The Third Angel’s Message part 3
The Image of the Beast
In the last part of this series, we will study the Image of the Beast which forms a part of the third angel’s message found in Revelation 14:9-11.
Read Revelation 13:11-18.
To understand the ‘Image’ of the Beast, we must continue to build upon our prior knowledge of the first beast of Revelation 13. That leopard-like beast represents the Papacy, and the Image of the Beast represents Apostate Protestants of America controlling the civil leaders to enforce Sunday worship by law. Let’s confirm these points.
Notice Revelation 13:10, 11. In the same time period when the first beast (The Papacy) is losing its power and going into captivity, another beast or nation (Daniel 7:17, 23) is rising on the scene. As previously mentioned in our study on Revelation 12, if ‘waters’ represents many people (Revelation 17:15), then the earth would represent a scarcely populated area. Historically, what nation began rising to prominence in the New World around the time of 1798 when the Papacy’s power was taken away? It was none other than the United States of America, founded officially in 1776.
The Great Controversy, 440: …What nation of the New World was in 1798 rising into power, giving promise of strength and greatness, and attracting the attention of the world? The application of the symbol admits of no question. One nation, and only one, meets the specifications of this prophecy; it points unmistakably to the United States of America. {GC 440.2}
1. Read Revelation 13:11. What is one application of horns in scripture? Habakkuk 3:4; Daniel 8:7
2. What two principles did the founding fathers of America establish this nation upon, which highlight the reasons why they left the Old World (Europe)?
The Great Controversy, 441: And he had two horns like a lamb.” The lamblike horns indicate youth, innocence, and gentleness, fitly representing the character of the United States when presented to the prophet as “coming up” in 1798. Among the Christian exiles who first fled to America and sought an asylum from royal oppression and priestly intolerance were many who determined to establish a government upon the broad foundation of civil and religious liberty. Their views found place in the Declaration of Independence, which sets forth the great truth that “all men are created equal” and endowed with the inalienable right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” And the Constitution guarantees to the people the right of self-government, providing that representatives elected by the popular vote shall enact and administer the laws. Freedom of religious faith was also granted, every man being permitted to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience. {GC 441.1}
3. What principles are the secret of America’s power and prosperity?
The Great Controversy, 441 …Republicanism and Protestantism became the fundamental principles of the nation. These principles are the secret of its power and prosperity. The oppressed and downtrodden throughout Christendom have turned to this land with interest and hope. Millions have sought its shores, and the United States has risen to a place among the most powerful nations of the earth. {GC 441.1}
4. While appearing to be gentle in nature, America will eventually speak as a dragon (Revelation 13:11). How does a nation speak? Branches of the U.S. Government https://www.usa.gov/branches-of-government
5. Since the dragon represents Satan in the primary sense, what has been Satan’s desire? Isaiah 14:12-14; Matthew 4:8-10;
6. Based on the context of Revelation 13:12, when the U.S. speaks as a dragon, what will it cause or force its citizens and then the world to do? Revelation 13:12
Note: Read Revelation 13:13-14. The “he” in verse 13 primarily points to Satan. It is Satan who has always worked miracles to deceive people to go against Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:9; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15; Exodus 7:9-11, 22). Secondarily, the “he” in verse 13 points to the Apostate Protestants of America who are under the influence of Satan to compel and deceive civil leaders to push their unscriptural agendas.
7. Let’s look at one application of the “fire” that comes down from heaven in Revelation 13:13.
a) Generally, when fire came down from heaven, what did it do? 2 Chronicles 7:1; Leviticus 9:22-24; 1 Kings 18:24-39
b) What are sacrifices an act of? 1 Samuel 1:3; Exodus 32:8
c) What is another application of “fire” in scripture? Job 1:16
Note: Since it is Satan who brings down this fire from heaven in Revelation 13:13-14, this means that the fire would point to false worship or a false religious revival (study again 1 Kings 18:24-39). He will also bring calamities and work miracles upon the earth to cause people to believe that they need to turn back to God by honoring the institutions of the Papacy, the first beast of Revelation 13. It will be the Apostate Protestants of America who will be calling for a revival and working these miracles in the sight of the civil powers (the beast) to deceive them into legislating a false day of worship.
