About the image of the beast of Revelation 13, the apostle John writes, “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” (Revelation 13:14). Before we learn what is the image of the beast, we need to first identify:
1-The First Beast
“Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority” (Revelation 13:2). “Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven” (Revelation 13:6). He blasphemed God, who laid the foundation of the earth.
Revelation 13 provides 11 identifying characteristics for the first beast. These are found in Revelation 13:1-8, 16-18:
- Beast rises from the sea (verse 1).
- Composite of the beasts of Daniel chapter 7 (verse 2).
- Dragon gives it power and authority (verse 2).
- Receives a deadly wound (verse 3).
- Deadly wound healed (verse 3).
- Strong political power (verses 3, 7).
- Strong religious power (verses 3, 8).
- Guilty of blasphemy (verses 1, 5, 6).
- Wars with and overcomes the saints (verse 7).
- Rules for 42 months (verse 5).
- Has mysterious number 666 (verse 18).
As we examine the fulfillment of these points, the only entity that these attributes point to is the Papacy. To study these points closely to determine this conclusion, check the following link:
2-The Second Beast
John writes, “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon” (Revelation 13:11). Revelation 13 provides 4 points that identify the second beast:
- Comes into existence around the time that the first beast receives its wound
- Comes up out of the earth
- Has two lamb-like horns
- Speaks like a dragon
Considering these points, it can be concluded that the second beast represents the United States of America. Let us look into the biblical explanation:
Point 1 – The second beast comes into existence around the time that the first beast receives its wound. The papal captivity mentioned in Revelation 13:10 took place in 1798, and the new power (verse 11) was seen emerging at that time. The United States declared its independence in 1776, voted the Constitution in 1787, adopted the Bill of Rights in 1791, and was clearly recognized as a world power by 1798. Thus, the timing clearly fits the United States of America.
Point 2 – The second beast comes out of the earth. Knowing that water in Bible prophecy represents a densely populated area (Revelation 17:15), earth as opposed to water means a scarcely populated area. This new nation would arise in an area of the world that had been virtually unpopulated before the late 1700s. The United States of American arose in a “new land.”
Point 3 – The second beast has two lamb-like horns. Horns represent kingdoms, governments (Daniel 7:24; 8:21), and powers (Habakkuk 3:4). Therefore, this nation has two separate powers and the two governing principles. The USA was founded on: civil and religious liberty. This could also be democracy and republicanism. Lamb-like horns means an innocent, non-oppressive and spiritual nation. No other power on earth besides the USA could fit the characteristics and the time frame of the lamb-horned beast.
Point 4 – The second beast will speak like a dragon. The ‘lamb-like horns’ and ‘dragon’s voice’ point to a contrast between the peaceful words and the actions of this nation. In time, this once peaceful and free nation will come under the influence of the devil by means of deception. The dragon is Satan, who works through governments to crush God’s saints by persecution. Check the following link:
The Two Beasts United
The book of Revelation identifies the first beast as the Papacy, and the second as the United States of America. Revelation 13:12 says, “And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” Thus, the first and second Beasts of Revelation 13 will unite to enforce worship.
The second beast will speak like a dragon (Revelation 13:11). This means that the United States (moved by Satan) will, in the end time, force people through civil laws to worship the first beast’s man-made laws contrary to their Bible based beliefs or be punished.
The book of Revelation predicts that the government of United States of America will go against the “Declaration of Independence” and the rights protected by the “Constitution” regarding religious freedom, and be swayed towards the Papacy (first beast) to push religious bigotry towards the people that hold other beliefs.
The Image of the Beast
The apostle John wrote, “And cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed” (Revelation 13:15). The word image (Gr. Eikōn) means “a likeness.” So, an image to the first beast would be an organization working on the same basis as the beast’s organization.
Among the principles by which the first beast worked was the use of civil power to support religious institutions. So, the second beast (the United States of America) will abandon its principles of freedom. And the church and the state will unite. But the church will gain victory over the state to force its beliefs. The outcome will be the loss of religious liberty and the persecution of the minorities that hold opinions that are at variance with the state.
The United States, will next lead the nations of the world to impose a universal death sentence upon all who refuse to worship the dragon (beast) or his image. Thus, the United States will make an image to the beast by legislating religious practice. It will make an image by passing laws requiring worship and force people to either obey them or face death.
This action is a copy or an image of the church-state combination that the papacy utilized at the height of its power during the Middle Ages, when millions were slain for their faith, who’s names are written in the Book of Life. America will combine civil government and apostate Protestantism in a unity that will support the papacy. It will, then, influence all the nations of the world to follow her example. Thus, the papacy will gain worldwide support.
The Mark of the Beast
“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666” (Revelation 13:16-18).
Since the symbol, or mark, of God’s authority and power is His holy Sabbath day (Exodus 20:8-11), it seems realistic that the symbol, or mark, of God’s opposer, the beast, might also involve a holy day. And since the papacy was identified as the beast, then the papacy must have another day of worship. For more on what is the mark of the beast, check the following link:
The third angel’s message warns against the reception of the mark of the beast (Revelation 14:9–11). And the Lord calls His faithful people out of Babylon or the churches that break God’s commandments (Revelation 18:1–4). When men choose to support the institution of the beast by observing its man-made laws and disobeying God’s commands (Exodus 20:8-11), they will receive the mark of the beast.
Then, the beast will take stern action against God’s children and orders that “no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark” (Revelation 13:16-17). This law of not buying and selling will be taken in an effort to secure compliance with the dictates of the image of the beast (Revelation 14:1, 12).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
Disclaimer:
The contents of this article and website are not intended to be against any individual. There are many priests and faithful believers in Roman Catholicism who serve God to the best of their knowledge and are seen by God as His children. The information contained herein is directed only towards the Roman Catholic religio-political system which has reigned in varying degrees of power for nearly two millennia. This system has established an increasing number of doctrines and statements that directly go against the Bible.
It is our purpose to lay the clear Word of God before you, the truth-seeking reader, to decide for yourself what is truth and what is error. If you find anything here contrary to the Bible, do not accept it. But if you desire to seek for Truth as for hidden treasure, and find herein something of that quality and feel that the Holy Spirit is revealing Truth to you, please make all haste to accept it.
