One of the most tantalizing aspects in the New Testament is the meaning of the mark of the beast. What does 666 mean and is it the mark of the beast described in the Book of Revelations of the Bible? The first time the mark of the beast is mentioned is in Revelation 13:16 and three verses later John saw a group called the 144,000 with the “Father’s name written in their foreheads” Revelation 14:1. Worse still, the mark will separate its bearers from the love of God and sentence them to eternal judgment. John's play on Hebrew words in the Book of Revelation at 9:11 and 16:16 ). Who is the Anti-Christ? If they do not have the mark of the beast they cannot buy or sell. The second beast of Revelation 13 is the United States which, by the sure word of prophecy, in the near future will enforce a “mark” of an image of the first beast. It is man-centered. Motyer, D.A. All rights reserved. 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 idea that the mark of the beast is some sort of ambiguous form of technology that somehow tracks your every movement better than an iPhone or a FitBit, or allows you to pay without using cash better than Apple Pay or any credit/debit card, or has some new facial recognition software (like they’re already doing in China and several US cities) and is given by … The history of interpretation concerning the correlation of a person with the number 666 has only resulted in endless speculations. The Bible gives us several clues. Is technology addictive? Thus, we might say that the mark of the beast, "666," means "never God, … And while that news might be disturbing in a financial way, to people with an interest in, say, money and American markets, that fact was overshadowed on Twitter by the shadow of the beast, the Lord of the Underworld, the Devil himself. This contrast is particularly noted in 20:4, where those who are martyred for the Lamb are resurrected to reign with Christ. Eiselen, Edwin Lewis and D.G. Charagma [cavragma] is well attested to have been an imperial seal of the Roman Empire used on official documents during the first and second centuries. The world has a choice to make in the last days, and the choice is to either obey God, or obey satan and his beast. The mark identified those who were under God's protection. When the Apostle John wrote the book of Revelation, about 95 A.D., numerical values were sometimes assigned to letters as a sort of code. So instead of just guessing what the mark of the beast is, we must use the Bible to interpret itself and let it explain what the mark is. Lucian, Syr. Branding was practiced in the ancient world, and even in relation to religious concerns. A few modern scholars have noted that the numbers can also argue for a connection with Babylon and Nimrod. John explains in 13:18 that the number 666 is the number of man. Please watch: "The ONE Thing Every Christian Should Be Doing But Most Are NOT!" No one, no matter his social class or influence, will be able to buy or sell unless he has a mark upon the forehead or hand to signify devotion to the beast. While the beast from the land is indeed Islam, the beast from the sea represents the nations controlled by the Vatican.-- Edited by John D. Keyser. I began this idea through research I was doing on DNA transformation by studying the law associated with its geometric structure. The phrase "mark of the beast" is found only in the book of Revelation, but a similar mark is referenced in Ezekiel 9:4-6: And the Lord said to him, "Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in … 14:11 ). Six words are used for man: Adam, ish, Enosh, gehver, anthropos, anar. So instead of just guessing what the mark of the beast is, we must use the Bible to interpret itself and let it explain what the mark is. Salem Media Group. 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.” Admit it. Having a medical or financial microchip inserted into your right hand or forehead is not the mark of the beast. This mark is first mentioned in 13:16-17, where it is imposed on humanity by the beast out of the earth ( 13:11 ). The number 666 could well personify the imperfection of man, even implying in the triple number the unholy trinity of the dragon, antichrist, and the false prophet. Having a medical or financial microchip inserted into your right hand or forehead is not the mark of the beast. Zavada, Jack. Thus, the mark of the beast is a mark of loyalty and devotion to the beast. The mark will be on the right hand or the forehead. The mark of the beast is a mark of disobedience to God. It is also noteworthy that a variant reading in Greek New Testament manuscripts exits that cites the number as "616" rather than "666." Many ancient languages utilized the letters of the alphabet for their numerical systems. Revelation 13:18 “Here is wisdom. They say that 666 and the mark of the beast is the severest warning found in the entire Bible, yet we find there is a massive number of interpretations on what the mark of the beast is. What Are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse? As such, I kind of keep up with anti-fraud technology, because that is one possible way we could get to a mark of the beast. The Mark of the Beast. This second beast is the false prophet ( 19:20 ), who forces the worship of the antichrist and brands those who do so with the mark. Many interpreters take this literally, as if a literal mark will be imprinted in some fashion on foreheads and hands, but the language is likely symbolic. The Bible does not specifically identify what the mark is, which has led to all sorts of speculations over the centuries. The only other reference to charagma [cavragma] in the New Testament besides those in Revelation, is Acts 17:29, where it stands for an image formed by art. A common theory about 666 is that it was the numerical total for the name Nero Caesar, a Roman emperor who persecuted Christians. Revelation 16:2 and 19:20 cite the "mark of the beast" as a sign that identifies those who worship the beast out of the sea ( Rev 13:1). book 5 of the Sibylline Oracles) to the time of Augustine, who cites this idea in The City of God. The mark will be economic in some ways – there will be finance systems set up where you can’t buy or sell without the mark. The mark of the beast is covered in much greater detail in unit 10, which includes a 30-minute introductory video to Revelation 13, along with detailed commentary on the historical context and additional notes on how we should understand this text today. Satan also has an emblem, a mark, that will identify those who support him. “Man labors six days only. This mark is first mentioned in 13:16-17, where it is imposed on humanity by the beast out of the earth ( 13:11 ). This solitary verse places new light on the entire topic. The "mark" on Cain in Genesis 4:15 is rendered by semeion [shmei'on] in the Septuagint, the term for "sign." It is the opposite of the divine plan of salvation. The mark of the beast will be an end-times identification required by the