The mark of the beast and the number of his name, 666. 
What are these?
These are some of the most important end time prophecy issues to find
out the truth about. And yet the majority of professing Christians today are just not interested, and have little interest in ANY Bible prophecy.
Satan knows the importance of end times Bible prophecy, and he has successfully subdued the professing Christian world into thinking they
need not study it to found out the truth. Which is why we are here to show you these important Bible truths.
Again, just like the antichrist teaching and so many other Bible teachings out there in the world, there is great speculation about what is the mark of the beast. So what do we do? We turn to the Word of God to find the truth. The Bible interprets itself, so we must use the Bible to find the truth, and not just use guesswork. Can we know the truth about the mark of the beast? Of course we can, as God has revealed the truth in His Word.
Now we found out from the little horn and the antichrist studies, that the Roman Catholic Church is the beast of revelation 13, and the main end time antichrist power. So it is only logical that the mark of the beast is a mark of the Roman Catholic Church. Let me say a quick word about this main theory going around that the mark of the beast is a chip or some technology. So many people are watching out for a physical mark and ignoring the real mark of the beast. Have a good think about this: If you were to receive a physical mark, or an ID card, but you continued to serve God with all your heart, and kept His Commandments, would you be lost? No! Of course you wouldn't. This teaching of the mark being a physical one is a Jesuit teaching to take your mind off the Papal Church of Rome.
To receive the REAL mark of the beast, you have to go against God's Law. This issue is all down to WORSHIP. God is not going to reject His people for having a physical mark forced upon them. No. He will only reject us if we put the "traditions of man" before His law and His will.
The teaching that the mark is some sort of chip or ID card is a Jesuit teaching to take your eyes off the Papal Church of Rome being the antichrist beast of Revelation 13.
Forgive me for repeating this, but it is so important. How can God reject you, if you simply receive a form of worldly identity, via an ID card or some sort of technology, which could be FORCED upon you, but still continue to serve God in spirit and truth and keep His Commandments? It isn't possible. Please really think about it, the mark of the beast must be a RESULT of going against God and His law. What is sin? Lawlessness! ie, going against God's law, His ten commandments. (1 John 3).
Oh but the word "mark" in Revelation 13 means an ACTUAL mark!
Yes, and so do the words "beast", "dragon", "Babylon", "whore", etc. mean LITERAL beasts, dragon, Babylon and whore. But are we now to expect literal beasts roaming the earth forcing the world to worship them? And a literal whore riding a scarlet beast deceiving the world into following her?
We cannot base our belief on the fact that the word mark means a literal mark, because the book of Revelation is FULL of symbolic language.
Revelation 14:9-11 ...'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: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.'
This is the final warning to the world concerning the mark of the beast and 666 the number of the beast. This is such an important topic during these end times, because anyone who receives the mark of the beast will receive the wrath of God and be destroyed. The three angels of Revelation 14 are not actual angels flying around the earth, but they are a symbol of God's end time people proclaiming His truth from the pulpit, on Radio, TV, books and the Internet.
The World has a choice to make, obey God or follow Satan
Now, the first clue we have to the mark of the beast is found in the above verses in Revelation 14, and the very next verse after them ... Revelation 14:12 ...'Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.' ... So why do the saints not receive the mark of the beast? Because they keep the Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. So here we can see that it is to do with God's law and following in Jesus footsteps. Notice one important thing, it doesn't say that the saints have faith IN Jesus, but they keep the faith OF Jesus, ie. they follow Him. Many Christians believe that the law of God has been done away with. Well, God disagrees with them, because He says that the only way NOT to receive the mark of the beast is to keep His Law.
Revelation 13:16 ...'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.' ... So those who get the mark of the beast, have it in their hand or forehead. That's interesting, because there are another group of people who receive a mark in their foreheads ... Revelation 14:1 ...'And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.' ... So in Revelation 13:16, we have the one group of people with the mark of the beast, and then the very next verse in Revelation 14:1, we have the other group of people with God's Name written in their foreheads. These two groups of people are the one's at the end time before Jesus Christ returns at the second coming. They are the saved (with God's Name) and the lost (with the mark of the beast). But will there be two groups of people at the end, walking around with actual physical stamps on their heads or hands? Or are these 'spiritual' marks?
Much of the book of Revelation is symbolism. God wants His people to search for the truth, He wants His people to come to Him in prayerful study of the Bible so that He can reveal the truth to them. Take a look at Revelation 17:5 ...'And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.' ... Here John sees a woman riding a beast with this name on her forehead. Now we can all understand that this isn't an actual woman riding a beast on the earth somewhere with this name on her forehead. Therefore, as this woman is a symbolic woman, and the name a spiritual symbolic one, then the names of the Father and the mark of the beast must also be symbolic and spiritual marks, not literal ones.
If we delve into the Old Testament a bit, we can see the significance of God's people being marked on the hand or forehead.
Exodus 13:9 ...'And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD's law may be in thy mouth.'
Deuteronomy 6:6-8 ...'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 11:8,18 ...'Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it. Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.'
