Revelation 13 has been very fascinating because it has been revealed to us two key world leaders during the time of the Tribulation Period. These are both people empowered by Satan himself. They are Satan’s men. We call the first one the antichrist, or the beast out of the sea, and the other is the beast out of the land whom we have identified in Revelation 14 as the false prophet. This unholy trinity has been unleashed on the world, so to speak, and for three and a half years they are a force to be reckoned with. They want complete control and charge over all things, and they want to be worshiped.
We pick up in Revelation 13:16 which says this, “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, 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. 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.” This is a portion of the book of Revelation that is known by many people. The mark of the beast. We often talk about it. We have heard a lot about the mark of the beast. Even unsaved people who know very little about the scriptures are familiar with the mark of the beast and the 666 mentioned here as that number. So, let’s talk about it for just a moment.
This is a mark that is on their right hand or their forehead. Will that mark be visible? I don’t know. It could be a tattoo or an imbedded chip of some sort. We do know it is definitely a mark that is on their right hand or their forehead. One or the other. Without that mark, you are not able to buy or sell therefore, you virtually cannot survive without that mark. What does it mean when it says that mark of the beast is 666 saying that number is the mark of mankind? What he is saying is this is a symbol of allegiance to the devil and to the antichrist. That is important to us because this is not simply an accidental thing . . .
