The Mark of the Beast
Revelation chapter
13 has held the interest of concerned Christians for centuries. The fearful and shocking language describing
"The beast," and how the Antichrist shall enforce its mysterious
"mark" upon humanity, has long been the subject of study and
speculation.
To read how God
describes the end of those who bear the mark of the beast (Revelation
14:9-11) is enough to immediate- ly put a sober look on anyone's face.
Revelation points
out the following very clearly:
a) Anyone who receives the mark of the beast has sided with Satan
in the war against God, and is lost.
b) The vast, overwhelming majority of the people on this earth
will receive the mark of the beast.
c) The civil authorities will endeavor, by starvation and death
threats, to compel people to receive the mark.
The Bible teaches
that all people on this earth are rapidly dividing into two groups; one group
following the God of Heaven, and the other following Satan, who is represented
by "the beast." Those who
follow God will receive the sign or mark of God (we studied God's mark, or sign,
in lesson 14). Those who follow Satan,
represented by the beast, will receive the sign, or mark of the beast.
Tragically, unless a
person knows for certain what the mark of the beast is, he will inevitably end
up with the mark and not even be aware that he has it. Are you POSITIVE that you can identify
the mark of the beast?
This subject may cut
across something you have loved from childhood.
But, surely, since God lovingly sends us a special message on this
subject, we will all be anxious to hear what He is saying and to accept and
follow His counsel. This is what Jesus
asks us to do in Revelation 1:3.
THE BEAST OF REVELATION
13
1. In order to identify the "mark" we must first identify the
"beast". In prophecy, what
does a beast represent?
Daniel 7:23, Jeremiah 50:17,43,44
Note: Beasts in prophecy represent kingdoms, governments,
or earthly ruling organizations.
This term does not denote disrespect.
It does not mean beastly characteristics. The description of each beast is a
description of the government involved.
2. According to Revelation 13:1, this beast, with a mark, comes up
out of the sea. What does water
represent in prophecy?
Revelation 17:15
Note: Water, in prophecy, represents a populated area.
IDENTIFYING THE BEAST
3. The beast of Revelation 13 has eight points of
identification. Let's review them:
a) It would receive its power and seat from
It is important to
remember that the
Dragon, the Beast and the Antichrist are all ultimately
Satan. The war is between Christ and
Satan- not with earthly powers (Ephesians
However, Satan has used the powers of this
world to fight against God's cause.
Therefore, although the Dragon of Revelation 12:3,4,9, are Satan
himself, in this case it also represents Pagan Rome, whom Satan tried to use to
destroy Jesus as a baby (Matthew 2:16-18).
b) It would become a world-wide power. Verses 3,7
c) It would rule for 42 months. Verse 5
Remember that in
prophecy, one prophetic day equals one literal year (Ezekiel 4:6). Therefore, 1,260 days of the prophecy are
1,260 literal years.
d) It would be guilty of blasphemy. Verses 5,6
e) It would receive a deadly wound, which would heal; then
the entire world would follow him.
Verse 3
f) It would have the mysterious number 666. Verse 18
g) It would be a religious power- it is involved in worship.
vv. 5,6
h) It would war and persecute the saints. Verse 7.
There can be only one
power that can fulfill these eight clear and distinct characteristics; The
Papacy. Let us see how it alone
fits the description:
a) History is clear that the Papacy received its power, authority
and capital city from old Pagan Rome.
This quote from history is typical: "The Roman church... pushed
itself into the place of the Roman world empire, of which it is the actual
continuation. The Pope... is Caesar's
successor." Adolph Harnack, What
is Christianity, pp. 269,270
Obviously, the
Papacy fits point number 1.
b) None would dispute that during the middle
ages the Papacy was indeed a world-wide power. So once again, the Papacy fits the
identification.
c) The power of the Papacy became supreme in Christendom in 538
B.C. due to the letter of Roman Emperor Justinian, which acknowledged the
bishop of
The power and status of the Papacy reached
its lowest ebb in 1798 A.D., when Napoleon's general, Berthier, took the Pope
captive, and he died in exile. to 1798 A.D. is exactly
1,260 years, as prophecy predicted.
