What is the Mark of the Beast?
Answer:
The main passage in the Bible that mentions the “mark of the beast” is Revelation 13:15-18. Other references can be found in Revelation 14:9, 11, 15:2, 16:2, 19:20, and 20:4.
This mark acts as a seal for the followers of Antichrist and the false
prophet (the spokesperson for the Antichrist). The false prophet (the
second beast) is the one who causes people to take this mark. The mark
is literally placed in the hand or forehead and is not simply a card
someone carries.
The recent breakthroughs in medical implant chip and RFID technologies have increased interest in the mark of the beast
spoken of in Revelation chapter 13. It is possible that the technology
we are seeing today represents the beginning stages of what may
eventually be used as the mark of the beast. It is important to realize
that a medical implant chip is not the mark of the beast. The mark of
the beast will be something given only to those who worship the
Antichrist. Having a medical or financial microchip inserted into your
right hand or forehead is not the mark of the beast. The mark of the
beast will be an end-times identification required by the Antichrist in
order to buy or sell, and it will be given only to those who worship the
Antichrist.
Many good expositors of Revelation differ widely as to the exact nature
of the mark of the beast. Besides the implanted chip view, other
speculations include an ID card, a microchip, a barcode that is tattooed
into the skin, or simply a mark that identifies someone as being
faithful to the Antichrist's kingdom. This last view requires the least
speculation, since it does not add any more information to what the
Bible gives us. In other words, any of these things are possible, but at
the same time they are all speculations. We should not spend a lot of
time speculating on the precise details.
The meaning of 666
is a mystery as well. Some speculated that there was a connection to
June 6, 2006—06/06/06. However, in Revelation chapter 13, the number 666
identifies a person, not a date. Revelation 13:18
tells us, “This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him
calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is
666.” Somehow, the number 666 will identify the Antichrist. For
centuries Bible interpreters have been trying to identify certain
individuals with 666. Nothing is conclusive. That is why Revelation 13:18 says the number requires wisdom. When the Antichrist is revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4), it will be clear who he is and how the number 666 identifies him.