The Beast of Revelation

End Times: The Beast of Revelation

The Image of the Beast

Revelation 13 commonly referred to as: The Beast Chapter. The beast chapter is one of the most important chapters that a person will read. We know that the Beast is a man, a very powerful man who runs this world. The beast can also be a one world nation consisting of men gathered together as a whole making it a one world nation or system. Learning and being able to recognize the beast as described in the book of Daniel, can mean the difference between spending eternal life with our heavenly Father, or being thrown into the lake of fire with the devil and his angels.

Please turn with me to 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, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”

When you think about the end of days what do you think about? Do you think about famine or world destruction? Do you think about death or fear? Do you think about the antichrist and being forced to him? Well, when we look at Revelation13:8 it states, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” So we know from this verse that everyone who is not written in the book of life will worship the beast.

The Appearance of the Beast

What will the beast look like? Will he have the number 666 stamped across his forehead? Will he have horns coming out of his head? I don’t think so. If anyone had such an appearance I think most people would run quickly in the other direction. We must remember that the enemy isn’t that obvious. He is very cunning, subtle, wise and intelligent.

We know that the beast is a group of men collectively in a one world system or a single man. We know that the world will worship the beast and wonder after the beast. What does this mean? The beast comes across as peaceful, wanting to make peace. The beast will have a mouth speaking great things. He is very subtle and charming. The beast knows how to woo a crowd and the people.

The beast has great power and great authority. We know that the beast is given power to continue forty and two months, which is 3 ½ years. And lastly, we know from Revelation 13:2 that the beast gets his power, his seat and great authority from the dragon who is—Satan himself.

We know that the beast is an elected official, either elected by the people or group of people. How do we know that? From Revelation 13:18 it reads, “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”

The word “count” in Greek means to count with pebbles, to compute, calculate, reckon or to give one's vote by casting or to decide by voting. Therefore, the beast is voted into his power and authority. Who votes the beast into power? The citizens of the world or a certain group of individuals vote the beast into power and his seat.

The word “number” in the Strong’s Concordance in Greek means a fixed and definite number or an indefinite number, or a multitude. This is a multitude of what? People or votes. And the words “Six hundred threescore and six” means, number representation six hundred threescore and six, the meaning of which is the basis of much vain speculation.

The English dictionary’s definition of the word “vain” means, having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth or producing no result; useless. The word “speculation” means, to guess: a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence.

If you look closely at the definitions in Greek you will quickly notice why the majority of people wonders after the beast. They had a high opinion of his abilities or worth; however, they lacked the knowledge and understanding of who and what the beast is. Rather they used speculation and guessing and in the end, will not produce the results they were hoping for.

So the number 666 based on the Greek definition is not a number that will come up after adding something together. It is—for instance a person may say, “There were a thousand people at the park.” We know this person didn’t go and actually count the people at the park, rather the number is speculative. Letting us know that there were many people at the park. And this is why verse 18 begins with, “Here is wisdom…” you must read the scripture in the Spirit in order to gain wisdom or insight in the truth. Remember, Satan is cunning and wise. Satan will not make it that easy for someone to just add up some numbers and run with the information. Satan does not work that way!

The Deadly Wound

Let’s go to Revelation 13:3 and it reads, “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered (followed) after the beast.” Now go down to verse 12, “And he (referring to the dragon) exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.”

(Would you believe that people came out with videos of a scar on the back of Obama’s head? Satan is not that obvious!)

The word, “wound” means, plague stripe, blow or heavy affliction and public calamity. When we look at the word “calamity” in the English dictionary it means, an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress or disaster. The word “public” in the English dictionary means the people as a whole or community.

A lot of times, especially in the book of Revelation you have to continually break down the words in order to get the meaning of a verse or chapter and then relate the meaning to the chapter. So we know that the beast will experience public calamity, or a major event with dire consequences based on the last verse in verse 4 of Revelation 13 which reads, “…who is able to make war with the beast?” The deadly wound is public calamity or dark event which in turn will bring about the actual worshipping of the beast. Because the people will now really wonder after the beast for healing the deadly wound.  And remember the beast was voted into his position and has great power.

What is the Image of the Beast?

What does the word “image” mean in the Greek text? The word image means a representation of the external form of a person or thing in sculpture, painting, etc. Or the word also means to make a visual representation of something by scanning it with a detector or electromagnetic beam. Now the synonyms for the word image are: A picture, figure, effigy, representation, depict, reflection, or reflect.

