The Mark of the Beast: A Symbol of Allegiance and Deception

Revelation 13:16-18 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

¹⁶Also It causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, ¹⁷so that nobody can buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

¹⁸Here is wisdom. Let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.^a

Revelation 13:16-18

Revelation 13:16-18 presents the symbol of the “mark of the beast,” a concept deeply embedded in Christian eschatology. This passage is part of a broader apocalyptic vision given to John, revealing events and powers at play in the spiritual realm and their impact on the earthly plane. The imagery here is rich in symbolism, demanding careful interpretation to understand its implications for believers.

Verse 16 “Also It causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, the free and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead“

Universal Reach: The beast’s influence extends across all societal levels – rich and poor, great and small, free and slave. This universal scope suggests a pervasive, inescapable system of control or influence.
Mark on Right Hand or Forehead: The specific locations for the mark are symbolic. The right hand may represent actions or deeds, while the forehead symbolizes thoughts or allegiance. The mark, therefore, indicates total control over both the physical actions and mental or ideological commitments of individuals.

Verse 17 “so that nobody can buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the beast or the number of its name.“

Economic Control: The ability to buy or sell being contingent upon having the mark indicates an economic system where allegiance to the beast’s authority is a prerequisite for participation in daily, essential activities. This aspect could symbolize a coercive power structure where conformity is necessary for survival.
The Name of the Beast or the Number of its Name: The mark represents not just a physical sign but an identification with the beast’s nature and authority – either through its name or the number, symbolizing complete identification with the beast.

Verse 18 “Here is wisdom. Let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.“

A Call for Wisdom: The exhortation to understand the number of the beast implies that discernment is needed to grasp its full meaning. It’s not merely a numerical puzzle but a symbol of deeper truths.
The Number of a Man, 666: The number 666 has been the subject of much speculation. In biblical numerology, seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection. The number six, one short of seven, could symbolize imperfection or something fundamentally flawed. The triple repetition (666) intensifies this symbolism of imperfection or evil. It contrasts with the divine or heavenly perfection often associated with the number seven.

Theological and Eschatological Significance

Allegiance and Worship: The mark of the beast symbolizes a form of worship and allegiance. Just as Christians are “sealed” with the Holy Spirit as a sign of their allegiance to Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14), the mark of the beast signifies a counterfeit allegiance, opposed to God.
Economic and Social Coercion: The control over buying and selling suggests a system where economic and social pressures force individuals into compliance with the beast’s system. This element reflects a common theme in apocalyptic literature – the testing of faith through societal and systemic pressures.
Spiritual Discernment: The call for wisdom to understand the number of the beast underscores the need for spiritual discernment. Believers are urged to look beyond the surface to perceive the spiritual realities and dangers underlying worldly systems of power, recognizing the deeper conflict between the divine and the diabolical. This discernment is essential in identifying and resisting the insidious nature of the beast’s influence, which may not always be overt but can subtly pervade societal structures and personal ideologies. Thus, believers must cultivate a deep understanding of Scripture and a close relationship with God to discern and withstand the multifaceted strategies of the beast, which seek to usurp God’s rightful place in their lives and in the world.

This discernment involves recognizing and understanding the spiritual dimensions that underlie worldly systems and powers. Believers are called to use wisdom and insight to see beyond the physical manifestations of power and control – epitomized by the mark of the beast – to the spiritual realities they represent. This means identifying how these systems may be in opposition to God’s will and His kingdom. It also involves understanding the subtlety of the beast’s influence, which may not always be overtly hostile to God but can subtly draw people away from true faith and obedience. Christians are therefore exhorted to maintain a vigilant and discerning spirit, being alert to the ways in which the beast’s system might seek to exert its influence in their lives, whether through coercion, deception, or temptation. In essence, spiritual discernment in this context is about perceiving the deeper spiritual conflict at play and choosing to align oneself with God’s truth and kingdom, rather than being swept away by the allure or pressure of the beast’s worldly power.

“Spiritual Realities and Dangers Underlying Worldly Systems of Power”: This discernment involves recognizing that behind earthly institutions and powers, there may be spiritual forces at play. The beast’s system is not just a political or economic entity; it is deeply infused with spiritual significance, representing opposition to God’s kingdom. Believers are called to see through the facade of worldly power and understand its deeper spiritual implications.
Counterfeit Divinity: The beast, with its number 666, is a parody of the divine trinity. Just as the Holy Trinity embodies perfection, the triple sixes of the beast mimic this structure but fall short, symbolizing a counterfeit divinity and a flawed imitation of God’s authority and holiness.
Choice and Consequence: The presence of the mark of the beast in Revelation presents a stark choice for humanity. Accepting the mark signifies aligning with the beast’s authority, while rejecting it, though potentially leading to earthly suffering, aligns one with God’s kingdom. This decision reflects the broader biblical theme of free will and the consequences of one’s choices regarding faith and allegiance.
Persecution and Endurance: The imposition of the mark, especially its control over commerce, implies a period of persecution for those who resist it. This scenario demands endurance and faithfulness from believers, as seen in other parts of Revelation (e.g., Revelation 14:12). It echoes Jesus’ teachings on perseverance under persecution.
The Nature of Evil: The beast and its mark also symbolize the nature of evil in its opposition to God. Evil in Revelation is not just personal immorality but a systemic, almost cosmic force that manifests in political and social systems. This understanding calls for a discernment that sees beyond personal sin and recognizes systemic evil.
Historical and Future Fulfillment: While many interpretations focus on identifying the beast with specific historical or future figures or systems, the text also serves as a timeless symbol of the perennial struggle between the forces of God and the forces opposed to Him. Thus, the beast can represent various systems or powers throughout history that demand allegiance in ways that are antithetical to Christian faith.
Ultimate Triumph of Good: Revelation, while depicting the rise of evil powers like the beast, ultimately reassures believers of the triumph of good. This triumph is not through human means but through divine intervention, as seen in the later chapters of Revelation where God decisively overthrows these evil powers.
Call to Faithful Witness: The challenge of the beast and its mark for Christians is not just to resist but also to bear faithful witness. This witness is in their refusal to comply with the demands of the beast and in their steadfastness in the face of persecution, serving as a testimony to their faith in Christ.
Eschatological Hope: Finally, the depiction of the beast and its mark, along with the number 666, contributes to the eschatological hope inherent in Revelation. This hope is not in human governments or institutions, but in the coming of God’s kingdom, a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells and where the faithful will be rewarded.

