Deceiveth. Jesus warned concerning “false Christ, and false prophets” who would arise and “shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matt. 24:24). Paul declared that the Antichrist would work in the last days “with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness” (2 Thess. 2:9, 10). In preparation for Armageddon “spirits of devils, working miracles” will “go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world” (Rev. 16:14). In general, the world today does not believe in miracles. What certain groups claim as miracles, these skeptics attribute to chance circumstances, to sleight of hand, or to fraud. Physical science has no place in its scheme for the supernatural. Satan is well pleased to have a general disbelief in miracles. It suits his purpose to deceive. ch. Verses 13 and 14 of 13 reveal that when the time is right he will employ his supernatural power in a special way to deceive. “No mere impostures are here foretold”. Men, unable to explain Satan’s miracles, will attribute them to the power of God. The whole world will be led captive.
Image. Gr. eikōn, “a likeness,” “an image.” In 2 Cor. 4:4 and Col. 1:15 Christ is spoken of as the eikōn of God. It is the purpose of the plan of salvation to transform man into the eikōn of Christ. An eikōn implies an archetype and in many respects is like its archetype.
An image to the first beast would be an organization functioning on much the same principles as that beast’s organization. Among the principles by which the first beast operated was the use of the secular arm to support religious institutions. In imitation the second beast will repudiate its principles of freedom. The church will prevail upon the state to enforce its dogmas. State and church will unite, and the result will be the loss of religious liberty and the persecution of dissenting minorities. Compare on Rev. 13:12.
Wound by a sword. See on v. 3.
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