In the end times, all of those who dwell on earth will be compelled to take the mark of the beast and worship its image. Those who worship the beast are actually worshiping Satan, as the dragon gives the beast its power and authority. The mark of the beast will be the number “666” or the actual “name of the beast.” The mark will be made on the forehead or right hand of all those who receive it. In ancient times, slaves were marked on their forehead or right hand to show that they were property belonging to an owner or master. In the same way, all of those who bear the mark of the beast will be part of a New World Order, which will be nothing more than a political slave state.
The number of the beast is “666” and is a man’s number. This is to emphasize man’s imperfection and sinfulness to the third degree. This number 666 also signifies the failings and shortcomings found in all forms of human government. The number “6” falls short of God’s perfect number, which is “7.”
Those persons, who do not take the mark, will be denied access to all commercial activity, such as buying and selling. They will be persecuted and killed for taking a stand and not receiving the mark.
The time period marking the reign of the beast occurs during the great tribulation, and is three & one half times in length, forty two months, or one thousand two hundred & sixty days (three & one half years). This will be an unprecedented time of persecution for the saints or holy ones (the church). The beast will be given authority and power over the whole earth, and will conquer the holy ones and overcome them. Here is where the faith and endurance of the holy ones will come in. If someone is destined to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone takes up the sword, they will perish by the sword.
All of those who wage war and battle with the beast will be defeated. The beast will blaspheme God and all of those who dwell in heaven. The beast, as the eighth king of Bible history, will rule with ten other kings, who give their power and authority to the beast during this final hour. Together, these will battle and wage war with the Lamb (Christ Jesus) and those who are called, chosen, and faithful. The Lamb will conquer and defeat the beast, along with the kings of the earth and their armies, at the battle of Har-Magedon (Armageddon). Anyone who takes the mark of the beast and worships its image will be thrown in the lake of fire, the second death. There, they will be tormented forever and ever in the sight of the Lamb and His angels.
Revelation 13:4-10 “4 They worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?’ 5 There was given to him a mouth speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months (three and one half years) was given to him. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear. 10 If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity he goes; if anyone kills with the sword, with the sword he must be killed. Here is the perseverance (endurance) and the faith of the saints ( the holy ones).”
Daniel 7:25 “25 He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints (the holy ones) of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time (three and one half times or three and one half years).”
Daniel 12:7 “7 I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time (three and one half times or years); and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed.” (See also Revelation 11:1-3 & 12:1-6)
Revelation 13:15-18 “15 And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.”
Revelation 20:4 “4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”
Revelation 17:12-14 “12 The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. 13 These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. 14 These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are (the) called and chosen and faithful.”
Revelation 16:13-16 “13 And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; 14 for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty. 15 ‘Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.’ 16 And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Magedon (Armageddon).”
Revelation 14:9-12 “9 Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.’ 12 Here is the perseverance of the saints (the holy ones) who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.”
Revelation 19:11 & 16, 19-21 states: “11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.’ 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make (wage) war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.”
Print in red intended for clarification and/or various renderings from other translations.