THE MARK OF THE BEAST                

 

      Recently I have had discussions with people who seem very concerned about the mark of the beast mentioned in Rev.13:16 Some have great volumes of information and literature on the subject. Most of this comes from the secular world. Since the happenings of September eleven there is even deeper concern and almost anxiety over just what this mark might be. The people that I spoke to believe it to be a literal mark that one is forced or tricked into receiving on their hand or head. Some think it could be a version of the bar code that we see on just about everything we purchase that will be implanted on the hand.

      Some have made a deep study into the number 666 mentioned. in Rev.13:16-18 They have amassed many names that this number could apply to. Some of these have an aversion to having a stamp of any kind put on their hand. I live in a town that attracts many tourists during the summer months. There are attractions that cover fairly large areas. When one pays the admission charge they will stamp the back of your hand so that if you leave for a soft drink or something to eat you can return without having to pay again. Some that I know will not attend such places because they refuse to have a mark put on their hand. This has been done for many years at dances, flea markets etc. This aversion to being marked on the hand comes from undo concern

about receiving the mark of the beast unaware. This cannot happen.

      Don't misunderstand me, the study of any part of scripture is not wrong. We are told to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of Yahweh. Deut.8:3  Matt.4:4 Yahweh's word is contained in the holy scriptures and thus we should study to learn all of His word. However, like anything else in the study of scripture or even life itself there must be a balance. Knowing and understanding prophesy is very important but not so important as to set everything else aside. If we are not studying to learn how we must live and interact today with those around us we are wasting valuable time.

      Let me give an example of what I mean. One person who has lived this way of life in Yahshua for some years can provide you with scores of articles and dissertations about the mark of the beast. However he is still asking questions that one very new to the faith would ask about spiritual matters. This tells me that he does not have an accurate idea how one must live in this way of life. His time is being taken up by deep, long studies into the mark of the beast. We must be careful not to be so distracted by one thing in scripture so as to exclude the deep things of the Spirit that will teach us the way to Yahweh's kingdom.

      If one is living in obedience to Yahweh and living the way of life that He has commanded you need not be concerned about the mark of the beast because you will never receive it. I would like to take that statement and expand on it as it is crucial to understand this subject and to come to a proper balance in our lives as this age waxes evil.

      First of all we are told; Philippians 4:6  Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to Elohim. (emphasis mine) We are also given very good advice in; James 1:5  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask Elohim, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him. Where does this wisdom begin? Psalms 111:10  The reverence of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever! In these three scriptures we have the premise from which we will do this study. We are told to have no anxiety, ask for wisdom and we are informed how to get this wisdom.

      When we wish the wisdom of Yahweh and the revelation of His deep things, how does it come to us? 1 Cor.2:9  But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what Elohim has prepared for those who love him," 10  Elohim has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of Elohim. 11  For what person knows a man’s thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of Elohim except the Spirit of Elohim.12  Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from Elohim, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by Elohim. John 16:13  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

      When we wish wisdom and truth we must turn to the true source of these things, Yahweh. When we were immersed into the name of Yahshua we received the Holy Spirit which is the very mind of Messiah. 1 Corinthians 2:16  "For who has known the mind of Yahweh so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Messiah”. It is not only the mind of Yahshua that we have,

Romans 8:11 “ If the Spirit of him who raised Yahshua from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Our Master Yahshua from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you.” Do you fully grasp what these scriptures are telling us? We need go no where else to learn the deep things of Yahweh that are necessary  for salvation but to His Holy word the bible which is His mind revealed to us.

       With these things in mind and with prayer let us go before the sustainer of the universe and see what His word will reveal to us. The term, on the forehead and on the hand occurs many times in the scriptures. Lets investigate some of them. Deut.6:6  And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; 7  and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8  And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. (Forehead) Deuteronomy 11:18  "You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.  Exodus 13:16  It shall be as a mark on your hand or frontlets between your eyes; for by a strong hand Yahweh brought us out of Egypt." Exodus 13:9  And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of Yahweh may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand Yahweh has brought you out of Egypt.

