April 23, 2021
Revelation 1:1-3 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: Who bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”
I saw this picture in my news feed the other day. It is a political cartoon that seems to be making fun of Christian beliefs about the end times. It is quite possible that society IS being conditioned to accept the mark of the beast. But what is the mark of the beast? How do we discern? Better yet, if this is coming, how do we prepare?
Eschatology is the study of what Scripture teaches about the end times. I’ve been a Christian for over 20 years but I had not heard this word “eschatology” until about a decade ago. All I knew of the end times came from men’s interpretation through books and movies. Apocalyptic ideas are popular. End times prophecy is marketable entertainment, so much so that Hollywood has jumped on it too. But we should not rely on Hollywood to interpret God’s Word for us.
The book of Revelation (last book of the Bible), is typically referred to most when discussing end time events, but a student of the Word recognizes that we can find references to the end times throughout the Bible. Since time began, we have been heading towards the end of time. God is eternal. He created time itself. God lives outside of time. The Bible is God’s Word for ALL of time.
Ever since Jesus ascended into Heaven, 40 days after His resurrection from the dead, the Church has longed for His return and the consummation of the Saints. (Acts 1:1-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Titus 2:13) According to the Bible, this world will get worse and worse. Today most of us would agree that things are definitely getting worse. (Matthew 24:4-13, John 16:33, Romans 1:17-2:11, 2 Timothy 3:1-17, 1 John 2:14-18, 1 John 5:19)
We also see in scripture that folks will mock the fact that one day God will put an end to this evil world. (2 Peter 3:3-4) One aspect of the end times that the secular world has been mocking as of late is the mark of the beast. Since barcodes and computer technology has become more common in our society, we’ve heard theories about what the mark of the beast will be. Maybe a microchip implanted into the hand or the forehead? I’ve recently heard theories about the COVID-19 shot being the mark. All these theories have brought about fears, speculations, and scoffing among non-Christians and Christians alike. But as Christians, what should be our proper response?
I do not claim to have all the answers. However I do claim to know the one who does have ALL the answers. God, our Creator is omniscient (all-knowing) and we can know Him through His Word. The book of Revelation, which many Christians avoid reading because it contains a lot of symbolism, is the only book that promises a blessing to those who read and understand. Yet, how many Christians truly read to prayerfully understand the book of Revelation?
No matter what thoughts we may have about eschatology and how the end times will unfold, one thing is certain, it all culminates in Jesus Christ. Revelation, the last book of the Bible, is indeed this: a revelation of Jesus Christ. The completion of His mighty work is being displayed in the book of Revelation. In it, we see the power and glory of God through the revealing of Who His Son, Jesus Christ, truly is! When reading this book, ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and give you understanding. (John 16:13) God is faithful to His Word. He said He would guide us into all truth and bless us when we adhere to His Word.
The mark of the beast is first mentioned in Revelation 13:15-16, “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:”
From this text we can see that those who would not worship the image of the beast were killed. So by extension we understand that those who would worship the image of the beast are those that receive the mark. This mark will be in their right hand or forehead. Deuteronomy 6:4-8 also has a reference to the hand and forehead. “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.” (emphasis mine)
We can see from the text in Deuteronomy that our worship should be devoted to God and His Word. We are to love Him with all our heart, soul, and might. Our thoughts and minds should be on Christ and our hands should be about serving Him. (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 12:1-27, Philippians 2:5) The mark of the beast could be the actual placement of an object or marking upon the skin, but it is much more significant than that. The mark of the beast represents worship. (Revelation 13:15) Who do you worship? Are your thoughts and actions controlled by Christ?
As folks continue to speculate end time events and what the mark of the beast might be, let us keep our focus on Jesus. Many years ago a wise man said to me, “Carolyn, don’t focus so much on the things in scripture that you do not understand. Focus on and strive to obey the things in scripture that you do understand. God is faithful to give you understanding when you need it.” I have repeated that advice to myself many times in my Christian walk. The Lord just wants us to trust and obey Him. He is the one who gives us understanding as needed. God wants our worship. We are to love Him with ALL our heart, soul, and might! Devoting ourselves to HIS service! God has given each of us time. Spend it wisely! (Ephesians 5:15-16)
Instead of wondering what the mark of the beast might be. I should focus on who I am in Christ. HIS mark was placed on me when I repented of my sin and Jesus saved me. I am saved and sealed by God. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Ephesians 1:13) No one can remove me from my Savior’s hand. (John 10:27-29) My name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life! (Philippians 4:2-4, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 20:14-15) I think the best way to prepare for the end times is by living each day for the glory of God! For we never know when our end time may be.
Revelation 4:11 “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Scripture For Further Study
Psalm 115:1, Matthew 5:16 Matthew 6:33, Romans 1:16-18, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:23, Colossians 4:5, Hebrews 11:6
In Times Like These 
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