by Brad Sherman

18

Resisting Satan's Mark



And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who
have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over
the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.
 — Revelation 15:2 (NKJV)


     The previous chapter defined Satanism in its basic form and the point was made that, even genuine Christians, can be tricked into aligning with Satan at times if not careful. Any discussion on this  issue will eventually get around to the “The Mark of the Beast.”

He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or 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 it is the number of a man: His number is 666.  14:1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. —Revelation 13:16-14:1 (NKJV)

     Most people who have read this passage have imagined a scenario where they had to choose between taking the mark or not.  What is this mark? How will it manifest? Is it a tattoo, an electronic microchip, or something else? The speculations are endless. But notice that there is another mark mentioned in Revelation, the mark of God. Everyone has a mark, the choice is between the mark of the beast or the mark of God.
 
The Mark of the Beast and the Mark of God
     The mark of the beast is mentioned eight times in the book of Revelation. Each time, the word mark is from the Greek word charagma. It is a root from which we get the word character. The definition of this Greek word charagma is: a scratch, etching, i.e., a stamp (as, a badge of servitude).  Three of the eight times where the mark of the beast is mentioned, it also mentions the mark being on either the forehead or the hand (see Rev 13:6; 14:9; 20:4). The same word is also used to describe the mark of God on the foreheads of His people (See Rev 14:1). This Greek word for mark, charagma, is used one other time in the New Testament in the Book of Acts.

Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.—Acts 17:29 (NASB)

     In this verse, charagma is translated as image formed. The King James Version uses the word graven, as in a graven image, instead of image formed. Thinking of the mark as an image formed brings to mind several Scriptures that speak to us about being conformed into Christ's image which is receiving the mark of God. Notice the references to image and the different varioations of the word formed:
  • Romans 8:29 says we are to be conformed into the image of Jesus.
  • First Corinthians 15:49 tells us that we will bear the image of the heavenly.
  • Second Corinthians 3:18 says that as we behold the glory of the Lord, we are being changed into the same image from glory to glory by the Spirit of God.
  • Second Corinthians 4:4 and Hebrews 1:3 say Christ is the image of God.
  • Romans 12:2 tells us not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
  • Colossians 3:10 says we are to put on the new man which is renewed (reformed) in knowledge after the image of Him that created him.
     Both Romans 12:2 and Colossians 3:10 refer to our thoughts, speaking of our minds and our knowledge. We also see in Acts 17:29 that the image to which we are to be formed is the divine nature. As we know, the divine nature is an inward thing, an invisible attribute that produces outward effects, i.e., good works. We were created in Christ Jesus for good works (see Eph 2:10).

     Therefore, if the mark of God is internal, might the mark of the beast also be internal? If the mark of God is His divine nature being formed in us by renewing our minds, then might the mark of the beast be the unholy nature of the beast being formed in people through vain philosophies such as the satanic sacraments addressed in th previous chapter? The mark of God was on the forehead. If this speaks of renewed minds, godly doctrines, and our belief system, then the mark of the beast on the forehead speaks of unrenewed minds,  reprobate minds, and ungodly belief systems. The mark of the beast on the hand would speak of evil works resulting from an ungodly belief system.

     When Jesus is described as the express image of God's person (see Heb 1:3), the word for image in the original Greek is charakter, essentially the same as mark (charagma). Strong's Greek Dictionary defines it as an engraver (the tool or person) by implication, an engraving, [character], the figure stamped, an exact copy or representation. Since the words charagma and charakter are where we get our word character, the mark of the beast, or his image, is a reference to one's character. In short, mark speaks of the moral makeup or character of men.  Instead of speculating how the mark of the beast will manifest, we should be primarily concerned with developing Christlikeness and being conformed to the image of Jesus in our character.

     Jesus said that He did nothing of Himself, only as He was instructed by His Father (John 8:28).  This is how Jesus was an exact representation of the Father on earth. This means that Jesus thinks the Father's thoughts and does the Father's deeds, which speaks of the mark of God on the forehead (thoughts) and on the hand (deeds).

     The opposite is true for the mark of the beast. Jesus confronted the Pharisees saying, “I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father ... Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth...”  (John 8:38,44). The Pharisees’ father was the devil and their thoughts and deeds reflected that. This means that those who bear the mark of the beast are those whose character is imprinted by their mentor, Satan. People with the character of the world system (those being conformed to this world) bear the mark of the beast on their foreheads (thoughts) and it is seen on their hands (deeds).

     One day you and I may indeed be presented with the choice to receive a literal “mark of the beast.”  But one thing is sure, our ability to resist it will be determined by the content of our character. Therefore, to avoid the mark of the beast our attention should primarily be on developing Christlike character and being conformed to His image by the renewing of our minds according to God's Word. 

The Number of Man

Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.— Revelation 13:18 (NKJV)

     If the mark of the beast is literally an external mark, like a 666 tattoo for the forehead or hand, or an electronic RF chip embedded under the skin, then people’s choice will be clear, take it or not. But like most temptations, this choice may be presented in a series of small compromises that lead to the final choice.  If that is the case, accepting it or not might not be such a clear or easy choice. This is why we need to be training ourselves now to think like God instead of thinking like man.

     The mark of the beast is the number of a man, or as the New International Version says, “...man's number.” I do not wish to speculate here as to who this man is, whether he is an historical figure or a future one, whether one man or man in general. But scripture tells us that the number of the beast, 666, is  man's number. With that in mind, it is interesting that in the Greek, the word for 6 is spelled just like the preposition, meaning from or out of. Could 666 (man's number) be a riddle or puzzle meaning a way of thinking from or out of man? Consider again Matthew 16:23 which gives us some understanding by which to calculate the beast's (man’s) number. Consider once again Jesus’ reply when Peter’s thoughts were from man instead of from God:

But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.  —Matthew 16:23 (NKJV)

     Peter didn't want Jesus to suffer and die; he wanted Jesus to go to Jerusalem, take His place as the king of Israel, and rule the world. After all, Jesus had taught his disciples to expect that. He had even promised them places of authority in His government. But based on what Jesus said, selfish ambition tainted Peter’s motive. Peter was probably thinking about his own place of authority in the Kingdom of God. He was ready to conquer the world by force but it was not yet time for the Kingdom to appear. Jesus had come to seek and save that which was lost. Peter didn't know what manner of spirit he was speaking from. He was mindful of the things of men, not God.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter, envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.  —James 3:13–16 (NKJV)

     An earthy feeling-based (sensual) man-centered attitude is more evil than we might think. Where there is a lack of meekness and where self-seeking or personal ambition motivate our thoughts and words, there is potential for every evil thing! Peter thought he would offer Jesus a word of wisdom, but his wisdom turned out to be earthly, sensual, and demonic. This shows how setting our minds on the things of man, as Peter did, is to risk becoming a spokesperson for Satan!

     As we engage in preparing the way for the Kingdom of God and realize that filling positions of rank and authority in His Kingdom is a factor, let us remember that selfish man-centered motives will not accomplish the task. Our motives must come from a true love for our King and His Kingdom and our works must reflect the same as we serve others. 

Paradigm Builder
     To avoid the mark of the beast our attention should primarily be on developing Christlike character and being conformed to His image by the renewing of our minds according to God's Word. 

How would you describe your position regarding this concept?
    Before reading the chapter :
        1- I disagreed
        2- I was unaware or ambivalent
        3- I already agreed

    After you read the chapter/book:
        1- I disagree
        2- I am considering
        3- I agree   


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(c) Copyright, 2013, Brad Sherman