The Worship of the Image of the Beast

Question/Comment: 

----- Original Message -----

From: Name Withheld

To: Paul Stringini

Sent: Monday, September 17, 2012 4:02 PM

Subject: Revelation 13:15

 Hi Paul,
I was wondering if you could help me understand what is meant in the last part of the sentence in Rev. 13:15.   Does it mean that whoever on earth that does not worship the image if the beast will be killed?   I appreciate your help.  Thanks, Name Withheld

 

My First Response:

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Paul Stringini

To: Name Withheld

Sent: Monday, September 17, 2012 6:12 PM

Subject: Re: Revelation 13:15

Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

The second beast, will at the least, set a death penalty on any who refuse to worship the image of the beast.  But that does not necessarily indicate that everyone who refuses to worship the image of the beast will actually be killed.  In the book of Daniel,  Nebuchadnezzar also set a death penalty on any who would not worship the image he had set up.

Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: 6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

The three Hebrew children which were cast into the fiery furnace escaped death, so it is reasonable to believe that something similar may happen in the end times regarding the worship of the image of the beast.  Those that have the testimony of Jesus will not come to any harm until their testimony  is fulfilled.  Then they will be killed and their dead bodies will lie in the streets for three and a half days before they rise.
 
Revelation 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

I hope that answers your question,
Feel free to write back,
Sincerely
Paul Stringini