Bible Discussion Thread

Hi everyone, i was kinda curious about revelation as it seems to be filled with many prophecies. so one thing that comes to mind is "what is the mark of the beast" found in revelation 13? would appreciate the explanation! thank you

something on hand or forehead that allows you to buy/sell. china is already doing cashless transactions where you get a social credit score and if you have thoughts or values against the communist cult then you're blocked from buying food, travel, etc. democrat party communists are pushing this in the us. other countries testing it right now. some wanting to embed chips and barcodes on you. it's all evil, but they always lie and say it's for your good, just like how they bullied ppl into taking the fake vaccine and so many died from it.

That's a good question. I have heard many different speculations. Recently, during COVID, many people felt that getting vaccines was connected with the mark of the beast. I did some research on verse 18 for the number 666 and this is what I found.

1. Biblical numbers have meaning. So the number 7 is "good" and represent completion. 6 is less than 7, so it represents imperfection. The 6 is tripled "666" so the mark of the beast is gross imperfection. Basically, it symbolizes an organization ( maybe an entity) that represents man's fall from God's glory.

2. The beats is in opposition to God and Jesus. Those that support organizations, thoughts, and ideas that oppose God and his word would have the "mark" of the beast. ( Revelation 19:19-21) So what I understood, is that the mark is not a literal mark, but a symbolic mark. Afterall, I don't believe I have ever seen anyone with a divine "666" mark placed on them.

Good Question. I hope I added something to the discussion.

Hello ToshiroWhite,

There are several speculations on what the mark may be, a literal mark, a computer chip, symbols, and more but the mark of the beast will be based on worship. It is the false prophet, the second beast who causes people to worship the first beast and his image. The number 666 goes back to Babylon, the 36 gods numbered 1 through 36, 6 columns and 6 rows the numbers were arranged in such a way that the sum of any given row, column, or diagonal was 111, and therefore the sum of all six rows or all six columns was 666, like 18+20+22+21+17+13 =111, 1+2+3 to 36=666.

We are told to have faith and patience Luke 21:19 Hebrews 6:12 and hear in Revelation 13:10 and Revelation 14:11 that if we are strong in our faith and patience we will have the steadfastness and endurance (the meaning of patience) to not give into the temptation of the three who is to come, Satan, the beast out of the bottomless pit and the beast who will be the false prophet, even if we face death, the hour of temptation, Rev. 3:10.

Something like this was done in the past in the Decian persecution in 250 AD. The decree ordered sacrifices be performed in the presence of a Roman magistrate, it was a signed and witnessed certificate, issued to that effect. People had to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods and the well-being of the emperor.

Christians were put to death for refusing to perform the sacrifices, many others apostatized and performed the ceremonies, and others went into hiding. Those who compromised were able to prosper economically. By way of contrast, those who did not have the certificate were unable to buy or sell and suffered economic hardship. Buying and selling was done in marketplaces ruled by Rome. This may be similar to what is coming but a mark instead of a certificate.

Hope this helps.

God bless,

RLW

Concluding thoughts

Look at earlier postings about ideas related to genetic DNA manipulation to render someone not human and therefore unredeemable. This would explain the wholesale destruction of all men except for Noah and his immediate family who was said to be "perfect" in his generations. ( Gen. 6:9). This would almost certainly have a primary reference to his genetic line not being contaminated with the sons of the giants or "men of renown" mentioned in Genesis 6:4. Christ came to redeem men not hybrid creatures and naturally angels that fell would also be unredeemable. Whether this business would be sold as an "evolutionary leap" or promise immortality or both is uncertain; but the "strong delusion" ultimately is sent by God; therefore men will worship the Beast and of course Satan who empowers him. The idea of rebellion comes to mind with what Cain did; and the original concept of the tower of Babel will come to its fruition "bringing the whole world together" in unity; so to speak.

The Tribulation likely begins with one man controlling all of the earth's wealth. That is seen in prophecies in Daniel 11:38 and prophecies such as him "dividing the land for gain" ( Daniel 11:39). See also Habukkuk 2:9 and the whole chapter there to see the consolidation of wealth. Despite his control of the 10 nation beast empire; we see in Revelation that the nations from the east and north amass to go after him. (sixth trumpet starting Revelation 9:13.) Therefore, he may have control over everyone economically but nations will still fight him. By Armageddon in Meddigo at least it appears all are damned after they are enticed to gather by the 3 demons from the frog like spirits coming from the "unholy" trinity. After fighting each other they turn and fight Christ which of course is futile. THose in the Ezekiel 38 campaign however have one sixth remain; I am guessing some don't have the mark and make it into the Millennium. I may discuss that later.

Since I had several postings on the subject yesterday; I would recommend you to look at that if helpful.

On my last commentary yesterday, I discussed the "mark of Cain" as mentioned in Genesis 4:15. This was something God allowed after Cain murdured his brother and was promised that he would be a vagabond on the earth from that point forth and Cain protested saying that was too hard. The Lord could have wiped him out at that point; but there was a greater lesson there.

Later on we see Lamech in Genesis 4:24 saying that he would be avenged seventy seven times after his violent acts.

Several things can be pointed out here; firstly this was the first time a mark on a person was given; and also God ultimately was the authority. Cain at the time would have been the only man alive; conceivably marrying one of his sisters later born to Adam and Eve so that God had to preserve him to continue the human race at that point at least until Seth was born; of course God knew ahead of time that others would reproduce; but also at the time there was no formal law regarding murder.

The main concept here and later passages is any mark whether of God or Satan is an identifier of a master and ownership. The idea that we ultimately have free will in regard to this issue seems to be ultimately not true. God once again mentions a mark with those who are mourning over the abominations at the time in the Temple of Jerusalem ( Ezekiel 9:4). God's mark again is mentioned with the 144,000 in Revelation 7 starting in verse 4. This is to make the judgments of God to not affect these men.

Of course the infamous mark of the Beast in Revelation 13 is something people will take or "decide" on; but all those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will not only take it but worship the Beast. ( Rev. 13:8).

Computer chips are now assimilating economic and health care information; so likely a chip is meant ("chargma") in original language means a mark on or under theskin