The Image that Speaks: Could the Antichrist use AI in the Last Days?

The Book of Revelation speaks of a time when a powerful figure compels the world to worship an image—one that not only represents a great beast but is given “breath” so that it might speak and cause those who refuse it to be killed (Revelation 13:14–15). For centuries, believers have speculated about what this “image of the beast” might be. I have often wondered about this myself as we have seen the cloning of sheep, and the development of robots in our current generation.  Could we now be witnessing the technological scaffolding for such a system being set up?

We currently live in a time where artificial intelligence (AI) can generate lifelike images, mimic human voices, and even offer emotional companionship, it’s no longer science fiction to imagine a world shaped by synthetic minds. Through our cell phones AI now selects and organizes our news, our finances, and quietly influences our decisions—so what happens when this digital power is wielded not for good, but for deception?

This article explores the possibility that AI could serve not just as a neutral tool, but as an instrument of control in the hands of the Antichrist. Drawing on biblical prophecy and modern digital trends, we’ll consider whether the speaking image of Revelation might one day be powered by a silicon mind—and what that means for those seeking truth in a world increasingly shaped by illusion.

The Basis in Bible Prophecy

Revelation 13 reveals a chilling picture of a future where political, religious, and economic powers converge under the influence of two beasts. The first rises from the sea, symbolizing a powerful empire or leader with global authority. The second, from the earth, performs signs and compels the world to worship the first beast—culminating in the creation of an “image” that is given breath and speaks.

 Rev 13:15-18 

It was permitted to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast could both speak and cause whoever would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.  

This image is not merely symbolic. The Greek word eikōn suggests a visible, tangible representation—something that mimics life. The breath (pneuma) given to it evokes the idea of artificial life or intelligence. Could this be a prophetic glimpse of a synthetic entity—perhaps AI-powered—that speaks, influences, and enforces allegiance.

Revelation 13:16–17 goes further to introduce a chilling economic dimension: “...so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark.” This “mark of the beast” (charagma)—whether literal, digital, or symbolic—represents submission to a system that controls commerce, identity, and even survival.

This aligns with the broader biblical theme of Babylon—it’s not just a city, but a symbol of global rebellion, centralized power, and spiritual corruption (It started out as “Babel” in Genesis 11). In Revelation 17–18, Babylon is portrayed as a seductive force that intoxicates the nations and enriches merchants, only to fall in a single hour. I believe that Babylon is a metaphor for a unified world system—political, economic, and religious—that stands in opposition to God.  This system is the one that the Antichrist seeks to use.

In this light, the “mark” becomes more than a branding—it’s a passport into a counterfeit kingdom. A world where allegiance is tracked, transactions are monitored, and dissent is punished. We are told of the consequences for those who refuse to receive this “mark” (from man), as well as those who do (from God).  The infrastructure for such a system—digital IDs, biometric scans, centralized currencies—is already emerging.  It is not difficult anymore to imagine how this scripture can be fulfilled. 

The world described in Revelation 13—a place where speech, worship, and commerce are controlled by a central power—no longer feels like distant allegory. Today’s digital infrastructure is laying the groundwork for a system that could fulfill these ancient prophecies with startling precision.

• Speaking Images and Synthetic Life: AI-generated avatars can now mimic human speech, facial expressions, and emotional tone. From virtual influencers to lifelike holograms, we are witnessing the rise of “images” that speak and persuade—eerily reminiscent of the beast’s image given breath (Revelation 13:15).

• Global Surveillance and Digital Identity: Governments and corporations increasingly rely on biometric data, facial recognition, and digital IDs to track identity and behavior. These tools, while often marketed for convenience or security, could easily be repurposed for coercion—echoing the control implied by the “mark of the beast” (Revelation 13:16–17).

• Cashless Economies and Centralized Currencies: The push toward digital currencies and programmable money raises the possibility of economic systems that can be turned on or off based on compliance. In such a world, buying and selling could be restricted with a keystroke—fulfilling the prophecy that “no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark.”

• Unified Messaging and Algorithmic Influence: Social media platforms and search engines already shape public opinion through algorithmic curation. In a future where dissenting voices are silenced and truth is algorithmically defined, the stage is set for a false prophet to deceive “those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 13:14).

• Biochip Technology.  A significant development that I think is significant level is the current development of biochips.  Scientists are developing microchips that incorporate living cells—some even derived from human tissue—to simulate organ functions or interface with neural pathways. Known as organ-on-a-chip technology, these devices are often used in medical research, but they represent something deeper: the quiet merging of biology and digital systems.

