What is the Mark of the Beast?

During the Great Tribulation, the False Prophet, the Antichrist and the One World Government will use economic power to force people to take the mark of the beast. No one will be able to buy or sell unless they have the mark.

¹⁶ It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, ¹⁷ so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. ¹⁸ This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666. (Revelation 13: 16-18)

There is much debate regarding what the mark of the beast will be. While it is still unclear exactly what the mark will be and how it will be implemented, there are several realistic theories.

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A Bar Code?

One theory is that the mark of the beast will be a number that can be tattooed and scanned similar to a bar code. It would be a relatively simple and inexpensive way to identify people. This would also be an effective way to limit an individual’s ability to buy and sell.

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A Microchip?

Another theory is that the mark of the beast will be a microchip. It could be implanted into the skin in order to identify people, track them, compile significant amounts of personal data, and download the collected data. It could also be used to limit what people would be allowed to buy and sell.

This technology is already in use in different ways for both animals and humans. The microchip is currently being promoted for use on humans: to help identify lost pets and children; to provide emergency medical information for people when they are unconscious; and as a convenience for adults who don’t want the burden of carrying personal identification or credit cards.

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The Bismillah?

Another possibility for the mark of the beast is based on something that is very old. The Bismillah is the Islamic phrase: “in the name of Allah.” It is a phrase that Muslims speak every day, several times a day. The phrase is repeated at the beginning of each action in order to request a blessing from Allah (e.g. as a blessing for food, at the beginning of reading/reciting the Koran).

When the Apostle John recorded the book of Revelation, he utilized the Greek language to describe what he saw. The Greek numbers for 600, 60, and 6 (aka 666) closely resemble the Arabic symbols for the Islamic phrase “in the name of Allah.” At the time that John received the Revelation from Jesus Christ, Islam was not yet in existence.

Islam came into existence during the 6th century. Today, Muslims can be seen wearing headbands and armbands bearing the Arabic symbols for “in the name of Allah.” Revelation 13 states that the “mark of the beast” will be worn on the forehead or the right hand/arm.

It is worth noting that Arabic script can be artistically rendered in a way that looks very decorative. The mark of the beast could appear visually appealing. People who don’t know Arabic may not even know what the decorative design actually says.

During the Great Tribulation, the mark of the beast is likely to be different in some way compared to current methods. Even though it could be the same phrase (“in the name of Allah”), it is likely to be applied in a way that would make people understand that the mark has a unique significance and is irrevocable.

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God’s Wrath

² The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. (Revelation 16: 2)

After the 3-1/2 years of Great Tribulation, God will pour out His wrath onto the world. The very first target of God’s wrath will be the people who took the mark of the beast and worshipped its image. Those who took the mark of the beast will begin to suffer greatly because of the great suffering they caused God’s people.

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God’s Judgment

⁹ A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, ¹⁰ they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. ¹¹ And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” (Revelation 14: 9-11)

The “mark of the beast” will be a way of identifying those who are loyal to the beast. But in order for the person to be loyal to the beast, that person will deny the One True God of Abraham and His Son Jesus Christ.

During the Great Tribulation, the mark of the beast will be irrevocable. Once the person takes the mark of the beast, the impact of taking that mark will be permanent. It cannot be reversed. There will be no forgiveness for those who take the mark of the beast. The person who takes the mark of the beast will share the same fate as the False Prophet, the Antichrist, and Satan: eternal torment in a lake of fire.

Pray for People to Avoid the Mark of the Beast