Post by Richard on Jun 9, 2006 13:56:18 GMT -5
Question: “What is the mark of the beast (666)?”
Answer: The recent breakthroughs in medical implant chip technologies have increased interest in the "mark of the beast" spoken of in Revelation chapter 13. Here are some very interesting articles on the recent technological developments:
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29954-2004Oct13.html
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/01/17/nchip17.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/01/17/ixhome.html
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5439055/
It is likely that the technology we are seeing today represents the beginning stages of what will eventually be used as the "mark of the beast."
It is important for us to realize that a medical implant chip is not the mark of the beast. The mark of the beast will be something given only to those who worship the antichrist. Having a medical or financial microchip inserted into your right hand or forehead is not the mark of the beast. The mark of the beast will be an end times "mark" required by the antichrist to buy or sell - and - given only to those who worship the antichrist.
The main passage in the Bible that mentions the "mark of the beast" is Revelation 13:15-18. Other references can be found in Revelation 14:9,11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4. This mark acts as a "seal" for the followers of antichrist and the false prophet (the spokesperson for the antichrist). The false prophet (the second beast) is the one who causes people to take this mark. The mark is literally placed in the hand or forehead, and is not simply a card someone carries.
Many good expositors of Revelation have differed widely as to what exactly the mark of the beast is. Besides the "ID card" view, others have speculated that it is a microchip, a barcode that is tattooed into the skin, or simply a mark that identifies someone as being faithful to the antichrist's kingdom. This last view requires the least speculation, since it does not add any more information than what the Bible gives us. In other words, any of these things are possible, but at the same time they are all speculations, so we will just have to see how it turns out. We shouldn't spend a lot of time speculating on the details since that is as far as the Bible goes.
The meaning of 666 is a mystery as well. Recently, many people speculated that there was a connection to June 6, 2006 - 06/06/06. However, in Revelation chapter 13, the number 666 identifies a person, not a date. Revelation 13:18 tells us, "This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666." Somehow, the number 666 will identify the antichrist. For centuries Bible interpreters have been trying to identify certain individuals with 666. Nothing is conclusive. That is why Revelation 13:18 says the number requires wisdom. When the antichrist is revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4), it will be clear who he is and how the number 666 identifies him.
Recommended Resource: Understand Bible Prophecy for Yourself by Tim Lahaye
Answer: The recent breakthroughs in medical implant chip technologies have increased interest in the "mark of the beast" spoken of in Revelation chapter 13. Here are some very interesting articles on the recent technological developments:
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A29954-2004Oct13.html
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/01/17/nchip17.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/01/17/ixhome.html
www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5439055/
It is likely that the technology we are seeing today represents the beginning stages of what will eventually be used as the "mark of the beast."
It is important for us to realize that a medical implant chip is not the mark of the beast. The mark of the beast will be something given only to those who worship the antichrist. Having a medical or financial microchip inserted into your right hand or forehead is not the mark of the beast. The mark of the beast will be an end times "mark" required by the antichrist to buy or sell - and - given only to those who worship the antichrist.
The main passage in the Bible that mentions the "mark of the beast" is Revelation 13:15-18. Other references can be found in Revelation 14:9,11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4. This mark acts as a "seal" for the followers of antichrist and the false prophet (the spokesperson for the antichrist). The false prophet (the second beast) is the one who causes people to take this mark. The mark is literally placed in the hand or forehead, and is not simply a card someone carries.
Many good expositors of Revelation have differed widely as to what exactly the mark of the beast is. Besides the "ID card" view, others have speculated that it is a microchip, a barcode that is tattooed into the skin, or simply a mark that identifies someone as being faithful to the antichrist's kingdom. This last view requires the least speculation, since it does not add any more information than what the Bible gives us. In other words, any of these things are possible, but at the same time they are all speculations, so we will just have to see how it turns out. We shouldn't spend a lot of time speculating on the details since that is as far as the Bible goes.
The meaning of 666 is a mystery as well. Recently, many people speculated that there was a connection to June 6, 2006 - 06/06/06. However, in Revelation chapter 13, the number 666 identifies a person, not a date. Revelation 13:18 tells us, "This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666." Somehow, the number 666 will identify the antichrist. For centuries Bible interpreters have been trying to identify certain individuals with 666. Nothing is conclusive. That is why Revelation 13:18 says the number requires wisdom. When the antichrist is revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4), it will be clear who he is and how the number 666 identifies him.
Recommended Resource: Understand Bible Prophecy for Yourself by Tim Lahaye