What is the Mark of the Beast?

Revelation 13:16-18 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive the mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.

             666 is possibly one of the most famous combinations of numbers that most people know. There have been numerous movies in Hollywood, books, and other materials that give light, or at least a certain perspective to this set of numbers. Most people understand it as being something dealing with evil, but do they actually understand what this mark is? Many denominations have various theologies as to what the scripture in Revelation means in regards to who receives the mark and how it will be implemented into law as a must have. Some believe that it involves the beginning of an apocalyptic event. Others believe that it involves the outlaw of a particular day of worship, while some believe that it has something to do with a microchip being implanted into humans. What is it? Why do some fear it and others brush it off as pure nonsense?  Due to this being a blog, much of the material will be abbreviated. However, I encourage you to do your own research and seek God’s counsel for understanding and wisdom.

            John the Revelator was given the extended name by many because Jesus showed him horrifying events that would take place prior to the end of the world. This was not to make people fear, but it was given to him so that he could inform God’s people of the things that would befall the earth prior to Jesus’ second coming. Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. (NIV) God said that we are “blessed” when we read this prophecy and not only read it, but take to heart what is written. How do we take it to heart? I believe that this means to apply what is written for the purposes of understanding and preparation. God didn’t want us to read this book as some type of science fiction novel. He gave this to John to warn us of what’s to come, so that we may be ready. Unfortunately, so many are not ready and are not prepared because there’s the mistaking belief that we will be raptured PRIOR to last day events taking place. Where is that found in the Bible? People are dying every day in other countries for their beliefs, so why is it that some are being persecuted and others will be conveniently raptured? This makes me go…hmmm. The popular scripture to support this is Mathew 24:40-41 Two men will be left in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. (NIV)

            However, does this scripture mean that people will suddenly disappear all over the world and others will be left wondering where everyone went? Maybe this could mean that when Jesus comes back, those that are unsaved will be left while the saved is taken away. The theology of the modern interpretation of the rapture can easily be put to rest if you read:

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. This means that there will be people who are saved on the earth when Christ returns. Therefore, the rapture will indeed take place, but it will be upon the second return or Christ and not prior or during the tribulation. I believe that this pre and mid tribulation doctrine is often taught to avoid teaching the saints that they will indeed go through tribulation. Matthew 24:9-11 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.” (NIV)

            In Jesus’ own words he says that we will suffer persecution and be killed because of our faith in him. So one may ask if this was just referring to the disciples and what they were going to go through. NO! Matthew 24:3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us, “ they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (NIV) This scripture lets you know that Jesus was not speaking of the persecution that the disciples would endure. However, He was speaking prophetically for the time that will be widespread across the world prior to his second coming.

What is the Mark of the Beast?

The Greek word for “mark” is charagma. It was the term used for the Roman Imperial stamp used on legal documents. It also served as a type of brand that the Romans used for their slaves much as ranchers use on their cattle. Now, this is not to say that the mark will be a tattoo of some sort or an ID card. It will be used to determine who serves the One and only True God or those whom have chosen to serve the beast and its image. For every perfect plan of God, the devil has a counterfeit. Revelation 7:3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” Then I heard the number of those who were sealed; 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. (NIV) God is going to seal the 144,000 on their foreheads, but the devil will also require those pledging allegiance to him to have a mark as well.

 What is the penalty for those who do not take this mark? Revelation 13:16-18 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. (NIV) There will be a legal mandate that unless you have this “mark” you will not be able to be an active member of society. Imagine not being able to purchase food, buy gas, and/or rent an apartment unless you have taken this mark. This is going to be hard times for many who choose to follow God and not succumb to the pressures of the enemy. So what could possibly be the Mark of the Beast? Let’s discuss a few theories that some Christians are convinced could be it.

Is it the RFID Chip?

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a device that is the size of a grain of rice, which uses radio frequency electromagnetic fields as tracking and identification tags. This device can be used to store personal information with regards to banking, medical, and other personal information. Now, some fear that this is enrolled underhandedly into Obamacare, as a way to eventually get people everywhere to become implanted with this device. However, I cannot say for certain, but the thought of having something implanted in me as a way to buy, sell, and receive medical care sounds too close to the Biblical description of the mark. Should this become mandatory, many Christians will refuse it, which may be the onset of troublesome things to come.

Could it be a Mandatory Day of Worship?

There are certain religions who believe that towards the end time, there will be a mandatory day of worship for people across the world. They believe that all people who go against this mandatory day of worship will be subject to persecution. What is this day? It is Saturday, the Biblical Sabbath Day. They believe that due to the Catholic Church changing the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday, this will bring about the onset of religious persecution. To worship on Sunday, in their belief system, is to be in league with the devil and therefore, any person who does so will receive the mark of the beast. They believe that they will have to flee in fear for their lives during this time and will not be able to buy or sell unless they go against their religious beliefs.

Is it One World Religion?

Some denominations feel that it could be the mandatory “One World Religion” that could be the mark of the beast. Due to the increasing empathy for the Islamic religion worldwide, many fear that the mark of the beast will be attributed to this. Those who fail to become Islamist will suffer persecution and death according their beliefs. This One World Religion is also believed to be tied into the onset of a universal monetary system as well as One World Government or otherwise named New World Order.

So what is the actual Mark of the Beast?

I believe that when the time comes for it to appear, everyone will know. Rather it is a chip, day of worship, or mandatory one world religion, if it follows what the Bible says of not allowing you to buy, sell or trade, then you will definitely have your answer. I personally believe that it will be when they mandate for everyone to receive a chip in their right hand or on their forehead. However, time will tell and when this takes effect, everyone will have to make a choice either to be on the side of God or for the devil. There will be no in between. The Bible say that it will be a time like none has ever seen before. I truly believe that we are getting close to that time. How about you? Tomorrow, we will the anti-Christ and the false prophet. Who are they and how will we know?