In the Book of Revelation, we read about the arrival of the Beast – the enemy of God’s people.  During this period, Christ-followers will be excluded from participation in the local economy unless they agree to place upon their head and hand the mark of the Beast (Rev. 13:16-18). But what is the exact nature of the mark?

To understand the true meaning of the mark of the beast, something must be kept in mind – The Book of Revelation is a Jewish, anti-Roman document. Once we realize that, we need to remember that the central Jewish Torah text that was recited twice daily stated, “‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one.” It had another, less famous, but an integral part: “Bind them (God’s commandments) as a sign on your hand and they will be on your forehead.” (Deut. 6:4-8) Jewish people, both today and in antiquity, fulfill this commandment by literally tying the words of the Living God found in Torah to their hand and head almost every day of the week. This Practice is called, “the laying on of a tefillin.”

If the Book of Revelation is read with an awareness of the first-century Jewish context, it becomes clear that we should not imagine that one day the entire world will undergo a medical procedure that will insert a chip under the human skin (as some Bible teachers speculate). Instead, we should understand the mark of the beast to be an inward or outward expression that opposes the Law of God in the life of a human being. As the enemy of God and His people, the evil Beast would naturally want to replace the mark of God that goes on the hand and head of the worshiper with his own mark.

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1012 COMMENTS

  1. Disclaimer: If men dressed in black will come to your house and ask you to put a chip under your skin on your hand and forehead, don't be stupid - don't do it! :-) (But I think there is a greater chance for democrats to support Donald Trump in US politics than for this to happen to you). We are more likely to place the mark of the beast on us in all kinds of other ways that would be more subtle.

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    • The fear of physical death is the obvious reason for all the mess we live in today. So i doubt most left back after the rapture will deny a chip, if initiated. Further the subtle ways of placing the anti-God mark have also been obvious since the fall of man so that cannot be what the Mark of the Beast is all about. I believe it will surely be a significant something that reminds each one about the beast's power and also instills deep fear.

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    • The markbof the beast is literal ,with thethe mark you can not buy or sell ,so it the microchip, this prove that Jesus word is true. Jesus also said that the jew have the satan as thier father which mean when the Antichrist will come ,the jew will receive him as thier messiah because he is the one who will allow to build the temple. Remember is the only way the to father, jesus is the God of the Torah, God manifested in flesh as per john

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  2. This is an excellent and thought-provoking post, Dr. Eli. I agree that the author of Revelation is deliberately contrasting tefillin with the evil mark of the Beast. However, just as tefillin are a visual reminder of a person's identification with the One True God, I don't think we can rule out that the mark of the Beast may also include a visual component (as a means of identifying one's loyalty to the Beast, his system, and opposition to God).
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  3. "Revelation 13:16-17 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave,[a] to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name." This sounds like a permanent mark of some kind to me. But you are saying it is some action, not a physical mark?
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  4. From what I've read, as pertaining to an RFID chip, QR code (which actually makes more sense because people could actually oppose anything underneath the skin of the forehead), or some speculating it's actually the banner islamists wear on the head or right arm that contains the bismallah (there's no god but allah, & Mohammed is his messenger). But whatever it is, required on the right hand/arm or forehead, that'll be what to avoid.

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    • The mark of the beast is going to be something that will permanently change your DNA. RFID, something along the lines of tefillin, etc., will not do this, because it can be removed. If you do not understand who the Raphaim were... a hybrid between humans and the fallen ones (the rebel angels who swore an oath on Mount Hermon to go against God's commandments, and changed from immortal to mortal states (Jude 1:6, Books of Enoch, Jasher, Jubilees, & Giants), to have sexual relations with human women, and then produced offspring) which were NOT a creation of Yah (the seed that Yah is speaking of, in Genesis 3:15), and that these beings are coming back, in the coming Jacob's Trouble (Great Tribulation), then you wouldn't understand that these beings were condemned to roam the earth, as demons, since before the Great Flood. They have eternal souls, and that's what the Mark of the Beast will offer to those that take it. So, when you take it, you become like the Raphaim... and this is what will prevent those from entering Heaven that take it, forever. Any other means, is temporary... you can change your mind after taking it. But the Bible is clear... once you take it, that's it, you're gone. So, that means, something that changes your genetic DNA. Today, we're seeing the evidence that this can be done, through the CRISPR technology. They just did an experiment in China on 86 patients, changing their DNA to cure cancer. They're using it to create custom babies, in the UK. It's what they use, to create hybrid animals that can create organs for human organ transplants, on mice and pigs, etc. It's already here.

