The Mark of The Beast
The most urgent warning in all of human history, and it is given by God himself.
“If any man worship the beast and receive his mark in his hand or in his forehead, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God.”
Many people are confused about what this Mark is, yet this knowledge is essential because whoever receives the mark will be eternally destroyed.
First, let’s travel back through the courts of heaven where this conflict between good and evil began. Lucifer was created perfect and was recognized as the wisest and most beautiful of all the created beings, and he held the exalted position of being the covering cherub of God’s throne in heaven. Lucifer like all of God’s created beings was given free will to glorify and worship God, but Lucifer chose to rebel and allowed his heart to be filled with pride. He covered the very throne of God (Ezekiel 28:14-15).“You were perfect in all your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you.” Lucifer became the first of all creation to commit iniquity or sin, which the Bible defines as breaking God’s law. Refusing to return to God, he was cast out of heaven, along with those who rebelled with him; one-third of the angels in heaven.
Why didn’t God just destroy Lucifer right then and there? If he had, the universe would obey God out of fear rather than love. There would be doubts about God’s character and his law. So God is allowing sin to run its course so that each human being can see the results of sin and decide for themselves which master they will serve.
Now the war between good and evil rages on, and this earth is its battleground. Lucifer known as Satan roams this earth seeking to deceive God’s chosen people into rebellion against the Father. The Bible warns us to “be sober and vigilant for your adversary the devil walketh about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Satan in the form of a serpent tempted and deceived Adam and Eve to do as he did in heaven, to break God’s law on earth. The results of which brought death, pain, and woe to this world. Jesus Christ our redeemer, came to this earth to offer his life as a penalty for our sin. Jesus lived the perfect life and kept his father’s commandments, yet he died that we might live. His sacrificial death on the cross proved two things about God.
God is righteous and his ten commandment law is eternal and will never be changed. Even Jesus had to pay the penalty of the broken law of God since he took our sins upon himself.
God is love, he sent his own Son to die that we might live.
This great conflict between Christ and Satan has raged on through the centuries and continues until this very day. Whether we realize it or not each of us is engaged in a war; a battle for our very soul. We must make a decision, a choice as to which master we will serve Christ or Satan.
Throughout history, allegiance to God has always been evident by one thing; obedience,
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.”
So then, our actions and our decisions reveal to God and the universe who we belong to. Therefore the mark of the beast, the final test for mankind will be an issue of worship and obedience. Considering this; who will you serve, Satan and his Antichrist, or God and his Son the true Christ?
The antichrist. This very word has been the source of fascination and intrigue for thousands of years. This mysterious being will be at the center of end time bible prophecy and will be responsible for the infamous mark of the beast. There’s no need to guess about this diabolical power.
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:1-3
Revelation 14 contains the three angels' messages; God's final warning to the world. The third angel specifically warns about the beast; another name for the Antichrist.
“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:” Revelation 14:9-10
The greatest judgment in human history is prepared for those who worship this Antichrist beast and receive his mark. We must remember that the Bible will interpret itself. So what does a beast represent?
“Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.” Daniel 7:23
So we see that a beast represents a kingdom in apocalyptic prophecy. Now brace yourself, family. This mysterious beast or kingdom that will force the mark of the beast is vividly described in Revelation 13:1
“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.”
We will now consider this beast of Revelation 13 and his ten identifying characteristics that describe it in detail. God provides multiple characteristics of the beast because he wants us to not doubt his identity.
The Antichrist rises out of the sea. (Revelation 13:1), “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea.” According to the Bible, a sea represents a heavily populated area. (Revelation 17:15) “And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.”
The Antichrist received his throne authority and power from the dragon. (Revelation 13:2) “And the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.’’ Who or what then is the dragon. We know from the Bible that the dragon represents Satan, however, the Bible is even more specific about who this dragon is in (Revelation 12: 3-5.) “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.” “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne…” This passage refers to the birth of Christ and how Satan tried to destroy Christ at his birth. Which power did Satan use to accomplish this deed? It was Rome. Herod the king of the Roman Empire tried to destroy Jesus at his birth. So according to Revelation, Rome will give this Antichrist beast it’s power throne and capital city.
The Antichrist becomes a global power. All the world will marvel and follow the beast, (Revelation 13:7-8) “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
The Antichrist is guilty of blasphemy. (Revelation 13:1,5,6) “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.” Verse 5 and 6 states: “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.” The Bible defines blasphemy in two ways. 1. Claiming the powers to forgive sin (Luke 5:21). 2. Claiming to be God himself (Luke 10:33). This beast's power will be guilty of both forms of blasphemy.
The Antichrist will rule for forty-two prophetic months. (Revelation 13:5) “And power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.”
The Antichrist received a deadly wound that is healed. (Revelation 13:3) “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.”
The Antichrist receives worship. (Revelation 13:4) “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?”
The Antichrist persecuted God’s people (Revelation 13:7) “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” The Antichrist will be guilty of mass bloodshed against the people of God.
The Antichrist has a man as his leader. (Revelation 13:18) “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” The Bible refers to a man who will represent this power. In Daniel 7:8 “I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.” it describes the little horn power which is the parallel prophecy of the Antichrist.
The Antichrist has the number 666 (Revelation 13:18) “for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” Notice it is not the mark of the beast but a number of a man. The mysterious number will identify the leader of this beast system.
So then what is this mark, a chip, a vaccine? As we continue to remain vigilant knowing that this is the season of Christ return, I encourage you to secure in your heart the mark of God the Father, because it is impossible to carry two marks.
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.” Deuteronomy 6:5-8
Notice: God has a mark as well on thy hand and forehead. Choose which mark you will receive.