In this sermon, we are going to discover what is the mark of the beast, which some refer to as 666, according to the bible.
Scriptural Text.
And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one has the mark of the beast or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: his number is 666. (Revelation 13:16-18).
As seen in the literal context above, since the inception of Christianity; a general belief or idea has been conceived that the mark of the beast will be written on people’s right hand or foreheads to enable them to buy or sell.
The Meaning Of The Mark Of The Beast In Revelation 13 Verse 18.
The mark of the beast in revelation 13 verse 18 is given as the letters 666 and it simply means the money that is used for the exchange of goods and services all across the world.
As we all know, every country or region has their own currencies and when you inspect all of them you will realize that they all have numbers written on them, and that number is what is being referred to as the mark of the beast in Revelations 13:18.
Now if you observe the above scripture very well; you will discover that there is only one thing presently in life that can enable human beings to buy and sell.
This one thing is readily available, in whatever denomination or amount; to the small and great, rich and poor, free and slave; without which none of them can ever survive in this world.
And if you are in the Spirit; you must have discovered by now that this one thing is no other than the object generally known as ‘money’.
With the knowledge just discovered we can then move on to understand that; if the small has so much money he instantly becomes great.
If the poor win a jackpot or lottery he immediately enters the league of the rich; and should a slave stumble on the fortune of his dead master he instantly becomes a free man.
Now let us allegorically try to decipher how the text proves to us that money is truly the mark of the beast.
Receiving the mark of the beast.
To receive the mark (money) on the right hand symbolizes; being paid or in simple terms controlling or better still become the owner of wads of currency.
While.
To receive the mark (money) on the forehead symbolizes; setting aims or goals that must produce money and also having one’s mind preoccupied with the thoughts of money.
The latter is the most dangerous place to receive the mark because such a one; if he is already rich, will put all his trust in money; refusing to give it away for any reason whatsoever.
And if he is not yet rich, will go to any length or extent; to lie, cheat, steal, and kill to get or make the money.
The story of the rich young man recorded in Luke 18:18-30; gives us an overview of what we are trying to explain here.
This is why the scripture in Psalm 49:6-14 shows us that; it is not good to trust in your wealth and boost in the multitude of your riches.
Because none of them will be by any means redeem a man nor be given as ransom to God; for the redemption of a man’s soul which is very costly.
The number of the name of the beast.
The number of the name of the beast i.e. 666 symbolizes the amounts written on all the currencies in the world, for example 100 Naira, 100 Dollars, 100 pounds, etc.
The beast who owns and gives the mark.
When you go to the book of Daniel 7:23, you will discover that the bible allegorically describes the beast as an empire or kingdom. And sometimes the person who rules such empire or kingdom.
“Thus he said: “the fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces.
N/B: Some Bible translations call it the king himself.
But whether it is a kingdom or king, (like modern-day America, which is currently the world leader that controls and manages the resources of other nations).
The fact remains that the beast, used in place of a king or kingdom; makes reference to an institution that exercises power or control over certain groups or persons.
How the beast symbolizes secret societies in the world.
Hence we can gather the understanding here that the beast refers to the secret societies, cults, or fraternities; that control and give riches to those who accept to become their members.
And you will hereby further understand that the second beast that gave power to the first beast that died symbolizes the rise and fall and emergence of two secret societies that have the power to control the world.
You might be right to conclude it’s ‘Illuminati’ proposed these days by conspiracy theorists to be the secret society that will usher in the ‘New World Order’.
Whether that is true or not only God knows, but since I am no conspiracy theorist, I won’t draw any conclusion about Illuminati being the secret society referred to in this scripture.
But rather, I will choose to stop at where the Spirit reveals to me which is for you and me to know that the beasts here, both the first and the second, symbolize secret societies, cults, fraternities, etc. that people belong to in this world so that they could be able to have money, which we now have known to be the mark of the beast.
That is why it is very hard for people to gain employment opportunities in big firms or companies, and remain on top of their careers, entertainment, football, etc.
Or establish their own business firm, whether big or small, without joining a secret society or having a certain native doctor who provides them with oils and charms to help them excel.
The mark of the beast in the churches today.
And it might interest you to know that this mark of the beast is even given in most of our supposed Christian churches.
Where the founders and general overseers act as native doctors by providing; either through giving or selling to their members; magic oils, water, handkerchiefs, etc.
And telling them to use it with certain prayer points so as to enable them to overcome the power of the enemy rising up to fight against their careers, business, or in their working place, etc.
Promising that unless they do this, they will never have money or become and remain prosperous in life.
And when these things work the members, in turn, bring heavy offerings and tithes into the church; that is why we see these so-called big men of God having great wealth which some falsely consider being the blessings of God.
Forgetting that Jesus had warned us in Mathew 6:19-20 against storing up riches for ourselves here on earth.
And also in Luke 21:34, he warned us to keep away from the cares of this life which will cause our hearts to be heavy and in so doing make us miss the Day of the Lord.
But these types of Christians looks upon the true Christians – who are busy keeping God’s commandments and are not prosperous according to the ways of the world – as some crazy and lazy idiots who are deceiving themselves by depriving themselves of making good use of the opportunity they have in the world to enjoy their life.
But we shall soon discover who amongst the two sets will make heaven on the last day.
Second scriptural text.
Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “if anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, “he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.
And he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the lamb. “the smoke of the torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, whoever receives the mark of his name.” here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “write: ‘blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ““Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” Revelation 14:9-13.
How people are worshipping the beast.
Beloved if you look around the world today you will discover that everybody, including the so-called Christians, is busy worshipping the beast and receiving its mark.
You will confirm it when you see them acquiring earthly things if they are already rich, and trying to become rich at all costs if they are not yet rich.
Beloved I want you to know the truth and that is: everything about the beast and its mark you have been hearing about centers on the love of money which is capable of making people incur worldly riches and attain positions of power which has an earthly limit when they die.
And how I wish Christians keep in mind the last temptation of Christ as recorded in Mathew 4:8-9, and therein realize that the devil is still tempting so many Christians to worship him by the offer of worldly things as he did to our Lord and Master in that last temptation.
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And He said to Him, ‘all these things I will give to you if you will fall down and worship me.
From the above scripture, we can immediately spot the beast as Satan offering people the money as the mark only if they could bow down and worship him through belonging to one secret society or another or using any ways and means to make it in life.
How to escape getting the mark and worshipping the beast.
Beloved whoever wants to escape this beast and its mark, must always remember Jesus’ response to Satan in the above scripture “Away with you Satan! For it is written, ‘you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve’.
And so pray and wait upon God to provide the daily bread, and above all else always learn to be contented with whatever He is providing at the moment.
We should therefore aim for;
- God to give us our daily bread. (Mathew 6:11)
- For him to give us neither poverty nor riches, but rather food that will be enough for us. (Proverbs 30:7-9)
- That we should always be contented with what we have. (Hebrews 13:5). (1 Timothy 6:6-10).
Beloved let us never forget that we are sojourners and pilgrims on this earth while hoping for the heavenly city built by God wherein all our riches that will never vanish are stored. (Philippians 3:20-21)
You can read (Hebrews 11:8-16) to see how faith will help us to gain God and His kingdom.
Conspiracy theories on the mark of the beats (666).
The supposed or rather carnal researchers and interpreters of the scriptures; have tried to work this mark out by propounding or linking several theories or occurrences to it.
For example, the ‘Obama health care bill’, which was supposedly proposed to be implanted on peoples arms and foreheads.
And as Obama is no longer in power today and his health care bill unimplemented; we can all see the futility of such an interpretation.