t worship this image of the beast will be killed physically but those who accept the mark of the beast will be thrown into the Lake of Fire. This word for ‘worship’ is προσκυνήσωσιν (proskynēsōsin) – meaning “to kiss the ground when prostrating before a superior; to worship, ready “to fall down/prostrate oneself to adore on one’s knees” (DNTT); to “do obeisance” and in a positive way it is used in John 12:20 for the Greeks going to Jerusalem to worship at the feast, Passover. There are some theories as to this man of sin, the false messiah/prophet, will make himself known during Passover. This makes a lot of sense especially when counting 3 and a half years from this time to September, the feast of Tabernacles. Some believe that this is when Jesus will return. Satan wants this worship that only God deserves and that Jesus got. This word is a derivative of Koo’ohn meaning ‘(meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master’s hand); to fawn or crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)’. Satan would expect the latter worship of a dog licking the master’s hand over kissing the ground. He will in fact get the Gentile (dogs) world to like his hand like a lap dog. Like I mentioned already, notice also the timing of this, Passover. Is this a hint of when this idol or image will be enacted? One other point I want to bring up again is that this idol kills those who won’t worship it. I have never seen an idol kill anyone physically but they do kill spiritualy. And I know when man becomes possessed by devils, he has no problem killing in the name of religion and worshipping his god Satan. Does this destroyer (god) have little destroyers (gods) doing his bidding? Satan said in the garden that you too can be like God. You can be demi gods if you choose to.
This Greek word for worship is also used twice in the LXX Old Testament in Deuteronomy 17:3 (they have served other gods, the sun and moon and the host of heaven) and Daniel 3:28 (where Nebuchadnezzar blessed the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Ebednego for not serving any other god but the One true God of Israel). Can you see how this worship may be associated to what Revelation 13’s worship of the image of the beast is referring to? Those who built the tower of babel had it in their heart and of one accord to do this. And this was because they worshiped the host of heaven. And on the other side of this worship coin we can see how Nebuchadnezzar was impressed that the three Hebrews didn’t forsake their GOD. We are seeing more pieces to this puzzle. So here is a relevant question? Is the antithesis to the image of the beast that speaks, the two witnesses of Revelation 11? Are these both corporate bodies? I believe they are. Remember, the image talks and kills those who don’t worship it and it is made to pay homage to the beast of the sea. And the corporate body of Revelation 11, the martyrs, antagonize those earth dwellers that are marked and do worship the image. So I’ll ask again. Do these earth dwellers make up the image of the beast as a whole corporate body? I think so. So let me ask this. Is the harlot, mystery Babylon, the antithesis of the Body of Christ ie New Jerusalem? They both are cities, the great city vs the holy city. They are both adorned with jewels and one is of the earth while the other is heavenly. Do we see the Two Witnesses of Rev. 11 smiting the earth with plagues at will, calling down fire? The short answer is yes. Do these plagues cause those who are in the image of the beast to kill them? (Rev. 11:7)
I like what David Ells had to say about this image. “This is exactly what Rom 1:22,23 says. Verse 25 says they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature (Image of the beast) rather that the creator (Image of God). As a typewriter key (character or mark) creates its Image (Eikon) on the paper so the false prophet with the Mark or word creates the Image in the people (Rev 13:14). Christ is the word which came down out of heaven (Jn 6:32,33,51) and the beast is the word from the bottomless pit (Rev 11:7). Christ is in the Image of God and the beast is in the Image of the Devil (Jn 8:23,44). Since those who receive the mark are the Image we can see how the Image can cause that as many as should not worship the Image of the beast should be killed (Rev 13:15). Those born of the flesh have always persecuted those born of the Spirit (Gal 4:29). The Church is in the Image of Christ as the harlot is in the Image of Antichrist and is guilty of the blood of the saints (Rev 18:24).” Everything he said made complete sense to me.
Now let’s look at this word for “speak” which the image seems to do. It can also mean to preach or preaching. The word Maggid means a preacher or pastor. The Hebrew equivalent is dever, דִּבֵּר. This word was first used in Genesis 8:15 when God “spoke” to Noah to get out of the ark and get on dry land. On the flip side of God speaking, this word was also used for the ac speaking marvellous words in Daniel 11:36. “And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.” This in fact parallels 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 where he exalts himself as God and above God. “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
Are we seeing this image, the figurative body of the ac (the earth dwellers) speaking like this verse states? Scriptures tell us over and over that we are not of this world. If you look at the 6th book of the NT and the 6th chapter and 6th verse we get 666. We see that Romans 6:6 says something about what I am referring to. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” This is our old man that models this image of the beast. To be in sin is the antithesis to being born again. This makes us all men of sin if we don’t have Jesus in our heart. This word dever (ibbur) can also mean plague in Hebrew. It’s interesting that the beast who had the head wound literally means that this wound was a plague. Now if you remember correctly, the two witnesses call plagues down from heaven. And you also see these plagues being brought to the earth by the seven angels. Are these witnesses somehow affecting what is happening on earth with the plagues from the seven angels? Now by English definition a plague can mean, ‘to be vexed or cursed’. I had never thought of it like that before. His head is wounded (plagued) by the sword which is the word of God, Jesus. Now do you remember the Genesis 3:14-15 prophecy? The Messiahs heal “bruises” the head of Satan and crushes it. We see Esau grabbing Jacobs heal at birth. Israel seems to bruise Edom in the sense of these two witnesses sending the plagues. Is this how the Rev. 13 head wound happened because of this Genesis prophecy? Let’s see if this is related. Before we move on though I want to bring up that nor only Nimrod (type of ac) lost his head (beheaded) but Esau also lost his head. Ironically, both of these guys who were of the seed of Satan literally paid the price of the curse with their head. And don’t forget, these earth dwellers may be the ones who are used to behead those who don’t take this “mark of the beast”. They don’t want to evolve to the next level of humanism so they are no use here.
