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Mark of the Beast

Part 1

The Mark

By Your servant, Dan Baxley

Email: dan@servantsofyahshua.com

www.servantsofyahshua.com

servant@yahshuaservant.com

www.yahshuaservants.com

 

 

UPDATE NOTE, 2014:  For years, now, Walid Shoebat has been pressing that the identity of the Mark of the Beast in Revelation 11 is a statement used in Islam as a declaration of loyalty to Allah.  You can't go to his site for more on this -- www.shoebat.com  -- There are other things to consider, from the Christian point of view.  It is my opinion that Walid Shoebat has hit on something that cannot be ignored, or at the least, its should not.  Walid Shoebat has been trying to get Christians and especially those in America to wake up since the late 90s and in my opinion is a true watchman sounding off the warning.  Now in At the end of this article I will present a small observation from my own notes that date back to 2004.  A little bit of a different take on the Mark of the Beast and this is not a contradiction to Walid's presentation but in addition to his. 

A Quick Look:

Revelation 13:16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Revelation 13:17 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.

Revelation 13:18 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.

Revelation 14:9 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,(a visible mark of some kind)

Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascended up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name. (Twenty four Seven and twenty four days, the work never stops, cities never shut down, business never close their doors, always at work)

Revelation 15:2 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.

 Revelation 16:2 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 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.

Revelation 20:4 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 YaHshua, 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.

A Longer Look with comments:

In the book of Revelation we read of a mark a mark that is somehow forced upon a willing public – this seems to be a contradiction – there is no rebellion by the public, it is acceptable though there is some measure of force in implementing (a law?) this infamous mark – there will be a minority of people refusing to go along. I say, willing pubic, because there does seem to be a point of “choice” in accepting this “mark” or in rejecting it. A particular power causes this to happen, and of those marked there is a choice as to its placement? Taking the social structure of the world into consideration it would seem no one is excluded, all are marked, save those unwilling that choose to accept something else.

Revelation 13:16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

It is not made plain what this mark is. Many have speculated that it is like some kind “bar code”, similar to what we see on products for sale (UPC -- Universal Product Code) and while this would make it possible for those in control to scan an individual it really isn’t much above having some form of ID card, having something printed or tattooed on your body. There is, however, a development of recent years that would be a better fit -- something nearly everyone would, or should, want. Forget the “bar codes”, how about a thin sliver of gold placed within the body, something so small it could be injected under the skin with no more bother than getting a flu shot?

This sliver of gold, not unlike that seen on many credit cards, much smaller, would contain your life history and could be updated as you move through your life. It was not that long ago a magnetic strip on a plastic card was developed and everyone has one. That technology has not stopped, many of these credit cards are showing up with a gold leaf imbedded and it contains even more information and all have a number, a number that is peculiar only to you. With this advanced technology it would be nothing to include a tracking system – your own built in GPS – this ability is showing up everywhere, your cell phone, for example, and your laptop.

A similar tracking device (personal GPS) has already been implanted in thousands of animals and many ranchers are beginning to use this technology to keep track of their livestock – branding is just a needle prick injecting a small GPS capsule. Even some pet owners have had their pets injected with a this tracking device, not much bigger than a pencil lead, not much over a quarter inch in length. A more advanced system would be used on humans, of course, but there is some already experimenting on themselves with this type of personal ID (PID). Remember, a small sliver of gold can be imprinted with your complete medical record and with the refinements in GPS technology it would truly not be out of the imagination to see a paper thin slice of gold thinner than a postage stamp with all of your personal information, credit cards, and medical cards, etc --  plus a GPS tracking code. What if this were to be something place on a child at birth?

Imagine, a missing child found in a matter of minutes. A kidnap victim located soon after going missing. Hijackers trying to get on a plane only to be denied access for lack of a Personal ID – being identified by a tracking device would virtually eliminate the imposters. There are literally dozens of wonderful ways such a system could be used to help stop pedophiles, to hunt serial killers, to locate missing persons, and get positive ID on suspicious people, not to mention getting a handle on illegal aliens, like terrorist traveling with impunity.

