REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 13.16

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

                                                                           

Chapter Thirteen

The Great Tribulation

A Parenthesis

The Seven Trumpets

Trumpet Number 7: Woe Number 3

 

Tribulation Characters

 

 

Characteristics of the False Prophet continued…

The Mark of the Beast

 

 

(Verse 16)

 

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in (on) their right hand, or (on) in their foreheads.

 

11. He forces everyone to receive the mark of the beast

Empowered by Satan’s Antichrist, the False Prophet will enforce a mandate that everyone receives a mark either on their right hand or forehead as a symbol of allegiance to the beast.

Everyone is all-inclusive detailed in contrasting pairs:

1.  Both small and great are determining factors of status, i.e., humble and mighty

 

2.   Both rich and poor indicates a socio-economic class meaning billionaires and paupers

 

 

3. Both free and bond ascertain those who are independent and subservient

 

The Mark

Mark (charagma) is a literal etching or impress made by a stamp or a brand either on a person’s forehead or right hand (similar to a tattoo) that is universally recognizable when conducting business, analogous to ration stamps used during the 20th century’s Great Depression. However, marking will be ultimately used as a loyalty device to force people to worship the beast.

 

Understand: The language is clear. The mark of the beast is not a credit/debit card or microchip as many have hypothesized, but an imprinted logo would seem a better interpretation.

 

Such labeling was commonly employed in antiquity:

1.  Slaves were branded with the mark of their owners

2.  Soldiers stamped themselves with the name of their general

3.  Servers of certain temples were engraved with images of their gods or goddesses

 

Conversely, a counterfeit seal of God, suggests the rejection of Jesus Christ. Consequently, those refusing the mark will be subject to execution. Therefore, two choices of future habitation remain for Tribulation survivors:

A. The Kingdom of God

B. The Kingdom of Antichrist

 

Scripture does not reveal what is the mark. However, its purpose is to wed business with religion.

Be reminded: Since he had endured many trials and tribulations (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:25), Paul’s following words are edification to all believers:

Galatians 6:17-18 - Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God. From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen… (BLB)

 

 

(Verse 17)

 

And that no man might buy (may be able to buy) or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

 

Through the life-given image of the Antichrist, the False Prophet will facilitate and command all modes of commerce, i.e., strict economic control over food clothing, oil, medical supplies, and necessities. The implication is one must present some sort of strict merchandising identification consisting of one of three things:

1.  The mark of the beast

2.  The name of the beast

3.  The number of the beast

 

The currency will cease. The antichrist will simulate a global tattoo-type mark so no one can buy or sell anything without governmental authorization. And the symbol of the beast will be an emblem of allegiance, ultimately leading to worship.

 

 

(Verse 18)

 

Here is wisdom. 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.

 

666

This verse is prefaced with a clue to its understanding – Wisdom. Not man’s wisdom but spiritual wisdom is needed in discovering the symbolic meaning of the number of the beast. It also indicates that the number of man has a numerical meaning to his name. Also, notice he is a personal pronoun.

 

It was a common practice among the ancients to denote names with numerical values. Consequently, using this method of computation would imply that it was practicable to count the number of his name which would require an uncommon skill.

 

Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp believed by tradition to hold apostolic succession, claimed that this number would be unidentifiable until after the rapture of the Church. He concluded that only to believers during Tribulation when all peoples speak the same language, would it be comprehendible.

 

Here is what is known about the number:

1.  It is the number of man and not of God

2.  It is a worldly number, i.e., human and short of perfection

3.  It is an imperfect number whilst 777 is a perfect number

 

There has been no end to conjecture amongst Bible students and scholars reckoning the number of world leaders and personalities. Most notorious include:

1.  Nero Caesar

2.  Caligula

3.   Louis XV

4. Napoleon

5.  Hitler

6.  Mussolini

7.  Stalin

 

Anyhow, the beast will be a man claiming to be god and deceive many into believing he is god. The inhabitants will be forced to pledge their allegiance to him, his name, or his number. This coming world political and religious leader will stand completely opposed to God and everything He represents. Even though speculation seems convincing, no one will know exactly how this prophecy will come to its fulfillment until the time arrives.

 

The Christian Commission

The challenge to pre-raptured believers:

1.  Be watchful

1 Peter 4:7 - But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober (of sound mind), and watch unto prayer.

 

2.  Be godly

2 Peter 3:11 - Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.

 

3.  Be evangelistic

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

 

2 Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

 

Commentary on 666

(The Six Million Dollar Man)

The simplest explanation of 666 is the number of man falling short of the perfect number seven. Six in Scripture is usually noted as man’s number.

 

Below are some interesting, but not comprehensive, facts on the number 6:

1.  Man was created on the 6th day

2.  Revelation 13:18 designates 666 as the number of man

3.  The Bible has 66 books written for man

4.  Genesis Chapter 6 has the word man mentioned 6 times

5. 2 Chronicles 6 has the word man mentioned 6 times

6.  Galatians Chapter 6 has the word man mentioned 6 times

 

The Old Testament

In the Book of Leviticus:

1.  Man had to work for 6 consecutive days

2.  The fields had to be farmed for 6 years

3.   A slave was to be freed after 6 years

 

In the Book of Joshua:

1. Joshua is the 6^th book of the Old Testament

2.   Joshua is the first book named after a man

3. Joshua has 6 letters

4.  Man is found 6 times in Chapter 6

5.   Men are found 6 times in Chapter 6

 

In the Book of 1 Samuel:

1. Goliath was 6 cubits in height

2.  Goliath’s spear weighed 6 shekels

3.   Goliath wore 6 pieces of armor

 

In the Book of Daniel:

1. Nebuchadnezzar’s image was 60 cubits high

2.  Nebuchadnezzar’s image was 6 cubits wide

 

The New Testament

In the Gospel of John:

1.   John 6:66 presents a true picture of apostasy

 

In the Book of Romans:

1. Romans is the 6^th book of the New Testament

2.  Romans has 6 letters

3.   Romans has an emphasis on man

4. Man is the 6^th word in Romans 6:6

5. 6 times man is the 6^th word in a verse

 

In the Book of Revelation:

1.  The word beast in the book of Revelation occurs 36 times (6 X 6)

 

The aforementioned material is a compilation of unique occurrences of the numerical value of 6. Understand, even though it is through human ingenuity and cleverness these facts were discovered. However, in John’s day, other languages existed that contain alternative facts that astutely utilize the number six.

For example:

1.  Latin

2.  Greek

3.  Aramaic

4.  Hebrew

 

Closing Thought

In retrospect, fifty years ago the mark of the beast was only a dream, today it is a reality. The world is fast heading toward Tribulation. Anyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour and believes in His death, burial, and Resurrection, will never need to witness its horrifying judgments. The decision is yours. Heaven or Hell – There are no other alternatives. May God help us to heed His call and be ready for His Second Coming!

 

In the next study, known as the Assurance Chapter, Chapter 14 completes the parenthetical section and is also a preview of Chapter 19 – What is to Come. This section exclaims the victory of the Lamb. His 144,000 faithful followers will sing a new song giving glory to God, especially for the fall of Babylon the Great. 

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   What are inhabitants forced to do?

2.   What is the mark of the beast?

3.   What are three things necessary to buy and sell?

4.   What is the purpose of the mark of the beast?

5.   What is the ultimate purpose of the mark of the beast?

6.   Explain the meaning of 666?

7.   What are Christian responsibilities during the last days?

 

 

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