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  5. The Seventh-day Adventists point out that the issue will come down to Sunday being enforced by governments as the false Sabbath. There are many evidences in the text that the "beast" is none other than the Roman papacy which claims that Sunday is the mark of it's authority over Christians who bow down in spite of a complete lack of evidence in Scripture for Sunday sacredness
    • I don't see the Roman papacy as the Beast and enforcement of Sunday over Saturday as THE issue any more. I think the mark of the beast may manifest itself in different ways in different times.

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    • Brother, preach!! You're of the few; our gate is narrow. You posted TRUTH!! Scripture is clear, the papacy is evil. NOBODY but them will fit into that revelation & NOBODY has the right to change God's laws. They're blasphemous. Their fruit is rotten!! Be careful of wolves that deny truth!!!
    • I have been following several comments above. Mark of the beast being suggested as the covid 19 vaccine. Can anyone please help me out?

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    • The Seventh Day Adventist cult is based on the lie of William Miller that Jesus Christ was going to return in second coming in 1843 and in 1844. Neither happened. Mrs. Ellen G. White morphed this false Millerite Bible twisting, what she said about Sunday is false.

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  6. Instead, we should understand the mark of the beast to be any inward or outward expression that opposes the Law of God in the life of a human being. This is confusing, as this has happened every day, since the beginning of time. So how is it somehow distinct enough to gain recognition in this scripture passage?
    • I agree. This is the danger. If it was something THAT OBVIOUS as putting something under your skin on the head and hand it would be easy to resist, but something that happens everyday feels acceptable.

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    • Dan S. I agree with the message you have posted. Two sides in the knowledge over the Mark of the Beast when studying the Book of Job. Lucifer is supposed to be the Beast, however, God gave Lucifer permissions in order to test humanity from right or wrong decisions within our lives.
    • I kinda like this. Truth is, these gotta have distinct attributes and since a specific number (666) is mentioned, its significance cannot be overemphasized. There's a man and he's got a number! I'm working on a movie project about the advent of the Antichrist, albeit fiction, I need help

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  7. I do agree with that information about the mark of the beast it’s impossible for any system that has a literal agenda of piercing people’s skin to place chips in such a numerical way
    • You are right!Stay on that argument cause you are straight.Dr. Eli doesn’t believe.But the bible is straight.Battle on Earth between evil and Good is on the 4th commandment from the Law, which is Sabbath. Satan and Antichrist (Pope) atacks God and wants to introduce Saturday. Read app EGW.
  8. Could the usage of crypto currency be one of those subtle ways you mention? IMO I see it as a very effective way to control people and their finances
    • Talking about relevant question! :-) I think it is too early to say, but obviously we should all be vigilant. Bitcoin is used by old dirt bags of the universe now, so good question to ask is making money on it is consistent with God's Law? (I am not sure it is).

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    • We are very happy that you’ve joined our discussion forum. Would you believe that these articles are only a taste of what Israel Bible Center has to offer? We also provide comprehensive teaching on a variety of biblical, historical, and cultural topics. You might begin with The Story of Our Hebrew Fathers: Abraham and Isaac or Leviticus and The New Testament. You’ll be amazed at the Jewish world that awaits you. Don’t delay another minute: enroll now!
    • I am amazed such knowledge exist among followers of both mosaic and Christianity doctrines. But we are feed daily with speculation by Christian teachers. I am a retiree and could therefore not afford the fees being charged. However,thanks .

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    • How about that old vaccine that used a pin prick instead of a needle back in polio times no one cared then but they refuse a vaccine that leaves no mark?
      How did Nero 616 or Neron 666 deal with his marks. I think scripture is speaking simply to those days. Like Macc a bees where they were martyrs for refusing pork and other anti Jewish cultural observances. ,???
      To me being obvious either way will still work. The politically correct are erasing evil history which means we'll won't remember and repeat it (MOVIE about Jonestown) and therfore sting of the reggae style rock band statement will be true; history will teach us nothing!

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  9. i have my doubts that the "western" teaching of a rapture is being taught to the Christians and all the new converts to Christianity in the middle east. They are suffering all too often what the western Christians are thinking they will be raptured away from.... persecution in the view of western Christians is something they will not ever be subjected to... False Teaching for False Christians in my mind!
  10. I don't think that it's going to be anything that will be INSIDE of us. I believe it will be on the OUTSIDE and visible (more like a type of tattoo), something that people can see with a naked eye. The Antichrist will be a real human being (a real man), not a governmental system of things. Not Sunday worship like the Adventist all believe, but a real live breathing human (soul)...I think he will stand in the newly re-built Temple in Jerusalem and claim to be GOD and will demand worship from everyone alive. I think persecution is coming.
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