       What is Yahweh telling the Israelites in these scriptures? He was not telling them to literally write them on their foreheads and hands.  He is telling them to remember and do. You remember with your mind (frontlets between your eyes) and you do with your hand.( a mark upon your hand.) Keep this concept in mind as it is important for later in this study.

       There are other things that Yahweh tells us are signs and marks. Psalms 37:37  Mark the blameless man, and behold the upright, for there is posterity for the man of peace.

Ezekiel 9:4  And Yahweh said to him, "Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it." Ezekiel 9:6  slay old men outright, young men and maidens, little children and women, but touch no one upon whom is the mark. And begin at my sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were before the house.

      Is this a literal, physical mark that was to be put on these people? We will see later in this study that it is nothing physical. Let us continue on further and see some signs spoken of by Yahweh. Ex.31:15  Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Yahweh; whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death.16  Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the sabbath, observing the sabbath throughout their generations, as a perpetual covenant.17  It is a sign for ever between me and the people of Israel that in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.’"

Ezekiel 20:12  Moreover I gave them my Sabbaths, as a sign between me and them, that they might know that I Yahweh sanctify them. This is not a literal sign or mark. No one can tell just by looking at you whether you keep the Sabbath holy or not.

      Notice that all of these things in the above scriptures have to do with worship and obedience to Yahweh. We are marked or stamped with a seal that only He knows about. None of this is outward, it is inward.

      Lets move forward now to the new testament and discover another mark or seal that Yahweh puts on us that is not outwardly visible. Rev.7:2  Then I saw another angel ascend from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living Elohim, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, 3  saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our Elohim upon their foreheads." Revelation 9:4  They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green growth or any tree, but only those of mankind who have not the seal of Elohim upon their foreheads; These are not marks that can be seen with the eyes. The seal or mark of Yahweh is, 2 Corinthians 1:22  he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. Ephesians 1:13  In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Ephesians 4:30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of Elohim, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. The word seal and sealed in the above scriptures can also be translated; identifying mark, mark of authenticity.

      As we saw at the beginning of this study, we receive this mark or seal through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit upon repentance and baptism. Can the mark of the beast and the mark of Yahweh be on a person simultaneously? The answer of course is no. The Holy Spirit is Yahweh's

seal or mark. It remains on us as long as we are faithful to our calling. There is only one way to lose this mark or seal. Heb.6:4  For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5  and have tasted the goodness of the word of Elohim and the powers of the age to come, 6  if they then commit apostasy, since they crucify the Son of Elohim on their own account and hold him up to contempt. Heb.10:26  For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27  but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries.

      Just how could one show contempt for our loving Elohim and lose this seal that He has set upon us? Yahweh has told us how to avoid this. Ex.20: 1 “And Elohim spoke all these words, saying, 2  "I am Yahweh your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3  "You shall have no other Elohim before me. 4  "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5  you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I Yahweh your Elohim am a jealous Elohim, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6  but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Yahweh tells us that He will not accept worship from anyone who places other things above Him. We are told not to worship in the way the people of this world do. Deut.12:29  "When Yahweh your Elohim cuts off before you the nations whom you go in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land,

30  take heed that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do likewise.’ 31  You shall not do so to Yahweh your Elohim; for every abominable thing which Yahweh hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods. 32  "Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to it or take from it.

      Yahweh does not take worship of false Elohim lightly. Exodus 34:14  (for you shall worship no other Elohim, for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous Elohim),

Deuteronomy 8:19  And if you forget Yahweh your Elohim and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you this day that you shall surely perish.

       From all of the above we can conclude that false worship, which is breaking the first and second commandment will separate us from Yahweh. 1 John 3:4, Is.59:2 Anything that we place

more importance in than Yahweh is idolatry. This even includes our very life. Let us fully understand that the seal or mark of Yahweh is put upon obedient, faithful people that He has called to follow His laws, statutes, and commands, through the Holy Spirit. This is not a physical,

tangible thing. It is within us. As long as we are obedient and faithful Yahweh's mark will remain on us.

