You've likely heard a lot of talk about the Mark of the Beast.
But what does the Bible actually say about it?
What might this "Mark" be?
And how can one avoid getting this MARK?
I will show you the 4 specific bible passages
that talk about the Mark.
*list = Rev. 13:16-18,14:9-11,19:20,20:4
Let's start with the first mention
and most widely quoted
passage about the Mark of the Beast.
In Revelation 13:16-18
we read
He causes all, both small and great,
rich and poor, free and slave,
to receive a mark on their right hand
or on their foreheads,
and that no one may buy or sell
except one who has the mark
or the name of the beast,
or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom.
Let him who has understanding
calculate the number of the beast,
for it is the number of a man:
His number is 666.
The "he" here is the the false prophet,
or 2nd beast in Revelation 13:11.
He uses signs and wonders to deceive
the unbelievers in the world to worship the first beast.
The first beast is empowered by the dragon
( aka Satan ).
And in Revelation 13 verse 5,
we see that he will have authority
to act for 42 months.
In verse 7 of this passage,
we see his influence will be felt by everyone in the world.
Whether he will have absolute control over every country
is something I discuss in more detail in the post,
Does the Beast
REALLY control the Whole World?
And I'll link to this at the end of the post ( video ).
* photo
The first mention of "the beast"
in the book of Revelation comes
at the death of the "two witnesses"
who will prophesy for 1260 days,
clothed in sackcloth.
Revelation 11:7
it says,
When they finish their testimony,
the beast that ascends
out of the bottomless pit
will make war against them,
overcome them,
and kill them.
* spoiler
- the 2 witnessed rise again in 3 1/2 days
*photo
We are given several facts
about the beast's rise to power.
If you read Revelation chapter 13
you'll find many of the details
concerning the beast and
the false prophet who tells everyone
they must worship the beast.
Exactly who the beast is
will be clear to those with biblical understanding,
when the beast and his false prophet
are deceiving most of the people in the world.
To better understand his identity and the extent of his rule
one should examine all the scriptures that speak about the anti-christ.
I'll share the post ( video )
specifically on this subject:
Who is the Anti-Christ according to the Bible?
* photo
Getting back to the Mark of the Beast.
I believe it is simply a visible MARK
applied to either one's right hand or forehead,
to show anyone with eyes
that you have sworn your allegiance to the beast.
We see this MARK can be either the Name of the Beast,
or the Number of his Name.
It is possible that the translation of his name
into various languages could be confusing,
whereas a commonly understood Number could be simpler.
Just a thought...
This mark could be a simple tattoo
just like the Nazis used in Germany during World War II
to mark the Jews and others they sent to the camps.
* photo
Tattoos are also used by Gang members
to identify themselves as one of the gang.
For example:
Latin American gang MS-13 ( Mara Salvatrucha )
* photo
And the reference we find in scripture
about understanding or calculating
the number of the beast
which is 666
is not clear at this time.
Nor is it referred to elsewhere in the Bible.
However,
you can find a lot of "speculation" on the subject,
Most of which is pretty far-fetched.
Trying to "match" the number 666
with various world leaders
is not how to identify the beast.
The only "clue" we get
is what it says in verse 18,
Here is wisdom.
Let him who has understanding
calculate the number of the beast,
for it is the number of a man:
His number is 666.
It could be as simple as God trying to let us know
that this person is simply a man, and not a god.
It should make more sense
when the time comes.
A failure to receive this mark
and to worship the beast
will result in many being killed.
And they are called Blessed.
In Revelation chapter 14 verse 13
we read
Then I heard a voice from heaven
saying to me,
"Write:
'Blessed are the dead
who die in the Lord from now on.' "
"Yes," says the Spirit,
"that they may rest from their labors,
and their works follow them."
It is not clear when
this mark will start to be required,
or for how long it will be in effect
before the return of Christ
to rule and reign on earth.
Worst case
it will be for 3 1/2 years.
All depends on how rapidly the beast
and the false prophet
who speaks on his behalf
will gain enough control
to restrict all buying and selling.
The majority of the world
seems to fall for the lies.
And this was forewarned
in Paul's letter to the Thessalonians.
In 2nd Thessalonians chapter 2
looking at verses 9 - 12
we read
The coming of the lawless one
is according to the working of Satan,
with all power,
signs,
and lying wonders,
and with all unrighteous deception
among those who perish,
because they did not
receive
the love of the truth,
that they might be saved.
And for this reason
God will send them
strong delusion,
that they should
believe the lie,
that they all may be condemned
who did not believe the truth
but had pleasure
in unrighteousness.
Those who know and believe in Jesus
should not be fooled.
Because they have the Holy Spirit inside them,
and their names are written
in the Lamb's book of Life.