    Where Does the Antichrist Fit? (A Dispensational Timeline)

For those of you unfamiliar with Bible Prophecy here is a short thumbnail sketch where the Antichrist fits into prophecy and where we are now.  I hold to a pre-tribulational, pre-millennial dispensational framework on Bible Prophecy, here’s the prophetic flow:

• Church Age (Now)
  The current age of grace, stretching from Pentecost to the Rapture.
• Rapture
  Believers are caught up to meet Christ (1 Thess. 4:16–17), marking the Church's exit before judgment.  The Jews take over as God’s representatives on the earth  (144,000 plus the two witnesses).
• Daniel’s 70^th Week. (7 Years)
  A global leader—the Antichrist—rises after the Rapture.
• First 3½ years: A time of peace and rising influence.
• Second 3½ years: He reveals his true nature, demands worship, enforces the “mark” (Rev. 13:16–17).
• Second Coming of Christ
  Jesus returns to defeat the Antichrist at Armageddon (Rev. 19:11–21).
• Millennial Kingdom  Christ reigns for 1,000 years on earth (Rev. 20:1–6), fulfilling promises to Israel and ushering in peace.

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When New Tech Was Seen as Antichrist’s Tool

We need to use caution and discernment in these times because throughout history, each wave of technological innovation has stirred prophetic speculation. As society grappled with unfamiliar tools, many believers wondered: Could this be the system Revelation warned us about?  Consider the following advances from the past:

• The Printing Press (15th Century): While ultimately a blessing for Bible distribution, early critics feared it could spread heresy and deception on a mass scale—echoing concerns about centralized control of information.

• Radio and Television (20th Century): These were seen by some as the “image that speaks” from Revelation 13. The idea that a voice could reach every home sparked fears of mass indoctrination and false prophecy.

• Barcodes and Credit Cards (1970s–80s): As commerce became digitized, many speculated that barcodes—especially those containing the number 666—were precursors to the “mark of the beast.” Some even avoided using them out of conviction.

• RFID Chips and Biometric Scanning (2000s): The ability to track individuals and control access to goods and services reignited fears of a global surveillance system. The idea of implantable chips was especially provocative, with some linking it directly to Revelation 13:16–17.

• The Internet and Social Media (21st Century): While offering unprecedented connectivity, these platforms also raised concerns about censorship, manipulation, and the rise of a unified global narrative—hallmarks of the Antichrist’s deceptive influence.

I do not believe that any of these technologies were/are evil in themselves.  They are all morally neutral that can be used for either evil or good.  Likewise, this is true for AI. It can be used for evil or good.  However, what distinguishes our current moment is the convergence of these tools—AI, biometrics, digital currency—into a single, integrated system. That’s what makes today’s developments feel uniquely aligned with the prophetic vision of a world under centralized control. 

Cultural Readiness for Deception—and the Search for Meaning

We live in a world primed for deception—not just technologically, but emotionally and spiritually. As AI systems grow more persuasive, autonomous, and lifelike, our culture is wrestling with a profound question: What does it mean to be human when machines can mimic us so well?

This existential unease is more than a topic for the sci-fi genre. It’s showing up in headlines, art, and everyday conversations. People are asking:

• Will AI replace me?

• Will I lose my job?

• Do I still matter in a world run by algorithms?

• What makes us different from machines?

·    Could the “image of the beast” described in Revelation 13 be more than just a statue or digital avatar? What if it’s a hybrid creation, part machine and part human, given breath and voice to deceive and command? Keep in mind that this is a separate situation than the Antichrist who becomes possessed by the Devil. 

      How about you?  Where is your trust?

 In a world of deepfakes, artificial intelligence, and synthetic images that claim to speak with authority, the question that matters most isn’t “What’s coming?”—but “Who are you trusting?”  I could be totally wrong about the “end of the world” stuff, but I ask you to consider this question that perhaps you already have floating in your mind.

You were not made by accident. You are not replaceable. And your value doesn’t fluctuate with technological trends. You were crafted in the image of the living God, designed for relationship with Him—not just now, but forever.

Jesus Christ doesn’t offer a counterfeit kingdom, but THE KINGDOM. He offers a cross. Not control, but mercy. Not deception, but truth.  Jesus will return to the earth to set up His kingdom.  No one knows when that will happen, but He tells us that we need to be ready.  ARE YOU READY?

The Bible says, “But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). This same Jesus who came once to save will come again to reign. The question is—will you be ready to meet Him, not in fear, but in faith?

