The mark of the Beast in Revelation 13:16–18 is one of the more difficult to interpret aspects in the book of Revelation. Many proposals have been made as to what the mark of the Beast is and where it can be found. Most of these are quite sensational. Recently, the COVID vaccine or vaccine passports have been equated with the mark of the Beast and 666. What we want to know, however, is what the book of Revelation says the mark of Beast is and its connection to the number 666.
The mark of the Beast is the name ‘Beast’ or the number that is derived from the name ‘Beast’—666. Everyone between Jesus’ ascension and return who does not worship Jesus has the mark of the Beast. Having the mark of the Beast identifies one as a worshipper and servant of the Beast, the Antichrist.
Because this is a rather lengthy article, you can click here and skip to my detailed summary (§V). However, I strongly encourage you to read the entire article because the summary is based on my analysis of the biblical text in the body of this article.
I. The Identity of the Beast
Revelation 13:16–18 claims that the “mark” belongs to the “the beast”:
“Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for 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 666.”
REVELATION 13:16–18, emphasis added
If we are to understand the mark of the Beast, then we need to first identify the Beast who desires everyone to receive his mark. I have written a detailed article HERE identifying the Beast. However, so as to not be repetitious, allow me to summarize the conclusion of that article.
The Beast who rises out of the sea is the antichrist. He is an ontological being like an angel to whom Satan gave his authority, power, and throne at the ascension of Jesus (Rev 13:1–2). The Beast uses the authority and power that Satan gave him until Jesus returns (19:20). As such, the Beast is not coming in the future, but is here working in the world now.The Beast opposes God, the Lamb, and the Lamb’s people, while seeking the worship of the non-Christian world. The fact that the Beast is active in the world between the ascension and return of Jesus will become important further into this article.
II. The Purpose of the Mark of the Beast
Revelation 13:17 gives a clear purpose statement for the mark of the Beast:
“Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that [ἵνα] no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.”
REVELATION 13:16–17, emphasis added
The purpose of the mark of the Beast is to restrict purchasing and selling to those who have the mark. Having control over the markets throughout the world aligns with Revelation’s depiction of the Beast (see my article here for greater detail). Revelation 13:1–4 and 17:7–14 reveal that the Beast is the power behind every anti-God ruler throughout history. Further, Revelation 17–18 reveal that the Beast is the ruler of the anti-God city, Babylon, which is the power behind every anti-God city throughout history (see my article on Babylon here). Because the Beast controls the vast majority of the world’s anti-God rulers and cities (i.e., rulers who do not believe in Jesus and cities that do not submit to Jesus’ ways), he naturally has the authority, power, and means to control the vast majority of the markets throughout the world.
Because the Beast desires the entire world to worship him (Rev 13:3–8, 12–14), he uses his authority over the vast majority of the markets throughout the world to coerce all non-Christians to worship him by not allowing those without his mark to purchase or sell (technically, the Land Beast/False Prophet coerces the world to receive the mark of the Beast, see 13:16). The Beast, who is the Antichrist, threatens to make anyone who does not receive his mark destitute by making it extremely difficult to buy food, clothing, housing, or to own and operate a business. To gain access to these privileges, one must receive the mark of the Beast. Thus, the purpose of the mark of the Beast is to coerce the world into worshipping the Beast.
III. The Identity of the Mark
There are two descriptors that help us identify and interpret the mark of the Beast: (1) its location and (2) its specification:
“Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.”
REVELATION 13:16–17, emphasis added
Let’s look at both descriptors in turn.
A. The Location of the Mark of the Beast: The Right Hand or Forehead
Revelation 13:16 says that the False Prophet causes everyone who does not worship the Lamb to be marked “on the right hand or the forehead.” Being marked on the right hand and forehead is a sign of allegiance that imitates God.
The book of Revelation is clear that being marked on the forehead is a sign of allegiance. In contrast to the worshippers of the Beast who receive the mark of the Beast (which is the Beast’s name! See below) on their right hand or foreheads, the worshippers of Jesus receive the mark of the Lamb (which is Jesus’ name and the Father’s name!) on their foreheads:
“Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.”