       With this established lets take a close look at the scriptures surrounding the mark of the beast in Rev.13 There is a point that is very seldom ever brought out concerning this chapter. Let us begin our examination in verse 1 and 2. Notice that the beast from the sea was given the power of the dragon. The dragon is identified in Rev.12:9 as satan the devil. So this beast from the sea has all the power of satan at his disposal. In my discussions with people, a point that is never mentioned is that satan is behind all of the happenings in this chapter. What is the whole purpose of satan and what does he spend all of his energy on? Think about this as we move on.

       In verses 4,5,and 6 the beast is uttering blasphemous things about Elohim, His name and His Tabernacle and the Heavenly beings. He is speaking evil things against all of these things. Since Yahweh, Yahshua, the tabernacle in Heaven and the Heavenly beings are all holy and there is no evil present in them, what would blasphemy against these beings and things consist of? Lies! Could such a lie be that Yahshua came to do away with His Fathers law? Could one be that Yahweh and Yahshua's names are really not important? Could one be that one only need believe in the false name j-sus to be saved? Are any of these lies, blasphemy present in our world today?

If there are, is the dragon, satan behind it? What is his purpose? Could it be to draw people away from Yahweh and accept his unholy doctrines? The answers to these questions will be obvious soon.

       Note verse 7. This beast with the dragons power is given the authority to make war on the saints and to overcome them and he was given power over peoples of every nation. Lets understand how this could happen other than physical attack. The book of revelation is full of symbolism and physical things describing spiritual happenings. On example is Rev.12:15-16

Are we to take this to mean a real physical flood of water which the dragon is using to drown the woman and the earth jumps in to prevent it? The answer, of course, is no. This scripture is an analogy. Yahshua used analogies or parables in His teaching. With this in mind, let us look at verse 7 from a different angle.

       First, note that it is the saints, those who are true followers of Yahweh who are attacked and conquered. Keep in mind the satan wants to draw the people, especially the saints away from Yahweh. Many, over the centuries have happily given up their lives to remain faithful to Yahweh. Stephen is one example that all are familiar with. He was attacked and killed but he was not conquered. He was the conqueror. He was the victor and now awaits his crown of eternal life.

      Physical attack will not conquer one who is truly faithful to Yahweh and Yahshua. Yahshua warned about something that could cause one to be conquered and drawn away from Yahweh and cause one to lose His seal or mark. Matt.24: 24. “ For false Messiahs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25  Lo, I have told you beforehand.” This is how one would conquer a true believer, by deception draw them away from Yahweh. Notice these deceivers will perform great signs and wonders. This is parallel with Rev.13: 13-14. This second beast does great signs and wonders that deceive the people of this world and if possible even the elect. Does Yahweh give advice about how to recognize and prevent such a deception? Yes He does. He will never leave His people in the dark. Amos 3:7,  Matt.24:25

       Deut.13:1  "If a prophet arises among you, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2  and the sign or wonder which he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’

3  you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or to that dreamer of dreams; for Yahweh  your Elohim is testing you, to know whether you love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul. 4  You shall walk after Yahweh your Elohim and fear him, and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and cleave to him.

       If we believe Yahweh and take His instruction we will have no problem recognizing deceit

when it comes. Note Rev.13:13-14 again and compare with what Yahweh told us centuries ago.

Should these two beasts with all of the power of satan be able to deceive us? Should they be able to attack and conquer us spiritually? We have been told ahead of time what to watch for. The only way to attack and conquer one of the elect saints is to draw them away from Yahweh. If we are living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of Yahweh, Deut.8:3 satan cannot deceive us and draw us away from Him. To live by every word of Yahweh we must know every word of Yahweh. This is why we are told; 2 Timothy 2:15 “ Study to shew thyself approved unto Elohim, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” If we have a proper balance in our studies we will have the tools necessary to battle satan.

      Let us now examine a little closer this “ mark” spoken about in Rev.13:15-18. Examine the scriptures surrounding this mark being foisted on mankind. Great signs and wonders performed by the beast. An image being made and worship of it commanded. Those refusing to worship this image being killed. From the time of Yahshua until our present day has anything like this ever occurred? Has any great religious power ever had images that they commanded people to accept and worship? Has any powerful religion comprised of Church and State ever forced a false worship on the masses? Were many people put to death for not obeying? Read about the Inquisition and the medieval Crusades. Thousands were tortured and put to death for not accepting the religion of the Holy Roman Empire.

