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14 And [kai] deceiveth [planao] them that dwell [katoikeo]
on [epi] the earth [ge] by [dia] the means of those
miracles [semeion] which [hos] he [autos] had power [didomi] to do [poieo] in the sight [enopion] of the beast; [therion]
saying [lego] to them that dwell [katoikeo] on [epi] the earth, [ge] that they should make [poieo] an image [eikon] to the beast, [therion] which [hos] had [echo] the wound [plege] by a
sword, [machaira] and [kai] did live. [zao] KJV-Interlinear
14 And he
deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given
him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the
earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come
to life. NASB
The whole intent and objective of the false prophet, is to deceive the world. Those who live in the world, is a phrase or expression that usually is used in reference to unbelievers, but it can also include naive believers.
The word for deceive, means to wander as the planets seemed to wander across the night sky. Since truth is certain, then lies are intended to wander at a great distant from truth. A distant so great, that the normal everyday person being deceived is unable to discover the deception.
In any case, anyone who rejects or is indifferent toward truth, is subject to deception. And the whole intent of the false prophet is to prevent people from believing in Christ, so the purpose is to perpetuate unbelief and eliminate believers.
His tools of the trade are not truth, but lies. And the tools emphasized here are the powers previously described. Therefore if lies are the foundation, and the powers are the primary tool, then the powers are not real, but nothing more than magicians trickery, illusion, or misdirection.
Rather than believing in truth, the masses are convinced to believe in the anti-christ, and the anti-christ's confrontation with death is again used to imply that he has defeated death.
As with Christ and doctrine, every point of truth has a counterfeit principle invented by Satan. This has been true throughout history and will be especially true in the Tribulation.
Jesus was wounded unto death and actually did defeat sin and death and provided a means of genuine salvation.
The anti-christ will fake his death, deceive everyone into believing that he has defeated death, but offers no one any blessing as a result, instead demanding that people worship him just so he can have a following.
Christ sacrificed Himself for all. The anti-christ wants everyone to sacrifice themselves for him.
And just as many world kings and leaders in present time and in the past, have made a big deal about their own image, whether on public banners, or paintings on building walls, sculptures, on currency or whatever, so too, this anti-christ will have an ego so huge that he will force his own image onto nearly everything that affects everyday life, worldwide.