Chapter Twenty-Eight -Contending With Two Ferocious Beasts

The Image of the Wild Beast

Is this two-horned wild beast as innocent as its lamblike 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 beasts, while it tells those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the wild beast that has the sword-stroke and yet revived. And there was granted it to give breath to 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 it is an image 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 no lifeless statute, such as Nebuchadnezzar erected on the plains of Dura. (Daniel 3:1)  The two-horned wild beasts breathes life into this image so that hey 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 fail to abide by it 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 Nations organization-has already killed in a literal way. For example, in 1950 a UN force took the field in the 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 Paul VI and John Paul II, have continued to 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: Chapter Twenty-Eight - Contending With Two Ferocious Beasts -The Mark of the Wild Beast

From the book of Revelation