Q&A: What is the mark of the beast?

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=168 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="129a11c3.png"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Welcome to the Heart4God Website!"><U><B><IMG SRC="4b55a500.png" border=0 width="90" height="80" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Writings of Joseph Herrin"><U><B>Writings by Date</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id212.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Writings of Joseph Herrin Organized "><U><B>Writings by Topic</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.heart4god.ws/Audio/index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.heart4god.ws/Audio/index.htm"><U><B>Audio Files</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id690.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Videos"><U><B>Videos</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id323.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Writings of Others"><U><B>Other Authors</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id324.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id339.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Questions and Answers"><U><B>Q&A</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id328.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Heart4God Email List"><U><B>Heart4God E-mail List</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com"><U><B>Parables Blog</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id306.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="File Downloads"><U><B><IMG SRC="2b264140.png" border=0 width="100" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <B>Q&A: What is the mark of the beast?</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="c2827160.png" border=0 width="807" height="22" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> I have received a number of questions concerning the fulfillment of things written about in the book of Revelation. This e-mail correspondence actually addresses two different items, the forty-two months of the reign of the anti-Christ, and the mark of the beast.</div> <bR> <div> Dear M., </div> <bR> <div> I still haven't been led to study the subject [of the forty-two month anti-Christ] reign, but I will share this about the book of Revelation. It is a very symbolic book, and whether there be a literal fulfillment of the types and shadows found within it, I cannot exactly say. Certainly much of the book will NEVER see a literal fulfillment. For example, we will not literally see a whore riding on a dragon, or Christ appearing as a lamb that was slain, or the overcomers being physical virgins, etc.. These things are merely signs that portray various truths, and the entire book is built of these types of symbols. The book begins with the words: </div> <bR> <div> Revelation 1:1</div> <div> The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and <I><B>signified</B></I> it by his angel unto his servant John:</div> <div> KJV</div> <bR> <div> This word rendered as "signified" means to show forth something by a sign. We find it in other verses such as the following: </div> <bR> <div> Luke 21:11<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Georgia" > </FONT></div> <div> And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great <I><B>signs</B></I> shall there be from heaven.</div> <div> KJV</div> <bR> <div> A sign is not the reality of a thing, it merely points to something else. The sign can also be a metaphor, a parable, or a simile, and not the actual thing. Yahshua spoke in this way all the time, and He said that He did not speak to the people without a parable. Yahshua is the Author of the book of Revelation, and in this book He has continued His usage of parables. Thus we see the things mentioned above, virgins, a lamb, a whore, a dragon, etc., which all are parables for some truth, and are not to be taken literally. </div> <bR> <div> Recently I wrote to a brother who inquired about the mark of the beast spoken of in Revelation, and this was my response: </div> <bR> <div> Dear L, </div> <bR> <div> It would merely be speculation on my part to state what form this mark of the beast might take. There is no lack of opinions on this matter, and with the advent of electronic funds transfer and electronic scanning, smart cards and technologies such as Digital Angel and the new tags that can be scanned from a distance, there is certainly a possibility that there could be a fulfillment of this Scripture in technology that is being developed now. </div> <bR> <div> At the same time, Revelation is a highly symbolic book, and everything is revealed in signs and types. Thus we see Christ as a Lamb that was slain, we see the overcomers referred to as virgins, and the churches are themselves represented by candlesticks. We read of a great harlot riding on the back of a dragon and we see revealed all types of fantastic creatures with multiple heads and horns. We should not take these things literally, for they are merely prophetic types that represent truth. It even surpasses parable, for parables are at least based upon real items and natural occurences, but what we see in Revelation is often fantastic in description. </div> <bR> <div> To look at the mark of the beast as spiritual symbol, we can understand that everything about it is symbolic. The mark of the beast speaks of those who are ruled by the beast nature, which is referred to as the flesh and the belly in other parts of Scripture. </div> <bR> <div> Philippians 3:18-19<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Georgia" > </FONT></div> <div> (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)</div> <bR> <div> Satan as the serpent was cursed above "all beasts" to crawl on "his belly" on the ground. This is symbolic of one being given over to their fleshly appetites, for man's flesh was formed from