Revelation 13:15-18 NKJV – He was granted [power] to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number [is] 666.
V15 “He was granted [power] to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” He is the false prophet. He was given the ability/power to give breath to the image of the first beast (the antiChrist). The word “breath” is (G4151) πνεῦμα, pneúma, which means spirit (breath, angel, demon, attitude, etc.) usually but used in different senses. Some understand “spirit/breath” to be life. Some understand the spirit/breath to be a demon indwelling this image/idol. I would think that a demon would be more likely, but it is not clear. Compare Deuteronomy 32:16-17 and 1 Corinthians 10:19-20. Nevertheless, this image can talk and give commands. The main command is to kill those who do not worship this image/idol. The devil is a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). The devil loves death, most likely because God gives and loves life. Compare James 1:12 (crown of life), 1 John 3:14, and Jude 1:21 (eternal life). The word for life that God gives in the 3 passages (James 1:12, 1 John 3:14, and Jude 1:21) is (G2222) ζωή zōḗ, which means (Thayer) “the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate.” This is not the word used for this image. The Greek word used here for life is (G4151) πνεῦμα pneuma, which means something nonmaterial. It is true that we know now that the atmosphere consists of molecules. It is used in many senses—wind, spirit, Holy Spirit, human spirit, breath, inspiration, etc. It is used here as words and actions from a spirit/demon. This is a counterfeit life compared to the life the creator gave to Adam and Eve.
V16 “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads…” This is the counterfeit seal. God’s seal is the Holy Spirit in the heart and spiritually. The Greek word for “seal” is (G4973) σφραγίς sphragís which means (Outline of Biblical Usage)
“a seal
the seal placed upon books
a signet ring
the inscription or impression made by a seal
of the name of God and Christ stamped upon their foreheads
that by which anything is confirmed, proved, authenticated, as by a seal (a token or proof).” Compare Revelation 9:4.
V17 “…and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” This is total control of money and the economy. The danger in accepting this seal is that the person goes to hell when they die.
Keathley writes: “We should note that to receive the mark of the beast is tantamount to the worship of the beast, to blasphemy of God, and rejection of Jesus Christ (cf. Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8; Revelation 14:9-12; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:4).”
V18 “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number [is] 666.” What the number represents is conjecture. It will be understood by those living in those days.
Keathley writes: “Johnson goes on to say: Irenaeus (second century) mentions that many names of contemporary persons and entities were being offered in his day as solutions to this number mystery. Yet he cautioned against the practice and believed that the name of the Antichrist was deliberately concealed because he did not exist in John’s day. The name would be secret till the time of his future appearance in the world. Irenaeus expressly refutes the attempt of many to identify the name with any of the Roman emperors. He feels, however, that the gematria approach is John’s intended meaning but warns the church against endless speculations (Contra Haereses 29. 30). [Note: Ibid.]”
We learn:
- Some things to happen in the Tribulation
- A warning to not accept the seal (if you find yourself in the Tribulation)