Again, The Papacy fits the identification point. No other power could possibly fit this point.
d) The Bible defines blasphemy as claiming to be God (John
From a catechism we
note the following:
"QUESTION: Does the priest truly forgive the sins, or does he
only declare that they are remitted?
ANSWER: The priest does really and truly
forgive the sins in virtue of the power given him by Jesus Christ." Catechism of Catholic Religion, p. 279
It also
claims to be God. "Thou art another
God on earth." "The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus
Christ, but He is Jesus Christ, Himself, hidden under the veil of flesh." Oration in the fifth Lateran Council
(Latin), Catholic National, July 1895.
e) The Papacy was dealt what appeared to be a death blow when in
1798 Napoleon's general, Berthier, took the Pope captive and he died in
exile. Half of
God, however, was on
record that the wound would be healed and that the influence of the Papacy
would grow till all the world followed her
leading. Even a novice recognizes today
that the Papacy is, in many ways, the most influential power on earth. And with each trip of Pope John Paul II, the
Papacy's influence and power increased. Multiplied millions from all over the
world look to the Papacy today as the only hope for world unity, love, peace,
and decency—precisely as God predicted.
So again, the Papacy fits the identification point.
f) Revelation 13:17-18 says to count the number of
the beast's name, and that it is the number of a man.
The Douay
Bible (a Catholic version) notes that "The numeral letters of his name shall make
up this number."
The man we
think of when the Papacy is mentioned is the Pope. What is his name? One of the Pope's official titles is
"VICARIUS FILII DEI"—"Vicar of the Son of God"—Our Sunday
Visitor,
The book of Revelation is
saying that the Roman value of the letters of his name will equal 666. Let's see:
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V = |
5 |
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F = |
0 |
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D = |
500 |
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112 |
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I = |
1 |
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I
= |
1 |
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E = |
0 |
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53 |
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C = |
100 |
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L = |
50 |
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I
= |
1 |
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+501 |
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A = |
0 |
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I
= |
1 |
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|
501 |
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666 |
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R = |
0 |
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I
= |
1 |
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I = |
1 |
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|
53 |
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U = |
1 |
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|
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|
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|
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S = |
0 |
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|
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|
|
|
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112 |
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"666" has
been applied to many eminent men through history by their enemies, including
Nero, Adolf Hitler, and even Henry Kissinger!
This does not mean they are the beast of Revelation 13.
The "beast" (Greek
creature, created being) is the representation of Satan's side in the
Great Controversy—that God is a god of force, fear, intimidation and
manipulation. The Beast power will
"mark" all those who accept it as Christ's substitute. Interestingly enough, "Vicarius
filii dei" means "substitute for Christ." The
Greek word for “vicarius” is “anti”;
thus, “vicar of Christ” in Greek is antichristos. So the Papacy fits the sixth point.
g) This power is not a secular government but is involved in spiritual
matters. The word "worship" is
used four times in Revelation 13. The
chapter is about false worship. Again,
the Papacy fits the identification point.
h) It is common knowledge that the Papacy did persecute and
destroy conscientious Christians, especially during the peak of its period of
control, during the dark ages.
Many historians say
that more than fifty million people died for their faith during this
period of great tribulation. The church
felt it was doing God a service with "The Holy Inquisition" in
stamping out "heresy," but the fact remains that it did persecute and
destroy.
(Many Catholic
people disapprove of these persecutions.)
The Papacy fits this point, too.
Note: There are many beautiful, sweet, loving Roman Catholics who love
Jesus and whom God counts as his children.
This lesson is not an attack upon Catholic people. It is an attack upon he
Devil, who is responsible. It is true,
however, that God himself has told us that this system is the enemy's forces in
the war against God, and that it has a mark which we dare not receive. Sincere Protestants, Catholics, Jews and the
unchurched will all be anxious to discover what this mark is so they can avoid
receiving it.
THE BEAST'S MARK OF
AUTHORITY
God associated
keeping certain days as a "sign" upon the hand or "between
the eyes" (forehead) KJV in Exodus 13:3-10, especially verse
9. Since we use Scripture to
interpret Scripture, we see how the "sign/seal/mark" of God or
Satan's substitute is related to the keeping of days.