REVELATION 14:1, emphasis added
It is noteworthy that the book of Revelation mentions the Lamb’s followers who have the Lamb’s name on their foreheads one verse after it mentions the Beast’s followers who have the Beast’s name on their foreheads. There is a clear contrast here that will be explored below. For now, it is important to note that having a mark on one’s forehead indicates allegiance to that person. In the book of Revelation, one’s allegiance is either to the Lamb or to the Beast; there is no middle ground. Everyone has a mark: the Lamb’s mark or the Beast’s mark.
What is also common throughout the book of Revelation is the unholy trinity (Satan, the Beast/Antichrist, and False Prophet) imitating the holy Trinity (the Father, the Lamb/Jesus, and the Holy Spirit). Because the Lamb (the Christ) marks his followers (Rev 7:2–3; 9:4; 14:1; 22:4), the Beast (Antichrist) attempts to imitate the Lamb by also marking his followers.
The Old Testament is also clear that being marked on the right hand and forehead is a sign of allegiance that imitates God. Two such passages are Deuteronomy 6:8 and 11:18. In Deuteronomy 6:8, God tells his people to bind his command to love Him on their hands and foreheads so that they never forget:
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes [i.e., foreheads].”
DEUTERONOMY 6:4–8, emphasis added
The markings on God’s peoples’ hands and foreheads are both a sign of allegiance to Yahweh and a reminder to obey Yahweh’s command to love him with one’s entire being.
Deuteronomy 11:18 is similar to 6:8 in that it commands God’s people to bind his instructions on their hands and foreheads as a sign of allegiance to Yahweh and as a reminder to always love and serve God with all their being:
“And if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, he will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil. And he will give grass in your fields for your livestock, and you shall eat and be full. Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and he will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain, and the land will yield no fruit, and you will perish quickly off the good land that the LORD is giving you. You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes [i.e., forehead].”
DEUTERONOMY 11:13–18, emphasis added
Based on the book of Deuteronomy and the book of Revelation, having a mark on one’s hand or forehead is a sign of allegiance and a reminder to love and serve the one who marked you with all your being.
Thus, we can conclude that the mark of the Beast in Revelation 13:16–18 is (1) a sign of allegiance to the Beast (the Antichrist), (2) a reminder to love and serve the Beast with all one’s being, and (3) an imitation of the mark with which the Lamb marks his people.
Paul Hoskins in his commentary on Revelation summarizes the significance of the mark’s locations well:
“[T]he sign on the hand and forehead symbolizes a constant reminder to love God, to serve or worship him, and to obey his commandments. The Beast’s mark on the forehead or the hand would serve a similar purpose. It is a sign that shows loyalty to the Beast, marks its bearers as his worshipers, and calls for them to carry out his will.”
Paul Hoskins, Revelation, 233
B. The Specification of the Mark of the Beast: The Beast’s Name and Number (666)
Now that we know the mark of the Beast refers to allegiance and service to the Beast, we need more specificity as to what the mark is. Thankfully, the book of Revelation clearly identifies the mark of the Beast:
“no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.”
REVELATION 13:17, emphasis added
Because it is relevant, the Greek text reads as follows:
μή τις δύνηται ἀγοράσαι ἢ πωλῆσαι εἰ μὴ ὁ ἔχων τὸ χάραγμα τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θηρίου ἢ τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ.
REVELATION 13:17, emphasis added
The mark of the Beast is clarified with two simple appositional phrases: τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θηρίου (“the name of the Beast”) and τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ (“the number of its name”). Thus, we can confidently say that the mark of the Beast is (1) the name of the Beast and/or (2) the number of the Beast’s name. Let’s treat the “the name of the Beast” (τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θηρίου) first and then we’ll treat the number.
1. The Name of the Beast
Now that we know the mark of the Beast is “the name of the Beast” (Rev 13:17), the question that arises is ‘what is the Beast’s name?’ Understanding the Beast’s name is imperative for identifying the mark of the Beast and for understanding the number, because the text of Revelation is clear that the number is derived from the name.