God was not saying to His people to physically write His law on their foreheads or hands. So what did He want them to do? He wanted them to keep His law IN their minds, to think about His law of love (Ten Commandments) every day, so that they would not stumble and fall into sin. The same is with having His law as a sign upon their hands. This reflected their actions. God wanted their actions to reflect His Word and His Law. So forehead represents the mind, and hand represents action. Thought and action ... Hebrews 10:16 .....'This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.'
Isaiah 8:16 ...'Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.'
So during the end time, we will have a group of people that yield their minds and actions to the beast, and receive the 'spiritual' mark of the beast, and the other group who yield their minds and actions to God, and receive His seal (Name) in their foreheads. But what is the name of God? Is it just a word that God would like us to use when we speak to or about Him? Or does His name have a more deeper spiritual meaning?
Exodus 34:5-7 ...'And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.'
Did you see the truth about the name of God there? Moses ascended up Mount Sinai and God PROCLAIMED HIS NAME to Moses. But God isn't just saying a name that He would like His people to use. He is describing His Character, merciful, forgiving, gracious, longsuffering. God referred His amazing character as 'the Name of the Lord'. And at the end of His earthly life, Jesus confirmed:
John 17:6 ...'I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.'
Jesus' whole life revealed the true character of God, not by saying the right Name of God, but by showing His characteristics. So when it says in Bible prophecy that people have the name of God in their foreheads, it means that the character of God has become a deep part of their lives, thoughts and actions. They keep the Commandments of God and follow in Jesus' footsteps. So we are dealing with INWARD spiritual issues. This is why Jesus taught us to keep God's Law in thought, not just in action.
"Seal the Law among My disciples"
We know that Revelation's Sea Beast who's mark it is, is the Papal Church of Rome, so the mark of the beast must be the mark of the Roman Catholic Church. Have they revealed anything in history to be their 'mark' of authority over God? Yes they have! Take a look at the following quotes:
"Of course the change (from Sabbath to Sunday) was her act ..... and the act is a MARK of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters." (signed by H.F.Thomas, Chancellor for Cardinal Gibbons, in a letter dated Nov. 11, 1895)
"Sunday is our MARK of authority ..... the church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact." (Catholic record of London, Ontario, Sept. 1, 1923)
See HERE to see the latest information on the issue of Sunday laws.
So the Roman Catholic Church boast about having authority over God and being able to change His laws. They boast about changing the Sabbath Commandment from the seventh day to the first. This coincides with the little horn power thinking to 'change times and laws' (Daniel 7:25). Put this 'mark' of authority and the beast together, and you have the mark of the beast (mark of the Roman Catholic Church). Download Papal Quotes to see many more astonishing claims from the Papal Church of Rome.
The mark of the beast is to do with breaking God's Law and choosing to obey man over God. But is the mark of the beast specifically to do with the Sabbath Commandment? Take a look at one of the three angels messages ... Revelation 14:6-7 ...'And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.' ... This is the end time call to worship God who created heaven and earth. Look at the words that are being used, these are taken from the Sabbath Commandment ... Exodus 20:11 ...'For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.' ... This issue of the mark of the beast and the seal that God gives is all to do with worship. Will we choose to worship God who created the heavens and the earth, and who set a special day aside for us to spend with Him? Or will we choose to obey man, who changed the law of God, and say NO! Keep my day instead!
PLEASE REMEMBER! In Revelation 14:12 it confirms that those who don't receive the mark of the beast, are the ones who are keeping the Commandments of God and follow in Jesus' footsteps. Those who accept the gospel message, follow Jesus Christ, obey God and keep His Commandments will not receive the mark of the beast.
Now remember where the mark of the beast is? In the hand or forehead? ... Exodus 20:8 ...'Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.' ... Where do we remember? In our foreheads (minds) ... Exodus 20:9-10 ...'Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work.' ... With what do we work? Our hands. Do you see this important truth? Those who receive the mark of the beast will go against God and His law. The Sabbath Commandment specifically deals with who we worship. Will you obey God and keep His Commandment, or will you obey the Roman Catholic Church and keep her commands? For more information on the sabbath, see THIS website.
For more about that mysterious number 666, CLICK HERE.
So many people are waiting for a physical mark to come along, and are ignoring the Bible truth. If the mark of the beast was an actual physical mark, then it would be easy to spot. But take a look at the following verse ... Revelation 19:20 ...'And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.' ... Those who received the mark of the beast were DECEIVED! The whole point about being deceived is that you don't know you were deceived. So the true mark of the beast is going to involve subtle deception, just like the Sabbath to Sunday issue. Most of the Christian world keep Sunday as Sabbath thinking it's ok to change God's Law. This is the subtle deception that the Papal Church of Rome have brought in. Satan doesn't want you to obey God, he wants you to obey him, and through the Roman Catholic Church he is doing just that.
The number of the beast is 666. What is God's number? ... Genesis 2:2-3 ...'And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.' ... 777!
During the very end time, when the mark of the beast is enforced by law around the world, after each person has chosen to accept and obey God, or accept and obey the Roman Catholic Church. God will then look into the hearts of everyone and consider each person to either have His name (seal) in their foreheads or the mark of the beast. Those who don't believe in Rome's enforced law, but go along with it because of economic pressure (buying and selling, Rev. 13), they will receive the mark of the beast in their right hand. Who will you choose to obey and worship?