The Mark of the Beast

The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortal is contained in the third angel's message. The prophet of Patmos records:

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worships the beast and his image , and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Revelation 14:9-11.

The mark of the beast has been subject to a lot of speculations. Every wind of doctrine is being taught, regarding this solemn warning. Preachers have risen each with a different and discordant view, but in order to be safe we need to look to the scriptures to tell us what the mark of the beast is. We are not to be contented with what we have heard from others, rather we need to study the word of God to have a firm foundation. "Seek ye out of the book and read" Isaiah 34:16 and his word is pledged that "If any man will do His will, He shall know of the doctrine" John 7:17

A correct interpretation of the symbols employed is necessary to an understanding of this message. What is represented by the beast, the image, the mark? The line of prophecy in which these symbols are found can be traced back to Revelation 13. Due to the magnitude that this subject bears, it is well-nigh impossible to exhaust it entirely at once. This discourse will focus on the beast, then the image and the mark will be dwelt upon in subsequent articles.

The Beast from the Sea

John beholds a beast rising up out of the sea (Rev 13:1). A beast represents a kingdom (Daniel 7:17,24), the sea represents people and multitudes (Revelation 17:15). Therefore, this is a kingdom that rises in a densely populated area. Let us outline its characteristics, then we will be able to identify it.

1. It is a composite of the four beasts of Daniel 7 (Rev 13:2)
2. The dragon gives him his power, and his seat, and great authority (Rev 13:2)
3. Rules 42 months, wars with the saints and overcomes them (Rev 13:5,7)
4. Received a deadly wound which healed (Rev 13:3)
5. It is a strong religious and political power (Rev 13:3-8)
6. Guilty of blasphemy (Rev 13:1,5,6)
7. It has a mysterious number 666 (Rev 13:18)

Before a power can be identified as that beast, it must fit ALL the above descriptions perfectly. If it fails even in one point, then it is not the beast spoken of in Revelation. There is only one power that matches all the descriptions given and that is the PAPACY. Consider the description keenly.

1. In a previous article, we saw the four world kingdoms represented by the four beasts in Daniel 7. In John's time three of the beasts (empires) had passed away, making it logical that only Daniel's fourth beast was shown to John. This is evidently the papacy; as it appears last in the scene of the great controversy, and receives its power, seat and authority from the dragon.
2. The dragon is spoken of in Revelation 12 as a power, that sought to kill Christ at his birth and persecuted the early church. It is pointed out to be Satan (Rev 12:9) and in order to kill Christ and persecute the early church, Satan used the Roman empire to accomplish his designs. The prevailing religion of the empire at that time was paganism. Thus while the dragon primarily refers to Satan, in a secondary sense it applies to Pagan Rome. The papacy received its power, seat and authority from Pagan Rome. The foundation was laid by Constantine when in 330 A.D he removed his capital from Rome to Constantinople. The ancient city was left to the papal power and the pope occupied in Rome a throne higher than any occupied by the Caesars. But it was emperor Justinian who completed the transfer of power when in 533 A.D, he gave a decree declaring the pope to be the head of all the Churches. The decree could not go into effect until 538 A.D, when the last rivals to the papacy were overthrown.
3. The papacy started ruling in 538 A.D, according to prophecy it was to rule for 42 months which is equivalent to 1260 prophetic days (42* 30= 1260). One day in prophecy symbolizes one literal year (Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6). Therefore, the 1260 days in prophecy refer to 1260 literal years (538 +1260=1798). The papacy ruled from 538-1798 A.D. Historians have referred to that period as the dark ages, many were slain, burnt, tortured for their defense of the faith. It was a terrible time; -a time when angels trembled for the few faithful souls, and the heart of God longed for the time of their deliverance. "The noontide of the papacy was the world's moral midnight." The sad thing to contemplate is that the oppression, which, during the twelve hundred and sixty years was so galling, will be repeated just before the second coming of Christ.
4. In the year 1798, the papacy received a deadly wound. Pope Pius (VI) was taken captive by the French army, and died, shortly after, a prisoner, in fulfillment of the words "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity." But the deadly wound is to heal, and the papacy will demonstrate its cruel power. A day of great intellectual darkness has been shown to be favorable to the success of the papacy. It will yet be demonstrated that a day of great intellectual light is equally favorable for its success.
5. That which gave strength unto the papacy is that it mingled the church and the state craft. Whenever the church has sought the help of the state, it has used it to punish those who do not agree with its teachings. The papacy has employed this craft so successfully, and now as the end approaches, it will yet use this means to lead people to false worship according to her erroneous doctrines. Each individual, will be called to decide whether he/she will obey God and keep His commandments yea, even the true Sabbath, or he/she will acknowledge the leadership of that man of sin.

6. According to the Bible, blasphemy is when a man claims to forgive sins (Mark 2:7) and also makes himself equal with God (John 10:33). Has the papacy done this? Most certainly. The popes of Rome have assumed infallibility, which belongs only to God. They profess to forgive sins, which belongs only to God. They profess to open and shut heaven, which belongs only to God. They profess to be higher than all the kings of the earth, which belongs only to God. And they go against God when they give indulgences for sin. This is the worst of all blasphemies^*.
   A careful consideration of the above characteristics, shows that the first beast of Revelation 13 is similar to the little horn described in Daniel 7. They are both blasphemous, they make war with the saints and overcome them, they succeed pagan Rome, they rule for 1260 years, and meet the same fate, it is so clear that they represent the same identical power: THE PAPACY.

7. The number of the beast, says the prophecy, "is the number of a man;" and we are told it is "the name of blasphemy" found "upon its heads" (Rev 13:1) It is therefore to be found in the name or title ascribed to the pope of Rome. The most plausible expression that has been identified as containing the number of the beast, is the title which the pope takes to himself, and allows others to apply to him. That title is this: Vicarious Filii Dei, "Vicegerent of the Son of God." Taking the letters out of this title which the Latins used as numerals, and giving them their numerical value, we have;

V = 5	F = 0	D = 500
I = 1	I = 1	E = 0
C = 100	L = 50	I = 1
A = 0	I = 1	Add = 501
R = 0	I = 1
I = 1	Add = 53
U = 5
S = 0
Add = 112

Total = 112+53+501 = 666

In summary, we have been able to identify the first beast spoken of in Revelation 13 as the papacy - a system. Let me note that, there are many faithfuls even within the Roman Catholic Church who have no idea regarding the aims of the Papacy, in enforcing the dreaded mark of the beast. It is the intent of the man of sin that the followers should be left in darkness, but thanks be to God for "we have a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place." 2 Peter 1:19. We are not to be in darkness, for we have the prophetic chart. In our next discourse, we will identify the image of the beast , so that we may take heed to the warning of the third angel and not perish due to lack of knowledge. Till then, may the good Lord bless you and keep you.

^* Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith pp 153 par 4