If one were to only read the English translations of Revelation, then it would seem that the book does not tell us the name of the Beast. If this is the case, then there is no need to speculate because the Bible simply does not tell us. Christians would, then, be at a loss in identifying the mark of the Beast. Thankfully, the Greek text is clearer regarding the name.
The construction τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θηρίου in Revelation 13:17 is ambiguously translated in most English Bibles as “the name of the Beast.” Those who translate τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θηρίου have not interpreted the relationship of the genitive τοῦ θηρίου (“Beast”) to its head noun τὸ ὄνομα (“the name”); rather, most English translations have gone with a simple “of” preposition.
One possible interpretation of τοῦ θηρίου is that it is a genitive of possession, which would then state that the mark is the personal name of the Beast: “the mark, that is, the Beast’s name” or “the mark, that is, the name that belongs to the Beast.” However, this understanding of the genitive τοῦ θηρίου does not help us understand the Beast’s name in any way.
An alternate, and more likely, understanding of the genitive τοῦ θηρίου is that it is an epexegetical genitive (also called a genitive of apposition or genitive of definition). If τοῦ θηρίου is an epexegetical genitive, then τοῦ θηρίου (“Beast”) is clarifying the ambiguity of τὸ ὄνομα (“the name”) by telling the reader what the name actually is. The name is ‘Beast!’ Thus, Revelation 13:17 should be translated as follows: “the mark, that is, the name ‘Beast.’”
Understanding the mark as the name ‘Beast’ is in line with the book of Revelation’s revelatory nature (it would be odd to say the mark is the Beast’s name and then not reveal that name!) and it aligns well with the number that is also mentioned Revelation 13:17 to which we now turn.
2. The Number of the Beast
The mark of the Beast is not only “the name ‘Beast,’” but is also τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ (“the number of its name”). Once again, we have a genitive construction with τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ (“its name”) modifying the head noun τὸν ἀριθμόν (“the number”). Just like our previous construction on the name of the Beast, most English translations have left the relationship between the head noun τὸν ἀριθμὸν (“the number”) and its genitive modifier τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ (“its name”) as ambiguous because they have decided not to interpret the relationship in their translations.
One possible interpretation of τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ is that it is a genitive of possession, which would then state that number belongs to the Beast’s name: “the mark . . . , that is, the number that belongs to its name” or : “the mark . . . , that is, its name’s number.” However, this understanding of the genitive τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ does not help us better understand the number and raises many questions.
An alternate, and more likely, understanding of the genitive τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ (“its name”) is that it is a genitive of source, indicating that the number (τὸν ἀριθμόν) is derived from the name ‘Beast.’ Thus, Revelation 13:17 should be translated as follows:
“no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name ‘Beast’ or the number derived from its name [which is ‘Beast’].”
REVELATION 13:17, updated translation
The book of Revelation has so far revealed that the mark the False Prophet gives to those who worship the Antichrist (the Beast who rises from the Sea) is (1) the name ‘Beast’ or (2) the number that is derived from the name ‘Beast.’ However, the reader is still left wondering what the actual number is that is derived from the name ‘Beast.’ Thankfully, John clearly reveals the number in the following verse: Revelation 13:18.
The number that is derived from the name ‘Beast’ is 666:
“This calls for 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 666.”
REVELATION 13:18, emphasis added
Most English Bible’s translate ψηφίζω as “calculate.” However, it can also be understood as “interpret” or “figure out the meaning of,” which is how the lexicon BDAG understands the term. BDAG is most likely correct in understanding ψηφίζω as “interpret” and not “calculate” because the reader is given the number that is derived from “Beast” later in the same sentence: 666. Thus, Revelation 13:18 is not telling its readers to figure out what the Beast’s number is because it explicitly tells us the number. Rather, Revelation 13:18 is telling its readers to use wisdom in correctly interpreting and understanding the meaning of the number 666.
