Type of Doctrine: Typically Tertiary
"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 ESV
Why Does It Matter?
The mark of the beast is mentioned in the book of Revelation. It is often considered a significant end times event with big implications for those on earth. There are different interpretations on what it means. This article will cover the different viewpoints.
This doctrine is typically considered a tertiary doctrine. It doesn't usually affect a primary doctrine or the church one attends. Well meaning Christians disagree on how to interpret this biblical idea and the corresponding biblical texts.
What Is It?
The mark of the beast is a phrase which was mentioned by the apostle John in the book of Revelation. It has been in interpreted in various ways.
Millard Erickson explains that the mark of the beast is a "problematic expression found in Revelation . . . Involving some type of brand or stamp, it seems to be identified with the number of the beast, 666 (Rev. 13:18). There has been much speculation as to its meaning and the identity of the beast" (Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology, 103).
First, we'll look at the places it appears in the book of Revelation. After that, we'll examine the different views on the mark of the beast.
One of the most significant passages in the Bible which mentions the mark of the beast is Revelation 13. The apostle John writes,
11 Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. 12 It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. 13 It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, 14 and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15 And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16 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, 17 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. 18 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 13:11-18 ESVIn addition to Revelation 13, these verses in Revelation mention the mark of the beast:
[Rev 14:9-11 ESV] 9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name."
[Rev 15:2 ESV] 2 And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire--and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands.
[Rev 16:2 ESV] 2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.
[Rev 19:20 ESV] 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
[Rev 20:4 ESV] 4 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Now, how has the mark of the beast been understood by theologians throughout church history? The chart below shows the different views on the mark of the beast.
2 Main Views on the Mark of the Beast
While there are a lot of variations of beliefs about the mark of the beast, they can typically be put into two categories: (1) literal and (2) metaphor.
Views | Description |
Literal View | This view interprets the mark of the beast to be a literal mark on the forehead or right hand (e.g., tattoo, chip, imprint, or some type of branding). |
Metaphor View | This view interprets the mark of the beast to be a metaphorical mark for being a follower of either God or Satan (e.g., sealed as a follower of God or the Satanic counterfeit of being one of the devil's followers). |
There is a connection between the mark of the beast to the number 666. One commentator explains,
Many ancient languages did not have figures for numbers but used instead the letters of the alphabet (a = 1, b = 2, c = 3 and so on). This made it possible for a name to be represented by the number obtained through adding the numerical values of the letters of the name (New Bible Commentary, 1443).Interestingly, the name for Nero, who persecuted Christians harshly in the early church, gives the number 666. This would have been significant for Jews, since 777 suggested divine perfection. The number 666 shows that the false christ falls short of divine perfection. Fascinatingly, Jesus' name yields 888! (Ibid.)
Application
Regardless of what the mark of the beast turns out to be, continue steadfastly as a follower of Christ. Reject idolatry and reject forsaking him. Instead, hold fast to Jesus!
Where Can I Learn More?
Bibliography:
-New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham eds. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1994.
-Erickson, Millard J. Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1986.
-Check out Sam Storms' article on The Gospel Coalition website titled, "Perplexing Passages: What Is the Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13?"
-Check out this article from GotQuestions titled, "What is the mark of the beast?"