      Those who would not accept were in hiding and had no access to the markets and therefore could not come into the public to buy food etc. They could not buy and sell unless they agreed to the terms of this religious empire. What did this empire demand? False worship.

      It did not take a physical mark on their forehead or hand to identify them. Their way of life identified them as what they were. It did not take a physical mark on the forehead or hand to identify those that accepted this apostate way of life. It was entirely evident by their actions.

     Both could be recognized by what they believed, ( the fronlets between their eyes, Deut.6:8 the mark on their foreheads, Rev.13:16) and what they did, ( the sign upon their hand, Deut. 6:8

and the mark on their right hand, Rev.13:16) Before we continue I would like you to notice a scripture that immediately follows this 13th chapter in Revelation 14:1. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. We can understand that this is a spiritual writing and not a literal. Reviewing the preceding scriptures concerning the sealing and marking of Yahweh's

true followers by the Holy Spirit within us we can easily understand what this scripture means. Those with Yahweh know and revere the sacred name of our supreme ruler. It is implanted in them through His Spirit.

       Since satan has counterfeited everything that Yahweh has done it would be no surprise that he would counterfeit this sealing and marking as well, foisting his false religion on the masses by great signs and wonders that impress and deceive the observers into following him. This would effectively draw people away from Yahweh and cause them to receive his spirit as frontlets between their eyes and a sign upon their hand. This would also cause the removal of Yahweh's  mark or seal from true believers who were deceived into accepting this alternative. Remember Yahshua warned us that this could happen if we were not watchful. Luke 21:36  Matt.24:24-25

       Let us at this point investigate the possibility of some physical mark being forced on mankind. In this age that we have just entered because of the terrible events of September 11th this becomes a very possible scenario, but will it be the mark of the beast spoken of in Rev.13?

Canada is talking about an international system of identification. This would be in the form of a card with all the information about an individual implanted in a magnetic strip on the card. Each individual would be in possession of their own card. Other countries are considering the same thing. This would be very expensive. Suppose that it would be more economically feasible to have an implant under the skin that had all of the same information on it and could be scanned by the police and other officials when required by a device that they had. This has been suggested.

      Lets go a little farther and suppose that this system was developed and accepted by the governments of the world so that there could be a universal identification system. Some that I have spoken too would see this as the mark of the beast. But is it really? Further investigation will reveal that it would be not much different than a system of identification that we have in place now only on a larger scale.

      As I was returning to Canada from the United States recently I was asked for identification at the border as were all in the van. I gave my drivers licence. In a matter of seconds the official knew whether I had a bad drivers record, whether I had a criminal record, exactly where I live and many other things about me. This was available through the number on my drivers licence. He also quickly had the same information about everyone in the van including the children because of their health cards and the numbers on them and the computer at his disposal. We have many such cards in our possession that enable officials to know a great deal about us.

      A card or an implant that would identify the person in question could also be used to track exactly where that individual is at any given time if it were set up to do so. Global tracking doesn't require an implant. They could do the same with any card one is holding, but perhaps an implant would be more economical. Does this sound like science fiction? It isn't!! I recently had an introduction to and how accurate global tracking is. A new car I was working on had global tracking installed from the factory. I was changing the windshield. Seconds after I began working on this car the police showed up with sirens blaring and lights flashing. They were responding to a signal from a satellite in space that told them that this car was being tampered with. When it was discovered what I was doing there was a big laugh by all. The owner should have turned off this device (which only he could do) before delivering the car for service. This response happened in seconds. Global tracking of anything on this earth is no longer science fiction.

      Now, suppose this universal form of identification and tracking of people became a reality,

would it be the mark of the beast? Many will believe it is. Is your drivers licence, your birth certificate, your social security card etc., marks of the beast or are they convenient forms of retrieving information about you and no more? Everyone knows the answer to the last question because all have these kind of things in their possession. If all of these things could be incorporated into one system and be implemented in an economically feasible way how could this draw one away from Yahweh? Could it in any way restrict the working of the Holy Spirit within us? Remember, this is the whole purpose of satan, the dragon, to draw Yahweh's true followers away from him.