Before I delve into the meaning and significance of 666, I would like to answer the question, ‘how does one derive 666 from the name Beast?’ The answer is quite simple. In the first century AD, each letter of the Greek and Hebrew alphabet had a numerical value. If one takes the Greek word for “Beast” (θηρίον) and transliterates it into Hebrew (תריון), the numerical value of תריון adds up to 666: tav = 400, resh = 200, yod = 10, waw = 6, and nun = 50. This practice is called gematria and was quite common in the first century AD. The fact that the numerical value of θηρίον (“Beast”) in Hebrew (תריון) adds up to 666 confirms my interpretation of Revelation 13:17 as “no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name ‘Beast’ or the number derived from its name [which is ‘Beast’].”
Now that we know how 666 is derived from the name “Beast,” we need to discern its meaning. Many English translations translate ἀριθμὸς γὰρ ἀνθρώπου ἐστίν in Revelation 13:18 as “for it is the number of a man.” This has led many to await a future human person who will take 666 for himself and then brand his worshippers with that number. As we will see below, once all the evidence is weighed, this is unlikely. An alternate and, in my opinion, a better translation of ἀριθμὸς γὰρ ἀνθρώπου ἐστίν is “for it is a human number.” This alternate translation takes the anarthrous ἀριθμὸς (“number”) seriously and understands the genitive ἀνθρώπου not as a genitive of possession (“the number belonging to a man”), but as an attributive genitive (“a human number”).
The number 666 is identified as a “human number” because it is being contrasted with the divine number, which in the book of Revelation is 777. Seven (7) is the divine number in Revelation because it is associated with each member of the Trinity, which is why there are three sevens. The number seven is associated with God the Father (Rev 3:1; 4:5; 7:12; 10:3–4; 11:13). The number seven is associated with God the Son, Jesus, who is called the Lamb (1:12, 16, 20; 2:1; 3:1; 5:1, 6, 12; 7:10–12; 8:2; 15:1). The number seven is associated with God the Holy Spirit (1:4; 3:1; 4:5; 5:6). Thus, the book of Revelation is clear that God’s number is 777.
Just like the number seven is associated with each member of the trinity, resulting in 777, so are there three sixes derived from the name “Beast,” one associated with each member of the unholy trinity: the Dragon’s (Satan) number is 6, the Beast’s number is 6, and the False Prophet’s number is 6, hence 666. Thus, the number 666 tells the wise reader of Revelation two very important pieces of information about the identity of the unholy trinity (the Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet).
The first thing that 666 tells the wise reader of Revelation about the unholy trinity is that they are not divine; they are a false trinity because they are not 777. The unholy trinity (the Dragon, Beast, and False Prophet) fall short of divinity, of being God, which is why their number (666) falls short of 777.
The second thing that 666 tells the wise reader of Revelation about the unholy trinity is that they imitate the Godhead. The Dragon (Satan) imitates the Father in that he has power, a throne, and great authority that he gives to his messiah (the antichrist; Rev 13:1–2), just like God the Father gives his power, throne, and authority to his messiah, Jesus. The Sea Beast (Antichrist) imitates the Christ (Jesus) in that he recovers from a mortal wound (this should remind you of the resurrection) and he seeks the worship from the world (13:3–4, 11–17), just like Jesus was healed from a mortal wound (the resurrection) and seeks the worship from the world because he is actually deserving of it. Finally, the Land Beast (the False Prophet) convinces and directs the world to worship the Antichrist (13:11–17), just like the Holy Spirit convicts and guides people throughout the world to believe in and worship the Christ, Jesus.
The number 666 tells the wise reader of Revelation that Satan, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet (the unholy trinity) are imitating the true Trinity (Father, Son, and Spirit) so that God’s people, Christians, will not be deceived into believing the unholy trinity has more power than the true Trinity so that Christians will not worship the unholy Trinity and, thus, will remain faithful to Jesus.
