The Old Testament tells us numerous times that people made an image to assist in their worship of their God/gods. Israel’s golden calf was an effort to illustrate noteworthy characteristics of God (particularly his power) to help the people serve their mighty Deliverer (Exodus 32:8). By means of an image , it was thought that people would receive a better understanding of who their god was and so be able to serve him better. An attractive image for the beast would serve to entice “the rest of her offspring” (Revelation 12:17) to break with the faith in favour of worshipping the beast.
14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.