4.2. Worship of God
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Indeed, everything Satan does is a parody or “great imitation” of what God has already done. The mark of the beast (Rev. Rev. 13:16-17+) in the right hand or forehead is a mere copy of God sealing the saints in the forehead (Rev. Rev. 7:3+). The false trinity (the dragon, beast, and false prophet, Rev. Rev. 16:13+) is an obvious copy of the triune Godhead. The mortal wound that is healed (Rev. Rev. 13:3+, Rev. 13:12+) imitates the death and resurrection of the Lord. The dragon giving the beast his power; throne, and “great” authority (Rev. Rev. 13:2+) copies the relationship between God and Christ. The demand for the nations to worship the beast and dragon (Rev. Rev. 13:8+, Rev. 13:14-15+) follows the constant commands in Scripture to worship God.4
Notes
1 Merrill C. Tenney, Interpreting Revelation (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1957), 199-200.
2 Ibid., 36-37.
3 Ibid., 37.
4 Grant R. Osborne, Revelation (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002), 34.
5 One might also wonder whether the judgments which are poured out upon the earth are an indication that those dwelling upon the earth have placed undue emphasis upon the earth, while neglecting its Creator. Perhaps this is an indication of the fully-developed fruit of unbridled environmentalism which includes an idolatrous worship of the earth.