WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST OF REVELATIONS ?
What is a mark? It is some stamp or sign showing ownership. Therefore, the mark of the beast is something by which all its worshipers should be known. In ancient days, slaves were sometimes branded, as cattle are in our own age. The brand –– or mark –– of the beast would be some indelible sign which will designate with certainty those who are subject to his authority.
Revelation 13:15-16, “He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause … 16 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,” (NKJV)
Historically, people were seduced into worshiping pagan statues because the statue supposedly had talked or bled, etc. With A.I. Technology think of all that can possibly be done with statues of leaders today. The mark of the beast is some stamp or sign, by which all its worshipers accept his ownership. A mark in the hand is supposed, by some, to represent the practice (actions), while a mark in the forehead indicates the profession of what you believe. However, in the past, a mark on the forehead, the sign of the cross made with water, converts a person into a Roman Catholic, and without this mark they were considered only as heretics.
Verses 17-18, “… 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. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast…six hundred and sixty-six.”
During the dark ages and the bitter Protestant reformation wars in Europe, those in the Universal Church were forbidden to patronize in business with those not loyal to Papal authority. Somehow, in the end times people must show allegiance to this leader called the beast or be exiled from the great economic system. God warns not to compromise our worship for materialism.
The mark also may just represent conformity to the system. The Bible says it will take wisdom to clearly understand the danger. It will not be easy to avoid deception and involvement with evil emperor worship. It is a spiritually dangerous period coming.
Revelation 14:9-11, “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength … who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.’”
Therefore, it will probably be both a physical and spiritual mark that identifies those who have been deceived and pressured into worshiping the last emperor of Babylon or the Holy Roman Empire. It probably includes religious practices as well as the worship of a man. They will face the full wrath of God, so all on Earth should be very wary of coming deception.
Matthew 24:3-4, “The disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’ 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you.’”
The context of these verses reveal that evil will use religion as part of the deception coming just prior to the second coming of the Messiah and the end of the age.
SPECULATION ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MARK OF THE BEAST
This is likely to be done, at first, in a subtle and clever manner. It will seem so nice to want to be unified. Who could oppose the global unity of all faiths? The false prophet who sells the beast may have great charisma enhanced by media technology.
Revelation 13:11-12, “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.”
He comes in the appearance of the Lamb of God but his words are actually those of the Devil –– the dragon. He will be a master at double talk. How will these two evil leaders control all commerce? Ask, how will the deceivers implement the mark and can it be digitized? A cashless society will help. Our currency is then just computer data. Then we ask, who owns this newly created data? Can it be abused by big government and their corporate flunkies? People have shown they’re happy to give up privacy for convenience. Our data being shared very widely is coming, but what are the risks? Let's start with what has been proposed in the past as a mark. We've heard everything from the bar code to implanted chips, tattoos, and RFD scanners.
Also Garner Ted Armstrong spoke of the Sunday worship that the catholic church gave all Christendom as a form of the mark .
Exodus 31:13-17, “Speak … saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you… 15 ‘Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest … and was refreshed.’”
Sunday worship may indeed be a qualifier for obtaining the mark and all those that refuse Sunday will be refused the mark which allows one to buy or sell. That would be one way to get as many Sabbath keepers to switch of their own free will out of fear. Likely other things are involved. We don't believe people will be held down and branded or chipped against their will. No, they will somehow be persuaded, pressured and seduced into it.
IS A CASHLESS SOCIETY A GOOD THING?
Some used to think the beast picture would be on the paper money but it looks like they are pushing us into a cashless society. This will make it easier for big government to control us financially. Our accounts can be FROZEN! People like it, they don't want to carry cash. They prefer a debit or credit card. It's safer than carrying cash, plus it gives them access to much more of their money if they need it. The problem is, who owns this data? People have shown they’re happy to give up privacy for convenience.
A chip is very convenient, but should we accept our data being shared very widely before we know the risks? Thousands of people in Sweden are having microchips implanted into their skin to replace credit cards and cash. Some nations are moving toward eliminating cash. Further, will tech move into the body as well? Possibly, on our skin is coming chips and symbols in the tattoos on everyone who worships the beast. A new swastika like symbol is coming maybe?
Leviticus 19:28, “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.”
We are also told our bodies are the temple of God. There are a few companies including Motorola and Nokia doing research into digital tattoos. Don't do it! There is even a concept for a flexible silicon disc or screen that is implanted under the skin and acts as a display and is powered by your blood. Interestingly, note that the first plague comes on the skin with the mark.
Revelation 16:2, “And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image.” (KJV)
So everyone who takes the mark and worships the beast gets a sore on the skin. Is this a reaction to the implant or tattoo on the skin? Just a thought.
SATAN AND THE BEAST WANT TO BE WORSHIPED
The mark will not be forced on you. No, it will be achieved by pressure and religious deception. Why? Satan wants to be worshiped and will be through the beast.
2 Corinthians 11:14-15, “And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” (NKJV)
Revelation 19:20, “Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image…”
He deceives the world –– therefore we must stay alert and learn biblical truth very thoroughly.
Revelation 14:12, “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”
Then we true believers can become deception proof.
