The Mark of the Beast, Part 1

As the culminating component of its coercive worship, the United States will force the entire world—excepting, of course, those who remain faithful to God (Revelation 13:8)—to receive a mysterious “mark.” In the original Greek, a “mark” is defined as “a badge of servitude.” So, fascinatingly, this “mark” is an indication of who you serve, or, in other words, worship.

Interestingly, the book of Revelation also describes a different mark, called “the seal of the living God” (7:2), which appears, similarly, on the forehead (v. 3). In speaking of God’s law, God’s people are commanded, “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes” (Deuteronomy 11:18).

Your forehead is “between your eyes”; it encloses your brain, or mind. Your hand represents your actions (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Moreover, the mind is equated with the heart (Hebrews 8:10). In conclusion, God desires for His law to be in our hearts. He wants us to obey His Word because we want to, of our own free will. When God’s law is in our hearts, then our hands will naturally follow; we will both believe and act upon that belief.

In contrast, the beast’s mark can be either in your mind or hand. The devil doesn’t care if you worship him voluntarily or not. If he can’t deceive you into obeying his will, he’ll compel you.

The Bible uses the words “seal,” “sign,” and “mark” interchangeably. Not only that, it actually specifies the “mark” of someone in service to God.

Look at what the Scriptures repeatedly record God as stating: “Hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you” (Ezekiel 20:20). (See also Exodus 31:16, 17; Ezekiel 20:12.) God’s “mark,” God’s “badge of servitude,” is the keeping of the Sabbath day.

Read Exodus 20:8–11 and Deuteronomy 5:12–15. The Sabbath command is embedded right in the center of God’s law. It is the fourth of the Ten Commandments, adjuring you to keep holy the seventh day of the week, that is, Friday sundown to Saturday sundown.

Creator and Recreator, transform me into Your image, that I may keep Your whole law with my whole heart.

For Further Study: Exodus 13:16; Deuteronomy 6:6–8; Proverbs 7:2, 3

Key Bible Texts

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: (Revelation 13:16 KJV)