In the Book of Revelation, every man must choose between loyalty to the Beast from the Sea or the sacrificial Lamb. Discussions on the “Mark of the Beast”
focus on the significance of its Number, ‘666.’ We wish to understand
it, and thereby avoid taking it. However, to appreciate the ramifications of
taking its “Mark,” we must understand that the Book of Revelation contrasts
the “Mark of the Beast” with the “Seal of God.”
Every man and woman must choose between two
irreconcilable alternatives, and either choice has everlasting consequences. Above
all, every would-be disciple of Christ must decide where and in whom to place his
or her loyalty.
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[Photo by Mark Fletcher-Brown on Unsplash] |
The demand of the “Beast” for absolute allegiance has characterized virtually every human government. Since Jesus is the absolute Lord of his followers, the conflict presented graphically in Revelation between Church and State becomes inevitable. The Book also describes the dire consequences faced by every man who gives his allegiance to the “Beast from the Sea,” the servant of the “Great Red Dragon” the ultimate incarnation of the World Empire.
The “Mark of the Beast”
is the satanic counterpart to the “Seal of God.” Everyone who takes the beastly “Mark”
pledges absolute allegiance to the “Beast.” In contrast, men who receive
the “Seal of God” follow the “Lamb wherever he goes.”
Humanity is divided into
two groups: Those whose “names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life,”
and those whose names are erased from it. Everyone falling into the latter category
will experience the “Second Death” in the “Lake
of Fire.” To whom one swears fealty determines his or her fate.
The Book of Revelation
was sent to churches in the Roman Empire where believers were under pressure to
conform to local religious practices, especially the imperial cult that paid divine
honors to the emperor.
The ancient world had no
concept of separation of Religion and State. Political ideology and religious practices
were intermingled. One’s religion was determined by place of origin and
ethnicity as much as by belief. The imperial government left local populations alone
to practice their native religions, but Rome expected all its subjects
to pay homage to Caesar on public occasions.
To venerate Caesar was a
religious act and political duty. It demonstrated allegiance to the
Roman Empire. Refusal to participate constituted disloyalty to the State. Christians
were taught to be law-abiding citizens, but their faith prevented them from acknowledging
anyone as “Lord” other than Jesus of Nazareth. Conflict and persecution
were inevitable - (Romans 13:1-7).
This is reflected in the
Greek verbs used for “worship” in Revelation - The verbs ‘latreuō’
and ‘proskuneō’. The former denotes the “rendering of divine service”
to a divine person or image. In the Greek scriptures, it is applied to priests
serving in the Tabernacle and Temple. It occurs twice in Revelation for priestly
service to God.
The second verb or ‘proskuneō’
occurs twenty-four times. It is a compound of the preposition ‘pros’
or “toward” and the verb ‘kuneō’ or “kiss.” The idea is “to kiss towards,”
to prostrate oneself. Derived meanings include “render homage,” “give
obeisance,” “revere,” and “venerate.” It described the deference and honor one paid
to a superior being or rank, human or divine. To “render homage” was to give
allegiance, whether to God, Jesus, or the “Beast” - (Revelation
7:15, 22:3).
THE DIVISION
Two groups are presented in
Chapter 13 of Revelation: The “Inhabitants of the Earth” and those
who “Tabernacle in Heaven.” Awed by the “Beast,” the first group “rendered
homage to the Beast.” Their names “were not written in the Book of Life
of the Lamb” - (Revelation 13:6-7, 12:12).
Those who “tabernacled
in Heaven” were the “saints,” the same group targeted for persecution
by the “Dragon” and “war” by the “Beast” – “Those who have
the faith of Jesus.” Their names were “written in the Book of Life” -
(“It was given to the Beast to make war with the saints” - Revelation 12:17,
13:7-10).
The “Mark of the Beast”
is the counterfeit of the “Seal of God” received by the “Servants of
our God.” Elsewhere, they are identified as the followers of the “Lamb.”
The “sealed” company is also represented as the “great innumerable
multitude from every nation” redeemed by Jesus - (Revelation
2:11, 7:1-3, 20:6).
The “Seal of God” identifies
those who belong to the “Lamb.” They endure but also are preserved through
the Great Tribulation. Their identification with Jesus exempts them from the “Second
Death” - (Revelation 2:11, 7:1-3, 7:9-17, 20:6).
In contrast, any man who “renders homage to the image of the Beast” is “branded” with its “Mark” and authorized by the Empire to participate in the economic life of society. Everyone who refuses the beastly “Mark” is ostracized and faces economic deprivation and possible martyrdom.
Men who belong to the “Lamb”
and “follow him wherever he goes” have “his name and his Father’s
name written on their foreheads.” They have been “purchased from the Earth
by the Lamb,” hence their names are written in his “Book of Life.” Everyone
who “renders homage to the image of the Beast” automatically takes its “Mark”
and his or her name is “blotted out of the Book of Life.”
If the “Seal of God”
is figurative, so is the “Mark of the Beast.” In this way, Revelation
divides humanity into two groups. An individual belongs to the “Lamb” or
the “Beast.” There is no third alternative or middle ground. To give
allegiance to the beastly World Empire is to take the “Mark of the
Beast.” Every man who does so will partake of the “Wrath of God”
- (Revelation 14:9-11).
This coming “wrath” is
not a series of plagues, but the full and everlasting “wrath” “prepared
unmixed” and poured out at the final judgment before the “Great White
Throne of Judgment” when the wicked are cast into the “Lake of Fire, the
Second Death” - (Revelation 20:11-15).
The “Saints” who “keep
the faithfulness of Jesus” overcome the “Beast” and find themselves “standing
on the glassy sea” before the Throne where they “sing the Song of the
Lamb.” They will participate in the “First Resurrection” and “live
and reign with Christ.”
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SEE ALSO:
- The True Emperor - (Messianic promises from the Psalms are applied to the present reign of Jesus who possesses all authority in Heaven and on Earth)
- Usurping God - (The submission of Jesus to an unjust death stands in stark contrast to the political systems and ideologies of this world)
- The Shining City - (Contrary to the claims of politicians and far too many church leaders, Jesus is the only light able to illuminate this dark world)
- Allégeance - (Dans le Livre de l'Apocalypse, chaque homme doit choisir entre la loyauté envers la Bête de la Mer ou l'Agneau sacrificiel)
In 381 A.D. the trinitarian religion became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Believe it or die. The "christian" church is still that trinitarian religion.
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