Rendering Homage to Caesar
In the book of Revelation, the “False Prophet” uses religious symbolism and his ability to manipulate commerce to coax the inhabitants of the Empire to render homage to the imperial throne. Whether he employs force or persuasion, the goal remains the same. Men who refuse to submit and embrace the “Beast” are excluded from economic activity, thus, impoverished.
In painting this picture, the book employs
a graphic Greek term when describing the Empire’s agenda. Unfortunately,
its force is often lost in English translations. The “False Prophet” employs all
the authority of the first “Beast” to coerce the “inhabitants of the
earth” until they “WORSHIP” the “Beast.”
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| [Photo by Christine Roy on Unsplash] |
However, the Greek verb ‘proskuneô’ does not mean “worship” in the sense of ritualistic adoration of a deity or deities in a church or temple. Its basic sense is to “prostrate” oneself before someone of superior rank.
HOMAGE
The term ‘proskuneô’
combines the Greek preposition ‘pros,’ meaning “towards,” with the word for
“kiss.” In other words, “to kiss toward” someone. It is derived from the idea
of bowing down to kiss the hem of a dignitary’s robe.
From that image
is derived the idea of “rendering homage” or submitting to the will of one’s
overlord. The practice of swearing allegiance to persons, causes, and governments
best represents the idea in a modern context.
And this is
precisely what the “False Prophet” does when he causes individuals,
peoples, and even nations to subjugate themselves to the “Beast from the sea,”
ultimately, the ruler of the World Empire.
And if this
master deceiver is unable to persuade to submit to the demands of the imperial
throne, he carries a very big stick, one he does not hesitate to use, namely, ECONOMIC
CONTROL.
And in Revelation, the “inhabitants
of the earth” who follow the “Beast” rather than the “Lamb” have
the “number of the Beast” branded on their “right hand,” indicating
just who their overlord is.
In contrast, the followers of the “Lamb” have his name “written on their foreheads” since they follow him “wherever he goes,” even if doing so means deprivation, torment, and perhaps death.
Thus, the “mark of the Beast” is the
Devil’s counterfeit to God’s “seal,” His name that is inscribed on the
foreheads of all those who do follow Jesus. Whichever “mark” or name that one bears
reveal where he has placed his allegiance - (Revelation 7:1-3, 14:1-4).
ECONOMICS
Because the “inhabitants of the earth”
take the Beast’s “mark,” they are legally authorized by the Empire
to engage in commerce - to “buy and sell.” But the followers of the “Lamb”
who have been purchased by his blood and bear his name are excluded from participation
in the economic life of the Empire.
Loyalty to the “Beast” has its
rewards, at least for a time, but remaining faithful to the “Lamb” often
includes great personal loss.
Thus, humanity is divided into two groups: those
who follow the “Lamb” and those who pay homage to the “Beast.” There
is no middle ground or third option.
Moreover, to whom one belongs determines whether
his name is included or excluded from the “Lamb’s Book of Life.” Disciples
of Jesus may be denied material prosperity in this life, but they will reap
something vastly superior when they enter the “city of New Jerusalem” - (Revelation
13:16-18).
WORSHIPPING SATAN
The “False Prophet” also deceives men,
so that they fabricate an “image” of the “Beast” before which
they prostrate themselves. But what distinguishes this image is not its shape,
size, or form, but the total devotion to it required by the “Beast” and
his mouthpiece, the “False Prophet.”
But in Revelation, the “Beast” operates with the authority of the “Dragon,” the “Ancient Serpent, called the Devil and Satan.” And like the “Dragon,” the “Beast” has “seven heads” and “ten horns.” He is the earthly representative of the “Dragon” - Caesar is the instrument of the Devil.
So, also, the “False Prophet” is
heard “speaking like the Dragon” since he is the mouthpiece of both the “Beast”
and his overlord, Satan. He is the “mouth speaking great things” as he
slanders God and His “saints” – (Revelation 12:1-5, 13:1-12).
In the World Empire, the honor and
loyalty that belong only to Jesus are lavished on the beastly image and the imperial
regime that it represents. This is the ultimate form of idolatry, the
worship of the state, and
it occurs whenever the political order demands absolute loyalty that
belongs only to God. And anyone who wishes to become a disciple of Jesus must
choose between Christ or Caesar.
One day, perhaps sooner than we think, a
political entity will appear on the world scene that will use its economic
might against nations, peoples, and individuals that do not submit to its
demands. When that day comes, it will be a sign that the “Beast” is “ascending
from the sea” and about to launch the Dragon’s war against the followers of
the “Lamb.”
Moreover, when this new imperial order does
appear, the true disciple of the “Lamb” will have only one choice –
follow and worship Jesus regardless of the cost.