The World Needs this

This is a technology the world needs – I’m not kidding – I know what the Bible says about a “mark”, especially one backed by the Beast Government to come, but can’t you see the benefits in a world gone mad with human predators of every stripe? Can’t you see the total benefits for the population of this world in check-mating the abusers of humanity? Who is to say this would be the Beast Mark anyway, say, any more than the Social Security System (SSS ?) Of course no one sees that numbering system as the Beast Mark as it is not representative of a his name, well, neither would the system I have described

We see news reports nearly every week about someone missing, the most heinous is that of missing children taken by human demons know as pedophiles. And how many times must we hear of the missing wife or girlfriend? This world needs a system of this type, able to track loved ones and criminals alike.

Yes, it may be a precursor to the “mark” mentioned in the Bible, but on closer examination you will see that the “mark” of the Beast has to do with names and or a number of a name. This would mean the system of the Beast mark would be something closely tied to a particular individual’s personal identity. The system I’m speaking of would not lend itself to any particular individual -- not unlike you caring a batch of cards in you pocket, the driver’s license, credit cards, medical card – the only thing missing is a personal GPS, but then you have that, almost, in your cell phone, your car, or your laptop (Blackberry?).

What a boon to law enforcement and a true convenience for the individual knowing your loved ones are safe – only and absolute fool would snatch a child with a PID imbedded. Your imbedded PID (Personal Identification, GPS and card credit card) and those of your loved ones would give you the ability to track your spouse (joking), and your children (not joking). Imagine, you, as a parent, going to your computer and being able to locate your child wherever they might be, at the daycare, home or on a date. Certainly there can be a downside. Evil is always present among the human race, as I once heard, “Beasts with the faces of men”.

As an example of this benefit and at the same time abuse: The automobile is a blessing of immense proportions but is responsible for thousands of deaths and disabilities. While a privately owned gas powered vehicle is a blessing to millions, thousands upon thousands are injured, and millions in property damage occur every year, but we continue to use them as the blessing outweighs the curse. Many thousands of these vehicles are stolen each year and for this reason vehicles with GPS tracking built in is becoming more and more common. So goes the car, so go the human race? This is assuming the end days, when the Beast rules, all things stay as they are. I, of course, do not think this will be the case. The point is, the coming Mark is going to be something seen as beneficial and necessary, but what would bring about a system that could or would enforce this Marking on penalty of death? Today, I think this is unimaginable, a world government saying you are going to die if you don’t accept this Mark? Something has to happen, something, again, unimaginable to cause the world to cling to a world leader able to enforce such a law or system. This, I believe, is where the “great earthquake” of Revelation 6:12 comes into play, reducing the population of the world and changing the geo-political system in a shambles – desperate people seeking desperate measures to survive and revive a world economy.

The “mark” of Revelation gives us a hint as to its connection with the economy and as a matter of “choice” its necessity is narrowed everyone, “rich, poor, and free” become willing participants -- personal gain – personal survival?

Revelation 13:17 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. 

Two new elements are introduced in this verse, the name and the number. There seems to be three elements, total, having equal authority. It does not say that you must have all three but only one of the three – the mark – the name – the number of his name. The mark sounds like something else, not a name, and not a number -- with the name there is a number – no where does it say the “mark” is his name or his number, but we do see his name associated with a number.

Revelation 13:18) 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.

How is that possible? The “mark” is tied with the “Beast” but for those with the Beast’s name, apparently do not need the “mark”, and those with the “number of his name” do not have to have the “mark” either. Where does this put us? We might say those with the Beast’s name could be his children, spiritually or physically? Doesn’t seem likely as Daniel has identified the Beast (as some teach) as having nothing to do with women (Dan 11:37). So, we can see those with his “name” as spiritual children of the flesh, not actual offspring, much the same as anyone that would follow a man (or Beast) would be considered their spiritual Father – sound familiar? Remembering, also, Paul considered himself the “spiritual father” of those he had a hand in bringing to the Messiah (1 Tim 1:2). And in Paul’s case he did not deny having the right to have a wife as is the practice in some religions (1 Cor 9:5)

We have the possibility of the Beast being adored to the point of his followers taking on his identity and by this, his “name”. Next we have the number and it is a number connected with his name – again --

Revelation 13:18 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.

