THE MARK OF THE BEAST (REVELATION 13)

INTRODUCTION:

1. Curiosity is sometimes solved by investigation.

2. One means of investigation is reading.

3. When I first became interested in Christianity, I decided to look for books that would help me.

4. I thought that books might aid me in understanding the Bible.

5. One day I entered into a denominational bookstore.

6. As you might expect, I bought a book.

I. BEFORE I TELL YOU WHAT WAS IN THIS BOOK, BEAR IN MIND THAT MY BOOK

WAS PURCHASED IN ABOUT 1981.

A. At this time “bar codes” for shampoo, milk, cards, etc were still relatively new.

B. Now bar codes are so common we don’t think twice about them.

C. But in 1981 bar codes were not an established part of society.

D. The direct deposit of payroll checks was also a practice that was not widespread.

E. There was a bar code on the front cover of the book I bought.

(1) The author suggested that bar codes were a sure sign of the future.

(2) Bar codes would be accepted, direct deposit would become common.

(3) These things would let the anti-Christ slide right on in.

(4) Bar codes and direct deposit would be connected with the mark of the beast.

(5) 666, that dreaded number in Revelation, was at the doorstep.

(6) Bar codes and direct deposit were proof that the beast was on its way.

F. Shortly after reading the book I entered into the military.

G. The Air Force offered direct deposit for our paychecks.

H. I thought long and hard before signing up for that program.

I. When I read that little paperback book I was really ignorant.

J. I do not have all the answers for the book of Revelation.

K. There are things about the mark of the beast and the number 666 that I do not understand.

L. However, there are at least a few things that can be said with confidence.

M. Before we get to our text (Revelation 13), I would like to make some more introductory statements.

N. All kinds of ideas have been circulated about the number 666 and the mark of the beast.

(1) In addition to the ones already mentioned:

(2) Our Social Security system has been linked with the beast of Revelation.

(3) This idea has concerned and scared people.

(4) Though religious people want their checks from SS, they do not want anything to do with the

mark of the beast.

(5) If Social Security is being described we need to know that.

(6) If Social Security is not being described, THAT MUST BE MADE KNOWN.

(7) It is a violation of the golden rule to let people be needlessly scared.

(8) Credit cards have been linked with the mark of the beast.

(9) If this is the right explanation of Revelation 13, we need to take action.

(10) If it is clear that this view is erroneous, it needs to be exposed.

O. The 7th Day Adventists believe that the mark of the beast is worshipping on Sunday.

P. There have been all kinds of theories.

Q. My family had a neighbor whose phone number ended with the digits 3766.

R. This phone number made the wife in this household uncomfortable. It was too close to 666.

S. As technology improves, other ideas will surely be brought forth.

II. LET’S MOVE TO THE ACTUAL TEXT WHERE JOHN SPEAKS ABOUT TWO BEASTS, A

MARK, AND THE NUMBER 666.

A. The “mark” of the beast occurs in different parts of Revelation.

B. In addition to verses 16 and 17 of Revelation 13, references to the “mark” are also found in

C. 14:9 and 11; 16:2; 19:20; and 20:4.

D. In some manuscripts it is also found in 15:2.

E. In dealing with this mark, it is important to note its location.

F. Revelation 13:16 READ.

G. A common assumption is that the mark is literal – on or in the skin.

H. Just as a herd of cattle might be branded, many assume that a physical mark appears.

I. A literal, physical mark is a possibility. There is a second possibility.

J. QUOTE Galatians 2:9

(1) First century Christians knew about the “right hand of fellowship”.

(2) “Right hand” and “fellowship” go together.

(3) In Revelation 13:16, John could have said “hand”, but he didn’t. READ.

(4) He specified the right hand.

(5) A possible reason for this is the parallel to Galatians 2:9.

(6) Instead of being a literal mark, this expression may well indicate fellowship with the beast.

K. Revelation 13:16 also makes reference to a mark on the forehead.

L. Again, this is often viewed as a literal mark. This is a possibility.

M. Another possibility is found in the next chapter. Revelation 14:1 READ.

N. Two names are being described: “his name” and the “name of his Father”.

O. This raises the question: “Is this literal?”

P. Was there a nameplate (actual inscription on the forehead) that read “Jesus” and

“Father”?

Q. While this is a possibility, many would agree that this is figurative.

R. Revelation is a highly symbolic book.

S. To say that the “name was on the forehead” indicates ownership/fellowship.

T. These souls belonged to God.

U. If we can accept a symbolic explanation in Revelation 14:1, we can also accept a symbolic

explanation for Revelation 13:16.

V. Point number 1 regarding the mark is this: It may not be literal.

W. I cannot be dogmatic but a literal mark seems to be the least described.

X. There are some other things that are related to the beast and the mark.

Y. The scope of the beast’s work is very broad. READ 16a.

Z. The word “all” should be understood as a figurative term.

A. If we are told, “all is well”, that means most things are fine.

B. We are not saying that our life is 100% problem free – absolutely not.

C. The influence of the beast and his mark was to be substantial.

D. The reason for the beast’s success is in Verse 17. READ.

E. Only those with the mark could buy and sell.

F. This is applied again and again by sensationalistic preachers.

G. These preachers look for a day to come when we will not be able to buy and sell.

H. Most believe that Revelation 13 is a prediction of the future and it scares them.

I. The thought of not being able to buy/sell anything is troubling.

J. If this does apply to our future it would mean that:

(1) We could not buy/sell a house.

