The Beast and Television

The Beast and Television

“And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” Rev. 13:11-17.

Reading this a number of years ago, it seemed strange to us that an image would be able to speak. Today it is quite natural. No one reacts to it anymore.

When we read about a beast, it is easy to understand that this refers to a political power. Rev. 17:11-17. A beast cares only for its body. A beast thrives if it has a house, warmth, and food. Political parties have programs which are solely for the well-being of our bodies. Their aim is a higher standard of living. In this respect we see that it is all a battle for the body and for power, just as it is with animals. Many beasts have had power over the years, and there have been different beasts. Daniel saw several of them and said, “Their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.” Dan. 7:12. In other words, they are not the ones who will rule forever. Daniel saw One who was like the Son of Man. Ch. 7:13-14. His dominion is everlasting. Jesus answered the devil, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” Luke 4:4.

When people reject the Word of God, they become like animals, and we see that this is more or less the case with most people. Their entire mind is filled with concern for their body; they neither have time to read their Bible nor pray to God. In contrast, Jesus said, “A body You have prepared for Me. . . . ‘Behold I have come—in the volume of the book it is written of Me—to do Your will, O God.’” Heb. 10:5-7.

He is the Son of Man. However, He is not alone. He also has a body on earth today, which is the church and which is built up by the Word of God. Eph. 4:11-16; Col. 3:16-17. In this we all, especially as parents, have a great responsibility and commission. It is vital to build up our homes by the Word of God so that our children become members of the body of Christ and do not become the body of the beast. We can do nothing greater than build up the body of Christ. If the interest in prayer and the Word of God is not alive among us, everything will revert to the animal state and will bring all manner of misery with it.

“I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.” Dan. 7:11.

Such beasts—political leaders—arise with a powerful spirit that grips people. These leaders can gain a following of people to the point where this body of people becomes quite large. By submitting to such leaders people see an opportunity of gaining earthly riches, honor, and power. Yet we read in Daniel that it does not last long.

No other beast has ever had such power as the beast in Revelation 13, but then no other beast has had such aids either. This beast gained such power when it received an image and when the image, could speak, things really started to progress.

It is the political power within a country that controls radio and television programs.1 They try to provide something for everyone’s taste, from religion to the basest animal instincts. Everything is tainted and permeated by the ruling beast’s politics.

All political movements strive to capture the interest of children and youth. They do not read the newspapers or take an active interest in politics so much, but by means of the radio the beast gets into the most remote house or cottage. We hear it on buses, trains, and even on the beach. There are programs for children, young people, adults, and old people. There is something for everyone’s taste, but it is all saturated and colored by the ruling beast.

We can say that the entire population receives its meat, or nourishment, via the radio. Nevertheless, we understand that the radio is a little thing in contrast to the TV. When the radio is on, people can work at the same time, and they can become so used to the radio being on that they often do not even hear what is being said. But the TV demands the whole being, the entire man. Through the image and what it speaks the beast gains the person’s undivided attention. There is not much that people can do at the same time as watching TV. When we watch TV, we can easily understand how the beast can have such power over “all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave,” as we read in Revelation 13:16-17.

We read of the two witnesses that their dead bodies shall lie in the street: “Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three and a half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. . . . Now after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.” Revelation 11:9, 11; also read verses 7-12.

Only fifty years ago people would have said, “How could people and tribes and tongues and nations be able to see them? The world is round!” Today even a child knows that it is possible. The beast will rejoice so much over their death that it will be on TV. But there never has been a TV program that has given its audience such a great shock.

Because of the pressures of life it is difficult for believers to have a quiet time in their homes to talk about God’s Word or to pray. But to find a quiet time to listen to a children’s program on the radio is not difficult, and just think of the time that is spent watching TV!

Just think of the door we open for the world and the beast by having a radio, and especially television, in our home. Many religious people glory in having these things but at the same time they sorrow over the fact that their children go out into the world and into sin. This is how the prince of the power of the air, the spirit which now works in the children of disobedience, takes control over them. Eph. 2:2.