Anyone that’s been around religion for awhile has undoubtedly heard the term “mark of the beast”. It comes from a scripture in the infamous book of Revelation that states “all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bound” receive the mark of the dragon “in their right hand, or in their foreheads” (Revelation 13:16). The scripture also says that no one will be free of the mark. Scary stuff huh?
The beast is a representation of the evil in the world. It is driven about and inspired by the dragon. The dragon is Satan…whom has also been referred to as “The Serpent”. So in all actuality, the beast is the one that carries out all of the dragon’s dirty work. The beast is out recruiting as many people as it can, and once it’s placed his mark upon someone, it considers them property of the dragon. Still…the question remains…how does he go about placing his mark upon someones right hand and forehead.
To better understand what’s really happening here, it’s good to dig into the word “mark” as it appears in the ancient texts. John the Revelator uses the Greek term charagma, “mark,” which denotes a stamp, etching, engraving, or impression. It also describes the brand a master places upon an animal or a slave. However, the word’s most important meaning denotes the “mark” left by “the serpents bite”.
Some have speculated that the mark of the beast would be a microchip that the government would implant in your head or in your arm in order to keep tabs on you. Others have set forth their own views on the mark…but the one that makes the most sense to me is the one that is derived from the meaning of the word itself; “charagma”
Think about it for a second. The “mark” is left from the “serpents bite”. When serpents bite you…what do they do? They inject poison right? So the most poisonous serpent of all [Satan], sinks his subtle little teeth into you and then injects his poison. That poison starts to take control of your body…and where do you think it manifests itself? Thats right! Your right hand and your forehead.
The front of your head or your forehead is a place that religious symbols have been placed for years. The forehead has represented a place that many show their allegiance to God or to Satan. It is representative of your thoughts…and we know that thoughts precede action.
Your right hand…as is the rest of your body… is controlled by your thoughts. It has always been looked at as your symbolic covenant hand. It alone is a representation of your works. You use it to shake hands, to salute the flag, and to make covenants. If your mind has become poisoned through the “serpents bite”, you will no doubt begin to see the “mark of the beast” manifest itself in your actions. The spiritual poison begins to spread itself through the body after it has taken control of the mind [forehead] and the covenant hand [right hand]. At that point, a person has become one with the beast and their new master has become the devil and they have been branded a slave.
On the other hand, God wishes to place a mark upon you as well. One of the angels tells the other four angels not to start the destruction “till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” (Revelation 7:3)
All of this symbolism brings me back to the story of the brazen serpent in the Old Testament. The Israelites weren’t being very good little Israelites so the Lord figured he’d teach them a lesson. Little did we know, the apostle John would be teaching the same lesson centuries later through the imagery of the “mark of the beast”. The Lord sent some “fiery serpents” to bite the Israelites and then had Moses construct a bronze or “brazen” serpent to be hoisted up and placed atop a pole. The brazen serpent was symbolic of the Savior. He was trying to “seal them His” by giving them a Savior from the serpents. All the Israelites needed to do was look at the brazen serpent and they would live. If not, they would die slowly from the poison of the bad serpents. [It is interesting to note that the Israelites wouldn’t look because it seemed to be too easy…and also because they wanted to reject Moses as the prophet that was presenting the symbolic “Savior”. Their rejection of the prophet intrinsically caused them to reject the Savior in the process.] This happened to be a physical lesson with harsh consequences for the Israelites, but the mark of the beast is a much more important spiritual conquest by the most poisonous of spiritual serpents. He wants to bite you so that he can inject his poison and leave an eternal mark on you.
There is only one way to escape the “mark of the beast”…and that is to receive the mark of God in our foreheads. Each of us have “sinned and come short of the glory of God” and have been infected to one degree or another. (Romans 3:23) If we will look to Christ… he can administer the only valid antidote there is for the serpents poison. After we have been cured by the Savior, we can receive the seal of God in our foreheads and have our thoughts directed at him. We have the opportunity to overcome the beast…but only in and through our willingness to look toward the Savior.
Thanks Drew! Really appreciate it!
I love how deep the Bronzed Serpent is as a parable as much as a story and a history. Its a wonderful example of how interwoven and how planned our lords plan is for us. I’ve never thought of the connection to the Mark of the Beast before. Very interesting perspective, my upbringing really gave me a skewed perspective of much of revelations and so I really like how much it offers a choice in life rather than the nightmare scenario fantasized by so many.
Clever insight, but it doesn’t explain how you won’t be able to buy or sell without it. They would have to know how you think unless how you think would cause you to put on some sign of that mentality or it would emerge like a skin tag or fancy mole.
If the mark causes people to think and act in a particular way, and those without it in another, then it stands to reason that the two groups would be able to tell each other apart. Much of the discussion in current politics revolving around certain liberties,(abortion, LGBT rights, gun rights, and religious liberties) issues that tend to divide people into two camps. If no compromise comes on these issues, the losing camp will suddenly have lost rights that they perceive to be theirs. The only difference between pro-choicers and firearm enthusiasts in that regard is who has the rights at the moment.
For some time, the resolutions of these issues have trended to the liberal side of things. Which can be a good thing–many of the changes in LGBT rights have greatly improved the general welfare of millions of people–the problem comes because, on a national scale, there is no compromise. If this trend continues, then we can expect a growing public hatred for religious institutions until they are effectively discriminated against, in much the same way that blacks were in the 60’s, or members of the LGBT community were, and thus, those without the mark–those who don’t think and behave in a particular, socially acceptable way–will be visible, and liable to be refused service, spat upon, and derided.
Based on Revelation, there likely isn’t a way to avoid this outcome completely, but I think we can delay with compromise. If we–both religious conservatives and humanist liberals (and those who are neither)–can discuss candidly what each group needs and desires, make concessions to each other where possible, and broaden our worldviews, then we can make a nation truly about liberty and justice for all.
Thoughts?