8. Read Revelation 13:14. While the devil is working through the Apostate churches in America and the civil leaders, who will he also persuade to call for the making of an image to the beast? Matthew 27:17, 20
Note: Revelation 13:14 prophesies that an image to the beast will be formed. What is an image? An image is a physical likeness or representation of a person, animal or thing. Since we know that “the beast” is referring to the Papacy, this means that the United States of America will be a replica of the characteristics of the Papacy. See the notes below.
a) The Papacy is a union of church and state. Revelation 13:1
b) The Papacy receives worship and reveres Sunday as the Lord’s day and the Sabbath. Revelation 13:4, 8
“Sunday is our mark of authority …. The church is above the Bible, and this transference of sabbath observance is proof of that fact” (The Catholic Record of London, Ontario, Sept. 1, 1923).
“But you may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which we never sanctify.”
(James Cardinal Gibbons, The Faith of our Fathers, 88th ed., pp. 89.)
c) The Papacy is a persecuting power. Revelation 13:7
9. What will the United States of America do like the Papacy did? Revelation 13:12,15-17
10. Will this crisis of legislation, which forces people to worship on Sunday (against God’s 10 commandments) only happen in the United States of America? Revelation 13:14,16-17
Note: Based our previous study on the Mark of the Beast and the points in this study, the Mark of the Beast is when Sunday worship is legislated as the law of the land – beginning in America first, then around the world. The Image of the Beast is when the United States of America will have formed a union of church and state (Apostate Protestants influencing civil leaders) to legislate Sunday worship with penalties for dissenters.
11. According to Revelation 13:16, those who receive the Mark of the Beast receive it in their right hand or in their foreheads. What does it mean to receive the mark in your right hand? Ecclesiastes 9:10; Genesis 5:29; Deuteronomy 2:7 in connection with Revelation 13:17
12. What does it mean to receive the mark in your forehead? In order to answer this question, we must contrast it with what God wants to place in our foreheads or minds. Hebrews 10:16; Deuteronomy 6:6-8, 11:8, 18; Revelation 7:3; 14:1
Last Day Events, 219: Just as soon as the people of God are sealed in their foreheads—it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually and spiritually, so they cannot be moved—just as soon as God’s people are sealed and prepared for the shaking, it will come. Indeed, it has begun already.—The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 4:1161 (1902).” {LDE 219.4}
13. While the image of the beast is being formed, we should be forming an image to Jesus. Meditate upon the following statement and scriptures and write down your thoughts. Genesis 1:26, 27; Genesis 5:1-3; Colossians 3:5-10; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18; Romans 8:29, 30
Testimonies for the Church Vol. 5, 452: God has revealed what is to take place in the last days, that His people may be prepared to stand against the tempest of opposition and wrath. Those who have been warned of the events before them are not to sit in calm expectation of the coming storm, comforting themselves that the Lord will shelter His faithful ones in the day of trouble. We are to be as men waiting for their Lord, not in idle expectancy, but in earnest work, with unwavering faith. It is no time now to allow our minds to be engrossed with things of minor importance. While men are sleeping, Satan is actively arranging matters so that the Lord’s people may not have mercy or justice. The Sunday movement is now making its way in darkness. The leaders are concealing the true issue, and many who unite in the movement do not themselves see whither the undercurrent is tending. Its professions are mild and apparently Christian, but when it shall speak it will reveal the spirit of the dragon. It is our duty to do all in our power to avert the threatened danger. We should endeavor to disarm prejudice by placing ourselves in a proper light before the people. We should bring before them the real question at issue, thus interposing the most effectual protest against measures to restrict liberty of conscience. We should search the Scriptures and be able to give the reason for our faith. Says the prophet: “The wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” {5T 452.1}