The "Mark of the Beast" spoken of in Revelation 13 is approaching with great haste. Yet, many remain in darkness regarding what this mark is and how it will be implemented. In this study, we will examine key prophetic truths concerning this solemn subject.
What is a "Beast" in Bible Prophecy? In Bible prophecy, a beast is a symbol of a nation or a kingdom. This is not a foreign concept to us today; if I show you an eagle, you recognize it as the United States. If I show you a bear, you think of Russia. Daniel 7 clearly establishes this principle: a beast represents a kingdom or empire.
In Revelation 13, we see two distinct beasts. Our focus today is on the second beast:
"And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." (Revelation 13:11)
A lamb in the Bible is a symbol of Jesus Christ—the "Lamb of God" (John 1:29). Therefore, this nation begins with Christian principles: gentle, freedom-loving, and Christ-like. However, it eventually "speaks like a dragon." The dragon represents Satan (Revelation 12:9) and, historically, the persecuting power of Rome.
This represents a nation that professes to be Christian but whose actions become satanic and deceptive. This nation is the United States of America. While it has "In God We Trust" on its currency, it is a leading exporter of weapons and a primary source of the world’s moral corruption through film and music. Prophecy indicates this nation will eventually introduce a law—a mark—that will persecute all who refuse to bow to its dictates, preventing them from buying or selling.
What is the "Mark" of Authority? The "first beast" mentioned in Revelation 13 is the Roman Catholic Papacy. A "mark" or "seal" is a symbol of authority. To understand the mark of the Papacy, we can look at their own claims:
"Sunday is an institution of the Roman Catholic Church, and those who observe the day observe a commandment of the Catholic Church." — Priest Brady, March 18, 1903
Question: Which is the Sabbath day? Answer: Saturday is the Sabbath day. Question: Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday? Answer: We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday. — The Convert’s Catechism of Catholic Doctrine, p. 50
Sunday sacredness is the "mark" of the Papacy’s authority. God commanded the keeping of the seventh-day Sabbath, but the Papacy, in opposition to God, chose to exalt Sunday.
The Mark of the Beast is not a microchip or a hidden tattoo; it is the enforcement of Sunday worship by law. Bible prophecy predicts that in the near future, movements within the United States will push for a national Sunday rest law. When the church forces the state to legislate a counterfeit sabbath, we will see a return to the religious tyranny of the Middle Ages.
The United States attempted to pass a national Sunday law in 1888 (the Blair Bill), but it failed. However, prophecy assures us it is coming again. This will usher in a "time of trouble such as never was" (Daniel 12:1).
Conclusion The end of time is upon us. Those who refuse to surrender to Jesus and ask for His power to keep all His commandments will eventually be overcome and receive the mark of rebellion.
Let us seek to know Jesus and His Word for ourselves. Let us put aside the traditions of man and obey God’s seventh-day Sabbath. By seeking to obey God in all things, we shall find protection from the Mark of the Beast.
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