The Image

[InSpiritInTruth]

In Revelation 13:15 we read; “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.

I’ve come to understand by the Spirit that the mark of the beast is a spiritual inward mark, which speaks of the firstborn nature in man, which also is flesh, and is carnally minded. There are 2 perceptions how one might perceive things, even how one perceives, or hears, or discerns scripture. These 2 are shown here in Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

It is the carnal mind that keeps people from seeing the true spiritual things of God, even in the law. For it is written in Romans 7:14; “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.” It is this carnal mind that works like a vail to cover up ones heart and mind from seeing the image of the true spiritual things in the law and prophets as shown here in 2 Corinthians 3:14; “But their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

Just as it is the god of this world (Satan) who has blinded the minds of men as seen here in 2 Corinthians 4:4; “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” And if we believe the gospel of Christ, then we are also born of His Spirit, and also worship that same invisible spiritual image of God.

But in like manner, those who are born of their father the Devil (god of this world) likewise worship his spiritual image in their hearts and minds, which is also the spirit of anti-christ.
Just as many may not be able to perceive, or receive what it is I am saying until that fleshy veil is removed from their hearts and minds by way of the Holy Spirit. The image of the beast is also the image of a man because men are like beasts as it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:18.

So with that understanding let’s explore what Revelation 13:15 is saying. In Revelation 13:11 we see this beast coming up out of the earth, that had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke as a dragon. Jesus Christ (who is the true Lamb of God) said in Matthew 24:24; “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

And so this image is the image of the false prophet, which also deceives them that dwell on the earth by way of his false doctrine. Keep in mind the Dragon is red, as the first beast is red, as is also the firstborn man Adam means (earthly , red). So this beast’s doctrine may sound, or even look like a lamb, but it is truly carnally minded, earthly doctrine, which teaches the doctrines and carnal commandments of men.

I'm going to drop this down in 3 parts so please be patient.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

This is the same error that happened to the firstborn son (Nation of Israel,) who was corrupted by the teachings and doctrines of carnally minded men; who also made the Word of God of no effect by way of their own carnal interpretations, and false doctrine. (leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees)

It is this inward spiritual image of the firstborn son (which is flesh) that has been allowed to practice and prosper through lies and deceit in this world. It is also this inward image of one’s own self that proclaims itself its own god, by its own earthly knowledge.

It is this inward image (carnal mind set) that would be empowered on this earth by the Dragon who also gave the first beast its power. Just as the false prophet would also empower the image of it, and proclaim it to have life, and that it should also speak.

I believe Paul gave us a clue to this mystery when he said Galatians 4:21; “Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? So the law did speak of other spiritual things, just as the image of the beast is also empowered his doctrine to speak to the reprobate hearts and minds of men.
Also this beast which deceives them who dwell on the earth would give life to the image of the beast (or so it is thought). I say this because of what Paul said here in Romans 7:10; “And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.” And why was it unto death? Romans 7:11; “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.”

So the false prophet would deceive and proclaim the carnal commandments and doctrines of men to be life, but because of the sin nature in man, it would really be death to them.
Which brings us back to the 2 perceptions of the carnal mind (being death) and the spiritual mind (being life.) For the 2 laws are also shown here 2 Corinthians 3:9; For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

The first was made death by reason of the sinful flesh, the second was made life by reason of the Spirit of Life from the resurrection of the dead through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We are also told in Revelation 13:15 that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. I can see this death being fulfilled in both a natural way and spiritual way. In a spiritual sense we are told to put to death the deeds of the flesh, but in a natural sense we can also see this prophecy being fulfilled in those who persecute and kill others, as those who kill others are of the flesh (carnally minded). For it is written Galatians 4:29; “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

For instance, think about the faith of Islam, which bases its beliefs on a false prophet, who has also taken the Word of God and twisted and perverted it to make their own carnal doctrine and law (sharia law). Which law also teaches the same ministration of condemnation by reason of the fleshy mind, and carnal understanding of scripture.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

As it is also their policy, as it was also with many of the carnally minded Jews, to literally put a person to death for not worshipping their image (mindset, or view) and or, their own carnal interpretation of scripture. Just as Jesus told his disciples those who killed them would think they were doing Gods service.

Just as we see today many Christians around the world are being persecuted and even killed for not bowing down, and worshipping that false prophet, and false image of God portrayed in their Quran. By their false prophet, and false doctrine the God of Abraham is made unto them in their own image by perverting the Word of God, and deceiving many of that same carnal mind set (or inward spiritual image.)

Basically man has created a god in his own image, instead of desiring to be created in the image of the only True God.

But the Lord said some would overcome, and had gotten victory over this fleshy inward image (heart and mind of a natural brute beast).
Revelation 15:2; “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.”