We also see this truth referenced in
Daniel chapter 12 and verse 10
we read,
Many shall be purified, made white, and refined,
but the wicked shall do wickedly;
and none of the wicked shall understand,
but the wise
shall understand.
This distinction between the two groups on earth
is referenced clearly in Revelation chapter 13 and verse 8
we read
All who dwell on the earth
will worship him,
whose names
have not been written
in the Book of Life
of the Lamb slain
from the foundation of the world.
The next passage that references the Mark
is found in Revelation chapter 14 verse 9 -12
we read
Then another angel, a third one,
followed them,
saying with a loud voice,
"If anyone worships the beast and his image,
and receives a mark on his forehead
or on his hand,
he also will drink of the wine
of the wrath of God,
which is mixed in full strength
in the cup of His anger;
and he will be tormented
with fire and brimstone
in the presence of the holy angels
and in the presence
of the Lamb.
"And the smoke of their torment
goes up forever and ever;
they have no rest
day and night,
those who worship the beast and his image,
and whoever receives
the mark of his name."
Here is the perseverance of the saints
who keep the commandments of God
and their faith in Jesus.
A reminder that dying for your faith
is not something to worry about.
Revelation Chapter 14 verse 13
we read
And I heard a voice from heaven, saying,
"Write, 'Blessed are the dead
who die in the Lord from now on!'"
"Yes," says the Spirit,
"so that they may rest from their labors,
for their deeds follow with them."
You definitely do not want to
receive the mark of the beast.
Instead, believers are encouraged to endure.
Knowing the final outcome of all these things
should be a source of encouragement.
The book of Revelation
should not be a cause for fear or anxiety,
but instead it should give you hope.
We are clearly told
that it will all be okay in the End.
If we hold on this hope,
we have nothing to fear.
And the next place we see
the Mark of the Beast mentioned
is in Revelation chapter 19 verse 20
we read
and with him the false prophet
that worked miracles before him,
with which he deceived
them that had received
the mark of the beast,
and them that worshipped his image.
These both were cast alive
into a lake of fire
burning with brimstone.
So, things are not going to end well
for those two.
And the last place we see the Mark of the Beast mentioned
is in Revelation chapter 20 verse 4
we read in verses 4 through 6,
And I saw thrones,
and they sat on them,
and judgment was committed to them.
Then I saw the souls
of those who had been beheaded
for their witness to Jesus
and for the word of God,
who had not worshiped the beast
or his image,
and had not received his mark
on their foreheads
or on their hands.
And they lived and reigned with Christ
for a thousand years.
But the rest of the dead
did not live again
until the thousand years were finished.
This is the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is he who has part
in the first resurrection.
Over such the second death
has no power,
but they shall be priests of God and of Christ,
and shall reign with Him
a thousand years.
That covers all the passages I could find in the bible
that speak about the mark of the beast.
Before closing,
I would like to point out the key things
you need to understand
about the first resurrection.
We see from Revelation 20 and verse 4
that it occurs after the great tribulation period.
And this resurrection is mentioned in
both of the commonly quoted
Rapture passages.
If you read them closely,
letting go of any preconceived ideas you've heard,
I believe it is clear that
the Resurrection and the Rapture
both occur at the end of the tribulation,
and not before it.
1st Thessalonians 4:13-18
we read
But I do not want you
to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning those who have fallen asleep,
lest you sorrow
as others who have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died
and rose again,
even so God will bring with Him
those who sleep in Jesus.
For this we say to you
by the word of the Lord,
that we who are alive and remain
until the coming of the Lord
will by no means
precede those
who are asleep.
For the Lord Himself
will descend from heaven
with a shout,
with the voice of an archangel,
and with the trumpet of God.
And the dead in Christ
will rise first.
Then we
who are alive
and remain
shall be caught up together with them
in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air.
And thus we shall always be
with the Lord.
Therefore
comfort one another
with these words.
And in 1st Corinthians
chapter 15 verse 50-52
we read
Now this I say, brethren,
that flesh and blood
cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
nor does corruption
inherit incorruption.
Behold,
I tell you a mystery:
We shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed—
in a moment,
in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound,
and the dead
will be raised incorruptible,
and we
shall be changed.
If you would like to hear more
about the timing of the Rapture,
please check out this video
The Rapture
How I went from Pre Trib to Post Trib
Until next time,
Maranatha.
LINKS
Does the Beast REALLY control the Whole World?
A more LIMITED rule of the antichrist explained
and
Who is the Anti-Christ according to the Bible?
and
The Rapture How I went from Pre Trib to Post Trib
Saved by Grace,
Andrew Cross
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some,
but exhorting one another,
and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25
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