The Image of the Beast
“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 an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
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.”
(Rev 13:14-15 KJV)
There are many possibilities as to what the image of the beast is. There have been many speculations including a statue, a hologram, an android, a computer program, a video image, a clone, and many others. There isn’t enough information in Scripture to be conclusive. The image will appear to be alive. It will speak and kill those that do not worship the beast.
Image – 1504 εἰκών eikon {i-kone’}
Meaning: 1) an image, figure, likeness 1a) an image of the things (the heavenly things) 1a1) used of the moral likeness of renewed men to God 1a2) the image of the Son of God, into which true Christians are transformed, is likeness not only to the heavenly body, but also to the most holy and blessed state of mind, which Christ possesses 1b) the image of one 1b1) one in whom the likeness of any one is seen 1b2) applied to man on account of his power of command 1b3) to Christ on account of his divine nature and absolute moral excellence
Life – 4151 πνεῦμα pneuma {pnyoo’-mah}
Meaning: 1) a movement of air (a gentle blast 1a) of the wind, hence the wind itself 1b) breath of nostrils or mouth 2) the spirit, i.e. the vital principal by which the body is animated 2a) the rational spirit, the power by which the human being feels, thinks, decides 2b) the soul 3) a spirit, i.e. a simple essence, devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting 3a) a life giving spirit 3b) a human soul that has left the body 3c) a spirit higher than man but lower than God, i.e. an angel 3c1) used of demons, or evil spirits, who were conceived as inhabiting the bodies of men 3c2) the spiritual nature of Christ, higher than the highest angels and equal to God, the divine nature of Christ 4) of God 4a) God’s power and agency distinguishable in thought from his essence in itself considered 4a1) manifest in the course of affairs 4a2) by its influence upon the souls productive in the theocratic body (the church) of all the higher spiritual gifts and blessings 4a3) the third person of the trinity, the God the Holy Spirit 5) the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of any one 5a) the efficient source of any power, affection, emotion, desire, etc.