The Other Beast - Pt. 3

 

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. (Revelation 13:11-18 ESV).

 

This “other beast” doesn’t make it any easier for those who are left behind. Here we find the first mention of the “mark of the beast” (vv. 16-18). This next verse doesn't get any lighter. Everyone, small and great, will be forced to take a mark, without which you cannot buy or sell. It seems that Satan again tries to imitate God who places His own mark upon His servants' foreheads (cf. Revelation 7:3-4). Note the word “forced”. The False Prophet will force everyone to take this mark. There is no choice, and no one will be able to escape the coming system. There have been many interpretations (really guesses) as to what this “mark” could be. Is it an RFID chip, a digital tattoo, a neurological link to a computer system or some new technology? We simply cannot say with certainty. What matters are the implications of the level of control that is coming. People that oppose this coming global leader, his system and do not take his mark will likely be outcasts and forced to flee to safety. Try to imagine a world where you are not allowed to buy and sell. Even in our day we see the stage being set for this global control. Many politicians, world leaders and financial experts are speaking of a coming great reset of the entire financial system as most countries wallow in unresolvable levels of debt. What they need to do this is just the right war or similar scale crisis.

 

I do want to be as clear as possible. Some believers are fearful thinking that the mark of the beast is here now and that they might accidentally take it without really knowing it. Let me mention three things. First, the mark of the beast first requires the beast to be present and he hasn't been revealed yet. So, no, it is not a vaccine or current microchip that some have implanted. The mark of the beast won't be in operation until the Beast is in full control in the second half of the Tribulation. Second, no one will ever take the mark of the beast “accidently”. We read in Revelation 14 that even an angel in heaven will be proclaiming the solemn consequences if someone takes the mark. Taking the mark is ultimately about declaring worship and allegiance to Satan over God and thus God makes it very clear on that day that the judgment of taking this mark is eternal (cf. Isaiah 42:8). Third, we should also remember that the Church of today are given promises that we will not see this time (Luke 21:36, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Revelation 3:10). Our hope and expectation is in the coming of the Lord Jesus for His bride. We look for Christ, not the Antichrist. But as we see the signs of Revelation 13 rising, we know even more that the days of Jesus' return are at hand!