The number derived from the name “Beast” (θηρίον/תריון) is 666. The number 666 is contrasted with God’s number 777 and tells the reader that the unholy trinity (the Devil, Antichrist, and False Prophet) are not divine, but are imitating the true Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) for the purpose of deceiving the world into worshipping them rather than the true Trinity. The wise reader will recognize the works of the unholy trinity for what they are, not be deceived, and remain faithful to Jesus.
IV. The Contrast of the Mark of the Beast with the Mark of the Lamb
The final consideration in this discussion on the mark of the Beast is its clear contrast with the mark of the Lamb on those who believe in Jesus (the Lamb worshippers). The mark of the Beast is introduced and explained in Revelation 13:16–18. In the very next verse, right after the mark of the Beast is explained to John, John is given a vision of those who have a different mark, the mark of the Lamb:
“Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.”
REVELATION 14:1, emphasis added
The contrast between the mark of the Lamb and the mark of the Beast is clear. The mark of the Beast is the name ‘Beast’ on the right hand or forehead of the Beast worshippers, whereas the mark of the Lamb is the name of the Lamb and his Father on the forehead of the Lamb worshippers. The clear contrast between the two marks reveals that the Beast’s mark is another way that the unholy trinity imitates the true Trinity. The clear contrast between the two marks also helps us interpret and understand the mark of the Beast. If we can understand the mark of the Lamb on his worshippers, then we can better understand the mark of the Beast on his worshippers.
The mark of the Lamb is a seal that Jesus puts on his people, those who worship and serve him. The mark of the Lamb is mentioned a number of places throughout Revelation, not just in 14:1. I encourage you to read the following verses that mention the mark/seal of the Lamb which is his name, within their contexts: Revelation 3:12; 9:4; 11:3; 22:4. All of these verses are speaking about the same group—all of the Lamb’s people, those who have repented of their sins, believed in Jesus’ death and resurrection, and who worship and serve only the holy Trinity. I go into much more detail about the mark of the Lamb and the identity of the 144,000 in my article on the identity of the 144,000 here. The passages just cited that mention the mark of the Lamb should make it clear that those who receive the mark of the Lamb (also called the 144,000) are all Christians throughout history!
We discover from the mark of the Lamb, then, that it is applied to all Christians throughout history. If you, who are reading this article, are a Christian, then you currently have the mark/seal of the Lamb on your forehead, which is the Lamb’s name and the name of his Father. All Christians (those who are members of the seven churches of Revelation, those today, those when Jesus returns, and every Christian in between) have the mark/seal of the Lamb.
If the mark/seal of the Lamb is his name on all Christians, then why can’t I (or you) see it? The answer should be quite obvious; the mark of the Lamb is not visible to the human eye. We cannot see it, but we know it is present. If I had to hazard an educated guess, I would say that the mark/seal of the Lamb on all believers is the Holy Spirit whom the Father sends in the “name” of Jesus (John 14:23–26) and with whom all Christians are “sealed” (Eph 1:13; the same verb for sealing, σφραγίζω, is used in both Eph 1:13 and Reve 7:3). We Christians cannot see the Holy Spirit, but we know that he dwells in us, so it should not be difficult to believe that the mark/seal of the Lamb is also real but not visible to us. Again, I go into this in more detail in my article on the 144,000 (found here).
Thus, we can conclude that since the mark of the Lamb (1) is on all worshippers of the Lamb between Jesus’ ascension and return, (2) is real but not visible to the human eye, and (3) that it identifies those who worship and serve the Lamb, the mark of the Beast (1) is on all worshippers of the Beast between Jesus’ ascension and return (which is the time period that the Beast exercises his authority, click here for my article on the forty-two months that the Beast exercises his authority), (2) is also real but not visible to the human eye, and (3) that it identifies those who worship and serve the Beast (which is every person who does not have the mark of the Lamb; Rev 13:8).
V. Summary of the Mark of the Beast
It is now time to bring everything Revelation has told us about the Beast and his mark and present a coherent and faithful interpretation of it.
