The Tribulation Period(s)...

[Last Daze]

I posted this earlier but it did not appear. Maybe I forgot to sign in, but apologies if it appears twice.

 

The beast is likely a person, and so his image is probably human-looking otherwise it is difficult to see how it qualifies as an image. Besides, the false prophet will make the image "speak." The closest OT parallel is probably Nebuchanezzar's image in Dan 3, though that one did not talk. Significantly, it was placed on the plain of Dura, not in a temple.

 

The beast with seven heads and ten horns comes up out of the abyss per Rev 17.  The abyss is a place of restraint for fallen angels, therefore, the beast is a fallen angel.

 

An image does not have to be something physical.  Consider Romans 8:29: For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

 

This is why I think the image is a code of conduct that worships the false prophet and affirms his dominion.  The fallen angel that empowers the false prophet is all about exercising dominion.  His likeness or image will be too.  Those who don't "worship", or "conform to" the image of the beast  will be put to death.

[Daniel 11:36]

You are on the right track in my opinion

 

Note that the image offered by the false prophet [who is different from Abaddon .... another fallen angel] can speak and can cause those who resist his cult of Abaddon worship to be killed

 

I don't see your code idea in this process excepting the number of the beast that is both Abaddon's number and the number of the human little horn of Daniel's visions [Revelation 13:15-18]

 

I would suggest that you check out Walid Shoebat's interpretation of the number .... find him on the Internet

 

Walid is a former Islamic terrorist who is expertise in both koranic and biblical study, and he may have the correct identification of the number

Edited October 26, 2014 by Daniel 11:36

[ghtan]

I think that it is more natural for the image to resemble a person if it is made to talk. It is also more normal for people to worship an image that resembles a person (or possibly a creature) but I have not come across people worshipping codes. Is there an example in the bible? Off hand, I cannot think of one. And if there is none, should we not prefer an interpretation that is more natural? Am I missing something or is there some part of the text that is easier to explain if the image is a code rather than what we would normally imagine as an image?

[Last Daze]

I think that it is more natural for the image to resemble a person if it is made to talk. It is also more normal for people to worship an image that resembles a person (or possibly a creature) but I have not come across people worshipping codes. Is there an example in the bible? Off hand, I cannot think of one. And if there is none, should we not prefer an interpretation that is more natural? Am I missing something or is there some part of the text that is easier to explain if the image is a code rather than what we would normally imagine as an image?

 

What exactly do you think worship is?  Everyone worships something.  Just look at their behavior and you can get a good idea of what (or who) they worship.

 

An image is a likeness.  How can the people of the world make a physical likeness of something they haven't seen?  My thoughts are here if you're interested: 

Edited October 26, 2014 by Last Daze

[Last Daze]

You are on the right track in my opinion

 

Note that the image offered by the false prophet [who is different from Abaddon .... another fallen angel] can speak and can cause those who resist his cult of Abaddon worship to be killed

 

I don't see your code idea in this process excepting the number of the beast that is both Abaddon's number and the number of the human little horn of Daniel's visions [Revelation 13:15-18]

 

I would suggest that you check out Walid Shoebat's interpretation of the number .... find him on the Internet

 

Walid is a former Islamic terrorist who is expertise in both koranic and biblical study, and he may have the correct identification of the number

 

I see the "mark" that is required as the initial act of worshiping the image, a declaration of allegiance.  I'm sure that there is a provision for it in the "code of laws", which the people of the world make.

[Daniel 11:36]

It is a declaration of allegiance by those who want the mark to identify with the beast .... I believe that these will be primarily the Muslims of the Middle East [Revelation 14:9-10]

 

 The mark is being worn today by the radical factions of Islamic terrorists and it relates to Koranic law definition

 

Not sure what your coding law is .... what is it?

[Last Daze]

It is a declaration of allegiance by those who want the mark to identify with the beast .... I believe that these will be primarily the Muslims of the Middle East [Revelation 14:9-10]

 

 The mark is being worn today by the radical factions of Islamic terrorists and it relates to Koranic law definition

 

Not sure what your coding law is .... what is it?

 

It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. Rev 13:7

 

And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.  Rev 13:16-17

 

The mark of the beast will be global and required to buy or sell anything.  The mark of the beast is not being worn today by anybody as it is described in the book of Revelation.

 

I never said "coding law".  I did make a reference to a code of conduct or code of laws.  If you're not sure what those are you can Google them.  Did you read the post I linked?  Those are my thoughts on the subject. 

[ghtan]

I think what is important is what John intended the image to be. His primary audience were the seven churches; he would have written in a way that they could understand and so he would have used words that were familiar to them. They lived during a time when images of the emperor were put in places e.g. temples to be worshipped. I think the first-century readers knew what John meant by images and worship. I don't think they would have thought of codes. 

[Daniel 11:36]

The image of the beast can speak and cause those who will not submit to him to be killed

 

An image is a picture and there is communication involved

 

And the followers of the beast and others have this thing .... what ever it is

 

An invention .... an idol of some sort .... to be carried and worshiped by the followers of the beast

 

And to be used for policing by a carrier of others around them that may not be worshiping the beast

 

What would this device be today?

 

And what is used today for buying selling?

 

I would have to guess since the related scriptures do not give enough detail to make a specific determination

 

I believe that the beast and his cult religion of Islam are in view, so I would suggest that one consider the following:

 

 

The global Internet

 

The connect-ability of hand held cell phones, tablets, etc. .... communications device with screen images

 

Control of the same in the hands of Islamic terrorists

 

 

The Revelation description may very well fit a techno idle of this nature

 

Much of the world today is highly dependent upon the use and distribution of the Internet and related computer communication devcies 

 

For example, a cell phone today an even be used to spy upon its user .... think about it

 

The same system can also display as image of the beast himself for his followers to worship

 

 Those with evil intentions are already using the same to promote Islamic terrorism in the Middle East

Edited October 27, 2014 by Daniel 11:36

[Watching for Jesus]

erased

Edited November 13, 2014 by Watching for Jesus