Look, it should be plain that the original “mark” does not have to be this number – the mark is mentioned first, apart from the Beast name, apart form the number of the Beast’s name. This number is but one of the three things setting those of the Beast’s children and of those that follow the Beast by somehow taking on his “number” but the original “mark”, first mentioned, is needed by everyone else in order to conduct business, or have some kind of employment. Are you beginning to see? You can be tied in economically without taking on his name, or the number of his name. The original “mark” is something the Beast causes to be, whatever it may be. Let’s recap for the sake of clarity:

The Mark

A definition from Webster’s concise Dictionary; a visible impression on a surface, as a scratch, a symbol used in writing or printing; a punctuation mark, a token or indication; sign, a lasting effect; imprint. 

I would seem from the definition of a “mark” it would not be something hidden, such as a tiny digital ID injected into your head or hand, but something quite visible. Okay, back to the “bar codes” a visible sign, an imprint – I’m personally not convinced about this tattoo business, but then again? One thing is certain it will be something that everyone wants in order to do business or hold a job – it will be a must have, and the Beast, whomever that might be, will be responsible for implementing the “marking system”. Maybe you won’t have to become a spiritual child of the Beast but you will have to have this mark or you will be pushed to the outside – excluded from social society, jobless, maybe even homeless.

I know, I know, there are those who see all three, mark, name, and number as the same, as the mark focusing on the number 666. This number takes the focus away from the other two “marks”, or signs. My position is simple, they are three distinct things, the name and the number being tied together in a numerical value, a value mentions as the total of 666. This famous number has some competition, however, in the number 616 a number that had been favored before the number 666.

That’s right 616 may be the magical number and not 666. It seems a third century fragment from one of the oldest New Testament papyrus ever found reveals the number to be 616 not 666. I personally knew of this number some thirty years ago so I knew it had been floating around but not taken seriously until just recently as new technology used in clarifying the text of the papyrus which some argued was not visible enough to be for certain. With the ability to clarify this ancient piece of text you would think this would have put the discussion to rest, but not so, as the Greek lettering came out in favor of the number 616. If you want to follow this up check out www.wikipedia.com/666 . Why this is seemingly ignored? Simple, a lot of books, theories, reputations and egos have been set on the foundation of this number 666.

Still, the number 666 seems to be the number of choice and the best choice, for on thing this is the number that carries magical essence with the Babylonian religions long before the Book of Revelation was written. Also, this is the number tied to ISIS, the goddess of Egypt. ISIS symbol is that of a snake and her number is 666. While 616, as a choice, may not be anything more than an error when the older MS was copied, but it should ground us and wake us up in our studies not to just accept something being taught and to make us check things out ourselves and most of all, not to chase after every teaching that comes along, proving all things, whether they be true or not. Our foundation is in YaHshua and He will show us, His brothers and sisters in His faith, what we need to know when we need to know it. So, don't be surprised if it turns out the Mark of the Beast is something we still have not seen, then again, it may be 666, but in the scripture, don't forget, it says it is 1. a mark (sign), 2. a name, or 3. a number (Rev 13:17). We are told, also, it is the number of a man (Rev 13:18) -- a number of a man, not of a god, not of an angel, but of a man? Now, watch this -- the name Nero, the name of a man, the name of a Roman Emperor, totals 616 -- makes on stop and think, right?

Name of the Beast

The Beast has a “name” and it must be an important “name” as some will be able to take this “name” as part of their being, their identity. This would not be unlike someone claiming to be a Christian, or a Mormon, or a follower of this or that “false messiah”. The implications of taking on this “name”, on being a follower of this Beast, may possibly be something similar to joining the SS of Nazi Germany back in the thirties and forties. So, religion aside, it may be that to take this “name” is more of a political nature than a spiritual. There is the possibility the name and the value of the name is already present in the world. If we stay with the number 666, as the value of a man’s name, a lot can be connected to the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope is Father to millions, even though the Scriptures tell is to call no man “father” (Mat 23:9), even the priests are called “father” in spite of YaHshua’s plain instruction not to do this. Then again, the Roman Catholics do not claim YaHshua as their Savior, but IeSuS (English Jesus). This is a simple, easy example of how millions upon millions can and do follow individuals in opposition to the very Bible they claim as the Word of God. It is actually more complicated than that, of course, for the religious leaders of the Roman Catholic Church do not really say the Holy Bible is the final WORD – to them the final word is based upon what the POPE says. Anyone tied into a cult of personalities is victim to this same kind of blindness and it is well attested to by those able to escape such spiritual bondage. So, what is in a name? Are you a follower or member of whom? You are a child of whom or who is your spiritual father, what is His name?