      Could satan use this universal form of identification to his advantage even if it never becomes a reality? Could he use the literal number 666 that appears on many things today to his advantage? He most assuredly could and does, by making them a distraction that draws people away from the study of the deep things of the Spirit of Yahweh. Understand fully that the dragon and the beasts that he empowers are concerned about causing people to worship something other than Yahweh the true Elohim. The second beast forced those of the earth to worship the first beast. He deceives people by great signs and wonders and causes them to make an image of the first beast. He empowers the image to speak and any who would not worship the image was put to death. This entire chapter is talking about false worship and idolatry which is breaking the first two commandments. It is also causing people to accept another name other than Yahweh.

      There is something very interesting about the word translated “MARK” #5480 in Rev.13:16

It can also be translated; graven image, or statue. It is so translated in Acts 17:29 “ Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of Elohim, we ought not to think that Elohim is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven <5480> by art and man’s device.”  The only places that this word;

charagma # 5480, is used is when referring to the “mark” of the beast in Rev. and in Acts 17

when referring to statues or images made by man to represent Elohim. In Rev.13:16 the word “receive” #1325 can also be translated “accept”. In verse 17 we are told that one will not be able to buy or sell unless they receive the beast's mark or his name or his number. The word “name” in this verse can also be translated “authority”. Lets examine these two scriptures again to see what we are being told.

       The second beast causes an image or statue to be made of the first beast. He demands all people to worship this image or statue. Verse 16 He demands that all people accept this image or statue. Accepting is done in the mind. ( the mark on the forehead, the frontlet between your eyes)

One acts out this acceptance by an outward show of obeisance such as bowing or kneeling.( the mark upon the hand, sign upon the hand) Verse 17 tells us that if we don't accept the worship of his image,(mark) acknowledge his supreme authority, (name) we will not be able to buy and sell.

We will be able to identify him by number of his name, ( Hebrew and Greek letters have numerical values) but we will also be able to identify him by what he demands and that is idolatry or false worship. All of this together will expose this agent of satan to true followers of Yahweh.

       A wise elder often tells us to not get so locked into one scenario for end time events that we are not open to variables that could take us unaware. This is very good advice and we would do well to heed it.

       Will this be a very difficult and dangerous times for true followers of Yahweh? Absolutely!

Some will be martyred for remaining faithful to Yahweh. Yahweh gives advice and comfort to us concerning this very subject. We will not face this situation by ourselves. We are told in the book of Daniel concerning this same time that we shall be doing a job for Yahweh and that we will be given help. Dan.11:33  And those among the people who are wise shall make many understand, though they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder, for some days. 34  When they fall, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery;

Rev.14:12  Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of Elohim and the faith of Yahshua.13  And I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in Yahweh  henceforth." "Blessed indeed," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!"

      Returning now to the statement at the beginning of this study; “if one is living in obedience to Yahweh and living the way of life that He has commanded you need not be concerned about the mark of the beast because you will never receive it.”Yahweh has not left us in the dark. He has given us His commandments to tell us how to worship Him and how to live in righteousness 

with our fellow man. We have Yahweh's mark or seal and we will never lose it and it if we never deviate from the true worship that He has commanded and we will never have the mark of the beast. The mark of the beast cannot be where the mark of Yahweh is.

       We need have no anxious concern about these end time events. Romans 8:15  For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" 2 Timothy 1:7  for Elohim did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self_control. 1 John 4:18  There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love.

       Satan cannot deceive us if we are fully versed in what Yahweh wishes us to be and do. We can become this way through constant study into the deep spiritual truths that Yahweh reveals to us from the scriptures through His Holy Spirit. We have been conquered by Yahweh through Yahshua and we need have no fear of being conquered by satan but have and will continue to conquer him and his beast power. Revelation 12:11  And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

       The following is from the mind of Yahweh. Heed what He says. Your salvation depends on it. 2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto Elohim, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Corinthians 13:5  Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Yahshua Our Master is in you? —unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

       We will close this study with the words our great Messiah in whom we can put our trust.

Revelation 2:26  He who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, I will give him power over the nations.      

       HalleluYah. May Yahweh bless your studies.       Elder Dave Ganton.