November 3 Mark of the Beast

Revelation 13:16-18 The beast also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, 17 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. 18 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.
 
THE Father and Son warn us to have wisdom to discern the true Christ from antichrists, those oppose Jesus. The references to the mark of the beast and 666 may be two of the best-known references to Revelation. It seems that many who have minimal knowledge of the Bible know about these two images. Perhaps this verse is seen as a crucial warning to prepare all in the world for desperate times.
    But remember. Revelation is God’s vision for both the near and distant future of his church. I believe the best interpretation of this Scripture is that it describes the circumstances of John’s day and of our day until Jesus returns.
    First, as many of Revelation’s images are first in the Old Testament, the mark of the beast is a mark of sin rooted in Genesis. When Cain killed his brother Abel and did not repent, God sent him out East of Eden with a mark of judgment: Genesis 4:15b Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain’s mark is likely not a physical mark, but a spiritual “mark” that kept Cain’s brothers from killing him in response to Abel’s murder. God made it plain Cain was under God’s judgment, not man’s. God would deal with Cain as he determined.
    The same is true for the mark of the beast. The mark on the head or hand can illustrate sin in the thoughts and actions of all who do not repent of their sins. Sin’s mark is clear as we disobey God, isn’t it? Further, as the mark is needed for buying, selling, etc., this illustrates how ungodly governments rule the world.
    We must remember that Christ’s blood is the true mark of all Christians. We do not need a beast’s mark to live. Christ is our Bread of Life and Living Water. He is all in all. The beast’s mark is sure death. Jesus’ mark is eternal life.
    The number 666 is a number formula of the Hebrew word for the name Nero, the Roman emperor who persecuted Christians without mercy. He was an antichrist, a beast against Jesus’ church. Identifying Nero as 666 points to all world leaders who are antichrists until Jesus returns to rule.
    Much time is spent wondering and debating, “Who is 666? What mark will people wear?” A good answer is found in 2 John 7-8 Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.  
    The Bible records Satan opposes God. The Bible teaches us that all Is under God’s sovereign permission and providence. His judgment will come on the antichrists, banishing them from the new Eden. His salvation will be for those the Spirit of God has marked as Jesus’ own. His church will eternally live even though many will die for opposing the devil.  
 
Prayer: Father, open our eyes to see your magnificent care for our souls. Help us to be alert to the antichrists around us. Teach us to be confident of our salvation in your sovereign authority. Amen.