Revelation 13:15-18

The Mark of the Beast

“Would you open your Bibles with me to...”

Luke 21:25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;

Luke 21:26 “men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.

Luke 21:27 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Luke 21:28 “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

Pray

Introduction

√ Last week

We completed our study of the 7 main characters around which the events of the Tribulation Period swirl as we looked at the…

“Beast from the earth”

We looked at his…

Description – false prophet

Origin – of the earth

Ministry – counterfeit of the Holy Spirit

But, we left of one of the most talked about aspects of his short time on earth…

The Mark of the Beast!

So, let’s pick up our study of the False Prophet and the Mark of the Beast which he implements.

The Mark (vs. 16-18)

Rev 13:16 And 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,

Rev 13:17 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.

Rev 13:18 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.

√ The Mark

Much has been written concerning the meaning of the Mark of the Beast, specifically the meaning of the number 666.

Adding to the confusion is the admonition in vs. 18 to...

“calculate the number of the beast”

...which would seem to mean that we can discover the identity of the Antichrist if we will are smart enough!

Many well intentioned people have done just that for the last 2000 years coming to many more that 666 possible meanings for the number!

Hebrew, Greek and Latin letters all have corresponding numerical values. Therefore, people have tried to calculate the “number of his name” and come to hundreds of different conclusions as to who the Antichrist is.

Ex. Caesar Nero, if spelled Kaiser Neron written with Hebrew endings equals 666.

The six Roman numerals if added together equal 666.

Add all the numbers from 1 to 36 together and you get 666 - the word “beast” (in the evil sense) occurs 36 times in the Revelation. Therefore, “666” = “beast”.

Assigning numbers to the English alphabet you find that the word “computer” = 666

And on it goes.

While the pursuit of the exact identity of the Antichrist as revealed through the number 666 can provide hours of fun…

…the endless possibilities that have been brought forth provide evidence that we probably won’t figure it out till we’re in heaven!

Perhaps the best understanding of the meaning of the number 666 is the simplest.

That is, God is communicating to us that the Devil’s best effort to counterfeit the Holy Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit falls short of Divine Perfection

7 = the number of God, perfection.

6 = the number of Man

Therefore, the triple six is the number of a man, each digit falling short of the perfection of God.

While we may not be able to satisfy our curiosity concerning the exact meaning of the number of the Mark…

…we can know the purpose for which the Mark of the Beast will be used for and what happens to those who take it.

Purpose of the Mark

Note our text…

Rev 13:16 And 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,

Rev 13:17 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.

√ The purpose of the Mark

To control the people of the world by exercising power over every aspect of their lives.

1) Control commerce

We’re told that without the Mark a person will not be able to conduct the daily affairs of life.

No one will be able to buy and sell products necessary for life without this Mark.

All business transactions will require this Mark.

So we understand that this Mark is the key to a worldwide economic system - one has to have it in order to conduct the business of life.

2) Control people

That is, John tells us that every citizen of the kingdom of the Antichrist will be required to take the mark, or die!

It is probable that the marking of people in that day will include a registration by which each person will be uniquely identified by the mark they receive.

Similar to receiving a unique number for our drivers license, or SSI account.

I would suggest that this identification process will provide the Antichrist with the ability to track and control the citizens of his kingdom. (A counterfeit omniscience).

3) Control religious expression

That is, the False Prophet institutes the Mark as part of the worship system of the image of the Beast. Note the context of verse 16…

Rev 13:15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

That is, the Mark is a token, or sign, that a person is a Beast worshipper.

In that sense it is a counterfeit of the seal of the Holy Spirit upon the worshippers of Jesus Christ (Rev. 7:3-4).

√ The recipients of the Mark

We’re told in vs. 16 that the False Prophet forces everyone from every walk of life to receive the Mark of the Beast.

Small & great = status in society

Rich & poor = the amount of possessions

Free & slave = legal standing in society

John’s point is that no one will escape this Mark no matter what station in life a person has, except through death.

To refuse the Mark is to choose death!

That is because to refuse the Mark of the Beast will be seen as an act of rebellion to the Antichrist and his system.

Ex. The worship of Caesar

Those who refused to worship Caesar and to pledge their allegiance to him were killed.

So it will be in the time of the Great Tribulation.

What is the Mark?

That brings us to an interesting question…

What is the Mark of the Beast?

There are many speculations as to what this Mark might be…

…some have merit, and some do not. J

Ex. Sunday worship to implanted microchips

While we can’t say dogmatically that we know what the Mark of the Beast will be, I think an implanted microchip is a good candidate!

Christian’s have suggested that possibility for years, but, until recently that technology was not applied in humans.

Until now!

Ex. The Verichip of Applied Digital Solutions (AKA Digital Angel)

Note the nice brochure we’ve included in your bulletin today. You can have a microchip implanted in your body – now! In fact, many have already done so.

• Mexican government is using the Verichip to limit

access to government facilities and information.

• Baja night club in Barcelona Spain is “chipping”

regular members so that they can clear security

without stopping, and purchase food and drinks

without using cash.

An implanted microchip could provide...

• Instant access to purchase power

• Foolproof security by positive identification (terrorists)

• Peace of mind (child abduction)

• End of illegal commerce (drugs, arms etc.)

• Give the Antichrist a counterfeit omniscience

Already in use today in…

• Animals (the fish) and pets

• Smart Cards (just put in your flesh!)

• People in Spain and Mexico!

• Approved this week by the FDA for patient

identification

Whether or not the microchip proves to be the Mark is not as significant to us as the fact that we now live for the first time in history where we posses the technology to do what the Bible said would happen!

Ap. What’s a Christian to do

The important thing for Christians to understand is that no one will receive that Mark by accident.

“Oh no I have the mark of the Beast”

Anyone who receives the Mark will do so with the understanding that they are casting their lot with the Antichrist.

Like those who bowed to the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar built.

Like those who burnt incense to Caesar and confessed “Caesar is lord”.

Each person will be confronted with a choice, to worship the Antichrist, or not. Their choice determines where they’re going to spend eternity…

…and God doesn’t play games with peoples lives.

Rev. 14:9 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,

Rev. 14:10 “he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

Rev. 14:11 “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”

So, Christians don’t have to worry that they’re going to accidentally receive the Mark of the Beast by…

Getting a SSI number

Carrying a credit card

Rather, to take the Mark of the Beast will be an act of one’s will by which that person will register their name in the guest book of Hell.

Signs of the Times

√ Signs of the times

Ap. Be wise and look at the signs of the times - how close are we to a world wide economic system?

So the wise person is he or she who looks at the signs of the times and prepares their heart to serve the Lord.

Jesus said when you see these signs begin to happen...

Luke 21:25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;

Luke 21:26 “men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.

Luke 21:27 “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

Luke 21:28 “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

Close

√ The Mark of the Beast

We don’t know what it is, but we do know what it will be used to control the World’s…

Commerce

People

Religion

While the Church will not be on the earth when the Mark is implemented…

…as we see technology and society pushing for such a system we can be sure that we’re that much closer to the time the Lord calls His Bride to Heaven.

Ap. Be like Noah

A preacher of righteousness in our generation before God’s wrath falls upon this world.