Revelation 13:14
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The truly insidious nature of deception here isn't just the "lying wonders," but that these miracles enable the creation of an "image"—a representation of power. This manufactured likeness, born from apparent divine endorsement, is then imposed, demanding worship and participation from those on earth, making them complicit in their own delusion.
and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The scene intensifies as a second beast emerges, mimicking Christ's appearance but speaking with demonic deceit. This false prophet, empowered by the first beast, performs deceptive miracles to lead humanity astray. The ultimate goal is to compel people to worship the first beast, specifically by creating an image—a representation—of it, especially since its seemingly fatal wound has miraculously healed.
The world is often swayed by impressive displays. But what happens when these 'wonders' lead people away from the truth?
Revelation 13:14 reveals a powerful deception at work, fueled by 'signs that it is allowed to work.' This isn't about genuine divine power, but about manipulated spectacles designed to mislead. The key here is that these signs are permitted, not originating from God's ultimate authority, but allowed within the context of the beast's influence.
Why Signs Deceive
Why would people be commanded to create a likeness of something that had a deadly wound? What does this 'image' truly represent?
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The deceptive power described in Revelation 13:14 doesn't just stop at performing signs; it directs people to 'make an image for the beast.' This 'image' is a crucial element of worship and allegiance.
Understanding the 'Image'
Understand the original words
plana · Greek Verb
The act of misleading others away from the truth, often through falsehoods, false appearances, or false spiritual validation.
eikona · Greek Noun
A physical representation or likeness, used in the Bible as an object of idolatry that diverts worship away from the Creator.
The concept of making an 'image' to a beast, especially one that was wounded and lived, resonates deeply with the historical context of the Roman Empire's transformation. The empire was 'wounded' by barbarian invasions and internal decay, yet its legacy and structure were 'revived' and re-formed, notably through the alliance between imperial claims and the papacy, and later through the Holy Roman Empire. The 'false prophet' figure in Revelation likely points to religious or spiritual authority that deceives people into honoring this revived or represented imperial power, much like emperor worship or later papal claims to temporal and spiritual authority, often bolstered by 'lying wonders' or claims of divine endorsement.
c. AD 313
Edict of Milan
Emperors Constantine and Licinius issue the Edict of Milan, granting religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire. This marked a significant shift from previous persecutions, leading to a complex relationship between the imperial power and the Church.
c. AD 380
Christianity as State Religion
Emperor Theodosius I makes Nicene Christianity the official state religion of the Roman Empire. This elevated the Church's status but also intertwined its fate with the political powers.
AD 410
Sack of Rome by Visigoths
The Visigoths, under Alaric, sack the city of Rome. This event was a major shock to the Roman world and symbolized the weakening of imperial authority.
AD 476
Fall of the Western Roman Empire
The last Western Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, is deposed. This event is often seen as the symbolic end of the Western Roman Empire, with its power fragmenting into various kingdoms.
c. AD 756
Donation of Pepin
Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, grants territories in Italy to the Pope, forming the Papal States. This act solidified the temporal power of the papacy, creating a new political entity.
AD 800— this verse
Coronation of Charlemagne
Pope Leo III crowns Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor. This revived the concept of an empire in the West, closely allied with the papacy and symbolically linking to the old Roman Empire.
c. 1517 onwards
The Protestant Reformation
Martin Luther's Ninety-five Theses spark the Protestant Reformation, challenging the authority and doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church. This led to centuries of religious conflict and division.
This passage warns against following false prophets who perform signs and wonders, directly paralleling the deception through miracles mentioned in Revelation 13:14.
Matthew 24:24Jesus himself cautioned that false Christs and false prophets would perform signs and wonders to deceive, even the elect, highlighting the deceptive power of miraculous displays.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10This passage describes the coming of the 'lawless one' with counterfeit miracles, signs, and wonders to deceive those who are perishing, mirroring the deceptive power of the beast and its image.
Revelation 19:20This verse describes the beast and the false prophet being thrown alive into the lake of fire, showing the ultimate defeat of the deceptive powers described in chapter 13.
ellicottRevelation 13:14: "And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power 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, which had the wound by a sword, and did live."
(14) And deceiveth them . . . —Better, And he leads astray those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which were given him to do in the presence of the wild beast; saying to those who dwell on the earth, to make an…
jfbRevelation 13:14: "And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power 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, which had the wound by a sword, and did live."
- deceiveth them that dwell on the earth—the earthly-minded, but not the elect. Even a miracle is not enough to warrant belief in a professed revelation unless that revelation be in harmony with God's already revealed wi…
The truly insidious nature of deception here isn't just the "lying wonders," but that these miracles enable the creation of an "image"—a representation of power. This manufactured likeness, born from apparent divine endorsement, is then imposed, demanding worship and participation from those on earth, making them complicit in their own delusion.
The scene intensifies as a second beast emerges, mimicking Christ's appearance but speaking with demonic deceit. This false prophet, empowered by the first beast, performs deceptive miracles to lead humanity astray. The ultimate goal is to compel people to worship the first beast, specifically by creating an image—a representation—of it, especially since its seemingly fatal wound has miraculously healed.
The scene intensifies as a second beast emerges, mimicking Christ's appearance but speaking with demonic deceit. This false prophet, empowered by the first beast, performs deceptive miracles to lead humanity astray. The ultimate goal is to compel people to worship the first beast, specifically by creating an image—a representation—of it, especially since its seemingly fatal wound has miraculously healed.
"and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived." — The truly insidious nature of deception here isn't just the "lying wonders," but that these miracles enable the creation of an "image"—a representation of power. This manufactured likeness, born fr…
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Last reviewed October 2026
