Top Bible Questions: What is the Mark of the Beast?

When it comes to Revelation, much of it is processed as a secret code to decipher in our day. Neither context would be correct in describing Revelation. It is not a secret code and it was not written for our day and time. Although its lessons and themes still exist, this was a letter written to a certain ancient people that revealed certain events and encouragement for the time they were living in. 

No sign has ever been written that has fascinated people more than the feared “mark of the beast”. Revelation 13:15-18 contains the main passage depicting this “mark” yet it is referenced in other places in this letter. In summary, those who have this mark on their foreheads or hands will suffer because they are the ones that are against God and do not conquer the beast but worship him instead (Rev 20:4). Everyone wants to know what this mark of the beast is and if it’s in the world today. Let’s just go back to Scripture and let Scripture tell us all we need to know. 

What we see in chapter 13 is a description of two beasts and their influence on the earth. This second beast, who receives authority from the first, deceives people into worshiping an idol and the idol comes alive and kills those who do not worship it. Those who worship, receive a mark so they cannot buy or sell. This phrase “buy or sell” is a way to describe day to day life. This mark defines who they are and who their allegiance is to. John then tells us in verse 17 that the mark is the name or number of the name. This phrase may sound confusing but to Jews it made perfect sense. Hebrew letters can also represent numbers and so John gives us the name or number of 666. 

It’s important to note that the mark on the foreheads and hands is not a “new” thing. God commanded the Israelites to keep the Torah on their foreheads and hands as a way to remember God in everything they think and do (Exodus 13:9). This was known as the Shema found in Deuteronomy 6:4-8. So this “mark” is an anti-Shema of those who don’t worship God but instead worship or follow the beast. Daniel 7 is also on the brain here as the parallels of beasts and kingdoms is relevant. Daniel also called for his readers to be wise and have understanding. 

It has been debated whether or not this name or number is of one evil human or of evil humanity as an institution rather than a single individual. I assume it can be both. The Hebrew letters 666, spell out “Nero Caesar” and “beast”. But keeping in theme of Daniel and John’s visions, the pattern of rebellion is clearly seen. This is the wisdom that Daniel and John want their readers to get. These “beasts” or rebels of God they are experiencing in their time are patterns of the evil that have existed and will continue to exist until all is restored. If they don’t worship or devote themselves to these false “gods” if you will, then they will reign victorious in the end. 

These visions mean something for us today. The mark of the beast is not a microchip, or some government-made mark that we will receive. We receive this “mark” symbolically if we allow ourselves to be deceived by the world and its powers and follow its desires instead of being faithful to God and his desires. There’s no set formula to get a “mark”. That’s why wisdom is needed to see through temptations and stay aligned with the slain Lamb.