Revelation and Its Symbolism
Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die. He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.
Rev. 13:15-18(NLT)
Alright, here is the most unusual post I have ever written for this blog:
Questions have persisted throughout my pastoral teaching ministry as to the nature of the mark of the beast mentioned in Rev. 13. Many believers walk in an inordinate amount of fear concerning the mark of the beast. They are anxious that they might be forced against their will to receive the mark of the beast. Is that possible? Is the mark of the beast a tattoo or a computer chip, etc.? Some despicable use of current technology? Should Christians fear the future because of the the mark? Is the second coming of Christ the “blessed hope” of all believers (Titus 2:13) or an event to be feared and dreaded by all both Christians and non-Christians alike?
First, the context (Rev. 13:11-14:5) of the passage speaks of a mark of the beast and a mark of the Lamb. If you receive a tattoo or a computer chip for following the Beast, then in turn, you must also be given a tattoo or computer chip for following the Lamb. The teaching emphasis always seems to be on the negative mark, (i.e., beast), not the positive mark, (i.e., Lamb). What is true for the mark of the beast must be true for the mark of the Lamb.
Second, the symbols in Revelation should be interpreted first by their counterpart in the Old Testament. The “mark” comes from Ezekiel 9:4-6, where an angel is instructed not to kill those who have the mark. The mark is invisible to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, it is seen and known only by God and the angels. The mark is indicative of the individual’s heartfelt allegiance to God. Notice that the mark is the Hebrew letter “taw” which is roughly the shape of a cross.
Third, the beast in the Book of Revelation is the city of Rome and her empire (Rev. 17:7-9), the “seven hills” would have been known in the first century as the “City of the Seven Hills,” Rome. Therefore, the beast, Caesar, is asking for lordship over the lives of all the Empire’s inhabitants. True believers refuse Rome’s domination for Christ is Lord over their lives. Several Caesars expected to be worshipped as a god, yet the early church only recognized Jesus as Lord and Savior of the world (Phil. 2:10-11; 3:20).
Last, the Roman Empire was so oppressive that only those who worship Caesar are allowed to do business in the empire (Rev. 13:16-17). One’s allegiance is obvious by the way one worships, dresses, serves, and lives. Likewise, believers under communist rule in the Soviet Union walked under similar penalties during the dark days of the Cold War. The visible mark of believers was the distinctive manner in which they lived the life of love (i.e., John 13:35, 1 John, Epistle to Diognetus).
By way of application, the beast today is any government who sets itself up over and against faith in God and love of Christ. The beast is any government that persecutes Christians and attempts to destroy the church. The beast is idolatry and love of all worldly things: money, sex, and power. The love of the beast or the love of the Lamb is a heart issue thus unseen by men except by their behavior.
Conclusion: The mark of the beast is invisible (unseen by people), nothing to be feared by believers, and indicative of one’s allegiance.
Like the other markings in Revelation, it seems to be symbolic (see comment on Rev. 3:12; 7:3; cf. 14:1; 17:5; 19:12; 22:4); some Jewish texts speak of a symbolic mark of destruction on the forehead of the wicked (Psalms of Solomon 15:9) in contrast to the mark of the righteous (15:6). Some interpreters have nevertheless seen a tangible expression of allegiance to the world system; in at least the last two major imperial persecutions of Christians, both in the third century, certificates were issued to those who had fulfilled the mandated rite of emperor worship. But the text may simply imply a figurative slave brand identifying to whom a person belongs — God or the world. Participation in idolatry appeared to be almost an economic necessity in many cities in Asia Minor (see comment on 2:18-29), and John warns that commercial discrimination would grow more severe, alongside the graver danger of martyrdom.
Craig S. Keener, IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament [PC Study Bible] (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993).