In Revelation 13:16-18, the mark of the beast represents a complex symbol of allegiance, deception, and opposition to divine authority. It encapsulates the struggle between the kingdom of God and the forces opposed to it, manifesting in both spiritual and earthly realms. For believers, it signifies the importance of discernment, faithful witness, and enduring hope in the face of persecution and systemic evil. The passage encourages readers to look beyond the immediate to the eternal, grounding their faith and actions in the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom.

The Third Angel’s Warning: The Eternal Consequences of Worshiping the Beast

Revelation 14:9-11 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

⁹And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, ¹⁰he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of his anger; and he will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. ¹¹And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”

Revelation 14:9

“And another angel, a third, followed them”: This phrase introduces a new messenger, the third in a sequence of angels in this context of Revelation 14. Each angel carries a specific message. The sequence suggests a progression in the unfolding of the narrative and the severity of the warnings.
“saying with a loud voice”: The use of “loud voice” indicates the importance and urgency of the message. It’s meant to be heard by all, emphasizing the universal relevance of the proclamation.
“If anyone worships the beast and its image”: This refers to the act of worship directed towards the ‘beast’, a symbol representing oppressive, godless worldly powers, and its ‘image’. The ‘image’ might be understood as the systems, ideologies, or institutions that echo the beast’s authority and character. Worship here denotes a devoted allegiance or reverence that should be reserved for God alone.
“and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand”: The ‘mark’ symbolizes allegiance to the beast. It’s a metaphor for total submission and identification with the beast’s values and authority. The ‘forehead’ and ‘hand’ are symbolic locations signifying thought (belief, ideology) and action (deeds, practices), respectively. This imagery implies that the followers of the beast fully internalize and manifest in actions their allegiance to it.

In summary, Revelation 14:9, within its apocalyptic and symbolic framework, warns against aligning with godless, oppressive world powers (the beast) and their ideologies (image). It underscores the danger of surrendering one’s belief and actions (mark on forehead or hand) to such entities, as opposed to maintaining faithfulness to God. This verse fits within the larger theme of Revelation, which encourages perseverance in faith amidst worldly challenges and opposition.

Revelation 14:10

“he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God”: This metaphor depicts the divine judgment that awaits those who align themselves with the beast. ‘Drinking wine’ symbolizes the full experience or internalization of God’s wrath. It’s a vivid image of inevitable retribution from a righteous God.
“which is mixed in full strength in the cup of his anger”: The phrase ‘mixed in full strength’ indicates that God’s judgment is undiluted, potent, and severe. The ‘cup of his anger’ is a common biblical metaphor for divine judgment and signifies the intensity and totality of God’s punitive response.
“and he will be tormented with fire and burning sulfur”: Fire and burning sulfur are traditional biblical symbols for destruction and divine judgment. They represent not only physical destruction but also the severity and certainty of divine retribution.
“in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb”: The presence of the holy angels and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) signifies that this judgment is carried out under divine authority and observation. It underscores the gravity and solemnity of God’s judgment.

This verse emphatically states the consequences of aligning with the forces opposed to God, as symbolized by the beast. The language used is symbolic and portrays the severity and certainty of divine judgment. It serves as a stark warning against complicity with evil and a call to remain faithful to God’s righteous standards. The presence of the holy angels and the Lamb underscores the judgment’s divine authority and the solemnity of God’s wrath against unrighteousness. This verse fits within Revelation’s broader theme of the triumph of God’s kingdom over evil and the importance of faithfulness amidst worldly opposition.

Revelation 14:11

“And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever”: This phrase employs the imagery of smoke rising indefinitely to convey the enduring consequences of the judgment against those who oppose God. The term ‘forever and ever’ is a common biblical idiom for an undetermined but extended period of time, often used to signify the permanence or irreversibility of a situation.
“and they have no rest, day or night”: This part emphasizes the continuous nature of the judgment. The absence of rest ‘day or night’ signifies unrelenting consequences, pointing to the severity and constancy of divine judgment.
“these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name”: The subjects of this judgment are specified: those who worship the beast and its image, and those who receive the mark of its name. This includes all who align themselves with the beast, both in ideology (worship) and in action (receiving the mark). It highlights the gravity of allegiance to entities opposed to God.

Revelation 14:11, through vivid and powerful imagery, communicates the severity and permanence of God’s judgment against those who choose to align with the beast – a symbol of rebellion against divine authority. The imagery of smoke and the lack of rest underscore the enduring nature of this judgment. This verse serves as a stern warning about the consequences of opposing God and aligning with forces of rebellion and idolatry, reinforcing the broader themes in Revelation of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom.

^a Several witnesses (P⁴⁷ (א) A P 046 051 all extant minuscules it^gig vg syr^ph, cop^sa, arm al) have the reading ἑξακόσιοι ἑξήκοντα ἕξ (six hundred and sixty-six), but witnesses (two minuscule MSS that are no longer extant), as well as one early weighty manuscript (P¹¹⁵), record the number as εξακοσιοι δεκα εξ (six hundred and sixteen).

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).