The Number 

The third method of going the wrong route is to take on the “number” of the Beast. We are told, in verse 18, that the number is a “number of a man” and this hints at the Beast being something other than a single person. A government could be and have been associated with animals or even adopting animal images as representative of their system. With the United States it is the Eagle and with Russia it is the Bear. The Beast has a number and that number is a “number of a man”, keep in mind, the man with this number is also called a Beast. Discover which Beast representing a government of man with the “name of a man” and has a sum total of 666 or 616 and you may have identified this coming power through whom Satan will work to destroy the true children of the Living God and ultimately all mankind.

I hope you see this “mark” is more than just a number and has three faces all three qualify as a human condition accepted as part of the end-time society infecting the whole world. Any that take or participate in just one of these three will face the Wrath of the Living God. Serious business indeed and I hope and pray we are able to avoid this trap. This trap will look like something we should all want, something the World needs, a true benefit, like the tracking chip, but I don’t think a tracking chip or gold ID card hidden under the skin is literally the “mark”, as, remember, a mark is something visible, not hidden. I pray we will be able to identify this “marking” system, and the Beast government, and the “name” of the man, the Beast, the False Prophet to cause the worship of the false all connected to the “number”. Names and numbers are only a part, the mark is another. There is a battle of names going on this day, not unlike in the days of Elijah (Eli-YaH) when he fought against the preachers of the Baals.

Name Combat

Remember the account? EliYaH (Elijah = my God is YH) and the contest against the false Baal gods supported by over 400 ministers of Asherah, and 50 ministers of Baal all against EliYaH who alone stood against these false preachers. Read the account of how EliYaH was called a “troubler of Isreal” (trouble maker) by the King Ahab and to settle things Ahab agreed to a contest at Mount Carmel. EliYaH against all the preachers and teachers of Baal (singularly - son of Bel, collectively the Lords), standing alone but as the eventual victor he became the source of death for the false ministers that show up for the battle of the gods. This was all about the ID of the one true God, “If it be Baal, or Asherah, or YHWH”. Read of the bloody conclusion as the losers paid with their lives that day in 1 Kings 18:16:40. This was a battle over “names” and the possessor of the name YHWH proved His ID as the God of all Creation on that day. In the end as our Heavenly Father’s plan unfolds it will once again be a battle of “names”. YaHshua, or Jesus, God or YHWH – make no mistake, there is a difference, there was in EliYah’s day and there is now.

Revelation 14:9 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, (a visible mark of some kind)

Revelation 14:11 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. (Twenty four Seven and twenty four days, the work never stops, cities never shut down, business never close their doors, always at work)

Revelation 15:2 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. 

Revelation 16:2 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 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.

Revelation 20:4 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 YaHshua, 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.

It seems appropriate to end here. The verses quoted above say it all, “…and them that had gotten victory over the Beast and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name…” The time will not be pleasant for the saints but with “victory” they will gain a great reward, ruling with the Messiah the thousand years and will have obtained eternal life. You should want to Identify with the Name of the Creator and to avoid becoming identified by the name of the Beast, his mark, or his number and or the worship of his image.

I pray this writing will be of benefit to any that read it. Peace to you and yours from your servant in YaHshua, HalleluYaH.

Update FROM 2004 notes:  

 

1. The three symbols for the Mark of the Beast, the X, $, S.  Each of these symbols has a numerical value in Greek lettering.  The X = 600, the $ = 60 and the S = 6 with a total of 666. 

2. The X, as a letter, is pronounced like "Z" in the Greek and in the French and some other languages as well.  Pronounce X$S -- the $ is a symbol used to represent that actual symbol that appears like a capital E.  Treat these symbols as letters and they are pronounced as ZES, or Zeus. 

 

So, we cannot discount the Christian view.  One could postulate that some Christian scribe put these number, or symbols together to support their own vision, but then we have the Arabic view and it is from this combined view with Greek/Christian that we can see this is, perhaps, not the work of man at all, but divine guidance, after all. From both views and interpretations, one focusing on a number and the other on a "saying", or declaration connected to a particular name, the outcome is the same -- the number of a man, a name and the number of his name.  Everyone is looking at it from a different angle and the result is the same, combined the meaning becomes more elaborate and to the point.  

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