Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 13:14-15

"And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived. And it was given [unto him] to give breath to it, [even] to the image to the breast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as should not worship the image of the beast should be killed." — Revelation 13:14-15 (ASV)

(14a) Here more must be involved than the deceptions of the imperial priesthood. The quality of the miracles deceives those who follow the beast—namely, “the inhabitants of the earth.” “Deceive” (GK 4414) is John’s term for the activity of false teachers who lead people to worship gods other than the true God (2:20; 12:9; 18:23; 19:20; 20:3, 8, 10; cf. 1Jn 2:26; 3:7; 4:6; also Mt 24:11, 24).

(14b–15) The second beast orders the setting up of an “image” (GK 1635) of the first beast. Elsewhere, the worship of the first beast, his “image,” and his “mark” are inseparable (14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4). An “image” of something is not a mere copy but partakes in its reality and in fact constitutes its reality. Those interpreters who follow the Roman-emperor exegesis identify the image with the statue of Caesar and refer the “breath” and speaking of the image to the magic and ventriloquism of the imperial priests. But as has been argued earlier (see comments on vv.1, 11), serious questions can be raised against such an exegesis of John’s language, which is much more theologically descriptive than the Roman hypothesis allows. This is not to deny that the imperial worship could be included as one form of the beast worship. But the reality described is much larger and far more transhistorical than the mere worship of a bust of Caesar. John, however, would not deny that these realities have their historical manifestations, for in every age the beast kills those who will not worship his image. In terms reminiscent of the great golden image Nebuchadnezzar made and commanded every person to worship on the threat of death (Daniel 3:1–11), John describes the worldwide system of idolatry represented by the first beast and the false prophet(s) who promotes it. It is a system that produces a breach of the first two commandments (Exodus 20:3–5).

In speaking about giving “breath” (GK 4460) to the image, John implies the activity of the false prophets in reviving idolatrous worship, giving it the appearance of vitality, reality, and power. Curiously, the two witnesses were also said to receive “breath” (GK 4460; 11:11). This idolatrous satanic system has the power of death over those who worship the true God and the Lamb. The same “image” tried to kill Daniel and his friends, killed many of the prophets of God, crucified the Lord Jesus, and put to death Stephen (Acts 7:60), James the apostle (Acts 12:1–2), and Antipas (Revelation 2:13). Thus John demonstrates to his followers the apparent healing of his wounded head. To limit the image to the bust of Caesar or to some future statue or ventriloquistic device constricts John’s deeper meaning and eliminates the present significance of his language. All throughout history there have been those who have sought worship for themselves instead of for the Lord Jesus Christ. A contemporary example is Sun Myung Moon, who calls himself the “Lord of the Second Advent.” Many are being deceived into following him and his teaching.