The only way we can have victory over the beastly image, and overcome this fleshy minded man (inward image); and overcome the spirit of this wicked world, is by being born again a new man made in the image of Christ Jesus by way of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:29; “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

1 John 5:4; “For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

1 Corinthians 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly

2 Corinthians 3:18
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

 

[ebedmelech]

The mark/image of the beast is no different than the mark/image of the Lamb.

You have it right that it speaks spiritually...it is a spiritual mark.

What's so crazy is some believers don't see the mark of Jesus as literal, but they do see the mark of the beast as literal...go figure that one...

The is forehead representative how we think, the hand is representative of what we do.

So there it is. All this talk of chips, barcodes, etc., is fantasy and sensational.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

The mark/image of the beast is no different than the mark/image of the Lamb.

You have it right that it speaks spiritually...it is a spiritual mark.

What's so crazy is some believers don't see the mark of Jesus as literal, but they do see the mark of the beast as literal...go figure that one...

The is forehead representative how we think, the hand is representative of what we do.

So there it is. All this talk of chips, barcodes, etc., is fantasy and sensational.

Amen, you got it! There is a Type vs anti-type image there. Just as Satan (father of this world), beast (false prophet), and the spirit of anti-christ is the opposite reflection of the Father in heaven, Word (Son), and the Holy Spirit.

Kinda like Dark/ Light. Earthly/Heavenly.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Wow that was an excellent series of posts bro (imagine 50 guys jumping up and down right here)

I think it was ebedmelch (Hi to you Eb) or someone else, perhaps a post who I told I was a fence sitter on alot of things. I think I might have mentioned the same to you as well. Like how I can see it leaning spiritually so (very clearly) on the one side, but I could not make sense of how the mark could be spiritual (and specifically because) as I reasoned the carnal man only reccognizes things it naturally knows. And that by outward appearances. For example, that which is done "in the sight of men" or told "that they should make" something (an image) to the beast, and ofcourse, they which did not worship (as worship is perceieved by them) the image, that they should be killed. And so that was how I was reasoning with it. Being somewhat stuck at how the carnal man could perceive (in his ability). Therefore (aware of this) it must be on the appearances of things on his end (in that sense of it). And so figuring it (even spiritually so) off the limited nature (and ability) of the carnally minded man. Its like at that particular point (via the carnal mind's limitations) I couldnt allow myself to budge past that place (in respects to its mindset). Its sorta where the scriptures would "stay me", like dont budge from that place till you can get past this, and the only conceiveable thing I could consider (and because of that mindset) was it had to be something outward (but because of that mindset) specifically.

This series of posts was really awesome though InSpirit, broke some barriers for me through it, so thanks my good brother

God richly bless you (and you too Eb)

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Wow that was an excellent series of posts bro (imagine 50 guys jumping up and down right here)

I think it was ebedmelch (Hi to you Eb) or someone else, perhaps a post who I told I was a fence sitter on alot of things. I think I might have mentioned the same to you as well. Like how I can see it leaning spiritually so (very clearly) on the one side, but I could not make sense of how the mark could be spiritual (and specifically because) as I reasoned the carnal man only reccognizes things it naturally knows. And that by outward appearances. For example, that which is done "in the sight of men" or told "that they should make" something (an image) to the beast, and ofcourse, they which did not worship (as worship is perceieved by them) the image, that they should be killed. And so that was how I was reasoning with it. Being somewhat stuck at how the carnal man could perceive (in his ability). Therefore (aware of this) it must be on the appearances of things on his end (in that sense of it). And so figuring it (even spiritually so) off the limited nature (and ability) of the carnally minded man. Its like at that particular point (via the carnal mind's limitations) I couldnt allow myself to budge past that place (in respects to its mindset). Its sorta where the scriptures would "stay me", like dont budge from that place till you can get past this, and the only conceiveable thing I could consider (and because of that mindset) was it had to be something outward (but because of that mindset) specifically.

This series of posts was really awesome though InSpirit, broke some barriers for me through it, so thanks my good brother

God richly bless you (and you too Eb)

And may God richly bless you as well Sis. And yeah, the carnally minded man only knows what he knows naturally.

2 Peter 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;

Jude 1:10
But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

 

[ebedmelech]

Thanks sis! Just happy you're getting insight! Be blessed and keep growing!

 

[Fireinfolding]

Thanks bros

 

[EugeneKoshanof]

I personally believe that the image of the east is also a flat screen TV, that can speak, that's where the propaganda of the anti-Christ comes from.

 

[ebia]

I personally believe that the image of the east is also a flat screen TV,

Because they're all made in Asia?

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

I personally believe that the image of the east is also a flat screen TV, that can speak, that's where the propaganda of the anti-Christ comes from.

I believe that one could fall under the signs and lying wonders the false prophet would do in the sight of men. (that's a good idea for another thread though)

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Here is something else I found to be interesting concerning the image, which also provokes to jealousy.

We are told in Revelation 13:2; “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.” This worldly beast is made up of all the nations of the world, but they are empowered by the Dragon, or Satan.

