The Mark of the Beast: Taking a Moment Part 1

 Y'know what nobody likes? End-times discussions.


Y'know what I don't like? Bad Bible reading techniques.


I've been putting off adding my two cents into the discussion regarding "the mark of the beast" or any kind of end-times-related things. However, after finding yet another article being used as a "support" to a specific understanding of the Mark of the Beast, I figured I might as well put my thoughts out there in hopes that a good discussion can be had. Then I could put the topic to bed so I can carry on with life and not have the topic nagging at my brain.

What am I talking about?

Here is the idea I'm responding to: The mark of the Beast is a microchip prophesied about in Revelation 13:16. 

I'm going to do my best to represent this viewpoint fairly. But still, I'm open to discussion/correction of my representation of it.

Here goes:


The mark of the Beast is what the people are given to physically take. According to Revelation 13:16-17, we find that the mark of the Beast is forced upon people to limit those without the mark in their daily living. This mark would be placed on the forehead and forearm of its worshippers. 


Whatever this prophetic message of the mark is, the mark is depicted as something physical because the text says, "Those who receive the mark," obviously indicating that this is a physical action.


When we look at this message and the induction of Covid passports, it is evident that we are being forced to take vaccinations and bring passports to get food and drink. Sometimes we are forced to present QR codes to worship on Sunday! Therefore, it's the mark of the Beast!

Disclaimer* This is the view that we see most frequently.


What should we know about Revelation?

I just want to put these thoughts/observations here to ask good questions to better our theology. 

The mark of the Beast is described as "On their right hands and on their foreheads." So, let's get some things straightened out by asking, "who wrote Revelation, and what did they use to write it."


With almost complete certainty, we know that the book of Revelation was written by the same author as John and 1-3 John. The exact same authorial style (symbolism, numerology, Old Testament references etc). Not only that, but his sentence structure is completely identical, including phrases in 3's and 7's. Not a coincidence, but should be seen as artistic flavor.


Whether it's John or not, the author uses consistent Old Testament imagery to convey the idea that Jesus is the Son of God; Truly God and truly man. He uses imagery such as vineyards, vines, and wine. Not only this, but many of John's stories involve Jesus teaching the temple courts pointing towards himself as the light of the world (some conclude that Jesus is standing by the lamp in the temple), he uses the imagery of being the bread of life which is connected with the "bread of the tabernacle." 


Most of John is found to utilize the Old Testament as its primary source. In fact, Revelation uses the Old Testament 500 TIMES! That's a crazy amount of citations (I was lucky to get 5 on my papers in Bible College, if I'm being honest). 


But John doesn't only use direct quotations; he utilizes concepts and ideas found in the Old Testament. For example, John uses Old Testament imagery regarding chaos agents/agents of evil (Babylon being the primary example). He even uses the leviathan image in Revelation, which generally references the Old Testament deity/being Rahab (not the prostitute) or the serpent found in the garden itself (See Ezekiel 28). 


Here's the point: if John used Old Testament imagery that much, we should probably try to read this New Testament Book with Old Testament goggles.


I realized that this blog topic would take a couple posts to cover and be coherent, so I'll leave this here for now. 


The next article will look at language regarding "the name of God, the name of the Beast and the relationship to the mark."

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Mark of the Beast: Taking a moment Part 2

What is more bizarre: A pig with wings? Or a two-part blog series done by yours truly? You guessed it: A two-part series done by yours truly I wanted to break this down into two parts ( maybe 3 depending on how this part goes) for the simple purpose that this topic requires more digestible chunks in order to make sense. Not necessarily for the reader, but definitely for me since I don't know when to stop talking (or writing in this context).  To sum up my last blog post, which I'd recommend reading, I talked about the authorship of the book of Revelation and how integral the Old Testament is for us to understand the message of Revelation.  The importance of Old Testament theology is as integral as oxygen is to breathing. I left off by making a statement. A purpose statement of this blog post so that I could be as focused as possible in this post. (You're welcome) What we're going to look at is the name of God, the name of the beast, and the mark. *Disclaimer: The materi...
Read more

The Confession of a Hypocrite

  Introduction Today was like any other day. I woke up, got dressed, sauntered into my kitchen. Having arrived at my destination, I then opened my pantry, pulled out a coffee filter, turned my coffee grinder on. I then checked every box in the "making coffee" to-do list. Then I hit the power button, moved over to my couch, about 6 steps, sat down, and waited.  I went about my usual routine, watch some cooking videos, check out my favorite youtube channels, then came the ever so delightful "beep-beep-beep." My coffee was perked and ready to drink. I got up off my couch and poured myself some of that coveted java, then went and sat in the same spot on my couch.  I then went about my next routine. I still looked at some youtube videos, then sauntered into my Bible reading. I've been reading through a Bible in a year plan, and I'm currently in Ezekiel. This was a great time; it felt as though scripture was jumping off the page. I was finding connections between ...
Read more

Stop Being a Pharisee?

  What is false teaching? In the world today, we have witnessed a strange year. Not only to start this one with the presidential election but many internet prophecies and strange teaching from fringe preachers. It has been a burden on my heart, but I didn't feel the need to dedicate the time to write a blog post about it. Then, unironically, after witnessing many false prophecies about the election, and reading through my Bible (particularly Matthew 23) I thought it fitting to write a post. I hope that this will edify and equip you in recognizing false teachers. Particularly, viewing one of the seven woes in Matthew 23 (specifically verses 1-7). Here is the text we will look at: Matthew 23:2-4 The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their ...
Read more