Page 6 - The Mark of the Beast

Introduction

his book presents a focus on the spiritual understandings of the imagery found
Tthroughout Scripture that relates to the beast, the mark of the beast, his image and the
number of his name. This writing gives attention to the truly important spiritual
understanding of these things, understandings of which the church has almost no
perception. So dull have the eyes of the church grown in this late hour that she does not
realize the great peril that is everywhere around her.
Many carnal interpretations of the Scriptures which relate to the end times are being
declared in this day, and it is these carnal interpretations that have consumed the attention
of the church. Yet these teachings are of no real benefit in preserving the saints in this hour,
and in leading them to victory over the beast, his image, and the number of his name
(Revelation 15:2).
Throughout this book I will speak of these “carnal interpretations,” but I do not use
this phrase in an entirely negative way. Rather, I am employing it in the same sense that
Paul meant when he wrote the following:

Hebrews 9:8-10
The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made
manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure for the
time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not
make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; which
stood only in meats and drinks, and diverse washings, and carnal ordinances,
imposed on them until the time of reformation.
KJV

The apostle Paul referred to the ordinances found in the Law, particularly those
relating to the tabernacle and its service, to offerings and sacrifices, as carnal ordinances.
Paul was not declaring the Law to be an evil thing, but he stated that the things it used as
types and symbols to signify spiritual truths were incapable of making anyone perfect. It
would not benefit man at all to merely observe these fleshly ordinances if he did not
perceive that to which they pointed. If the symbolism of the tabernacle and its sacrifices did
not lead the worshiper to Christ, who was the fulfillment of all the types being presented,
then the man would never arrive at God’s true desire.
In the same way, a great number of prophecy teachers are focusing upon carnal
interpretations of those things written in the book of Daniel, in the book of Revelation, and
elsewhere, but they are almost universally neglecting the spiritual truths to which they
point. This is not wisdom, for it will lead no man to perfection. These carnal signs exist for
the purpose of leading the saints to the spiritual realities that are signified in them, but for
the most part there is no discerning of these greater things.
It is not my intent to deny that there will be a physical fulfillment to many of the
things described in the apocalyptic Scriptures, though certainly much that is taught
today is spurious and results in much injury to the church by leading the saints to focus
upon false notions of man’s imagination rather than directing them to that which could
be of real spiritual benefit to them. I am not denying that there will be a physical mark,
or implant, that will be given one day soon which will be required for men and women to