Disciples Digital Library

The number of the beast, 666, is based on the dimensions of the great image erected by Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon .  The “ Beast from the earth ,” the “ False Prophet ,” uses economic coercion and religious deception to induce men and women to “ render homage to the beast ,” and to erect an image to honor it. All who give allegiance to the “ Beast ” take its “ mark ” and “ number .” In the book of  Revelation , this description uses language and imagery from the third chapter of  Daniel .

In Revelation, humanity is divided into two and only two groups – followers of the Lamb and subjects of the Beast .  Every man and woman either “ tabernacles in heaven ” or is included among the “ inhabitants of the earth .” These descriptions are  NOT  geographical or spatial. Instead, they reflect the  ALLEGIANCE OF EITHER GROUP .

Having “overcome” the Beast and its “mark,” the saints stand on the Sea of Glass and sing the song of the Lamb – Revelation 15:1-4.  The fifteenth chapter introduces the seven angels who were poised to pour out the contents of the “ seven bowls of wrath .” Before they did so, John saw the “ overcoming ” saints standing on the “ sea of glass mingled with fire ,” where they “ sang the song of Moses and of the Lamb .” They had successfully overcome the “ beast and its number .”

All men who refuse to follow the Lamb will render homage to the Beast and take its mark  – Revelation 13:16-18.  The “ False Prophet ” uses the power of the first “ Beast ” against anyone who refuses to give full allegiance to it. Its “ mark ” is an economic tool. Commerce is the lifeblood of the  World Empire , and leveling sanctions against nations and peoples is its enforcement mechanism. Economic restrictions mean deprivation and suffering for their victims.

In chapter 13, John sees a “ Beast ascending from the Earth ,” the “ False Prophet .” His intent is to deceive the “ inhabitants of the earth .” The first “ Beast ” that John saw “ ascending from the sea ” is characterized by its political power. In contrast, the “ False Prophet ” uses religion and propaganda to deceive, and economic control to suppress anyone who does not submit to the beastly agenda.

SYNOPSIS: Humanity is divided into two groups – men who have the mark of the Beast, and those who bear the name of the Lamb’s Father – Revelation 13:16-14:5.  The “ mark of the Beast ” is the Dragon’s counterfeit of the “ seal of God ” that is placed on the foreheads of the followers of the Lamb. The “ inhabitants of the earth ” that take this mark are contrasted with the saints who stand on “ Zion ” with the Lamb and have his Father’s “ name written on their foreheads ” ( Revelation 7:1-3, 14:1-4, 19:2-5, 22:3-6 ).

The Beast from the earth mimics the Lamb. It is the mouthpiece of the Dragon and the propagandist of the Beast from the sea .  In chapter 13, the “ great voice in heaven ” pronounced “ woe ” on the “ inhabitants of the earth and sea because the Devil has descended to you, having great wrath .” He then launched his war against the “ seed of the woman ” by summoning his own “ seed ,” namely, the “ Beast from the sea ,” and now, the “ Beast from the earth. ”

The King invested great effort to make his dream into reality. First, he “set up” an enormous image covered in gold to represent his majesty and the irresistible power of the Empire. Then, he commanded all the “peoples and nations and tongues” of his realm to pay homage to his image or face a horrific and certain death in the “burning fiery furnace.”

The inhabitants of the earth willingly venerate the Beast and receive its mark, although Christians are not immune from its allure .  Discussions on the Beast's “ mark ” focus on questions about what it is - medical implant, barcode, tattoo – and the significance of its “ number. ”  As important as these issues are, more critical is the question -  How is the mark implemented, and how does the believer avoid taking it ?