You don’t need a perfect track record, but you do need to repent and believe. You need a living Savior and King!  And He is ready to receive all who will repent from their own ways and call on His name by faith “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).  If you’ve sensed something stirring as you’ve read—don’t ignore it. Reach out to the One who reached for you first.  Because long before any “image” spoke with deceit, the Word Himself spoke with grace—and He still speaks today.  “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Heb 3:15) 

The Lord our Banner

 "And Moses built an altar and named it "The Lord is My Banner."  (Jehovah-Nissi)

At the Battle of Rephidim Moses held up his staff in his hands to the Lord.  It is the same staff that he used for many of the miracles that were performed in Egypt.  They soon learned that as long as Moses held up the staff the Israelites would be victorious over the Amalekites, but when Moses stopped holding up the staff due to fatigue, they would start losing. So thus they concluded, "we have to keep this staff in the air toward the Lord until the battle is over and we have victory."  The solution was that they had a couple of men help Moses.  

This story illustrates the balance between work and prayer.  We need to pray as we work.  The staff symbolizes keeping our our hearts and minds toward prayer, and as the Israelite army fights in the valley illustrates the actual living and working.  As long as we pray, we see victory but when we get weary and stop praying we start to see defeat.  As we live and work we need to keep our heart in a ready place to pray.  Moses named the place for all of us to remember Jehovah-Nissi meaning "the Lord my Banner".  As we acknowledge God in all our ways we experience His power.  A prayerless person is a powerless person, while a prayerful person is powerful.  

How do you deal with enemies?

 Matthew 6:43-48:  You have heard that is was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."  But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be the sons of your Father who is in Heaven.  For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have?  Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others?  Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  You therefore, be perfect as your Father is perfect.

Notice the last phrase "be perfect as your Father is perfect."  It equates loving enemies as being perfect.  Therefore, a sign of perfection and spiritual maturity is to love our enemies as Jesus points out here.  Of all the attributes that Jesus could point out for a person to strive for it is the attribute of love.  

I Corinthians 13:13 says "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."  In the first three verses of the same chapter it says "If I speak in the tongues of angels and men, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned but have no love, I gain nothing."

With all the other attributes we could strive for and gain they are all worth nothing if we possess those without love.  We must strive to show love.  Jesus makes it very clear that whoever I would regard as my enemy I am to have love for.  A mark of a mature Christian is in how they view and treat their enemies.  

Jesus says "If you love those who will love you in return...what good is it?"  Even lost people do this.  I am afraid that the love that many Christians have is of the same caliber as someone who isn't a Christian.  Is it sinful for me to love my enemies?  Here we see that it is sinful NOT to for this is commanded by Christ.  

A Christian is uniquely equipped with God's Spirit to love this way.  Impossible because we often love someone for what we can get out of it, but Jeussw wants us to love because it is in our nature to love.  This kind of love loves without regard to how the other person will respond.    

Assurance of Salvation

Every Christian has a phase in their walk with Christ where they suffer doubt as to whether they are saved or not.  This usually occurs during the Spiritual Infancy stage through the Childhood stage.  Some Christians remain in these stages of immaturity their whole lives and fail to move into Spiritual Adulthood.  Because of this, they don't move on to Spiritual Parenthood either.  However, just like in the physical world infancy and childhood are healthy phases to be in and it seems at the time to take quite a while.  And so it is healthy during these phases to have doubts regarding assurance of salvation but as it is not good for a person to remain in the infant stage in their physical development so too it is not good for a person to remain so in their spiritual development.  

Some may wonder "Is knowing that I am saved even possible?"  I John 5:13 suggests that it is indeed possible "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life."  Notice here the words "that you may KNOW that you have eternal life."  Many of the things written in I John are there to give people assurance of whether they have eternal life or not.  Notice that John is clearly stating that a person can indeed know with certainty of their standing with God.  

Another point in seeking assurance is from Romans 8:16.  "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God."  A person can know that they are saved as the Holy Spirit who lives inside them speaks to their heart that they are saved.  God through the Spirit speaks with our Spirit that we are His children.  Let me stress to you that this is absolutely essential to assurance!  

So, how does Spirit speak to our spirits? What does He use?  What types of things do we need to do in order to hear His voice?  The Holy Spirit speaks with our spirits using the scripture. Notice what Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:21 "No prophecy (prophecy of scripture) was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried away by the holy Spirit." The is the product of the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit uses the Bible to speak to our spirits.  

 An audio file about works that can either get God's attention or that can get God to ignore.  We have been doing some podcasts from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

Jesus on how to get God's Attention

30-Day Challenges

 I have been utilizing some small incremental changes in my life using 30-Day Challenges.  I started my first challenge in June with the 30-day cold shower challenge.  I had a few reasons for taking this challenge, but the most significant was an aid to waking up early in the morning.  With the cold shower I would get up at about 4:30 and take my shower.  After I took my shower, I would have my daily Bible devotion.  For some strange reason it really worked.  The cold shower was extremely uncomfortable, and I had to work my way into it from starting at lukewarm, to having the last 20 seconds of the shower on full cold, to having the entire shower on cold. This only took a few days.  I do not know if I am a glutton for punishment, but the cold shower was crazy enough to cause me to get up when the alarm went off.  

