To the casual reader of end-time prophecy the mention of an image in Revelation thirteen and the statue in Daniel two may not seem connected. In modern commentary the components of the statue of Daniel two is interpreted as successive kingdoms that reign over Israel. The image of Revelation thirteen is interpreted as a likeness of the beast as described in verses one through four. Whatever the image, all will be required to worship it under penalty of death. A closer reading of these scriptures suggests a different understanding that exposes a connection between the two images.
In Daniel two the image is described as having a head of gold, chest and arms of silver, stomach and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and feet of iron and clay mixed (Daniel 2:32-33). It is a statue of a man. In the interpretation of the statue Nebuchadnezzar is told that the kingdom represented by silver chest and arms is “inferior” to his. That supposition applies to each of the following components representing kingdoms (Daniel 2:39). The word in the original text translated “inferior” actually means earth. Its usage in Daniel 2:39 connotes the direction downward. The English word “inferior” is accurate when understood to mean lower in position as in lower to the base. In context to Daniel two the word “inferior” does not mean lower in rank or degree. Removing the idea of rank from the components of the statue gives a cohesive connection of the statue with the other prophecies in the books of Daniel and Revelation. It also corrects the erroneous idea that the kingdoms that followed Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon where somehow inferior; they were not. Neither are they connected to this prophecy.
The scripture to build an image in Revelation thirteen requires some scrutiny. Depending on the English translation used, the scripture reads “of the first beast”, “for the beast”, or “to the beast” (Revelation 13:14). The definite article is used in the Greek and “to” is the more accurate. The false prophet instructs the world to build an image to the beast for all to worship. He will give the image a spirit by which it will talk and have power of life and death over all the earth (Revelation 13:14-17). The wording does not require that the image look like a beast composed of diverse parts (Revelation 13:1-2).
It is an interesting supposition to connect the image of Daniel two with that in Revelation thirteen. The connection of the two amplifies the Satanic component of the end-times Babylon. There will be a statue during the reign of the antichrist, perhaps a tall and terrifying statue (Daniel 2:31) that will speak blasphemies (Revelation 13:5-6).
May God bless you in your study of His word.