He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 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, 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. 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.”
In verses 15 and following, we have the agenda of the ultimate false prophet.
13:15
He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
The second beast gives the image of the first beast breath and the power to speak. This is his second deception, giving the appearance of the first beast’s resurrection. The word “image” is more than a copy; it represents the thing’s reality. This image symbolizes the religious authority of the first beast and is the force behind his worldwide power. This image had the power to convince people to kill those who did not worship the first beast.
13:16
He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or their foreheads,
The second beast will require everyone to wear the mark of the first beast. All men of every state in life must receive this mark in a prominent place – the forehead or right hand. This event will easily categorize those who worship the beast and those who do not.
The word “mark” means an impression made by a stamp. Like so many cows, the beast will brand those who belong to him. This mark may be a bar code.
13:17
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.
The second beast restructures the world economy. Without this mark, no one could buy or sell even the necessities of life. The “mark” symbolizes totalitarian government control; the Antichrist will maintain strict economic control over the world. This will exclude any believer who takes a stand for Christ. By this disenfranchisement, all believers will lose all their civil rights. Many believers will die because they refuse to accept the mark.
13:18
Here is wisdom.
There is wisdom in understanding the implications of the mark of the beast. It is “wisdom” to recognize what Scripture says here (1 Pe 4:7; 5:8; 2 Pe 3:11).
Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
The attempts to find hidden meanings in the 666 are legion. This leads to futile conjecture. Nowhere does the Bible use gematria (mystical interpretation) as a system of interpretation. It does use numbers symbolically, but this is different from gematria. This passage explicitly says that 666 is the number of man. All attempts to identify the name of the world dictator by running scenarios of numbers are futile. Some manuscripts, such as p115 and C, have the number as 616.
The word “calculate” means to reckon, compute, count. The believer must calculate the number of the beast. The mark of the beast has something to do with mankind being central to reality. This is similar to humanism today. Humanism is not humanitarianism. Humanitarianism is simply people helping people in need. Humanism is about mankind being central to reality. Mankind will solve its own problems. People can get along without God. This religion promotes the worship of mankind. Religion takes our eyes off God.
Principle:
Christianity is a threat to world religion.
Application:
During the Tribulation, there will be a one-world government, one-world religion, and one-world economic system. Anyone who refuses to conform to these systems will die. This is the devil’s final attempt to gain the worship of the world.
Christianity is a threat to world religion. Because Christianity claims to be mutually exclusive, world ecumenical religion must put it down. Unity at all costs will be the future theme of obtaining syncretism in religion. World religion must eliminate religions that claim the distinction.
The false prophet speaks sweetness and light but deals in death when it comes to Christians. His program will require the dissolving of nationalism. Therefore, all nations will surrender their sovereignty to the dictator of the Revived Roman Empire. A single credit card for the world will give him global economic power. This will intimidate dissenters to get with the “program.”