In lesson 14 we
learned that to be "sealed" is being so settled into the truth about
God, both intellectually and spiritually, that one cannot be moved. Since the Sabbath sums up all the
truth about God, in the setting of these last days, the public observance of
the Sabbath will become a distinguishing "mark" or "seal"
of those who worship the God of love and freedom described in the 10
commandments and represented by the seventh-day Sabbath.
Since the power Satan
will use in the latter days ("the beast" of Revelation 13) is the
Papacy, the "mark of the beast" must therefore be some conspicuous
sign of Papal authority—some widely accepted counterfeit—which stands in
direct opposition to the "seal of God". There can be no doubt whatsoever that this
"mark" of Papal power is the institution of Sunday—a rival,
man-made sabbath.
Those who receive
the beast's mark were described by Jesus as those who call Him
"Lord", but "practice
lawlessness" (Matthew
You may recall from
a previous lesson that I John 3:4 tells us
"sin is lawlessness" (Greek anoumeia). The beast is described in 2 Thessalonians
2:3,7-9 as "the Mystery of Lawlessness"
(mystery of iniquity)—same Greek word.
Only people who have his character of lawlessness and rebellion
written on their minds will receive the mark of the beast.
THE PAPACY SPEAKS FOR
ITSELF
4. Since we have now positively identified the beast power as the Papacy,
let's permit the Papacy to tell us what its mark is:
Answer: One who was until his
death considered the highest Catholic authority in
Notice, also, the
following words from The Catholic Record of
ATTEMPTED CHANGE OF GOD'S
LAW
5. It seems incredible that the Papacy has been able to change the day of
worship from Saturday to Sunday and have virtually the entire world
follow. Did the Papacy really change
God's fourth-commandment-Sabbath to Sunday?
Daniel 7:25
Note: Daniel 7 is a parallel prophecy to Revelation 13. The message is clear; the Papacy only
thinks a change has been made. The
Sabbath of the commandment is still Saturday, the 7th day. Sunday is not a holy day.
6. What was God's criticism of His ancient priests or pastors?
Malachi 2:7-9
Note: God does not change, Malachi 3:6. He is still hurt when religious leaders are
partial to nine commandments and cause people to stumble over his Sabbath
command.
7. How did the people in Hosea's day regard the great things of God's law?
Hosea 8:12
Note: Things have not changed.
If you decide to keep the great, holy Sabbath of God's law, people will
still consider it a strange thing.
8. God said that the religious leaders in Ezekiel's day were profaning
holy things; putting no difference between profane and holy things and showing
no difference between the clean and the unclean. What specifically did he have in mind?
Ezekiel 22:26
Note: It is still happening today.
Many religious leaders say, "There is no difference between Sabbath
and Sunday.", or "Any day will do if you are sincere." But God still says, "Thou hast despised mine holy things,
and hast profaned my Sabbaths." Ezekiel 22:8. He also makes it clear that
those who say "Thus
saith the Lord, when the Lord has not spoken" are among those who are separating
themselves from him—Ezekiel
9. When we ask the Papacy, "How could you change God's holy law?", their response is particularly embarrassing to Protestants. Here is the famous question which the Papacy
has repeatedly asked Protestants:
"You tell me
that Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath, but that the Christian Sabbath has been
changed to Sunday. Changed! But by whom? Who has authority to change an express
commandment of the Almighty God? When
God has spoken and said, 'Thou shalt keep holy the seventh day' who shall dare
to say, nay, thou mayest work and do all manner of worldly business on the
seventh day, but thou shalt keep holy the first day in its stead? This is a most important question which I
know not how you can answer. You are a
Protestant, and you profess to go by the Bible and the Bible only; and yet, in
so important a matter as the observance of one day in seven as a holy day, you
go against the plain letter of the Bible, and put another day in the place of
that which He has commanded. The command to keep holy the seventh day is one of
the ten commandments; you believe the other nine are still binding; who gave
you authority to tamper with the fourth?
If you are consistent with your own
principle, if you really follow the Bible and the Bible only, you ought to be able to
produce some portion of the New Testament in which this fourth commandment is
expressly altered." Library of
Christian Doctrine, pp. 3-4
HOW THE MARK IS RECEIVED
10. People look for outward
marks, but where does God look?