But now notice the wording compared to Ezekiel 8:3 ; “And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looks toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provokes to jealousy.

If you read the next few verses in Ezekiel you will see just what that image was that was given a seat (or place of authority like the beast empowered by the Devil). Ezekiel 8:6; “He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations.

In this chapter of Ezekiel we see it was the sins of the people, and wicked abominations of the elders, and the false idol worship of the people that was set up in the place of God, which also was the image that would provoke to jealousy. This is also what provoked the Lord to jealousy and anger as seen here in Deuteronomy 32:16; “They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.
Deuteronomy 32:21; “They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

So the first image was set up by the house of Israel, which is also the sign of the firstborn man/ beast who had received the head wound from the sword of the Lord Revelation 13:14; “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.”

So basically the mistake Israel did thru false worship and man made doctrines and false idols in their own image of self-worship would be also be set up again by the Nations of the world. The proof of this connection to the first image is also shown here in Romans 1:23; “And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Now compare that to what the Lord told Ezekiel about the image which provoked and caused jealousy in his day. Ezekiel 8:10; “So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.”

So I believe we have a match in the image set up by man as that of self-worship, false doctrine, and false idols (images made by the hands, or works of man).

 

[shturt678]

Rev.13:15, along with 13:14b is, my opinion only, should be classified under the "essentials of the faith" ... happening right now ...

Rev.13:15: God let the beat go so far as to give breath to the image so that it spoke and ordered all to be killed who refused it adoration. Only because to this beast "was given" was it able "to give" breath to the image it made men construct, the important part. This is the monstrous tyranny of the lamb-like beast - death to all who refuse to surrender conscience and soul. My point takes us back to Rev.13:14b instead of the direction I should be going, vs.16,etc.

Rev.13:14b: "...saying to those dwelling on the earth to make an image for the wild beast who has the stroke of the sword and lived." Now fast forward and backwards in an effort to take in passages before and after resulting in the following OPINION occurring today!

The whole antichristian world power that was struck down by Christ by his redemptive victory; it states the reason for having an image made of lthis beast, for, although it was slain, this beast recovered, became alive. Note that it is the second beast's work to glorify the first beast, and the acme of this effort is reached by having this image made for the purpose of UNIVERSAL WORSHIP, unknowingly of course. Yet this lamb-like beast does not himself construct this image, HE ORDERS HIS DUPES, the earth dwellers to make the image for themselves; they are to worship the work of their own hands al all idolaters do, unknowingly of course.

just an opinion and open for correction of course, IITim.3:16

 

[mog144]

@ inspiritintruth, I first quote this from your post:

"As it is also their policy, as it was also with many of the carnally minded Jews, to literally put a person to death for not worshipping their image (mindset, or view) and or, their own carnal interpretation of scripture. Just as Jesus told his disciples those who killed them would think they were doing Gods service."

As you have emphasized the differences between the natural and spiritual, in the same sense, this passage that you make reference to has also a spiritual side to the interpretation, I may have missed it but I don't recall you defining this in it's fullness.

'those who kill them would think they were doing Gods service.' is occurring in all of the churches today. Look at it like this, if a church of false doctrine or any sort of false teaching invites seekers into their church and the person be converted to their faith they also are killing those people spiritually and that is the ultimate death, not the flesh.

The flesh is carnal as you say and the spirit is what God is concerned about, not our flesh as we are beasts and God isn't Redeeming beats, right?

So, I thought to expand on this. I'm not correcting you, only showing the spiritual repercussion. BTW, good thread and lots of truth to help distinguish between the carnal and spiritual. God bless

 

[ebedmelech]

The beast of Rev 13:2 is found in Daniel 7:3-8:

Compare:
Rev 13:2-6
2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority.


Daniel 7:3-8
3 And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another.
4 The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle. I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind also was given to it.
5 And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear. And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, ‘Arise, devour much meat!’
6 After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.
7 After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.
8 While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts.

The fourth beast is a combination of the previous 3...that is the beast of Rev 13:2

 

[shturt678]

To ebedmelech ... Wow, I'm in agreement with someone today ... cannot wait till you lay out Rev.13:3, etc., interpretation that is, so we can finally agree to disagree leading up to the "image." Great!

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

The beast of Rev 13:2 is a worldly beast as I stated before, just as the Lord warned Israel not to take up the doctrines and false idols of those other Gentile nations.

Leviticus 18:26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:

Deuteronomy 18:9
When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.

Ezekiel 6:9
And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

Because Israel took up the false idols and doctrines of those surrounding Gentile nations, they also set up the image which would provoke the Lord to jealousy. And by all their abominations they also polluted the sanctuary of strength, which would also bring forth their desolation.

 

[shturt678]

Rev.13:2, This "beast" (Satan's fearful spiritual agent) is to use all the satanic power, spiritual power. Just trying to help with another view. thank you .... leads to the image eventually ... hang in there