REVELATION 13Revelation of Jesus | Revelation of JohnT: REVELATION 13:1-1813: 1,2 THE BEAST FROM THE SEATHE SEA BEAST AND THE WILD ANIMALS OF DANIEL 7THE LITTLE HORN AND THE SEA BEASTTHE BEAST’S AGENDA—TO CHANGE GOD’S LAW13:3 THE DEADLY WOUNDTHE FRENCH REVOLUTIONTHE DEADLY WOUND HEALED13:11,12 THE BEAST FROM THE EARTH13:11 A LAMB OR A DRAGON?13:13,14 FIRE FROM HEAVEN13:15 THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST13:16,17 THE MARK OF THE BEASTOF MAN’S DEVISINGATTACK ON THE EVERLASTING COVENANT13:18 THE NAME AND NUMBER OF THE BEAST666, THE NUMBER OF DISOBEDIENCE

13:15 THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST

What is the goal of the beast from the earth in this deception? It convinces them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, to make an image to the beast which had the wound by a sword, and lived. And he had power to give life to 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” (Revelation 13:14,15). An image is a likeness or resemblance, so the image of the beast, which will be set up by the beast from the earth (the United States of America) will resemble the characteristics of the beast from the sea (the medieval Roman Catholic Church).

First of all, the sea beast was a religious power, involved in worship. They worshiped the beast...all who dwell on the earth will worship him”(Revelation 13:4,8). Likewise, the image of the beast” is involved in worship—“[it] causes the earth and those who dwell therein to worship the first beast.” (Revelation 13:12). Although the United States has had a wall of separation between church and state, this prophecy shows that the wall will be broken down, and the U.S. Government, prodded by the church, will legislate and enforce religious behavior.

Secondly, the sea beast was an international political power— authority was given him over every tribe, tongue and nation” (Revelation 13:7). At the height of its power in the Middle Ages the Roman Church ruled the world through its European subjects. The beast from the earth with its image also operates in the international political sphere—he exercises all the authority of the first beast” (Revelation 13:12) and it has control of commerce—“No one could buy or sell except he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:17). The United States could certainly set up an international image; since the fall of communism the US has been the sole international military superpower, having authority and influence all over the world.

The sea beast used military might to impose its agenda on the world—all the world marveled after the beast…saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:4). The beast from the earth does not have its own agenda, but uses its superpower status and causes [forces] the earth and those who dwell therein to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed” (Revelation 13:12). In other words, the United States will be the end time military instrument of the Babylon/beast system, and having the most powerful military forces ever assembled, is in a unique position to impose the religious agenda of the beast on the rest of the world.

The sea beast was a blasphemous power—“there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies” (Revelation 13:5). Blasphemy involves ascribing to humans the attributes and prerogatives that belong to God only,[1] mocking God’s word and power,[2] and knowing God’s law but publicly breaking it.[3] A prominent example is the blasphemous attempt to change God’s law described in Daniel 7 (See 13: The Beast’s Agenda). In making an image of the beast the United States will continue the blasphemous attempts to take God’s prerogatives and mock His word by legislating and enforcing changes in God’s law (this point will be explained further under 13:16: The Mark of the Beast).

The most prominent characteristic of the sea beast is its persecution of the saints It was given to him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them” (Revelation 13:7). The war against the saints during the Middle Ages is the dominant feature of the 1,260 year prophecies of Daniel 7 and Revelation 12—“the same horn was making war against the saints and prevailing against them…then the saints [were] given into his hand for a time and times and half a time” (Daniel 7:21,25).[4] Likewise, the image will be a persecuting power—“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” (Revelation 13:15). This prophecy shows that in the last days the United States will be like the Roman Catholic Church of the Middle Ages, persecuting the true believers in Christ.

Revelation 17:1-6 shows that the sea beast is a church which controls a powerful political entity that persecutes God’s people. The image of the beast will also be a union of church and state. Since it is set up by the second beast “out of the earth,” the Image will be a persecuting union of church and state set up by the United States of America. It will demand conformity to the Roman Catholic religious agenda under threat of death (“causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed” Revelation 13:12). Throughout its history the United States has not been officially involved in religious issues, but this prophecy shows that this will change and America will become a persecutor of God's remnant people. And in fact the seeds of this can be already seen.

Many American Christians today long to "take back our natioin for God," to create a Christian society. The Bookd of Revelation teaches that they will get their wish! But what they do not realize is that a society with legislated morality based on a national religion was the essence of the medieval Catholic Church and is the model of future Babylon. The United States will create an "image to the beast," in which Christian values and even worship will be imposed through government mandate. But the end result will be the mark of the beast, 666 and the death decree.

Continue to next section: 13:16,17 THE MARK OF THE BEAST



[1] The Pharisees charged Jesus with blasphemy because he called himself the Son of God (John 10:30-33, 8:58,59, Matthew 26:64,65) and claimed to have the power to forgive sins (Mark 2:5-7).

[2] On the cross the Pharisees mocked Christ’s claim that he would rebuild the temple (of His body) that they were tearing down in three days (Mark 15:29) and the irreverent thief mocked Him as being unable to save Himself (Luke 23:39). These insults were both termed blasphemy.

[3] “You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Romans 2:22,23).

[4] See also Daniel 11:35, Revelation 12:13-17.