I Samuel 16:7b
Psalm 37:37
Ezekiel 9:4
11. In ancient times, a
person's name represented his character. God wants to write his name—or
character—in us (Revelation
Hebrews
Hebrews 8:10
12. Where is the beast's mark
placed on people?
Revelation 13:16
Note: Neither the mark of the beast nor the seal of God is
literal. Remember, we are dealing with
symbols. The forehead represents the
mind with which we serve God (Romans
If you will recall, the seal of God can
only be received in the forehead. This
is because we can only truly serve God consciously, because we truly believe
and accept his principles. No
outward observance of God's will is acceptable, if the heart is not right with him.
13. Do people who now
observe Sunday as a holy day have the mark of the beast?
Revelation 13:16,17
Note: No one has the mark of the beast now. No one will be marked until the law forces a
person to stop buying and selling "unless he has the mark." When it becomes a major issue and men are
forced to decide for either the mark of the beast or the seal of God, then those
who work on Sabbath or observe Sunday as a holy day will be marked.
However, even
today, it is a very serious matter to disregard the Sabbath. Those who knowingly disregard the light about
God's holy day now, will lose the ability to think and see clearly and
will end up in darkness, John 12:35.
14. Revelation 14:9-10 says that those who receive the mark of
the beast shall have God's wrath poured out on them. Why is this so?
2 Thessalonians 2:10
Note: In lesson 12 we saw that God's wrath is simply His turning away
in loving disappointment from those who do not want him anyway.
In the setting of
the last great crisis, when the full light of truth is shining upon the Sabbath
as a sign of allegiance to the Creator, those who reject this light and observe
Sunday will thereby openly declare their opposition to the truth. Sunday observance will thus become the
distinguishing mark of those who, deep in their hearts, have accepted Satan's
lies about God.
Being the God of freedom, what more can He do but allow them their
choice?
A MARK OF OUR LOYALTY
15. How do we reveal to
others who it is we serve?
Romans 6:16
Note: God chooses to save everybody, I Timothy 2:3,4. The Devil desperately wants all to be
lost. We choose whom we will serve by
whom we obey, Joshua 24:15.
Many Christians
say, "All you do on Sabbath, we do on Sunday; Sunday is our
Sabbath." (read
Proverbs 14:12).
The point is, the Lord specifically
chose the seventh-day Sabbath to represent the special relationship between
him and His people, and all the costly evidence that won us back to trust in him
(see lesson 14). Why would a
Christian choose to keep the day the enemy substituted, and ignore
the day God chose?
It is not a matter
of days, but rather a question of loyalty to Christ or antichrist (another name
for the beast). God's Sabbath is like a
banner or flag; when I wish to show that I believe God, I step under his
Sabbath banner. When I willingly step
under the Sunday banner of the enemy, I am accepting Satan's picture of God.
16. What if I am neutral on
the matter?
Matthew 12:30
17. What happens when we
decide to follow Jesus?
Matthew 11:28-30
Note: Following Jesus brings rest, peace, joy, happiness and
blessings. It is the most exciting
decision of a lifetime. The word Sabbath
means "rest". God can
bring rest and relief from the burdens of life which can come from no other
source.
CONCLUSION
"Look! I have been standing at the door and am
constantly knocking. If anyone hears me
calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he
with me." Revelation 3:20, LB
We are living on
the planet where the conflict between God and Satan is being fought out-
especially the last generation on this planet, which will live through the
Devil's final efforts to totally confuse the human race.
When will we need
to remember the things that the Sabbath reminds us of more, than during
the last few days of human history? The
Sabbath will increase in importance in the end—not as a badge or sign, but to
protect God's children.
Those who really
keep the Sabbath day in the right wayand remember all its meanings, will be
protected in the last days—they will be reminded every day of the truth that
has been revealed at such great cost—the things of which we are reminded of by
the seventh-day Sabbath.
The Sabbath is
about worshipping a God who values nothing higher than our freedom. The mark of the Beast will picture God as someone
who accepts forced worship. The
issue is not over days, but what kind of person God is.
Jesus is waiting for
your answer. Will you decide now to
receive the seal, evidence that you accept his picture of God over the
enemy's?
My response to Christ is:______________________________