The Mark of the Beast

People talk about “The Mark of the Beast” like it could pop up on the world scene at any moment. They say we already have the technology to make the Mark of the Beast a reality. Lately, the Mark is even something that may occur as part of Homeland Security.

True the technology exists establish a sophisticated “The Mark of the Beast” system. So, possibly, one of the requirements needed to establish the Mark of the Beast system is in place. But, what other requirements are needed before the Mark of the Beast to become a reality as the Bible describes?

“The Mark of the Beast” is  first mention is in Revelation13.

And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast [Antichrist] coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon [Satan] gave the beast [Antichrist] his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?" The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months [3 ½ years]. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he [Antichrist] was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. He who has an ear, let him hear. If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity he will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.

Then I saw another beast [False Prophet], coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast; he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. He [False Prophet] also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666 (Revelation 13:1-18).

So, the Antichrist will  become very powerful. He will have “authority over every tribe, people, language and nation.” Then a second beast will arise - the False Prophet. The False Prophet will be given all the authority of the Antichrist and he will set up the “Mark of the Beast” system.

From this passage we see two other requirements needed before the “Mark of the Beast” system can be set up. The two requirements are,

o      The Antichrist must rule over the whole world.

o      Then the False Prophet must come to power.

From Daniel’s prophecy we know that the Antichrist comes to power out of the Fourth Beast Kingdom.

He gave me this explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time [3 ½ years] (Daniel 9:23-25).

Here is another requirement that needs to be fulfilled - The fourth beast kingdom. Now there are three requirements:

o      The Fourth Beast Kingdom must come  to power.

o      The Antichrist must come to power over the whole world.

o      The False Prophet must come to power.

Therefore, we should be watching for "The Fourth Beast Kingdom" first.

Three other passages provide information about the “Mark of the Beast”.

If anyone worships the beast [Antichrist] and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the 'cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.' This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus (Revelation 14:9-12).

Go, pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath on the earth." The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image (Revelation 16:1-2).

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh (Revelation 19:19-21).

I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. This is the first resurrection (Revelation 20:4-5).

So, everyone who receives the “Mark of the Beast” will suffer God’s eternal wrath. However, those who do not worship the beast or receive his Mark will be part of the First Resurrection which will take place at the beginning of the 1,000 year reign of Christ.

Scripture indicates that there are prerequisites for "the Mark of the Beast" and we must not take the Mark, under any circumstances.

Richard H Perry