The Mark of the Beast
Revelation 13:1,2
Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.
A beast rises out of the sea like a lion, bear, leopard, and dragon.
Daniel 7:17
Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth.
A beast represents a king or kingdom—a ruling power, civil or religious.
Revelation 17:15
Then he said to me, “The waters which you saw, where the harlot sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.
The sea represents peoples, nations, or language groups.
Daniel 7:1-9
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. The he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’ After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words. I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire.
The lion, bear, leopard, and dragon represent Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome.
Revelation 13:2
Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
The dragon or Pagan Rome gives this new power its authority. Papal Rome received its authority from Pagan Rome.
Revelation 13:5
And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.
The beast power speaks blasphemy.
Luke 5:21
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
If any human being claims he has the power to forgive sins, he commits blasphemy.
John 10:33
The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.
The Bible defines blasphemy as man making himself equal to God. The pope has claimed to be God on earth.
Revelation 13:5
And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months.
The beast power reigns supreme 42 months.
Revelation 12:6,14
Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
The time (360 days, or a year), times (720 days) and a half time (180 days) equals 1260 days or 42 months. During this period, God’s people are in the wilderness of hiding.
Ezekiel 4:6
And when you have completed them, lie again on your right side; then you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days. I have laid on you a day for each year.
I have appointed you each day for a year.
Numbers 14:34
According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, for each day you shall bear your guilt one year, namely forty years, and you shall know My rejection.
One day for a year (Genesis 29:27)
Daniel 7:25
He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.
The Papal power which changed God’s law would reign supreme for 1260 prophetic days or 1260 literal years. In 538 A.D. the pagan Roman empire granted the pope of Rome civil and religious authority over the empire. Exactly 1260 years later, in 1798 A.D., Berthier, a French General on orders from Napoleon, took the Pope captive.
Revelation 13:18
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.
The number of the beast is the number of a man. His number is 666. In Bible prophesy, 6 equals an error or imperfection, where 7 equals perfection or completeness. A triple of six equals the great trinity of error: the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. Here is Satan’s false trinity. The number 666 is closely associated with the most exalted title of the papacy. Vicarious Filii Dei—means Vicar the Son of God.
| V | 5 | F | 0 | D | 500 |
| I | 1 | I | 1 | E | 0 |
| C | 100 | L | 50 | I | 1 |
| A | 0 | I | 1 | ||
| R | 0 | I | 1 | ||
| I | 1 | ||||
| U | 5 | ||||
| S | 0 | ||||
| 112 | 53 | 501 |
112 + 53 + 501 = 666
Daniel 3:1
Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon.
Nebuchadnezzar establishes a counterfeit image with dimensions of 60 and 6
Daniel 3:3-5
So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then a herald cried aloud: “To you it is commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
The entire kingdom is summoned to accept this counterfeit worship
Revelation 13:13-17
He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he has granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 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 who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
A counterfeit image will be established again, a false standard of truth will be exalted. The central issue will be obedience to God and true versus false worship. An economic boycott, then a death decree will be passed.
Revelation 14:7
saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.
Calls us to true worship of the Creator on the Sabbath.
Revelation 14:9-11
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. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.
Calls us to avoid the counterfeit Sabbath on Sunday.
Revelation 14:12
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Calls us to keep God’s commandments as a sign of loyalty to Him.
Mark 7:9
He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.”
The issue centers around the commandments of men and the commandments of God.
John 14:15
If you love Me, keep My commandments.
Jesus invites us to lovingly obey Him.
Psalm 91
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.
He promises to shelter us in the time of trouble.
Commonly-asked questions regarding Catholicism
Was Peter the first Pope? What did Jesus mean when He said to Peter, “upon this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:13-19)?