the dust of the earth, and the serpent's belly forever touches the earth. Those who manifest the beast nature are given over to the fulfillment of the flesh, and this is also why we read in the above verse that they are "enemies of the cross". The cross represents death to the flesh, as Paul wrote in Galatians 5 that those who walk according to the Spirit have "crucified the flesh." Those who are given over to the fulfillment of the flesh, the beast nature, despise the cross for they do not want the flesh to die. They have therefore become enemies of the cross. </div> <bR> <div> Having identified the beast nature in this way, we can also discern the symbolism of having a mark of the beast placed on the forehead and the hand. The forehead represents a mind given over to the pursuit of the flesh, or beast nature, and the hand represents giving ones physical body to pursue the things of the flesh. We see that both mind and body are given to the pursuit of the flesh. </div> <bR> <div> This is what I believe is the true understanding and importance of this passage, and whether there is some actual technology that will place a physical mark on people is possible, for often the natural and the spiritual are mirrors of one another. If this be true, then it will be those who have given themselves over to the beast nature who will also be willing to receive a physical mark of the beast which is said to be necessary to buy and sell. </div> <bR> <div> This buying and selling also is symbolic, for it speaks of trafficking in the things of the world. Christ said to love not the world, neither the things of the world, and we see His great zeal in running the money changers and merchants out of the Temple, which is itself a symbol for mankind, for man was created to be a temple of the Holy Spirit and a house of prayer. </div> <bR> <div> We can contrast this mark of the beast with the overcomers who are also spoken of in Revelation, for we read of them: </div> <bR> <div> Revelation 14:1<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Georgia" > </FONT></div> <div> Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, <I><B>having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads</B></I>. </div> <bR> <div> Once more, this is symbolic. Having the name of the Father and Son written on their foreheads reveals that they are wholly devoted to God. In the Old Testament the High Priest had a golden plate inscribed with the words "Holy Unto Yahweh" which he wore on the turban over his forehead. This is what is also pictured here. The overcomers are separated unto God. They are called virgins for they have kept themselves pure from the harlotry of the world and the pursuit of other lovers, and they are wed only to Christ in their thoughts and actions. This is in direct contrast to those who take the mark of the beast, and we see the mark of the beast being spoken of both immediately before and after this passage on the overcomers, so God is clearly making a contrast here. </div> <bR> <div> The overcomers have embraced the cross and through the cross of Christ they have died to the world and the world has died to them. Yet those who despise the cross and follow the beast nature are marked with the stamp of their own choosing. </div> <div> [end letter] </div> <bR> <div> M., you can see in this that those who have focused on a physical mark of the beast have missed the greater understanding of this passage. Many saints who are wrapped up in studies of end time events and who are seeking to unravel exactly what form the mark of the beast, or some other thing recorded in Revelation, might take in its fulfillment, have already unwittingly taken the mark of the beast for they have failed to crucify the flesh and they have given themselves over to the flesh and its fulfillment. Straining at a gnat, they have swallowed a camel. They have focused on appearances and have missed the greater spiritual reality. </div> <bR> <div> It is possible to do this same thing regarding the number forty-two and the period of forty-two months prophesied for one portion of the anti-Christ's reign. This passage is as pregnant with spiritual truth as every other part of Revelation, yet if you merely focus on a literal fulfillment, such as you are pointing to in speaking about the conflict between Russia, the US, the European Union and the United Nations, then you will as certainly miss the fuller understanding that Christ intended as those who are looking only at a literal fulfillment of the mark of the beast. </div> <bR> <div> E.W. Bullinger has written the following about the spiritual significance of the number 42, and this is just one of the many things we can glean from the passage in Revelation that you are seeking understanding in. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> FORTY-TWO</div> <bR> <div> is a number connected with Antichrist. An important part of his career is to last for 42 months (Rev 11:2, 13:5), and thus this number is fixed upon him. Another number of Antichrist is 1260, and this is 30 x 42. </div> <bR> <div> Its factors are six and seven (6x7=42), and this shows a connection between man and the Spirit of God, and between Christ and Antichrist: </div> <bR> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ff000000.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Forty-two stages of Israel's wanderings mark their conflict with the will of God. </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ff000000.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Forty-two young men* mocked the ascension of Elijah to Elisha, 2 Kings 2:23, 24. </div> <div> * See note on <U>p. 203</U>. </div> <bR> <div> Being a multiple of seven, it might be supposed that it would be connected with spiritual perfection. But it is the product of six times seven. Six, therefore, being the number of Man, and man's opposition to God, forty-two becomes significant of the working out of man's opposition to God. </div> <bR> <div> There may be something more in the common phrase about things being all "sixes and sevens." They are so, indeed, when man is mixed up with the things of God, and when religious "flesh" engages in spiritual things. See under "Six and Seven," <U>pp. 158-167</U>. