Discussions concerning the end times often mention the mark of the beast, 666 (and infrequently jokes about 665.99, which is… the retail price of the beast). But occasionally someone will bring up the image of the beast, the name of a certain Christian film from the Nineteen Eighties, and likewise a striking detail from the Book of Revelation.
Let’s explore what the image of the beast is and what we will learn from this reference that will help us spiritually grow today.
Does the Bible Say Anything concerning the Image of the Beast?
The Bible mentions the image of the beast and the mark of the beast in Revelation 13. The opening to the chapter describes a seven-headed beast (with 10 horns, each wearing a crown) which “resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion” and a “blasphemous name” across each head (Revelation 13:1-2). One of the heads on the beast has a “fatal wound” which is later healed (Revelation 13:3). Frequently in end times theology, this beast rising out of the ocean is known as the Antichrist.
The beast rises out of the ocean and is given authority from a dragon (Satan) to manage the planet for 42 months. During this era, one other beast (identified in Revelation 19 as the False Prophet) rises from the earth and convinces people to follow the Antichrist (Revelation 13:5-11). In addition to being ordered to place “the mark of the beast” on their heads or hands (Revelation 1316-17), individuals are also ordered to “arrange a picture in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived” (Revelation 13:14).
Later, an angel tells the narrator that the beast rising from the ocean is a pacesetter who will give authority to 10 leaders, who “will wage war against the Lamb” (Revelation 17:14). Revelation 19 describes each beasts being defeated, after which Revelation 20 describes them being thrown right into a lake of fireside with Satan after one thousand years has passed.
Like most of Revelation, the passage concerning the image of the beast is shocking and a bit confusing. We subsequently have to ask: how do scholars interpret this verse?
What Might the Image of the Beast Be?
Christianity has several major schools for interpreting Revelation. Two particular schools apply here.
One school (especially related to Preterism) reads Revelation as a commentary on the persecution that the early church experienced, to encourage Christians to know what would occur eventually (persecution would end, God would make all things right). In this interpretation, the Antichrist (a term used elsewhere within the Bible for anyone claiming Christlike status) is Emperor Nero, essentially the most notoriously anti-Christian of the Roman Empire’s leaders. Nero was known for doing things like using Christians as human torches at celebrations and for blaming Christians for Rome’s burning in 64 AD. Roman emperors were believed to have divine status and Romans were expected to worship them (or not less than, pay homage to them), together with worshipping the remainder of the Greco-Roman pantheon of pagan gods. Hence, a statue of Nero could easily fit the outline of the image of the beast. As the Encyclopedia Romana observes, this argument aligns with the undeniable fact that Hebrew scholars often used a symbolism process called gematria, where a number is assigned to every letter within the Hebrew alphabet. The Greek name “Nero Kaisar” would change into “Nrwn qsr” in Hebrew (which has no consonants), and people Hebrew letters have the values 50, 200, 6, 50, 60, 20. Adding those numbers together could be 666.
Scholars who favor reading Revelation as a document about unfulfilled future events, especially within the dispensationalist interpretations that became popular in nineteenth-century America, see the beast as a future figure who will lead people astray. In this view, the Antichrist will establish a recent religion, with the help of the False Prophet, which can presumably involve worshiping a statue of himself and a marking system to discover followers. This interpretation has been dramatized in novels like The Indwelling (a part of the Left Behind series) and in movies like Image of the Beast (a part of the Thief within the Night series). Since a significant a part of end times interpretation debates is whether or not the thousand years of Jesus’ rule mentioned in Revelation 19 is a literal time period, different scholars debate how long the period can be between the image of the beast appearing and the Antichrist being destroyed. Premillennialists argue that there can be a literal millennium wherein Jesus reigns before bringing his last judgment, while postmillennialists imagine the millennium is a golden period that Christians bring before all the opposite events in Revelation will occur.
Since there may be such wide disagreement about when the image of the beast will appear (assuming it’s a future event), fiction stories concerning the image of the beast are often more interesting as time capsules, showing how people use end times narratives to debate recent trends that concern them. The Image of the Beast film highlights concerns concerning the then-new technology of computers (a tool the Antichrist uses within the movie to create his one-world government) while the Left Behind series highlights later concerns about genetic engineering (the Antichrist is conceived with specific strands of DNA merged together).
How we feel concerning the image of the beast will differ greatly depending on which of those interpretations we follow, and it’s well price reading what reputable scholars must say about each views. C. Marvin Pate’s book Four Views on the Book of Revelation is a superb place to begin.
There are some lessons that each groups of Christians would agree we will learn from this discussion.
What Can Christians Learn from the Image of the Beast?
Whether we read Revelation 13 as a commentary on the primary church or a warning of things to return, there are just a few things we will agree on.
1. First, the “image of the beast” passage reminds us that we should always consider fastidiously the Bible’s warnings to not worship any false gods. This prohibition not only means we’d like to avoid pagan ceremonies and black magic, but in addition consider how we spend our time. As philosopher James K.A. Smith puts it within the title of considered one of his books, you’re what you’re keen on: what you devote your attention to, whether it’s studying the Bible or reading celebrity gossip, communicates what you “worship.” We can all use a reminder to orient our lives around healthy activities and make time to reflect on Christ.
2. Second, the “image of the beast” passage reminds us to contemplate how powerful images are, how they will be used for good or ailing. The Old Testament is careful to warn people to not make images to worship (just like the Golden Calf in Exodus), but in addition affirms that individuals could make images for holy purposes (just like the art that Bezalel made for the tabernacle that housed the Ark of the Covenant). As writers like Francis Schaeffer explore, the Bible just isn’t anti-creativity; it encourages us to create images, music, and other types of art for purposes that honor God. Many Christians throughout church history have highlighted how wisely-used images for activities like church artwork might help us grow in our faith, because humans are created to do greater than absorb information. We are created to enjoy creative activities as well, to be greater than “brains on sticks.” When we understand that images will be used for good, we will seek creative activities that draw us closer to God, from illustrating Bible stories to reflecting on classic Christian artworks like Leonardo DaVinci’s The Last Supper. Understanding the ability of a superb image makes us less more likely to be tempted by activities that misuse images, be it a pagan ritual or a grimy online image.
3. Third, the “image of the beast” passage encourages us to keep in mind that God alone should receive some types of homage and devotion. Even if the beast in Revelation 13 refers to a past threat like Nero, messianic figures who crave our attention are a relentless threat. We are easily tempted by humans who offer what only God can provide—salvation, otherworldly power. The reference in 1 John 2:18 to “many antichrists” who’ve already come and gone (individuals who claimed Christlike charisma and power) underlines how common savior figures are. The beast could also be a very powerful savior figure coming in the long run, but all alternative Christ figures offer attractive solutions and fail to deliver on their guarantees. We should always remember to offer God what God deserves, and human leaders what human leaders deserve.
4. Fourth, the “image of the beast” passage underlines how, whatever threat we face, we know the way the story ends. Revelation 13 just isn’t the tip of the Bible, and whatever threat the beast with its mark and image presents, the story ends with the beast defeated by Christ. We often come away from discussions concerning the Antichrist and the tip times frightened, however the goal needs to be to rest in trusting God with the long run. A time is coming when all can be made right.
This article is an element of our larger End Times Resource Library. Learn more concerning the rapture, the anti-christ, bible prophecy and the tribulation with articles that specify Biblical truths. You don’t have to fear or worry concerning the future!
The Second Coming of Jesus
Who Are the 144,000 in Revelation?
Who Are Gog and Magog within the Bible?
What Is the Apollyon?
Is the Apocalypse Mentioned within the Bible?
Signs of the End Times and the Rapture
