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 (Revelation 13:15-16).
This passage tells us that the mark of the Beast will be enforced by the image of the Beast. An image is something that has the attributes of the original. The first beast of Revelation 13 (the Roman Catholic system) was a power that utilized state resources in order to enforce its doctrines, even when these doctrines were contrary to the Word of God.
According to Revelation 13, the second beast, which was identified as the United States of America, will exercise the same authority as the first beast (the Roman Catholic system) and cause the world to worship the papal system (Revelation 13:12). We are seeing signs of this taking place already in our day.
We are told in Revelation that the US will also actively encourage the world to make “an image to the beast.” With its political and perhaps military might, the US will bring this image of the Beast to life and cause it to speak and declare a death decree against all those that would not comply with its regulations. A specific mark, belonging to the first beast, (hence the name, mark of the Beast) will be used to mark those that cooperate with the image of the Beast. Only those with the mark will have permission to conduct business.
Revelation 13:12 says that the second beast “exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast.” If the United States is to exercise all the authority the Papacy had and force the world to worship the Papacy, then it follows that the US will become like Rome was during the 1260-year period when she enforced her doctrines through the law and persecution. The United States will, however, enact papal laws and enforce their observance internationally.
In becoming like Rome, by forming a union between church and state, and using the power of the state to enforce religious laws, the United States will become an image of the Beast.According to the Scriptures, the mark will be enforced by imposing economic sanctions on anyone unwilling to accept the mark:
And that no man might buy nor sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast or the number of his name…and his number is six hundred, three score and six (Revelation 13:17-18).
Ahead to Sunday: The Roman Catholic Emblem
Back to The Mark of the Beast Introduction
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This article is adapted from Truth Matters by Professor Walter J. Veith, an international speaker who has studied Biblical issues in-depth in his quest for truth. His popular series Genesis Conflict brings the debate between Creation and evolution to a new climax as he dissects the arguments with a scientific eye. His highly-acclaimed series Total Onslaught sheds light on the state of the world today as we move to a one-world government and an anticipated apocalypse.
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Creation and Evolution: Is Compromise Possible?
How Can We See Stars That Are Billions Of Light Years Away?
Geocentricity: It's Time to Face the Facts
The Rise of Evolutionary Thinking
Earth's History: Conflicting Paradigms
Lamarck Proposes Natural Selection
Age Of The Earth Is Carbon-Dating Accurate?
Flood Chronology
Read several authors' thoughts on papal Rome's history.
This article highlights quotes from historical and Catholic sources proving the Papacy's aggressive nature.
Persecution in the First Centuries
An Era of Spiritual Darkness The Waldenses
John Wycliffe Huss and Jerome
Luther's Separation From Rome
Luther Before the Diet The Swiss Reformer
Progress of Reform in Germany
Protest of the Princes The French Reformation
The Netherlands and Scandinavia
Later English Reformers
The Bible and the French Revolution
The Pilgrim Fathers Heralds of the Morning
An American Reformer Light Through Darkness
A Great Religious Awakening A Warning Rejected
Prophecies Fulfilled What is the Sanctuary?
In the Holy of Holies God's Law Immutable
A Work of Reform Modern Revivals
Facing Life's Record The Origin of Evil
Enmity Between Man and Satan
Agency of Evil Spirits Snares of Satan
The First Great Deception
Can Our Dead Speak to Us?
Liberty of Conscience Threatened
The Impending Conflict
The Scriptures a Safeguard The Final Warning
The Time of Trouble God's People Delivered
Desolation of the Earth The Controversy Ended
Is Revelation a Sealed Book?
Revelation 1 Commentary
Revelation 1: Jesus, The Heart of Revelation
Revelation 2 Commentary
Revelation 2-3: Letters to Seven Churches
Revelation 3 Commentary
The Lamb and the Sealed Book
Revelation 4 Commentary
Revelation 5 Commentary
Revelation 6 Commentary
Revelation 7 Commentary
Revelation 8 Commentary
Revelation 9 Commentary
Revelation 10 Commentary
Revelation 11 Commentary
Revelation 12 Commentary
Revelation 13 Commentary
Revelation 14 Commentary
Revelation 15 Commentary
Revelation 16 Commentary
Revelation 17 Commentary
Revelation 18 Commentary
Revelation 19 Commentary
Revelation 20 Commentary
Revelation 21 Commentary
Revelation 22 Commentary
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