Mark of the Beast (666)

God reveals the beast to us, through His Holy Word, the Bible. In the Word, God describes an unholy trinity, one that may already be in the making at this point in history. But, the beast will not rise to power until the latter days, known in general, as the Tribulation, the last seven years of human history as we know it.

This unholy trinity is that of Satan, Antichrist, and the False Prophet. In the scriptures, God reveals Antichrist as the Beast, who derives his power from Satan, the Dragon. Together, they will use the False Prophet, the Second Beast, to help them accomplish their evil works on planet earth. The Bible also tells us that in the end of days, the Antichrist will rule over the entire human race with an ecumenical and apostate global religion, in addition to ruling the planet through a global government, and economy. No person living at that time, will be able to escape his evil rule. Revelation 13:1-18.

In the Book of Revelation, God purposefully divides the last seven years of human history into two equal parts. The first half is called The Tribulation. However, God named the second half-- The Great Tribulation. In His naming of this period of time, He reminds us that the second half of the seven year tribulation will be much worse than the first. Revelation 11:2-3, 12:6,7,14; 13:5.

The created Satan has always wanted to exalt himself above his creator, the true God of the Bible. During the Great Tribulation, God tells us that He will allow Satan, through his indwelling of Antichrist, to wreak as much havoc and destruction on this earth as possible. The Bible clearly states that Antichrist will derive his power from the Dragon - Satan himself.

In fact, following Satan's banishment from Heaven (Revelation 12:9), we learn that Satan will indwell Antichrist at the mid-tribulation point. When he does so, we learn that he will make this man of lawlessness - Antichrist, the literal embodiment of Satan himself. It is Satan who will provide Antichrist with the power and authority to rule over the entire world, in every aspect of its functioning.

"And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindred"s, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Revelation 13:2-8

The False Prophet, the other beast, or the second beast, will be the one to lead the world to serve and worship Antichrist. The False Prophet will be instrumental in arranging for people to take the mark of the beast.

"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 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: 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. 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." Revelation 13:11-18

God Reveals his Mark

According to the above scriptures, the Mark of the Beast is the number 666. Or perhaps, it is the numbers 600, 60, and 6, or some similar variation. Regardless of how it eventuates, it will literally, and voluntarily, be received on the right hand or forehead of the non-believer.

The meaning of the mark has always been a much talked about mystery. There are endless opinions and theories about the number, how it relates to the beast, and how the masses will accept this mark of eternal damnation. Some believe the Mark of the Beast is a computer chip implanted into ones right hand or forehead, while others believe it represents "this or that" government program (e.g., National ID cards, Social Security numbers, and so on).

However, the scriptures clearly state that the number identifies a person, it is the number of a man, and when one takes his mark, he will knowingly and willingly be accepting Satan as his lord. The one true God of Heaven has warned us in advance about this, through his prophetic word. Revelation 13:18

Who will take the mark?

We must understand the circumstances during which the Mark of the Beast program will be implemented during this horrific time in history, in order to understand why anyone would voluntarily accept it. Prior to its implementation, first will come the imminent event known as the rapture. This is when Jesus will come in the air, call for His followers to meet Him there, and then take them to Heaven in a twinkling of an eye. When more than two billion people from this planet simply disappear, one can only imagine the global chaos that will result.

Sometime following the rapture, those left behind will enter into Daniel's seventieth week, known as the Tribulation. Imagine the state of things after the rapture, followed by the first few years of the Tribulation, when cataclysmic events have occurred. The earth and its inhabitants will be in a state of complete confusion, devastation, and famine. If one is left behind in the rapture, and happens to survive into the Tribulation period, he most likely will find himself starving and homeless. Those people will be desperate for a strong leader, someone to restore peace and order. They will be eager to receive the false savior-Antichrist.

It is at this time that the handsome, smooth talking, charismatic politician, known as Antichrist, will rise to power. He will come bearing promises of peace and prosperity. People will be compelled to take the Mark of the Beast by his deceitful charm, but also by his side-kick, the False Prophet, who will deceive them with miraculous signs and wonders. However, it is apparent, that they will not receive the mark without their complete and willing consent. According to Revelation 14:11 and 20:4, there appears to be an oath of acceptance, directly connected to taking the mark, to worship the beast as ones god. They will also by compelled by the penalty of rejecting the beast's mark and religion - death by beheading.

"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." Revelation 14:11.

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." Revelation 20:4.

>Further, if one refuses the mark, as described in Revelation 13:16-17, he will no longer be able to conduct matters of commerce, leading to starvation and homelessness. This is his fate so long as he is able to dodge the beast's guillotine.

Revelation 13:16-17.

Again, the mark will not be forced upon anyone. It will be eagerly accepted by most, who will be deceived by the signs and wonders performed by the False Prophet. They will be deceived into believing Antichrist really is god on earth, deserves their worship and adoration, and will gladly bear his mark. For the few who are not deceived, they still will be compelled to accept the mark, to relieve their hunger, and escape the beheading.

"And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." Revelation 13:13-15.

There will be mass, worldwide deception, with God sending "strong delusion" to all who willingly believe the beast's lies. The deception will be so widespread, that the beast and the False Prophet will even deceive all of mankind into fighting Christ at His second coming.

"Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12. "

"These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." Revelation 17:13-14.

However, before any of this happens, our merciful God will send a clear message, warning to those who will listen. Revelation 14:6-11 describes three angels bearing three messages. These messages announce the fall of Babylon through the seven last plagues. The third angel warns against receiving the mark of the beast.

"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." Revelation 14:9-11.

Unfortunately, many prophecies show that most "all who belong to the false global religious-economical-political system "will not heed the angel's clear warning, and instead will be deceived into receiving the mark. "Most of those who come to faith in Jesus Christ after the Rapture, the Tribulation Saints, will be martyred for their new found faith."

What are the consequences of taking the mark?

God's word is graphically clear about the consequences of taking this mark. He tells us that the person taking the mark will suffer the wrath of His judgment, while on earth, but also will have committed his soul to eternal damnation in the Lake of Fire, the final destiny for Antichrist and the False Prophet. That may seem a harsh punishment, but remember, receiving the Mark of the Beast is not simply an economic decision, allowing one to feed his family, but also is an act of worship of the Satan-possessed Antichrist, and a pledge of allegiance to his satanic global regime. God's word also tells us of the glorious fate of the Tribulation Saints who persevere.

"And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. Revelation 15:1-2, 6; 16:1-2.

The Only Escape

"There is only one way out of the system of total control that will be implemented with the Mark of the Beast, and that is through faith in Jesus Christ, who accomplished and perfected salvation on Calvary's cross when He poured out His blood for the payment of sin. Acceptance of this free gift of salvation enables us to hear the words with our spiritual ears:"[1]

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that over"cometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." Revelation 2:17.


[1] Preparing for the Mark of the Beast, by Arno Froese. Copyright 2006 by Midnight Call Ministries