Question:
In Revelation 13, can you explain briefly who or what are the dragon, the beast (13:1&2), the image of the beast (13:14), and the second Beast (13:11). Could the image of the first beast be a clone of the first beast? I always thought the beasts were nations. If they are nations then what would be the image of the nation (beast)? From studying law, I wonder if the first beast is the de jure government and the image of the beast is the de facto government that we now have? What say you?
Answer:
The Dragon is the Devil. Rev. 12:9 says, “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. He is the first person of the “unholy trinity” The “beast” or rather “First Beast” is the antichrist. He is the second member of the unholy trinity. The Second Beast is the spiritual leader. He is the third member of the unholy trinity. He is called the “False Prophet” of the ecumenical false church of the Tribulation Period. He heads an ecumenical church, which is loyal to the Antichrist. This false church is necessary to solidify the antichrist’s power. The false prophet is a great religious leader who supports the first beast. (Rev. 13:11). He is motivated by Satan (Rev. 13:11). He also has the same power as the first beast (Rev. 13:12), and demands that the first beast be worshiped as God (Rev. 13:12) The false prophet’s ministry includes miracles and signs. (Rev.13:13-14) Image of the beast – There are many guesses by distinguished people, but I think that we have NOT advanced enough to fully comprehend exactly what it is. Cloning the antichrist – There is only seven years for the antichrist to operate in. At the end of the seven years he is thrown into hell. IF the antichrist was able (and he isn’t) to clone himself, the clone could only grow to be a maximum of 7 years old. A 7 year old antichrist isn’t realistic. The government of the antichrist will undoubtedly be the United States, or what ever the United States may merge into as the antichrist assumes command of the United States, Europe and what was ancient Assyria.