Another beast Revelation 13v11-18 His menaces
"........saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by the sword and did live. 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 13v14-15.
The word "image" is "eikon" and has been transliterated into English as our modern word "icon. This word is used to describe so called celebrities from the sporting world or the world of music etc. The adjective "iconic" is used in connection with something considered to be worthy of praise in this world whether it be a person or a construction or an achievement. The word is only properly used to describe the relationship of Christ to God. In (Colossians 1v15) it says "he is the image of the invisible God." This word means much more than the likeness to God, it means intrinsic equality with God in every aspect of His being The writer to Hebrews describes Him as "the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His Person." (Hebrews 1v3). God forever remains invisible and is only seen and understood by the person of Jesus Christ, who although equal with Him took human form. To apply icon or iconic to any lesser person or work is nothing short of blasphemy and profanity. The world which does not wish to know the true God, loves to make images of lesser things and call them god. The false prophet of a future day will play on this trait and cause an image to be raised and mass produced in all the world that will become the supreme object of worship at that time. He will be given the power to make this as real as possible by giving life to this image so that it can speak, such that everyone will hear his words. It will be the ultimate mind control. We live in a day of electronic wizardry and in some way this master of propaganda and deception will cause this image of the beast to be heard by all.
The worship of this beast will be based on coercion and under threat of death if any would not worship him. This takes us back to Babylon in the prophecy of (Daniel 3v1-6) "Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold....... he set it up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Then the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the councillors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up......... then an herald cried aloud, to you it is commanded oh people, nations and languages, that at what time ye shall here the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image......and whoso falleth not down ...... shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace." No doubt the situation will be similar to Daniel chapter 3. Global worship demanded under the threat of death. This is the way of Satan, this is the way of the trinity of evil. Forced adoration, which is no adoration at all, and death to all the dissenters.
In contrast, the Holy Spirit comes not in the form of a hawk seeking its prey but He comes in the form of a dove. Harmless, gentle, seeking by persuasion to draw men and women to the true God. Of course there is the ultimate threat of eternal death but because of His delightful presentation of divine truth He leaves the decision to the individual. God does not want robots in heaven, only people who want to be there. The Holy Spirit is described as the wind in John chapter 3, but not as the hurricane wind, rather the gentle breeze. He speaks peace to all, He speaks the truth to all. He is "the paraclete" one who draws alongside to help. His message is truth, His presentation is gentle, He draws men and women to the living God. Of those who listen to Him, there is a wonderful life and future. Not only does He change "hearts and minds" it says "He dwells with you and shall be in you." - "He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance" - "He will guide you into all truth" - "He will show you things to come." He knows everything about God, and will unfold Him to you (1st Corinthians 2v10-11). He will produce in you features that are lovely instead of evil and hateful; "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." (Galatians 5v22). This is true worship, worship from the heart and it is freely available now. Do not resist the Holy Spirit who gently points you to Christ as the only saviour.
The word "image" is "eikon" and has been transliterated into English as our modern word "icon. This word is used to describe so called celebrities from the sporting world or the world of music etc. The adjective "iconic" is used in connection with something considered to be worthy of praise in this world whether it be a person or a construction or an achievement. The word is only properly used to describe the relationship of Christ to God. In (Colossians 1v15) it says "he is the image of the invisible God." This word means much more than the likeness to God, it means intrinsic equality with God in every aspect of His being The writer to Hebrews describes Him as "the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His Person." (Hebrews 1v3). God forever remains invisible and is only seen and understood by the person of Jesus Christ, who although equal with Him took human form. To apply icon or iconic to any lesser person or work is nothing short of blasphemy and profanity. The world which does not wish to know the true God, loves to make images of lesser things and call them god. The false prophet of a future day will play on this trait and cause an image to be raised and mass produced in all the world that will become the supreme object of worship at that time. He will be given the power to make this as real as possible by giving life to this image so that it can speak, such that everyone will hear his words. It will be the ultimate mind control. We live in a day of electronic wizardry and in some way this master of propaganda and deception will cause this image of the beast to be heard by all.
The worship of this beast will be based on coercion and under threat of death if any would not worship him. This takes us back to Babylon in the prophecy of (Daniel 3v1-6) "Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold....... he set it up in the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Then the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the councillors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up......... then an herald cried aloud, to you it is commanded oh people, nations and languages, that at what time ye shall here the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image......and whoso falleth not down ...... shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace." No doubt the situation will be similar to Daniel chapter 3. Global worship demanded under the threat of death. This is the way of Satan, this is the way of the trinity of evil. Forced adoration, which is no adoration at all, and death to all the dissenters.
In contrast, the Holy Spirit comes not in the form of a hawk seeking its prey but He comes in the form of a dove. Harmless, gentle, seeking by persuasion to draw men and women to the true God. Of course there is the ultimate threat of eternal death but because of His delightful presentation of divine truth He leaves the decision to the individual. God does not want robots in heaven, only people who want to be there. The Holy Spirit is described as the wind in John chapter 3, but not as the hurricane wind, rather the gentle breeze. He speaks peace to all, He speaks the truth to all. He is "the paraclete" one who draws alongside to help. His message is truth, His presentation is gentle, He draws men and women to the living God. Of those who listen to Him, there is a wonderful life and future. Not only does He change "hearts and minds" it says "He dwells with you and shall be in you." - "He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance" - "He will guide you into all truth" - "He will show you things to come." He knows everything about God, and will unfold Him to you (1st Corinthians 2v10-11). He will produce in you features that are lovely instead of evil and hateful; "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." (Galatians 5v22). This is true worship, worship from the heart and it is freely available now. Do not resist the Holy Spirit who gently points you to Christ as the only saviour.
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