In the last days, all will worship the image of the beast; the word “image” is very, very important. For instance, if a person practices witchcraft, they are not necessarily worshipping Satan, but they are indirectly worshipping Satan’s image. For we know that the Most High forbids the practicing of witchcraft and the like.

Now, let’s take a look at another example. We have all heard the phrase guilty by association. Now, if you enter the store with another person and that person commits a crime, you more than likely, will be found guilty as well. You may face a lesser charge; however, you are guilty by association.

Let’s take association for a minute. Let’s look at Revelation still in chapter 13:16, 17. “And he (referring to the dragon) 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 (except) he that had the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

Nobody will be able to buy or sell food except those who have the mark, name or number of the beast. To put it bluntly you will not EAT unless you have the mark, name, or number of the beast written in your right hand or forehead. What does that mean? You will not be able to buy bread, milk, corn or the like or sell unless you have the image, name, number, or mark of the beast.

We can clearly see from scriptures that it is not a physical mark or the number 666 written in a person’s forehead. Satan is too clever for that.

I’ll give you some examples of what the image, mark, name, or number is referring to.

1. Remember, the beast is an elected official. Those who voted for the beast are included in the number that helped him gain his seat.

2. After studying Bible prophecy you believe that a certain person displays all the qualities mentioned in the book of Daniel and Revelation 13, don’t vote for him/them. If you believe this and still vote for the person you are taking the mark in your right hand indirectly worshipping the image because you are going along to get along; therefore, you are helping the beast obtain his seat.

3. If you accept everything that the beast does you are obtaining the mark in your forehead, which is your brain. You admire the beast and no one can talk ill about the beast. You are displaying your loyalty toward the beast and you are loyal in your mind.

4. Mark 13:20, “And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened those days.” Simply put, the elect will be able to recognize the signs of the beast; therefore, the elect will not be able or will refuse to buy food or sell anything for food or water. The saints who are still here will be killed for their faith in Christ. Revelation 13:15

5. Mark 13:22, “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.” Let’s take an example, (the President or Congress may announce, after the great calamity or dark event) may make it mandatory for all persons to obtain a card, or some type of identification showing allegiance to the beast in order to buy or sell. Now the elect, will know right from the start that those are the words of the beast, and will not display the name of the beast on a card or the like in order to buy or sell goods. And for their faith they will be killed.

I know this may sound bazaar to most of you; however, remember the majority of the world wonders after the beast and worships the beast and takes the mark of the beast. Afterwards, the Dragon (Satan) does mighty wonders and makes all worship the beast and the image of the beast.

Food for thought: What if the mark of the beast was money? You surely can’t buy or sell without it. If you steal and run out of a store you may be shot by security, police or a so-called Good Samaritan and possibly killed as a result of the shooting. Money does have the image or representation of the government or elected official on both sides. 

When paper money was issued it was after the Great Depression, a calamity or dark event. Franklin D. Roosevelt, the president at the time, is the only president to serve more than two terms. He was given power to continue for 3 ½ more years. (Revelation 13:5) How far can the American Dollar travel today? How much purchasing power does it have? Most other country’s want the American Dollar, although that is slowly changing.

Money is something that the majority of the people want. So they can buy more stuff. Those that are rich want more and more and more. Not to contribute to the poor but to hoard amongst themselves. How many people who have money portray the image of money?

With more than one home, fancy cars, expensive clothes, yachts, and private jets and still want more. How many people constantly talk about money or think about how much more money they can get? Needing more is a thought stemming from the brain or forehead; however, just something to think about. I am not saying that it is money but just simply food for thought.

The enemy, most of the time, is right in our face with things we fail to recognize.  He is so cunning and sharp that we can overlook the obvious failing to think outside the box. We must know our enemy. This is a spiritual battle for the soul. Wouldn’t you rather be safe than sorry? We certainly can’t (however some are), live without money; thus, we can certainly change the way we view it. Money is used throughout the world and as followers we must overcome the world as Christ did.

The Abomination of Desolation 

Revelation 15:2, "And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God."

Victory in Greek is nikao Strong’s Concordance 3528 – overcome, overcometh, prevailed, triumphed.

John 16:33, Christ said, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Matthew 19:23, “The Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

May the Lord bless you and keep you.