What does Les suggest the image of the beast will be, based on modern biological and computer technology?
The image of the beast will be the brainwork of our technology, a biological computer with living biological cells, not merely electronic. It will be able to think, speak, and give orders and possess tremendous power, surpassing present-day computers. This aligns with the coming electronic explosion where television becomes incoming and outgoing information.
Les teaches that verse 15 says the religious leader had power to give life to the image of the beast. He recalls reading that the Japanese have a technology for a biological computer—one that will not just be electronic but will also have living biological cells, and it will put present-day computers to shame. He thinks this is an indication of what the image will be: the brainwork of our technology, able to think and speak and give orders, with tremendous power. He also notes a national news magazine lead article on the coming electronic explosion, where television sets will not only bring in information but also send it out, becoming the center of incoming and outgoing information. This is being set up. In the broader context, by the midpoint of the tribulation the beast’s power becomes worldwide, with a world government and a worldwide religious system under the false prophet, though Israel remains the vortex of Revelation’s activity.
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.
More Questions
Is giving life to the beast's image possible with modern technology?
Giving life to the image of the Antichrist is not beyond present technology, since Japanese researchers are already developing a living-cell computer that runs on electricity and biological cells.