Revelation 13:14-15
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The deception here hinges on "lying wonders," which trick people into making an "image" of the beast. This means creating something that looks like the powerful, seemingly resurrected beast, even though its original authority was mortally wounded.
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. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The scene continues with the second beast, a spiritual or political deceiver, performing "lying wonders" to manipulate humanity. This deceptive power urges people on earth to create an "image" – essentially a statue or representation – of the first beast, which had a seemingly fatal wound but miraculously recovered. This command to create and worship an image is a crucial step in solidifying the allegiance of the populace to the beast's system.
In Revelation, powerful signs are used not to reveal truth, but to twist minds. How can seemingly miraculous events lead people astray?
This verse reveals a crucial aspect of spiritual deception: it often masquerades as power. The false prophet uses 'signs that it is allowed to work' to manipulate those living on earth. This isn't about raw force, but a subtle, captivating display designed to evoke wonder and trust.
The Allure of the Supernatural
The core of this deception lies in its ability to bypass critical thinking. When people witness extraordinary events, their first instinct might be to see divine approval. However, Scripture warns us that mere signs, or 'lying wonders,' are not inherently good. They can be tools of deception, designed to draw people away from true worship and obedience.
Lost Criticality
The critical element here is when people lose the ability or the will to ask, 'Is this right?' Instead, they are swayed by the spectacle. This is why the Bible consistently cautions against counterfeit miracles. True faith isn't built on dazzling displays but on aligning with God's revealed will and character.
Why would people be commanded to create an 'image' to worship? What does this representation signify?
The command to 'make an image for the beast' is a profound step in the deception. It's not just about worshipping the beast directly, but creating a likeness, a representation that embodies its power and wounded nature.
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A Symbol of Resurrected Power
The beast had a deadly wound that was healed – a powerful symbol of a seemingly defeated enemy that miraculously returned. The image is meant to capture this resurrected, yet still deadly, essence. It becomes a focal point for devotion, a tangible representation of the authority and system the beast represents.
Worldly Authority as God
This act of making and worshipping an image signifies the ultimate inversion: elevating a human, political, or religious system to the place of God. It's about giving form and allegiance to worldly power, especially one that has overcome a fatal blow. The 'image' serves as a substitute for true divine authority, drawing worship away from the Creator to the created.
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.
pneuma · Greek Noun
The principle of life or spirit; often associated with the creative act of God (e.g., God breathing life into man). Giving breath mimics divine creative power.
apoktanthōsin · Greek Verb
The act of killing, especially in an act of persecution or martyrdom for standing against godless systems.
The instruction to 'make an image to the beast' speaks to a historical tendency to create symbolic representations of power and enforce conformity through them, often bolstered by claims of miraculous signs to deceive the populace.
c. 476 AD
Fall of the Western Roman Empire
The last Western Roman Emperor is deposed, marking a symbolic end to the unified Roman imperial power, though its influence and legacy would persist in various forms.
c. 800 AD
Coronation of Charlemagne
Charlemagne is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by the Pope, signifying a revival of the imperial idea in the West and a close alliance between secular and religious authority.
16th-17th Centuries
The Principle of 'Cuius Regio, Eius Religio'
This principle established that the ruler of a territory determined its religion, solidifying the link between political power and religious practice, often leading to the enforcement of state-sanctioned worship.
Throughout history— this verse
Claims of Miraculous Events
Throughout history, various religious and political movements have appealed to miraculous signs and wonders to legitimize their authority and deceive followers. This includes both genuine phenomena and manufactured events designed to impress and persuade.
This passage warns against false prophets who perform signs and wonders to lead people astray, mirroring the deception described in Revelation 13:14.
Matthew 24:24Jesus himself cautioned that false christs and false prophets would perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, highlighting the theme of miraculous deception.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10This passage speaks of the coming of the lawless one with all power, signs, and false miracles, directly paralleling the deceptive miracles mentioned in Revelation 13:14.
1 Kings 18:26-40The contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal demonstrates how spectacular, seemingly divine displays can be used to deceive people into worshipping false gods, echoing the theme of miraculous deception for false worship.
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 deception here hinges on "lying wonders," which trick people into making an "image" of the beast. This means creating something that looks like the powerful, seemingly resurrected beast, even though its original authority was mortally wounded.
The scene continues with the second beast, a spiritual or political deceiver, performing "lying wonders" to manipulate humanity. This deceptive power urges people on earth to create an "image" – essentially a statue or representation – of the first beast, which had a seemingly fatal wound but miraculously recovered. This command to create and worship an image is a crucial step in solidifying the allegiance of the populace to the beast's system.
The scene continues with the second beast, a spiritual or political deceiver, performing "lying wonders" to manipulate humanity. This deceptive power urges people on earth to create an "image" – essentially a statue or representation – of the first beast, which had a seemingly fatal wound but miraculously recovered. This command to create and worship an image is a crucial step in solidifying the allegiance of the populace to the beast's system.
"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. And it was allowed to give breath to th…" — The deception here hinges on "lying wonders," which trick people into making an "image" of the beast. This means creating something that looks like the powerful, seemingly resurrected beast, even t…
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Last reviewed October 2026
