Image of the god of this world is mandated by human effort.

Isaiah 44:12

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

The verse of this post refers to, “Those who make an image,” Isaiah 44:9, as described in the post on Isaiah 44:9-11

“The blacksmith with the tongs works one in the coals, fashions it with hammers, and works it with the strength of his arms. Even so, he is hungry, and his strength fails; He drinks no water and is faint.” Isaiah 44:12

“The blacksmith with the tongs works one in the coals,” The “one” that is being worked is to be made into an image of an idol. In the coals is a very hot place that softens metal to the point of being conformable to a specific image. The blacksmith exerts human effort to form the image. The tongs are used to grip the object while it is being heated and softened.

Today, the “one” being worked in the coals is a person that is being targeted to be conformed to the image of the beast. The person is being put in the “hot coals” of social scrutiny, like ‘boot camp”, involving verbal and physical intimidation to soften a person up. The “softening” is for the purpose of bringing the one being worked to the point of being molded to the image of the beast that is given breath/life to speak by speaking and living through people. People are expected to be receptive to the beast that gives them what to say, do, think, and feel.

The Holy Spirit says to us not to think it a strange thing that fiery trials come upon us. While those of the culture of the beast puts us in hot coals to make us moldable to the image of the beast, our faith in Jesus Christ will purify us, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory will be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy...we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 1 Peter 4:12-13 , 2 Corinthians 3:18

“…fashions it with hammers, and works it with the strength of his arms.” That is referring to the human effort exerted, with force, to mold a pliable object into the desired image. That describes the process of behavioral modification, which is done by human effort and not in the presence of the meek and gentle presence of the Holy Spirit. Negative feedback is given to the one to be fashioned if the desired behavior is not seen. That negative feedback is harsh, arrogant, and hostile coming from the culture of the beast. The purpose is to exert force on a moldable person to cause the person to conform to welcoming the beast that gives what to say, do, think, and feel. If the person is molding well with the demands coming through forceful influence, then positive feedback is showered upon the person. The person is bending into conformity with the image of the beast that speaks and lives through the person.

The Holy Spirit says to us, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2

Though Satan should buffet,
though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul.

It is well with my soul;
it is well, it is well with my soul.

When peace like a river attends my way,
or sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”
[It is Well with My Soul]

“Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you will be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?” Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Daniel 3:15-18 Click for a post on Daniel 3:8-18.

Even so, he is hungry, and his strength fails; He drinks no water and is faint.

Those working for the beast by molding people to the image of the beast are spiritually starved, strength in the spirit fails, and they grow faint from a lack of the Water of Life. In the process of causing people to conform to the beast that gives them what to say, do, think, and feel, they pour negative feedback upon belief in God the Creator, harshly hammer in their opposition to acknowledging Jesus as the Christ and Son of God, and they put fiery trials upon the desire to live in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

As followers of Jesus Christ, as we endure the hot coals and hammering opposition, we hold on to our faith in Jesus Christ. We shun the image of the beast that is given breath/life to speak by speaking and living through people. We shun the thoughts, feelings, words, and behaviors that are imposed upon us that are contrary to God, Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. We feed on the Bread of Life and the Water of Life, who is our Lord Jesus Christ, “And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me will never hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come...I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.’” Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1