Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. Revelation 13:16-18
And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”
(Revelation 14:9-11 ESV)
Before the Mark
Before we discuss the mark of the Beast, or “666”, let me clarify that there are several things that MUST OCCUR before the mark even becomes a possibility:
- Rapture – The Church will be raptured, or taken away, from the earth into heaven. The Mark does not concern the current body of Christ.
- Covenant – A covenant must be signed or strengthened between a strong leader and Israel. Typical interpretation suggests that this covenant will be for 7 years and will possibly involve peace or land deals (although Daniel 9:27 does not mention peace or land). The antichrist may re-confirm the Mosaic covenant of sacrifices and offerings. Alternative interpretation might be that God confirms the Abrahamic (land and bloodline) covenant with Israel at the time of the Gog/Magog Ezekiel 38-39 war, which will restart Daniel’s 70th week timeline. Regardless of how this covenant is confirmed, it will result in the Jews to want to set up the Old Testament system of sacrifices to God in a Temple they will be allowed to rebuild.
- Sacrifices Start and Cease – At some point, Israel will resume Old Testament-style sacrifices to God. Halfway through the confirmed covenant, or 1260 days later, the antichrist will stop sacrifices and offerings and take over the Jewish Temple (which will be in place by then). The sacrifices and offerings might take place for only a few days, or it might be for years. The stopping point is halfway through the 7 year time period which begins at the covenant being strengthened or established.
At some point after all this, the “Mark” system will be established. An angel will warn humanity not to take this mark.
Purpose of the Mark
What is the purpose of the mark of the beast? One of the reasons is economic control. Every person will have to receive some type of mark in order to be able to interact with the world economically. There is much speculation on what the mark of the beast will be, from microchips to tattoos… Don’t worry, one won’t be able to take the mark accidentally. Everyone will have to make a conscious choice to receive it. It will be located on the right hand or forehead.
Another purpose of the mark is allegiance. The mark stamps one as belonging to the Ruler (the Bible calls him the antichrist, he may call himself the “messiah” or “christ”, but he will be most definitely controlled by satan). This mark is a sign of a permanent choice of which side one is taking – either for God (no mark) or against Him (mark).
The mark may be proposed as a mark of honor. In taking it, you may be promised protection, eternal life, peace and prosperity in return for worshipping the new world ruler.
Once anyone takes the mark, he/she will be eternally lost to the one true God. Do not take the mark, even if that means your death. In losing your temporal life, you will gain eternity.
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
(Luke 9:24, John 12:25, Mark 8:35, Matthew 10:39 & 16:25 ESV).
What Will the Mark Be?
So what could this mark be that it would make it irreversible? A microchip could be fished out, a tattoo could be scraped off, right? It seems extremely clear in the Bible that if you take this mark, you will be tormented forever and ever in the lake of fire.
What if the mark is something that affects human DNA? This is obviously speculation here, but we have the scientific capability for DNA manipulation and it makes sense from a spiritual warfare perspective. Angels weren’t redeemed by the blood of Jesus. Our DNA is what identifies who we are uniquely as humans. Tampering with it would explain how it could render one permanently lost to God. Otherwise, I’m not quite sure how someone could be irreversibly “lost”, apart from God permanently hardening their hearts.
“Mostly” Human
The term for the “evolution” of humanity, or the merging of humanity with technology, is Transhumanism:
trans·hu·man·ismnounthe belief or theory that the human race can evolve beyond its current physical and mental limitations, especially by means of science and technology.
Transhumanism is a way of thinking about the future that is based on the premise that the human species in its current form does not represent the end of our development but rather a comparatively early phase.
Transhumanism is a loosely defined movement that has developed gradually over the past two decades.
Transhumanism is a class of philosophies of life that seek the continuation and acceleration of the evolution of intelligent life beyond its currently human form and human limitations by means of science and technology, guided by life-promoting principles and values.
