THE MARK OF THE BEAST

PROCLAMATION

“The dragon stood on the shore of the sea.  And I saw a beast coming out of the sea.  It had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on its horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.” … “Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth.  It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon.” …  “It also forced all people … to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads …”  Revelation 13:1-18 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of prophecy which were revealed to, and written by, the Apostle John, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  In this eleventh chapter of Revelation, while he was still in the spirit (Revelation 4:2), John was shown a vision. (Revelation 5:1, 6:1-17, 7:1, 8:1-2, 9:1, 10:1, and 12:1-3)  After the dragon had harassed the woman, he stood on the shore of the sea.  Then John saw a seven-headed beast with ten horns coming out of the sea. (Revelation 13:1-2)  The beast could speak and it uttered blasphemies against God.  It slandered the name of God, His dwelling place, and all those who live in heaven. (Revelation 13:5-6)  The beast was given the power to wage war against God’s holy people.  All of the people whose name was not written in The Lamb’s book of life worshipped the beast. (Revelation 13:7-8)  Then John saw a second beast, this one coming out of the earth.  It made people worship the first beast.  It had the power to perform signs and it deceived the people. (Revelation 13:11-15)  It forced the people to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead in order to buy or sell goods. (Revelation 13:16-18)  The number of the beast is 666.

 

APPLICATION

A lot has been said about the advances in technology with microchips containing information turning up in some unusual places.  Credit cards with microchips are used almost everywhere.  Some businesses now require credit card transactions exclusively.  Not only are microchips  being placed in pets, some employers require their employees to have microchips placed under their skin rather than using time-cards and identification badges.  It sounds like the world is being preconditioned to receiving the mark of the beast in order to transact business.  People used to brand cattle, horses, and other animals to denote ownership.  This mark of the beast, or the microchip, could also denote ownership.  Those whose name is written in The Lamb’s book of life will not worship the dragon or the beast, and we will not wear his mark or microchip.