Discussions on the “mark of the Beast” focus on questions about what it is - a medical implant, barcode, tattoo – and the significance of its “number,” ‘666.’ As important as these questions are, far more critical is the issue of how the mark is implemented, and how we avoid taking it or the “number of the beast.”
We tend to see the “False
Prophet” busily tricking and compelling anyone and everyone to take the “mark,”
using economic pressure, threats of imprisonment, or worse. Apparently, men
and women will have no choice but to take the “mark” or suffer deadly
consequences. Submit or starve!
Almost certainly, when the “Beast”
does appear, his reign will include the employment of coercion. However, Revelation
does NOT free individuals from their responsibility for giving
allegiance to it whether Christian or not.
When he appears, the “False
Prophet” will cause the “inhabitants of the earth” to take the “mark
of the Beast.” He will “deceive those who are dwelling upon the earth”
so they erect an image of the “beast from the sea.” Furthermore, he will
“cause” everyone to take its “mark” or “number” - (Revelation
13:11-18).
WILLING PARTICIPATION
The last statement indicates the
“mark” is imposed by the “False Prophet” on both the willing and
the unwilling. However, that is not the complete story.
The “Beast from the earth” certainly sets things in motion, but the recipients of the “mark” are consciously involved – “taking” the “mark” is part and parcel of “rendering homage to the beast.”
The “False Prophet” may
use deceit and threats when needed, nonetheless, the “inhabitants of the
earth” are willing participants
in the process.
In the series of seven “bowls
of wrath,” the first bowl causes “a painful ulcer upon men, those having
the mark of the beast and those rendering homage to his image.” “Having”
and “rendering homage” represent present tense Greek participles that
are in the active voice, and this means the subject performs the
action.
Thus, the “inhabitants of
the earth” actively engage in taking the “mark” - they embrace the system of their
own free will. And that is why they suffer the plagues unleashed by the “bowls
of wrath” - (Revelation 16:1-2).
In the vision of the “Rider
on a White Horse,” the “Beast” and the “False Prophet” are cast
alive into the “Lake of Fire” because they “deceived those having
taken the mark of the beast.” Again, an active voice participle is used. “Having
taken” or lambanÅ in the clause means to “take” the “mark”
- (Revelation 19:17-21).
BELIEVERS MUST CHOOSE
Finally, those who reign with
Christ for the “thousand years” do so because “they did not render homage to the beast,”
and they “did not take its
mark.”
Once again, active voice verbs are used, in this case, for actions NOT taken by the followers of the “Lamb.” Their decision is set in contrast to that of the “inhabitants of the earth” who chose to give absolute allegiance to the “beast” - (Revelation 20:4-6).
When the “Beast” arrives,
Christians and non-Christians alike will have a choice - Whether to bow to
the beast or not. Everyone will be held responsible for his or her own choice
whether to follow the “Beast” or the “Lamb.”
Thus, the disciple of Jesus must exercise extreme caution before blindly embracing the values of the existing world order or submitting to the demands of any government, ideology, or political leader for his or her allegiance.