Restraining plagues
Genesis 3:14-15
“And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (KJV)
Satan is first cursed so does he in fact receive a plague from this curse. Are these two words, plague and curse, synonymous? And like I asked before, is this heal that bruises his head synonymous with a sword? An overwhelming connection is the definition of aqab (heel). One definition says, “also to restrain (as if holding by the heel):” Is this the restraining force that Jesus put upon Satan after the cross? Did this fulfill his head under His heel? I think it did in the first stage of it. I believe the second and final stage will be when death is put under His feet and the dragon i.e. Satan is thrown into the Lake of Fire. This word for sword is machaira and can mean (figuratively) war or judicial punishment:. The root word machoai can mean fight. Did he have the plague from a fight? This sounds like Satan in the Garden doesn’t it? Another thing I want to add is this word that is used in the Greek translation of Genesis 3:15 for ‘bruise’. “And [hatred I will put] between you and between the woman; and between your seed and between her seed. He will give heed (τηρήσει-3rd person singular) to your head, and you will give heed (τηρήσεις-2nd person singular) to his heel.” You may notice that this word is translated in the Greek as heed. This version is from the Apostolic Polyglot but the LXX renders it “watch”. Teresei and tereseis literally means ‘to watch, guard or attend to carefully’. It’s the same word that Jesus used for watching over us in tribulation or for us watching over His commands and word. It’s also used in Jude 1:6 for the angels who haven’t kept (or guarded) their first estate. Does this parallel what Jesus did to Satan at the cross and how he is now restrained in the abyss so he can’t deceive the nations until he is allowed to?
Beast of the Sea
So is this Beast of the sea that is healed from the deadly head wound connected to the curse of Genesis 3? This word for head in Greek is the same word used for head 3:15. First notice that he comes from the sea and I believe this Beast represents the nations of Satan’s Kingdom’s and who he has influenced since after the creation of Adam. This is like the spirit of Satan that has encompassed all the kingdoms since his curse. This beast of the sea being the culmination of Satan’s seven Kingdom’s. Do you remember that the Holy Spirit is represented as water? Jesus was baptized in water and the Spirit came down from heaven upon them in the form of a Dove. The spirit coming down in the form of the dove is the antithesis of the Phoenix rising up from out of the ashes. I believe that this seven-headed 10 horned beast is the spirit of Satan is influenced the whole world since the time of the fall. This is the Phoenix that rises out of the ashes or abyss. The man of sin is the little horns final head, which is the final Kingdom. This little horn is the second beast of Revelation, the Beast of the Earth. I think that the binding of Satan in Revelation 20 began either after Jesus gave up the ghost on the cross or at His resurrection. I believe the head wound in Genesis 3:15, when Satan was cursed by God and his heel was on top of his head, this was the curse and the plague of that wounded head that would one day come back to life. The restrainer is taken away when is released for a short time is parallel to this wound being healed. He will no longer be bound from deceiving the nation’s, just like he was deceiving the nations before Jesus and the cross.
The Mark of the Beast
Rev 13:16-17 “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. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”
I want you to first see that this mark is associated with the image of the beast that is given life to breath and to kill those who don’t worship it. That’s the first thing I want you to see. The mark of the beast is the antithesis of being sealed in Rev. 9:1-4. “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.”
Now notice that this seal on the foreheads is associated with the fifth angels trumpet and the locusts being released from the abyss. This has got to be the beginning of the Great Tribulation. We will see why I say this in a little bit when we get to the abyss section. I will say this, I do think that these locusts are in fact either demons or fallen angels. And these locusts torment those who aren’t sealed for 5 months which is 153 days. You see, when you accept Jesus as Lord and believe that He resurrected from the dead then he sends you the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who seals you when you become born again. We see this all over the New Testament and in this case you will not be harmed by these things. If you decide to reject the gift of salvation then you have given yourself over to the beast and are marked. You become this man of sin just like we will see when The Man of Sin gets indwelled with the spirit of Satan as Judas did. We see that Judas first had it put into his heart by Satan and then he entered him after he ate with Jesus. The mark of the beast is freely given as is Christ’s gift of salvation. No one is made to do anything they don’t want to do. We do this out of freewill. Accept Jesus and you are sealed by the Spirit of God. Reject Jesus and you are marked by the beast.
Hidden in the Crag 
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