The Mark of the Beast as a Spiritual Symbol

A popular argument is that the Mark of the Beast is only a spiritual symbol. As it goes, our forehead represents our thoughts, and our right hand represents our actions [1]. That by thinking a certain way, and doing or not doing certain things, we are damning ourselves to the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20). This may be a compelling argument but it's not the complete picture.

There are various other interpretations floating around the Internet. They range anywhere from the Mark of the Beast being money (Mark 12:14-17) to the Mark being Sunday worship (Colossians 2:16). These interpretations can be convincing at first but do not hold up to diligent study.

The RaptureMany Christians would prefer to forget all about the Mark of the Beast. It's a popular belief that Jesus will return at any moment, that we'll be raptured up in the twinkling of an eye without any warning because we are good Christian boys and girls [2].

This interpretation of Scripture has been popularized by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins in their Left Behind series. These two men have gotten filthy rich off their books, all the while claiming that it's Truth [3]. Don't forget that the truth is free (Matthew 10:8, Romans 5:18). They even go as far as to say that a Christian can receive both God's seal and the Mark of the Beast [4], a very dangerous idea if not an outright lie!

So in their view why even worry about microchip implants when we'll be long gone, watching the destruction from above? [5] After all, only the bad Christian boys and girls along with those unlucky and disobedient Jews and Gentiles will be stuck on this earth to be tried and purified by the Almighty. Heck, you can even take the Mark of the Beast as long as you believed in Christ first.

But we're told to watch!

The Scriptures tell us clearly that the Lord Jesus will come like a thief in the night to those who are not watching (1 Thessalonians 5:2-6). So if we are diligent in our study of God's Word, and pay attention to the signs of the times, we will be ready for His return. We'll see God's glorious plan unfold right before our awestruck eyes.

We are told plainly that Jesus won't return until many leave their walk with God and the Antichrist is revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3). And everyone knows that along with the Antichrist comes the Mark of the Beast.

Revelation 13:16-17
  1. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
  2. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Many Christians will tell you to forget about all that. They'll tell you that nothing needs to happen before Jesus returns. "Come listen to our ear-pleasing rendition of the Scriptures," they'll say. "Come, eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we'll be saved." (1 Corinthians 15:32)

Jesus is coming to divide (Matthew 25:32, Matthew 3:12) and conquer (Revelation 12:9), only it might not happen the same way many of us have been taught [6] and many of us hope [7].

Will we be forced to die for our faith like the millions before us? Will we be given a choice? Or will we be swept away in a cloud for all the good that's in us and all the good we've done? (Romans 3:10-12) I say we will have a choice, as I believe does God's Word and the history behind us. Many have died for their faith rather than renounce Christ or their beliefs in what the Scriptures say.

Back to the subject at hand. Is the Mark of the Beast a RFID microchip implant? Many present sound doctrine in their study but are wreckless when they choose to ignore the plain language of Revelation in order to shoot down such modern interpretations [8]. But if Revelation is primarily a prophetic book then a modern interpretation is very appropriate.

So can a cutting-edge microchip fit the role of the Mark of the Beast? An overwhelming amount of evidence points to yes, a resounding yes, a trumpet blasting yes!

Next: Biblical References to a Physical Mark

References Cited

Summary of verse references (in Canonical order):

Full text of verses with references only (in order of reference, all quoted from the KJV):

Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Mark 12:14-17
  1. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?
  2. Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.
  3. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.
  4. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6
  1. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
  2. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
  3. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
  4. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
  5. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
  1. Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
  2. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
  3. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
Revelation 13:16-17
  1. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
  2. And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

1 Corinthians 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

Matthew 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

Matthew 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Romans 3:10-12
  1. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
  2. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
  3. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Links referenced in this study:

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