Revelation 13:15 A deadly image

Continuing our study of Revelation 13.

Revelation 13:15 ‘He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.’

God has the omnipotent power to breathe life into the man formed out of dust. One divine breath and life itself comes into being.

Genesis 2:7 ‘The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.’

Throughout this exploration of Revelation 13, we have seen how Satan tries to create a sadly pale imitation of the Holy Trinity. Here we read of a mock attempt to breathe life into an inanimate object such as screen.

Revelation 13:15 ‘He was given power to give breath to the image…’

These days, images can achieve almost life-like appearances. Robots with artificial intelligence can appear to have the very essence of life flowing through their electronic circuits.

Satan seeks to climb to the dizzy heights of equality with God by creating life by himself.

God has created man so that we should willingly bow in worship before His throne.

Satan empowers the false prophet to create an image so that man is forced to bow before it in worship on pain of death.

Habakkuk 2:18a ‘Woe to him who says to wood, “Come to life.” Or to lifeless stone, “Wake up!” Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver, there is no breath in it. But the Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth be silent before him.”

The idol that the false prophet creates will be spectacular but deceptive and those who fail to worship it will pay with their very lives.

Thank you for reading this!

Revelation 22:20 Our cherished hope
There will be a unity of heart when everyone calls out for his glorious return. There will be a spirit of grace upon God’s people that will bring us all together in unity and brotherhood.
Revelation 22:16 God’s Word
No-one has a monopoly on the truths of this magnificent book, and we will all have our struggles and misunderstandings on our journey, but God is demanding that we treat Revelation with the utmost respect that it deserves. The truths that were sealed in Daniel’s time will be opened up according to God’s direction. This will need purified and refined souls to understand and teach, in the midst of immense confusion and mistruths. Please pray for those who are called to understand and teach.
Revelation 22:11 In or Out…
Even at this late stage, a reference to the polarity of mankind, between the righteous and the unrighteous. One thinks of Noah’s Ark, and the obedient who were safe inside and those who chose to ignore Noah’s call for righteousness and stayed outside.
Revelation 22:7 The time is near indeed
Having taken us to the very highest of heights, surveying the Holy City that is beautiful beyond words, John brings us back to our ordinary lives, waiting with a cherished expectation for our Lord to return and keeping the words of this prophecy, with all its encouragements, admonishments and warnings.
Revelation 22:3 No longer any curse
Peter praised his contemporaries for their faith in Christ Jesus although they had never met him in real life and had only heard of him through Peter. Imagine though, what it will feel like, approaching the throne and gazing into the eyes of the Divine, to reach out and touch the very hem of his garment. It will be beyond belief…