(2) We could not buy or sell an automobile.

(3) We could not buy groceries, gas, clothes, or furniture.

K. In Verses 16-17 John describes the beast and his work.

L. In Verse 15 this is said: READ.

M. Death and worship are tied in with the beast and his mark. Verse 15b.

(1) Note the parallels that John offers.

(2) Those who “worshiped the beast” are the same ones who “received his mark”.

(3) This is like extending the right hand of fellowship.

(4) These have the mark on their “right hand” and “forehead” because they are in fellowship

with the beast.

(5) This fellowship allows them to live and thrive.

(6) Those in fellowship with the beast get to buy and sell.

N. On the other hand, those who reject fellowship with the beast suffer.

(1) Because of their refusal to worship the beast (Verse 15), they cannot buy or sell. (Verse 17).

(2) Because some would not accept the mark and worship the beast, the punishment of death

was inflicted (Verse 15).

(3) In the event of death, John wants to make something clear.

(4) Revelation 15:2 says … READ.

(5) This strongly suggests that was happening in John’s day.

III. HAVING CREATED A GENERAL FRAMEWORK TO USE, IT’S TIME TO ADD SOME

DETAILS. LET’S DEAL WITH THE ACTUAL CREATURES DESCRIBED IN REV. 13.

A. We will start with Revelation 13:1-2. READ.

B. Here are two creatures: one is a beast; the other is a dragon.

C. Again, the beast and the dragon are symbolic.

D. No one I know of is expecting a literal dragon to one day appear.

E. In scripture, the word “dragon” is a symbol for Satan.

F. Some kind of beast comes out of the sea and Satan is near by.

G. Satan (the dragon) gave the beast power, authority and a throne.

H. Christians were being persecuted. They wanted and needed relief.

I. The Roman Empire was doing the persecuting.

J. Hence, instead of Revelation being a road map for the end of time, this book was primarily

designed to help those in the first century.

K. Based upon this material, I would propose the following:

L. The beast that came up out of the sea is Rome and her emperors.

M. Rome was situated around the Mediterranean Basin. This fits.

N. Additional support comes from Verse 1b.

O. Upon the “heads of this beast” were “names of blasphemy”.

P. Various emperors of the Roman Empire were guilty of blasphemy.

Q. One emperor, Domitian, required his subjects to call him “Lord and God”.

R. That is blasphemy.

S. Rome was a very powerful empire and very cruel to Christians.

T. Look again at how the beast is described in Revelation 13:2.

(1) It was like a leopard. (Swiftness)

(2) It had feet like a bear. (Relentless)

(3) Its mouth was like a lion. (Strong)

U. This terrible creature was fierce and it had great authority.

V. This well describes the Roman Empire.

W. No wonder it is said in Verse 16 that “all received the mark”.

X. Force will cause many to do something.

Y. However, force is not the only means of getting people to cooperate.

Z. Careful guiding or leading can also be used.

A. Look at Verse 11. READ.

B. Another beast is introduced.

C. This beast is not nearly as frightening as beast number 1.

D. Instead of looking like a lion, bear, leopard combination, this beast is like a “lamb”.

E. The word “lamb” is a religious figure. Reminds us of the Lord.

F. This lamb beast, however, is not Jesus.

G. This is certain because the lamb beast “spoke as a dragon”.

H. This beast was religious but the religion was wrong. Verse 12 – READ.

I. The lamb beast promoted the work of the beast that had come.

J. He was encouraging fellowship with error.

K. This is exactly what happened in the time of the Roman Empire.

L. There were priests who promoted and guided emperor worship.

M. This group was named the concilia.

N. The concilia enforced worship of the emperor.

O. John says the lamb beast used counterfeit signs/miracles to promote emperor worship.

P. Verses 13-14 – READ.

Q. What if beast number 2 was unsuccessful? Verse 15 – READ.

R. What if deception was not enough?

S. Then there was the fear of death;

T. And then there was the threat of not buying/selling.

U. When John describes the beasts and Satan, he did not predict our future.

V. He was dealing with a matter related to the first century.

W. Roman emperors had set themselves up as God.

X. Their message was worship me or else.

Y. Unless emperors were worshiped, brethren would die or be put under economic distress.

Z. This all ties in with the number 666.

A. There are some who stress Revelation 13:18. READ.

B. The words “it is the number of a man” have led some well respected scholars to believe that

666 describes one particular man.

C. Another option that I prefer is this: numbers implied something.

(1) The number 7 is a number of perfection; salvation; God – 7 day week.

(2) The number 6 is short of these things. Sin, evil, darkness.

(3) Cain’s descendants number through 6 generations. Genesis 4:17-18

(4) Flood came when Noah was 600 years old. Genesis 6:6

(5) Cross – 6th hour and darkness specifically mentioned.

(6) The second beast wanted the emperor to be a 7; couldn’t, wasn’t.

(7) All the emperors could be was evil – far short of God’s goodness.

(8) How evil was this Roman system?

(9) It was evil enough that John didn’t stop with one 6.

(10) He added two more.

(11) This number, in my view, shows evil at its highest power.

(12) The beast had the power of death. Verses 15-18.

(13) John said in Chapter 15:2 that is okay. You will win in the end.

CONCLUSION:

1. Instead of the beast and his mark being a future event, there is very compelling evidence that it is

already passed.

2. This will not sell many books; it is not very sensational;

3. It is not a message that will draw crowds.

4. But it is the truth.