THE MARK OF THE BEAST

We are living in the end times and digital age. The question is, what should we make of microchips, barcodes and digital currencies? Are these going to be used to give people the mark of the beast?

However, for those of us who are in Christ, should we be worried about all this? It’s important that we consider this crucial topic especially in our day and age. 

HOW TO READ THE BOOK OF REVELATION 

The book of Revelation is Apocalyptic in nature. The word pictures found in such a genre of literature are not to be taken literally because they are symbolic with spiritual meanings.

The word pictures or symbolic images are not foreign to the Bible. Many of the images John used are found in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 6:8).

Hence, the book of Revelation is not a secret code for Christians to decipher but a clear unveiling of God’s end times plan to strengthen and encourage His people (Revelation 1:1-3).

As we try to explore this subject, we need to understand that the Bible is self attesting, in other words Scripture interprets Scripture. In light of all this, let’s take a look at the Mark of the Beast.

THE TWO BEASTS 

Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. Revelation 13:16-18

Chapter thirteen introduces two beasts one with ten horns and the other with two horns. The rise of the first beast from the sea speaks of the rise of a kingdom from this world. The first beast is a powerful political figure, empowered by the dragon (Revelation 13:1-2).

As we’ve established earlier that this literature is symbolic in nature. The first beast is the Antichrist that will emerge at the end of the age. The second beast is a spiritual leader that influences the religious sphere. He is the false Prophet who will perform false signs to deceive many to worship the Antichrist. 

Furthermore, the second beast presents as if he’s the lamb of God but a counterfeit and mouthpiece for the dragon (Revelation 13:11). The dragon who is the devil always uses political systems as a platform to rule over multitudes. 

So also, he combines the political with a false religious narrative that deceives many away from Christ and the Gospel. Therefore, the second beast leads people to the first beast in order for them to worship the dragon.

The unholy trinity is revealed in these verses, the Dragon, Antichrist and False Prophet. As we’ve established who the beasts are and their operations, we can try to understand the mark of the beast. 

WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST?

And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead. Revelation 13:15-16 ESV

The two beasts are both combinations of the political and religious systems that works for the dragon. The mark is not literal but symbolic of those who are obedient to the beasts.

Notice that in Revelation 13:15, the second beast persecutes those who doesn't worship the first beast. Most importantly, the mark of the beast is not a microchip, barcode or digital currency to buy and sell. 

However, the spiritual significance of the mark of the beast is about those who worship the beast. They are influenced by the Dragon driven dark agendas, because they follow the systems of the world.

As one Bible commentator pointed out that the forehead is the symbol of character and right hand actions. Simply put, the mark of the beast is a spiritual identity of the beast. It's a mark of obedience to the beast and dragon.

In our current society, many are identifying with an agenda that has political and dark spiritual roots. Sadly, they are following the ideology of gender and sexuality.

In contrast, the faithful of God in every era would face the corruption of this world. But they are to choose the right way at the expense of loosing even their life rather than follow the way of the dragon and the beast (Matthew 5:10, Galatians 6:17).

Christians are to exercise wisdom and discernment and to perceive the influences of the devil through the political and false religious systems in this current era. In addition, the numbers 666 seems to be another mystery to all this.

Many have suggested several prominent names such as the Emperor Nero, Adolf Hitler and others. Nevertheless, those suggestions are clearly not valid because this prophecy is yet to be fulfilled. However, the calculation of 666 is revealed in the text for us to discern (Revelation 13:18).

As the book of Revelation has shown that seven is a symbol of divine perfection and completeness (Revelation 4:5, 5:1,6). Conversely, 6 is the number of man always trying to reach divinity as the Antichrist and false Prophet shows. Hence, the two beasts along with the dragon are the unholy trinity of 666.

THE SEAL OF GOD

Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. Revelation 14:1 ESV

Remarkably, those who have the seal of God on their foreheads are of Christ and God. The spiritual symbolism is everywhere in this literature (Revelation 7:4).

The 144,000 are the entire people of God as this numbers are not specific but symbolic. The purpose of the book of Revelation was to encourage the faithful to endure to the end. The people of God will continue to face challenges but their future is permanent blessedness (Revelation 22:4).

Those who have been sealed with the Holy Spirit will not receive the mark of the beast. However, they will receive the marks of Christ, because of their faithfulness (Ephesians 1:13, Galatians 6:17).