Contending With Two Ferocious Beasts - The Image of the Wild Beast

The Image of the Wild Beast

Is this two - horned wild beast as innocent as its lamb like horns would indicate? John goes on to say:  "And it misleads those who dwell on the earth, because of the signs  that were granted it to perform in the sight of the wild beast, while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the wild beast that had the sword-stroke and yet revived.  And there was granted it to give breath to the image of the wild beast, so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed all those who would not in any way worship the image of the wild beast." -Revelation 13:14, 15.

What is this "image of the wild beast," and what is its purpose?  the purpose is to promote the worship of the seven-headed wild beast of which  is an image and the and thus, in effect, to perpetuate the existence of the wild beast.  This image is constructed after the seven-headed wild beast revives from its sword stroke, that is, after the end of the first world war.  it is not lifeless statue, such as Nebuchadnezzar erected on the  plains of Dura.  (Daniel 3:1) The two-horned wild beast breathes life into this image so that the image can live and play a role in world history. 

The outworking of history identifies this image as the organization proposed, promoted, and supported by Britain and the United States and known initially as the League of Nations.  Later, in Revelation chapter 17, it will appear under  a different symbol, that of a living, breathing scarlet-colored wild beast having an independent existence.  This international body 'speaks," in that it makes boastful claims  to be the only one able to bring peace and security to mankind.  But in reality it has become a forum for member nations to exchange verbal  tirades  and insults.  It has threatened with ostracism, or a living death, any nation or people that does not  bow to its authority.  It has actually expelled nations that failed to abide by its ideologies.  At the onset of the great tribulation, militaristic  "horns" of this image of the wild beast will fulfill a devastating role.-Revelation 7:14; 17:8, 16.

Since World War II, the image of the wild beast- now manifested as the United Nation-has already killed in a literal way.  For example, in 1950 a UN force took the field in a war between North Korea and South Korea. The UN force, along with the South Koreans killed an estimated 1,420,000 North Koreans and Chinese.  Similarly, from 1960 to 1964, United Nations armies were active in the Congo (now Zaire). Moreover, world leaders , including  popes affirm that this image is man's last and best hope for peace.  If mankind fails  to serve it, they insist, the human race will destroy itself.  They thus figuratively cause to be killed  all humans who refuse to go along with the image and worship it. -Compare Deuteronomy 5:8, 9. 

Next time: Contending With Two Ferocious Wild Beasts -The Mark of the Wild Beast

From the Book of Revelation

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