As King Nebuchadnezzar looked down on the plain of Dura and watched the men building his huge image of gold, he was thinking about the dream that he had had not too long before. In it, he had seen an image of gold, silver, bronze, and iron, with feet that were a mixture of iron and clay, and he remembered what Daniel had said about the image as he interpreted his dream.
“ ‘You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; and wherever the children of men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all—you are this head of gold.’ ” Daniel 2:37, 38
He felt proud thinking of himself as the head of gold. He wanted to reign forever and be seen by all as the king of kings. The rest of the dream involved other kingdoms that were to come after him, and a stone that would crush not only those kingdoms, but his own. He did not like that part of his dream, so he decided that the best way to ensure that part of the dream didn’t happen was by building a giant image of pure gold. His heart filled with pride, he was determined that all the people would see and know that his kingdom was forever.
This is one of the manifestations of selfishness. Pride takes the place of reason and causes men to think of themselves and not of others. Exalting oneself is the beginning of pride. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” Philippians 2:3
The Israelites had a long history of idol worship. They remembered the stories of how Jacob buried the idols that Rachel had taken from her father’s house, how Moses had broken the tablets of the ten commandments when he saw their ancestors dancing around and worshiping the golden calf. They knew of God’s hatred of image worship. In fact, the second commandment listed on the tablets of stone, written by God’s own finger, commanded that they were not to bow down to images.
They had heard of Elijah and how God had told him to destroy the images of the false prophets and to slay them all for their heresy. Yet when the Babylonians and their captives were all gathered on the plain of Dura before the great image of gold, and the music stopped, they obediently bowed before it, except for three young men. As the Israelite captives bowed before the image of gold, they had forgotten the words of God, “ ‘You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.’ ” Deuteronomy 12:31
The pride of the king had been damaged, and those three young men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, were about to experience a trial by literal fire. They were thrown into the fiery furnace for their obedience to God. Miraculously, Jesus Himself was in the fire with them and saved them (Daniel 3).
This example of defiance toward the king of Babylon was told to remind us of a future event that is soon to take place. Another image is about to be set up that will try the world on threat of death. In his dream, King Nebuchadnezzar saw the image composed of four different metals, representing four kingdoms:
Babylon – head of gold
Medo-Persia – chest and arms of silver
Greece – belly and thighs of bronze
Roman Empire – legs of iron
But after all this, another empire of a different sort was to come. It was represented as a mixture of iron and clay.
Daniel described it like this: “ ‘Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast [Roman Empire], which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.’ ” Daniel 7:19, 20
Then the angel Gabriel explains this last beast power and the little horn, “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; he shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.’ ” Verses 23–25
This little horn is also identified as the first beast of Revelation 13. Here it is shown as a mixture of all the other kingdoms before it. We know it is the same power because of some of the same identifying marks. “And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.” Verses 5–7. This last power, the fourth kingdom of Daniel 2, represented by the feet of iron and clay of the image Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream, receives its power from the dragon beast of Daniel 7, which represented the Holy Roman Empire and ultimately became the papacy or the Roman Catholic Church.
After 538 AD, the Roman Catholic Church became the de facto Christian entity that ruled over nations and men. Over the centuries, kingdoms rose and fell but, behind the scenes, the Roman Catholic Church was the power spoken of in Daniel 2 and 7. In Revelation 18:13, it describes it as marketing in the “souls of men.” For 1,260 years it ruled with as much cruelty as the pagan Roman Empire before it, keeping the world ignorant of God’s word, until the Protestant Reformation with the printing press made God’s word available to the common man once again.
As we understand this part of the prophecy, it sets up the scene to understand the two images of the future. First let’s continue to understand this first image of Revelation 13. Once we understand that the papacy is the first beast, then we can see clearly how the image that will be set up later resembles it in some ways.
When we talk about images, it is helpful to understand what an image is. Webster’s dictionary describes it this way:
- “a visual representation of something, such as a likeness of an object produced on a photographic material, or a picture produced on an electronic display (such as a television or computer screen);
- the optical counterpart of an object produced by an optical device (such as a lens or mirror) or an electronic device;
- a mental picture or impression of something;
- a mental conception held in common by members of a group and symbolic of a basic attitude and orientation.”
So, an image does not have to be a carved statue, but simply a “visual representation” of something.
The second beast of Revelation 13 will then make an image or likeness to the first beast, the papacy. A likeness can look like the original. It can share some of the same characteristics of the original, but it is not the original. So, this image will resemble the papacy in some ways, but will be different in others. Also, we must remember that this image will resemble the dragon that gave it the power to begin with. “Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.” Revelation 13:2
Like the papacy during its reign from 538 AD to 1798 AD, this is not a benevolent power, but a persecuting power. Why? Because its power comes from the dragon. “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9. The dragon, which represents both the pagan Roman power and the power behind it [Satan, the great dragon], gives its power to the new Roman power that is clothed in a false Christianity. It will have the likeness of Christianity, using Christ’s name, claiming the apostles as its founders, using the Bible for its references, just as Satan did when he tempted Christ, but it will also use its own doctrines and policies that do not represent true Christianity.
