The Mark of the Beast

Even though a great deal has been written on this subject, yet our readers might find the following of some small value.

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and is number is Six hundred threescore and six. –Rev. 13:16-18

Just as the Lord’s servants are marked by what they think and by what they do (II Tim. 1:76, Luke 6:44) so are the devil’s servants marked. It is a great mistake to think that the Holy Spirit predicts that someday it will be required of all men to have some kind of mark put on them in order for them to buy and sell in some new world order. God is a Spirit and His marks are spiritual. So are the devil’s marks. (This writer has heard it explained that the “Mark” will be something like a social security number, or some computer chip, implanted in the forehead or in the hand!) The mistake is in believing that the devil’s servants do not already have this mark. This is to mistake the true nature of the mark.

The mark is in the mind or in the hand. Some people have good thought and do bad things; others have bad thoughts and do good things. One mark is sufficient to label the devil’s property.

There are two signs given throughout Scripture that distingui9sh the children of God from the children of the devil:

I. There is the Mark of Doctrine

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. --II John 9

He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. I John 5:10

He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. John 8:47

Because the devil is a liar from the beginning (John 8:44), his children carry his mark. His servants may transform themselves into pretended “messengers of Christ,” for Satan himself comes in that guise, but their end will be “according to their works.” (II Cor. 11:13)

II. The Mark of Obedience

This is the second scriptural mark by which the people of God are distinguished from the children of the devil:

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. I Cor. 6:9-11

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phil. 2:12, 13.

I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. John 8:38

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: John 10:27

It is contrary to scripture to imagine that God will eternally separate people by some outward mark like a tattoo. It is the inward character that makes the difference, and this character is revealed by what a man believes and by what he does.

“For he is not a Jew [God’s true people—cwp], which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. Romans 2:28, 29.

The outward mark of circumcision, though given of God, could not make a man blessed of God nor could its absence bring God’s curse. God praises or condemns because of the condition of the heart, and this condition is revealed by what the man believes and by what he does—certainly not by some identifying physical mark! It is dangerous for folks to believe that they are save, simply because they do not yet have a tattoo in their hand or in their forehead.

The future is now: the servants of God and the servants of the devil wear their marks for all to see, just as they did in the days of our Lord [see verses quoted above]. The saints confess Christ and His doctrine before men (Luke 12:8), and the ungodly are not ashamed to foam out their ungodly speeches and ungodly deeds (Jude 15).

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10

The number 666 is the number of man in trinity—man trying to make himself God—as he has been trying to do since the Fall. (Gen. 3:5). It is humanism come into its own. Sinful man makes himself the measure of all things, rather than seeking the glory of Triune God, who is the only God there is.

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You can contact:

Trinity Covenant Church RCUS

Pastor C. W. Powell

6050 Del Paz Drive

Colorado Springs, Co 80918

mailto:budpow@ureach.com?subject=Mark of the Beast