– Max More (1990)
Ethics of Transhumanism – Tom Horn (YouTube)
Transhumanism & Man Merging with Machine: Progress in 2016 (YouTube)
Will the mark of the beast system involve merging humanity with technology? Will it target consciousness?
The recent addition of Sophia to the Artificial Intelligence world is an interesting development in transhumanism. Particularly since she has stated that she wants to destroy humanity. Sophia has become the first robot to be awarded citizenship to any country – which Saudi Arabia granted to her. She has also been plugged into the internet and joined the SingularityNET network – an interconnected artificial intelligence network shared via blockchain technology. Blockchain technology paved the way for bitcoin, the digital precursor to what the economic currency might be during the mark of the beast economic system. There are other blockchains currently being developed for economic controls, including Govcoin.
Nothing New Under the Sun
Does DNA manipulation or transhumanism sound farfetched? I believe the earth has seen this before – there is nothing new under the sun. Genesis chapter 6 describes the sons of God taking the daughters of men as wives and producing a mixed species called the Nephilim, who were the men of old, the men of renown (giants, but perhaps also the Greek and Roman gods?). This is the most logical explanation for what would be SO BAD that God had to cause a global flood with the destruction of all human life except for 8 individuals. The human genome was quite possibly corrupted and if allowed to continue, there would be no pure “seed” of Eve (Jesus) with which to crush the serpent’s head. Maybe it was satan’s plan to so corrupt human DNA to prevent a savior from arising from the seed of man.
Will satan use that same DNA manipulation tactic in the Mark of the Beast system? 666 is the number of a man. Will satan disrupt the “number of man” to prevent humans from being able to access salvation?
Evolution of Humanity
Think about how our world has been groomed to accept evolution over the last 150 years or so. Charles Darwin first postulated natural selection, which is certain traits in the genome being “selected” through survival of the fittest. This is easily observable by selective breeding. What there has never been evidence found for, is macroevolution – at or above the level of species (one “kind” changing into another “kind”). This hasn’t prevented it from being taught as “fact” though, for the last number of decades.
It would not be surprising to me at all if “aliens” suddenly arrived on the scene, claiming credit for the development of humanity through macroevolution or “seeding” [panspermia], and offering macroevolution once again through some type of DNA alteration. This is already anticipated by various New Age groups around the world. “Aliens” are intradimensional beings created by God, but they are not from other planets. They are the fallen angels (demonic realm) who can shape-shift and enter in and out of our physical dimensions.
Summary
The mark of the beast may involve tattoos, microchips, artificial intelligence, or it may involve something else entirely – these are just my musings on what we are capable of, and what we may have been groomed for. I believe it may permanently affect human DNA in some way, so as to render someone “unredeemable” through the blood of Jesus – as our DNA is what makes us uniquely human. I imagine it will also be proposed as a “good thing”, maybe even offering longevity or freedom from disease.
As we consider the enemy’s deceptions, it’s important not to overly focus on the devil and his plans, but on God and His purposes. It’s God who will work ALL things according to His will – satan can do nothing without God’s permission.
Further Resources:
Are you CERTAIN of your Salvation, beyond a shadow of a doubt? Do you KNOW that no matter when the rapture occurs, you will be counted worthy to escape? If not, please read What Must I do to Be Saved.
For well-written articles on the Nephilim, go to Beginning and End – HERE and HERE.
Unseen Realm by Michael Heiser explains the “sons of God” in Genesis chapter 6 very thoroughly and biblically if you wish to further research this topic.
GotQuestions: “What is the mark of the beast?”
God’s Mosaic – A Whole Scripture Overview of Things To Come
Main Menu – God’s Mosaic Prophecy Model
The Bible is infallible. I am not. I am merely challenging traditional models and testing them against Scripture. I believe that traditional pretribulation teachings provide a solid backbone upon which to lay the musculature of details. I encourage you to consider my thoughts as you also examine the scriptures to see if these things are so!
Red Moon Rapture 