Antichrist in order to buy or sell, and it will be given only to those who worship the Antichrist. It is possible that John merely intended the number to be symbolic of what the beast and his followers represent: humankind in their ultimate rebellion against God, his Lamb, and the followers of the Lamb. Tag: What does the mark of the beast mean The Mark of the Beast – “666” and its Encoded Significance as a Mode of Operation. Most believe that 666 is the mark of the beast but note closely that Revelation 13:17 says, “ 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 . Marriage Supper of the Lamb Bible Study Guide, Overview: the Epistles of the New Testament, M.A., English Composition, Illinois State University, B.S., English Literature, Illinois State University. Some believe these verses refer to a tattoo, a brand, or even a microchip implant. Dea 59; Herodotus 2.113). October 18, 2017 October 18, 2017 Dr. Linda Gadbois Leave a comment. As usual, Satan will work through an earthly power—symbolized in Revelation by a beast—to impose his mark. The letters in Jesus Christ supposedly total 888, which goes beyond perfection. Just because the word mark means a literal mark, doesn't mean the mark in real life will be a literal physical mark. The mark of the Beast will offer hollow promises and incomplete relief during the Tribulation. Downey; Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, Tyndale Bible Dictionary; ESV Study Bible; and gotquestions.org. The transliteration of the normal Nero Caesar into the Hebrew nrw qsr, renders the number 616. There was also a belief in a revived Nero as the antichrist from the first century (cf. The book of Revelation says that those who receive the mark will be subject to the seven last plagues, while the obedient saints are described as having attained “victory over the beast” ( … The Greek term charagma [cavragma] was most commonly used for imprints on documents or coins. Theories also abound about the number 666. What does the Bible say about the Mark of the Beast? Yes, and so does the word "beast" in Revelation 13 mean a literal beast. Many people understand the mark of the beast is 666, but this does not mean that you will be tagged with 666: Revelation 13:18. How is it possible to force the whole world to take the Mark? The mark of the beast will be something given only to those who worship the Antichrist. The Book of Revelation describes a terrifying beast with the number 666 and that people had to take the mark of the beast on themselves. "What Is the Mark of the Beast?" Proud member Learn Religions. Zavada, Jack. It can never be divine. 7 and 14, it is plausible to think that the mark of the beast is most likely a sign that identifies you as something you already are—namely wicked and evil, a person of the dragon. What does the Number 666 Mean? The letter and number ratio was known by all. The number signifies the name of the beast (cf. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Zavada, Jack. By contrast, those who worship and follow Jesus Christ will bear the seal of God on their foreheads to protect them from the coming wrath. First, we know that the Anti-Christ will gain his power from Satan. The apocalyptic Sibylline Oracles used "888, " the numerical equivalent of Iesous [ÅIhsou'"] (Greek letters for Jesus), as an indirect reference to Jesus as the incarnate God. Editor's Note: Revelation 13 indicates that there will be two beasts -- one from the sea and one from the land. It’s a religious thing that involves rejecting Jesus. When two people get married the wife will often take the last name of the husband as her own. It is salvation by works. The mark of the beast is the sign of the Antichrist, and is mentioned in Revelation 13:15-18: The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. This Study Guide will reveal the beast’s mark, which every lost person of the end time will receive. What is the Mark of the Beast? Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/mark-of-the-beast-700628. The second beast causes all people to be marked on their right hand or forehead. Others point to credit or debit cards. Only those who knew the name or the pool of candidates could work out the riddle. This rare form of Nero's name was actually found in an Aramaic document from Qumran (cf. What Does the Bible Say About Blood Moons? This may symbolize that the wicked show by their actions (hands) and beliefs (heads) that they do the will of the beast and accept his ideology. Irenaeus notes that the image set up by Nebuchadnezzar was 60 cubits high by 6 cubits wide. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. 666, 666 the number of the beast, 666 Satan, 666 beast, beast 666. This existing process was used in enigmatic statements to conceal the identity of the person under consideration. An oft-quoted graffito from Pompeii (about a.d. 79) reads "I love her whose number is 545." It is a commitment to do the will of the beast, it is not a matter of having us physically altered against our will. Because, you know, 666 is the mark of the beast, which, no big deal, identifies followers of the Antichrist. The process of working from a number to a name was an ancient process called gematria in Hebrew and isopsephia in Greek. Learn Religions, Aug. 26, 2020, learnreligions.com/mark-of-the-beast-700628. No one, no matter his social class or influence, will be able to buy or sell unless he has a mark upon the forehead or hand to signify devotion to the beast. The mark of the beast is an outward, physical symbol, showing that the wearer has chosen to worship the beast and receive him as God. Bible Dictionaries - Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Mark of the Beast, Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Help us continue to offer Jimmy Akin’s Mysterious World. Book of Daniel From the King James Version of the Bible, Learn the Meaning of Numbers in the Bible. What Is the Meaning of Apocalypse in the Bible? This also applies to the mark of the beast. Is 666 The Mark of the Beast? The contextual significance of marking those who worship the beast may be accounted for by noting how this motif answers to the seal on the foreheads of those who worship the Lamb ( Rev 7:3 ; 14:1 ). This term does not occur in the Septuagint, and its use in the church fathers is insignificant. Numbers are often used symbolically in the Bible, the number 7 representing perfection. Religious tattooing was observed (cf. This beast is usually identified as the antichrist. The Meaning of 666 – The Mark of the Beast. https://www.learnreligions.com/mark-of-the-beast-700628 (accessed January 25, 2021). By using Learn Religions, you accept our, Bible References to the Mark of the Beast. First, a related assumption would be that God inspired the writer of Revelation (the apostle John) to write the letters the way they appear in the image above—so as to telegraph the fact that the antichrist would be a follower of Allah. 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