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> IN GEMATRIA</div> <bR> <div> it is a factor in the number of Nimrod's name, which is 294, or 42 x 7. It will be often found as a factor in the Antichristian names. See under the number Thirteen. </div> <bR> <div> It does not often appear as a separate number, but when it is thus seen as a factor of another number, it always imparts its significance to it. </div> <div> [End quote by E.W. Bullinger] </div> <bR> <div> Let us look at the passage from Revelation and we will see how filled with symbolism it is. </div> <bR> <div> Revelation 13:1-9</div> <div> 1 Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his heads were blasphemous names. </div> <div> 2 And the beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority. </div> <div> 3 I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; </div> <div> 4 they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?" </div> <div> 5 There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. </div> <div> 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. </div> <div> 7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. </div> <div> 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. </div> <div> 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. </div> <bR> <div> Look at some of the symbols here: </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">a beast </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">a sea </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">ten horns </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">seven heads </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">ten diadems </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">blasphemous names </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">body of a leopard </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">feet of a bear </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">mouth of a lion </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">a dragon granting power and a throne and authority </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">a wounded head that is healed </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">authority to act for 42 months </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">blasphemies against Yahweh, His name, his tabernacle (those who dwell in heaven) </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">the Lamb </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b70104ccffff00.png" HEIGHT="17" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">the Lamb's book of Life</div> <bR> <div> All of these things are symbols that stand for some truth. We would be wrong to think that these things are all to be understood literally. In fact, out of all the things listed, we would most certainly declare that the majority of them are not to be taken literally. Yet for the forty-two months many people make an exception. Should we make an exception with this part of the passage, or should we take it as a parable and a sign?</div> <bR> <div> Bullinger has shown us that the number 42 is full of spiritual significance. So is the mention of the beast's reign being in months. His reign is not given here in days, or years, or times, but in months, and certainly this is also symbolic.</div> <bR> <div> The moon is a heavenly body that is dead. Man has landed on the moon and has found it devoid of life. Yet this dead heavenly body clothes itself with the light of the Sun and reflects the glory of the Sun as if it were its own glory. Is this not what Satan also does, for He has no life by himself. He was created by Yahweh, and he owes his existence to Yahweh. If he has any glory of his own, it is only that glory which originated in the Godhead, yet he would seek to claim this glory as his own. Thus we read of him being corrupted as he looked at his own beauty, not recognizing that Yahweh was the source of everything that he had received. </div> <bR> <div> Satan has also enticed mankind to glory in their flesh in the same way that he gloried in his heavenly body. Look at how the world is caught up in an endless pursuit of dressing themselves in ways that accentuates the parts of the body that they deem to be beautiful and worthy of praise. Women dress to draw attention to their fleshly attributes, and men do the same. Billions of dollars are spent on fashionable wear, cosmetics, health spas, etc., which are all focused upon men and women glorying in their flesh after the error of Satan. How different are the instructions given to godly women, who are to dress themselves with modest apparel and to give the main attention to adorning themselves with a quiet and gentle spirit. </div> <bR> <div> We see then that even the mention of this time period being given in months holds great symbolism. A year is marked by the movement of the Sun, but a month is marked by the movement of the moon, and this reign of the anti-Christ is referring to the movements, or activities, of a fallen heavenly body that has no glory of its own, but which seeks to steal the glory of the Sun (Christ) and take this glory for itself. </div> <bR> <div> Should we look for a literal fulfillment of this sign of the forty-two months? Perhaps. Yet we can be sure that there is a spiritual significance behind this symbol that has been spoken of here. If we were to miss the spiritual significance then we would miss the most important part of the matter. </div> <bR> <div> These are my observations. May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days, </div> <bR> <div> Joseph </div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>