Cesarea Philippi was a center of Greek philosophy, Roman logic, and Jewish traditional religion. Jesus set Himself against the backdrop of the world’s great religious and philosophical systems asking, “Who do men say that I am?” After they answered, “John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah,” He asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Jesus longed to deepen their faith. He desired to draw out a messianic confession. Peter instantly responds, “You are Christ, the Son of the living God.” This thought could be inspired only by the Holy Spirit. Jesus affirms Peter’s faith by declaring, “Thou art Petros (a moveable stone) but upon this rock (this immoveable foundation—that I am the Christ) I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The church is built upon Jesus Christ. He is the cornerstone rejected by the builders (1 Peter 2:4-8). Peter clearly understood the rock was Jesus. Paul clarifies the issue in 1 Corinthians 10:4 by proclaiming, “That rock was Christ.” David declares, “Truly my soul waiteth upon God, from Him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and salvation (Psalm 62:1,2). There is no other foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11) except Jesus. The gates of hell will never triumph over His church. Peter denied His Lord three times. He attempted to keep Jesus from going to Jerusalem. The courageous disciple misunderstood Jesus’ mission. Jesus said, “Get the behind me Satan” (meaning Satan was influencing him). No, the church was not built upon Peter’s weakness, but upon Jesus’ strengths. Peter discovered the marvelous truth for himself. Jesus became the source of his strength, the center of his life, and the foundation upon which he stood.
What are the “keys of the kingdom” which Jesus gave Peter and the rest of the disciples (Matthew 16:19)?
Keys open and shut doors. Jesus said, “I am the door. No man comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6). There is no other name under heaven whereby men may be saved (Acts 4:12). All the scriptures testify of Jesus (John 5:39). The scribes and Pharisees took away the “key of knowledge” regarding the Messiah (Luke 11:52). They shut up heaven. The “keys” Jesus gave to Peter were His own words, His teachings, regarding how men and women could have forgiveness for sin, freedom from condemnation, and peace through His shed blood and death on Calvary’s cross. A knowledge of Jesus the promised Messiah opens heaven (Isaiah 22:22)
Is it possible for Satan to work miracles?
Yes, it is! In Revelation 13:14, John describes, “the spirits of deamons working miracles.” According to Revelation 16:14, and Revelation 19:20, thousands will receive the mark of the beast because they have accepted Satan’s false miracles. Paul warns us in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 that Satan will work with all power, signs, and lying wonders. The apostle gives us a clue shy man will be deceived. He says, “They received not the love of the truth.” The only safety against deception is knowing Jesus, the author of truth and knowing the truth He authored. Isaiah 8:20 reveals this penetrating insight, “to the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to His word, it is because there is no light in them.” Matthew 7:21 describes many coming to Jesus at the end declaring to have worked miracles in His name. Yet the Savior says, “I never knew you (even when in His name they were working miracles) depart from me, ye that work “iniquity.” The word iniquity is the same word in 1 John 3:4 when John says, “sin is the transgression of God’s law or lawlessness.” If miracles lead to a disregard of the laws of health which God has placed in every nerve and tissue in our bodies or if they lead to a disregard of His moral law, the Ten Commandments, the power behind them is not from God.
What does the Bible teach regarding the virgin Mary?
One of the great truths of scripture is Jesus the divine Son of God was born of a virgin. Isaiah the prophet predicted it over 600 years in advance (Isaiah 7:14). The angel Gabriel appeared to Joseph to explain the significance of Mary’s pregnancy. The angel astonished Joseph by saying, “But thou shalt call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). “That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost” (verse 20). Truly Paul was correct when he wrote, “great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16). The Bible does not teach Mary was sinless (Romans 3:23). It does teach she was a godly, righteous woman. It does not teach she should be worshipped. Worship belongs to God alone (Revelation 14:7). When John fell at the feet of a heavenly angel to worship, the angel emphatically told him not to do it and instructed, “worship God” (Revelation 19:10). The best way we can honor Mary is by following the instructions she gave at the wedding feast in Cana of Galilee. “And His mother saith unto them, ‘Whatever He saith unto you do it’” (John 2:5). We honor Mary by being obedient to Jesus.