Some people think that the way to get yourself to wake up earlier is to "go to bed earlier", but I have found that this simply does not work.  If you want to wake up earlier, you simply need to get up earlier regardless of what time you get to bed the night before. What happens is that the next night you will be tired enough that your body will signal "it is time to go to bed".  It is at that time that you need to go to bed and then you will be able to wake up easier the next morning.  So, in order to start this habit, you have to "eat the frog" and force yourself to get up then your body will start to adjust.  The cold shower really helped wake me up even when I felt half asleep.  The cold shower worked so well that after the 30 days I decided to keep the habit.  It is now October, and I am still getting up at about 4:30 and taking a cold shower (it is still uncomfortable).  Along with that is my Bible reading and devotions.  I have only missed two days and one was intentional and the other was due to being a guest at someone else's house.  

For July I decided to do an Intermittent Fasting Challenge.  I ate One Meal a Day (OMAD), or on some days did a 20 hour fast with a 4-hour eating window for 30-days.  I lost about 12 pounds for the month of July.  I found the fasting to be fairly easy and simple without having to count calories.  There were a lot of other benefits that I experienced as well such as more energy, less brain fog, and lower blood pressure just to name a few.  Again, this 30-day challenge worked so well that I decided to continue through the months of August and September.  As of today, I have lost 35 lbs.  

For August I went on a special prayer challenge of thirty minutes of silence on my knees for thirty days.  I did not make this challenge.  I went about 10 days and decided to quit as it is almost impossible to sit there and try to be silent by not thinking anything.  I do not see this as a failure because I learned some things through this challenge. With this challenge I have been able to come with some other ideas that I might try in the future for prayer.  

For September I went on a 100 push-ups a day challenge.   I only did these four days per week to give myself time to recover.  I did 10 sets of 10 push-ups.  This went really well as I did them throughout the day. Any time that I had free to do a set, I would do them.  What I learned from this was that I can increase my activity level by doing something during the times where there is not much going on.  I spend a lot of time working in front of a computer or reading, so it is good to take quick exercise breaks throughout the day. 

My 30-day challenge in October is a 30-Day Reach Out Challenge.  This challenge is where I contact people every day to see how they are doing.  I start out in the first week with one person a day and increase each week with another person so that by week 4 I am reaching out to 4 people a day.  A rule is that calling the same person in the same day does not count as two, but as only one.  I can contact the same person multiple times a week and it counts, but only counts as one for that day.  At this time, I do not know how easy or difficult this will be, but I know that I will learn something by the end of October.  It will probably become more challenging as I get through the list of available people.  My hope is that it will stretch me to actively look for people to care for.  

I have ideas for other months that I will share as the year unfolds, but I really like the 30-day challenge idea for several reasons.  They say it takes about 21 days to form a new habit.  Thirty days allows enough time to form a habit and clinch it with the additional days.  Thirty days allows for short-terms wins that can be celebrated.  With these wins a person can gain a bit of traction towards making small changes in their life that can bring significant benefits.             

Eternal Security: What about Judas?

“Judas is proof that a man can lose their standing with God—what about him?”

     Of all the people from the scriptures that we could point to as having lost his salvation, it would be Judas.  He was one of the 12 disciples that Jesus hand-picked.  He had a front row seat to Jesus’ ministry of healing and teaching, and he was also sent out two times to do ministry in Christ’s name.  The first time it was with the 12 and the second time was with the 70 (Luke Chapters 9 and 10).  In both cases Judas was paired with another disciple, and they were given authority to preach, to heal and to cast out demons in Jesus’ name.  If any of us had seen Judas he would have looked like a genuine follower (he, in fact was) of Christ as he worked miracles and preached the messages that Jesus instructed him.  And yet, Judas had a false faith, he was a follower but not a believer.  Notice what the scriptures say about him in John 6:70-72…

Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve?  And yet one of you is a devil. He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray Him.

            Notice also what it says a few verses earlier…in verse 64

…But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray Him.)

According to this passage Judas was an unbeliever!  Therefore, we cannot say that Judas was once a believer that lost his status as a believer, because these verses suggest that he was an unbeliever from the beginning.  Judas was among the twelve and doing the works along with the 12 and yet he was a “devil” the whole time.  His true colors finally came out, and so Judas was a disciple of Jesus and yet not a believer.