The Beast (Antichrist) is an ontological being like an angel who exercises the authority and power of Satan from the ascension of Jesus to his return. During this period, the Beast marks on the forehead or right hand everyone who does not have the mark of Lamb with his (the Beast’s) own mark, which is the name ‘Beast’ or the number that is derived from the name ‘Beast’—666. Thus, all non-Christians have the mark of the Beast now and will continue to have it until Jesus returns and casts the Beast into the Lake of Fire. Based on the above and in comparison with the mark of the Lamb, the mark of the Beast is not visible to human eyes.
Having the mark of the Beast identifies one as a worshipper of the Beast who loves and serves him. Everyone who does not have the mark of the Lamb has the mark of the Beast, which means everyone in the world has one of two marks. Either a person has the mark of the Lamb or the mark of the Beast; there is no neutral ground.
There is a temporal benefit of having the mark of the Beast. The book of Revelation reveals that those who have the mark of the Beast will be able to purchase and sell at the markets throughout the world with much greater ease than those with the mark of the Lamb. Thus, those with the mark of the Beast will see much greater success in the world and have a much easier life than those with the mark of the Lamb. This benefit, combined with not being killed for being a Lamb worshipper, makes it seem like the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet are more powerful and benevolent than the true God (Father, Son [Lamb], and Holy Spirit). In light of this, John reveals the significance of the number 666 that is derived from the name ‘Beast.’
The number 666 is derived from the name ‘Beast’ through gematria and reveals that the unholy trinity (Satan, the Beast/Antichrist, and the False Prophet) attempts to imitate the Godhead—the true Trinity whose number is 777—in an attempt to deceive the world into believing that they are equal to or greater than the Godhead. However, since the book of Revelation has revealed that the Beast’s number is not the divine number 777, but is “a human number”—666—the wise Christian reader knows that the unholy trinity is attempting to deceive and pose as God, but falls far short in actuality. Thus, the wise Christian will remain faithful to the Lamb and not be deceived.
VI. Concluding Thoughts
Understanding that the Antichrist is active and marking all non-Jesus worshippers as his between Jesus’ ascension and return is key to understanding the mark of the Beast because it means the mark is here now and it is a mark not visible to human eyes. Thus, we should not be looking for the mark of the Beast in vaccines, or microchips, or energy drinks such as Monster (yes, some have proposed that the Monster symbol [ווו] is the mark of the Beast).
Further, Christians (those who have repented of their sin and believed in Jesus’ death and resurrection) do not need to worry about accidentally receiving the mark of the Beast because they cannot receive the mark of the Beast by virtue of having the mark of the Lamb! It is not possible for a Christian to have the mark of the Beast because they have the mark of the Lamb! I have met too many Christians who fear getting the mark of the Beast and fear losing their salvation for silly reasons such as using technology, taking vaccines, or eating/drinking the wrong foods. When it comes to the mark of the Beast, many Christians forget that God has permanently sealed his people with the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13) and that nothing can separate a Christian from the love of God in Christ Jesus, not a vaccine, not a microchip, not an energy drink:
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels [such as Satan or the Beast] nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation [such as a mark], will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
ROMANS 8:38–39, emphasis added
For some reason, Christians forget the wonderful truths in Ephesians 1:13 and Romans 8:38–39 when it comes to the mark of the Beast. Thankfully, the above interpretation of the mark of the Beast aligns perfectly with the above promises and other promises like them found throughout Scripture.
The interpretation of the mark of the Beast presented in this article reveals that Christians have been focusing on and giving their attention to the wrong aspect of the mark of the Beast. Whereas many Christians are looking for the number 666 everywhere, we have neglected the meaning and significance of 666, which is where John in Revelation suggests our focus should be. When we understand that 666 reveals the unholy trinity as attempting to imitate God in the world, we are better equipped and better able to see Satan’s work in the world for what it is, bring it to light, fight back against it, and lead others to the light, which is Jesus the true Messiah.
I hope this article has helped you better understand the mark of the Beast. At the very least, I hope you see that there are other interpretations of the mark of the Beast that take the biblical text very seriously and merit serious consideration.