As Satan used scripture to present himself as an angel of light to tempt Christ, so the papacy uses scripture to push its own agendas. Recently, the courts have granted people who lost their jobs for refusing to work on the “Sabbath” to be compensated and ruled it illegal to terminate their employment. Yet the “sabbath” that they referred to was not the biblical Sabbath but Sunday, the day of worship changed by the papacy. As time goes on, we will see many more of these false doctrinal arguments presented to the world. This way, the image to the papacy attempts to frame its power as righteous and based on the Bible, while behind the scenes, it is a deception to get the world to accept the laws and commandments of men rather than the law of God.
We are warned not to bow down or worship any image, but like the Israelites in Babylon who bowed before Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, so the Christian world will bow down to the new image in the last days. These images, or likenesses, are in reality the representation of the character of Satan. Let’s look at some of these characteristics of the image that will not allow us to buy or sell unless we submit to its power.
First of all, Revelation 13:14, first part, says that he (the second beast) will deceive us. How will we be deceived? “And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast….”
If we do not love the truth, if we do not know the truth, this image to the papacy will fool us into believing we are following God. “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,” “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 9, 10
Those who will follow the image will be those who do not love righteousness. Now, no one would admit they do not love truth and righteousness if they call themselves Christians. But Paul warns that just such a thing will happen. “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 2 Timothy 3:1–5. As Christians, we must look inward to examine ourselves to see if any of these traits are in us, because if we have even one, then we will be fooled by the image of the beast into thinking we are righteous.
King Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon was a “type” of the spiritual Babylon at the end of time. It was full of pride and selfishness. The king believed he was righteous in his acts to exalt himself above the God of heaven, even as the Babylon of Revelation has exalted itself above God. Babylon (or the Roman Catholic Church) is full of wickedness. “And he [the angel] cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, ‘Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!’ ” Revelation 18:2. The doctrines and policies of the papacy have a form of godliness, but it is rebuked by God’s angel exclaiming that it exists by the power of Satan.
In King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the image was destroyed by a stone that became a great mountain. As the Rock, which represents Jesus, crushed the feet of the image in the dream, so it will be with spiritual Babylon. This is a prophecy that shows the end of Satan’s rule and his kingdom. At the second coming of Jesus, the beast (papacy), the image (the false prophet), and all who follow them will be destroyed. “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. … Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.” Revelation 19:11, 20, 21
There is a second image that we also must look at. This image is a much different type of image. We find it in the very first book of the Bible. “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:26, 27
This image reflects the likeness of God Himself—very different from that of the beast power. When Adam and Eve were first created, they had the likeness of God. Every aspect of creation, whether animate or inanimate, was created in its own individual likeness, but mankind was created in the likeness of God. Remember an image is something that is like, but not the same as something else. Adam and Eve had all the characteristics of God. Their hearts were pure and kind, without sin. They walked with God in the garden of Eden, they handled and took care of every living thing in the garden. They had clear minds that were curious and ever learning the true science of creation. They were part of the family of God and communed with the angels of God.
Only beings with this image can ever be in the presence of God. Their character and demeanor were without spot or blemish. “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 36:7. What a contrast between these perfect humans and the humans today. Paul writes about the characteristics of the image of God. If we are to overcome the image of the beast, we must reflect God’s character. “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.” Colossians 3:12
Our character is to be without spot or blemish by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Paul again admonishes us by contrasting the image of Satan with the image of God. “Now the works of the flesh [the image of the beast] are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:19–23
With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the image of Satan is destroyed, and our characters are restored to the image of God, replaced with God’s character and lovingkindness. The two images are warring within us for dominance. One leads to everlasting destruction, the other leads to everlasting life. If we are not to be fooled by the image of the beast, we must do away with the attitudes of the world. We are told to be separate from the world. This separation is not physical but spiritual. When we entertain in our minds the agendas of the world, we pollute our character, and we will not reflect the image of God. “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.” Ephesians 4:31. The world wants to draw us into its strife and contentions, but God’s people will do away with all of these things that tarnish the character of God.
These two images—the image of God and the image of the beast—are very different from one another. The image of the dragon or Satan is an image of force. It goes against the true teachings of the Bible. Adhering to the false teachings of the papal church, it creates an image that is dictatorial and persecuting. This image wants to use force to further its idea of a world power. It dominates the world through wars and riches, dragging the people down into its depths of depravity.
But the image that God wants to create in us is a benevolent one. It will not raise a hand to hurt another. It will bend a knee to care for a suffering human. It is always kind in its words and seeks to uplift rather than tear down. It reflects the character of Jesus and as it is created in us, we, too, will reflect that character or image of the One who cares for us. There are two paths, two images, two likenesses that we can choose from. Which one will you choose?
Michael C. Wells is the director of Anointing Oil Ministries.