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What is the mark of the Beast?


Introduction. Deciphering the identity of the beast, his "mark", and his number from Revelation chapter 13 is very challenging, like deciphering many of the symbols found in the figurative language of the Book of Revelation. Yet many people today get very concerned by anything that sounds like it could be related to the "mark of the beast" or the number "666".

Overall perspective. You can’t understand the identity of the beast without first understanding the overall perspective of the Book of Revelation (e.g., fulfilled mostly in the past or mostly yet to come). Most religious groups today have adopted the "mostly future" view (usually called "Premillennialism"). However, we believe most of Revelation has already been fulfilled in the persecution and triumph of the early church. Many scholars associate the two beasts of Rev. 13 with the pagan Roman Empire which was succeeded later by the Roman Catholic Church. There remains a future loosening of Satan with a last great attempt to "deceive the nations" before Christ’s return and the Judgment Day (Rev. 20: 7-15). For more on this subject, see "P" for "Premillennialism" and "S" for "Second Coming".

Characteristics of the Beast. The beast is mentioned several places in the book (Rev. 13:16-18; 14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; and 20:4). From these passages, we see the beast is associated with, but is not the Great Dragon, Satan (Rev. 13:2,4). It is a powerful, political force with great authority (Rev. 13:2,4,7). In conjunction with the earth beast of Rev. 13:11, it exerts great economic force as well (Rev. 13:16-17). It is an object of veneration and worship as well as a source of persecution for faithful Christians.

The number of the Beast - 666. Rev. 13:18 indicates the beast has a number associated with its name. "Lateinos" is the oldest (by Irenaeus, 120-200 A.D.) and most common interpretation of the number of the beast (derived by converting Greek letters into numeric values). King Lateinos or Latinus was associated with the founding of the Latin or Roman people by the Roman poet Virgil (70 - 21 B.C.). Other scholars take the number "666" as a general symbol for the trinity of evil and imperfection, where each digit falls short of the perfect number 7.

The mark of the Beast. The mark associates the beast with those who worship it ("on their right hand or on their forehead") (Rev. 13:17-18). Premillennialists usually believe the mark will be something literal, leading to a wide variety of speculations such as your Social Security Number, a National Identity Card, a literal tattoo of "666" on the forehead, and biochip implants. However, since the Beast is not a literal animal, it is plausible the mark is also not literal. It could simply be the behavior that favorably associates people with the great political, economic, and false-religious power of the time (e.g., burning incense to Caesar or the gods, acknowledging the supremacy of the Pope).

Know with confidence. We must admit some uncertainty about the specifics surrounding the beast. However, several things we can know with confidence. Faithful Christians understand their ultimate allegiance is to God regardless of the dominant social, political, economic, and false-religious forces of whatever country and era they live in. Such allegiance requires endurance and perseverance, especially in the face of persecution and martyrdom. And Christians have assurance from God that they will ultimately triumph if they remain faithful (Rev. 13:10; 14:9-13; Rev. 2:10).
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