And, if the issue is fooling people into believing that the image (if it turns out to be a hologram) is a human, well, take a look:
Tupac Shakur resurrected as ultra-realistic "hologram" for live performance
The robot technology could suffice very well also:
Japanese robotic technology featuring human-like robot
A very human-like robot invented by Japanese engineers
The fact is, the Bible only says that there will be an "image" made that will have the ability to speak. We are given no other details, and we are not told that the world will have to be fooled into believing that the image is a real human.
The fact is, that we have the technology on more than one level in this generation to fulfill that prophecy.
We have the ability to make Revelation 13:15 come to pass just as it was written. We don't have to wait one more day for anything to get "better". We can make it happen right now.
We were typing out replies at the same time I see. :)
I understand where you’re coming from. Thanks for the links. I have in my head a POV that people wouldn’t worship something they think is some computer animated, or AI technology. However, I do remember the story of Moses in the desert, and the Golden Calf, so you may be right on the mark. (no pun intended...).
I also see that from John’s vantage point - having no understanding of computer imagery, AI, robots, or otherwise might be why it is rather vague. Back when the Gulf Oil spill occurred, and seeing how red the water looked, and how it was killing the fish it reminded me of the scripture referring to the seas turning to blood... I do think we have to keep in mind that these words are coming to us from a person who was not familiar at all with our modern world, and his description of what God showed him would have to be related in words he and his peers WOULD be able to understand.
Anyway, thanks for the discussion. It’s always good to keep reminding oneself to be awake and alert... As always, our individual deaths could happen at any time at all, so the admonition to be prepared, and at peace with God still applies - whether we are a day, or a decade away from the end of all.