Over the centuries, there have been a lot of ideas what the Image of the Beast mentioned in chapter 13 of Revelation might be. What perplexed people in the past was the mention of life being given to the image. Prior to recent times, the only source for comparison was the statue that Nebuchadnezzar set up in Babylon (Daniel 3). This man was a foreshadow of the Antichrist (see Antichrist lesson) and proclaimed himself to be a god that demanded worship. The punishment for not worshipping this statue was death (Daniel 3:11). During the Tribulation period, the punishment for not worshipping the Image of the Beast will also be death (Rev. 13:15, 20:4).
In order to understand what the Image of the Beast could be, it is important to fully understand the definition of the word image. According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, an image is an "exact likeness", a "tangible or visual representation of something", and a "popular conception projected through mass media".
When this image is set up by the False Prophet, it will tie into a religion of some sort with the Antichrist as the focal point. The Apostle Paul wrote that this man will "opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God" (2 Thess. 2:4). Revelation chapter 13 gives an outline of the events from the first 3.5 years of the Tribulation to the midway point. After the Antichrist comes back from the dead, the False Prophet commands that a tribute be made for him:
"...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. 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. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." - Revelation 13:14-17
The Image of the Beast will be set up in inside of the Jewish Temple (Dan. 11:31, Matt. 24:15, 2 Thess. 2:4). At this point, the Mark of the Beast is instituted and the persecution of the Jews begins.
Before we look into how the Mark of the Beast and Image of the Beast are intertwined, let's take a look at current false images to give some insight into this abomination.
Paul Walker, though dead, was in Furious 7 through the use of advanced CGI and motion capture technology. Please watch the video below to see how this technological marvel was accomplished:
Creation of Paul Walker in Furious 7
In 1977, 21 year-old Carrie Fisher portrayed the iconic Princess Leia in Star Wars: A New Hope. In December 2016, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was released featuring Princess Leia moments before the events in A New Hope. Carrie Fisher was 60 years old when Rogue One was released. Through similar technology used in Furious 7, another actress was brought in to portray Princess Leia. Norwegian actress Ingvild Deila had very little resemblance to Carrie Fisher, and yet, the match onscreen was uncanny.
In our current age, we can duplicate dead celebrities. We can make them speak and move realistically and give them the appearance of life. It will be taken one step further, though, and this is where advancements in artificial intelligence comes in to play.
The most famous A.I. robot in the world right now is Sophia. Please watch the video below where Sophia is interviewed and details her purpose.
Other artificial intelligence robots have been produced as well:
Currently in development is a new religion with A.I. as the centerpiece called Way of the Future. The Way of the Future religion will be online and fully connected to employment and the economy. Here are some articles from the end of 2017 regarding this technology:
"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." - Revelation 13:16-17
Notice that the Bible says that the mark will be IN their right hand or forehead meaning that it will most likely be a microchip of some fashion. While no person knows exactly just what the Image of the Beast will be (as it will not be revealed until the middle of the Tribulation period), it will most likely be an A.I. robot that is able to track all people via a permanent internet connection and the microchip mark and will look exactly like the Antichrist.
The technology is available. The Antichrist and the False Prophet will have control over the world's economy, media, and religion. The choice will come down to taking his mark and worshipping his image or being decapitated (Rev. 20:4).
Please accept Jesus today! Those that accept Christ through the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4) will be Raptured before the Tribulation begins (Rev. 3:10).