If you are anything like I am, when you think about Scripture and the Beast, you focus on ‘the mark.’  But what about the rest of the warnings Scripture gives about the Beast?  Do you even know about them?  I didn’t.

In my previous post, What Is ‘The Mark of The Beast?’, I explained that I believe ‘the mark of the beast’ is connected to how we think and how we act (i.e. in your head and in your hand).  However, this mark is not the only warning the Scriptures give us about the Beast.  When you read the rest of the warnings in the Scriptures, it should be clear that the true threat is much more than a physical mark on our heads or hands.

Here are the Scriptures that we should really be studying; the passages that describe the true threat:

Revelation 13:4

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?”

Revelation 13:12

He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.

Revelation 13:15

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.

Revelation 14:9

[ Doom for Worshipers of the Beast ] 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,

Revelation 14:11

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.”

Revelation 16:2

So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.

Revelation 19:20

[ Doom of the Beast and False Prophet ] 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.

Revelation 20:4

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.

You see, the real threat is not about a mark, it’s about worship.  If you worship the One True God, then you will be sealed with His mark.  If you are sealed by YHWH, you are assured salvation.  However, if you worship the Beast, then you will bear his mark, and being marked by the Beast assures damnation.  Which mark you take all depends upon which you worship: YHWH, or the dragon.

Now, this is not to say that the Beast will not force us to take a physical mark on our hand or head.  This is certainly possible.  But I do not believe this mark alone is what will condemn us.  If it is, if we can be condemned simply for a mark on our skin, then Scripture is in contradiction with itself, as it clearly says we are justified by faith and sanctified by our fruits.  Therefore, what condemns us is worshiping any god other than the One True Living God, the Most High Elohim.

Which means, if we want to make sure we are safe, the next thing we should do is find out how the Scriptures define ‘worship’ and make sure that we are worshiping YHWH, and no other(s).

Given everything that is going on in this world today, and all the resulting confusion — especially confusion over the Prophetic Word and the false teachings of men — I thought it might be timely to bring this over from OnTheRoadToDamascus:

Now that I have explained why I believe a ‘beast‘ represents an evil kingdom, and that ‘on their right hand or on their forehead‘ refers to what we think and do, I’d like to explain my thoughts about what the mark of the beast might be.  However, before we begin, I’ll just admit to you that I make no special claim of knowing what the mark is with any degree of certainty.  I just want to explain what I believe it may be based on the previous two posts in this series.

As I said when I left off the last post, I think there are a few keys in Matthew 15:15-20:

Matthew 15:15-20 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Heart of Man

¹⁵ Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” ¹⁶ Jesus said, “Are you still lacking in understanding also? ¹⁷ Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? ¹⁸ But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. ²⁰These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”

‘For out of the heart…’

Often times, there are very subtle differences in the Scriptures that get lost in translation, but which are crucial to a deeper, fuller understanding of its meaning.  The Hebrew word behind the word we most often translate as, ‘heart,’ is one of those ‘lost in translation’ things.  A more literal translation would be, ‘entrails,’ because this is where the ancients thought the mind resided: at least, that part of us responsible for making informed decisions.  Whether this is carried over to the Greek word we translate as, ‘heart,’ I have not yet studied, but I’m also doubtful that I need to do so as the autho remains the same.  Therefore, no matter what word he lead His prophet, Apostle or scribe to use, the Lord would still intend us to understand that He is speaking about our mind, or conscious will, not our emotional self or desires.  So, with this behind us, let us look at that again:

‘Out of the heart come evil thoughts…’ ‘Out of our mind, or our will, come evil thoughts.’

Others are free to disagree, but this line of reasoning just seems to flow for me, so I believe it to be the correct interpretation.  Especially when we consider that these words are connected to the next set of words that I have highlighted in bold:

‘These are the things which defile the man;…’

We are defiled, not by the things that go inside us, such as food, but by the thoughts which lead to words and actions.

Now, I confess, it is also possible that one could understand that our feelings or desires — the things we in the modern West most closely associate with ‘the heart’ — could easily be confused for the cause of evil deeds, but I would disagree.  I have evil impulses and desires all the time, but I resist them.  If they were what drove my every act, then I would act on every evil desire — but I don’t.  Why?  Because my mind is what controls my actions, not my desire.  So, to me, Matthew 15:15-20 clearly teaches us that what we think will ultimately control what we do; and, if what we think is evil, we will do evil. This is what defiles us: not some physical mark on our skin, but a Spiritual mark in our minds, our will.

Now that we have looked at all the underlying meanings that might be pertinent to understanding the passage in question, let’s have a look at that passage that has fascinated so many for so long:

Revelation 13:16-18 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹⁶ And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, ^[a]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 ^[b]six hundred and sixty-six.

Here is where I might start to disappoint some readers, for, as I said earlier, I am not going to assert any definitive answers as to what the mark may be.  This is largely because of how I approach all prophecy.  I look first for the Spiritual message, because I believe that will be simple and consistent.  Then I look for how it manifests in this material world.  If we approach prophecy in this way, many times, we will find that there can be many physical manifestations of the prophecy, not just one.  Therefore,  I am merely going to ask a series of pointed questions and leave each reader to ponder the answers for themselves.

‘…no one will be able to buy or sell without the mark…’ 

What is required to buy or sell if not money?  And who controls the money if not the government?

‘…for the number is that of a man; and his number is ^[b]six hundred and sixty-six.’

What is the Scriptural number for Man?  (Look it up.  I suspect you will find that the number, ‘6,’ is connected to Man: 6 being one less than the number for perfection, 7).  So, could this mean that the mark of the Beast, the number of a Man, means that the Beast is the mark of Man’s work: man’s effort to perfect himself, or to make his own paradise on Earth?

Is there anywhere else in Scripture where we either find the number six, six, six, or six hundred and sixty-six?  Or anywhere where the number, 6, is connected to money, or to Man’s efforts to make himself into his own god?

2 Chronicles 9:13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Solomon’s Wealth and Power

¹³ Now the weight of gold which came to Solomon in one year was 666 talents of gold,

Well, this passage seems to link the number, 666, to gold (money).

Ezra 2:13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

¹³ the sons of Adonikam, 666;

This passage is difficult, as there seems to be strong disagreement about the meaning of the name, Adonikam.  However, as Adonikam is believed to be from the Tribe of Dan, and Dan has been erased in the prophetic futures of Israel because of its Spiritual wickedness, there does seem to be a connection here that suggests the number, 666, is connected to Spiritual enemies of YHWH and His people.

There is yet another passage where the number, 6, plays and interesting role, but it is not so easily seen.  It is in the story of Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue, Dan 3:1-18. In this story, the statue is a representation of Nebuchadnezzar as a god, or the figure of some god he designed/created and commanded the people to worship.  It was 60 cubits tall, and 6 cubits wide.  Then, a list of six instruments is named, and the people are told to bow to the statue every time they hear those six instruments play.  Those six instruments are listed three times within this story (6, 3 times: 6-6-6).

Admittedly, we do not see a literal ‘666’ in this story, but the number 6 is prominently linked to gold (money), man as his own god (the statue) and false worship (the instruments and music).  So, while I cannot point to a definitive link between Daniel 3 and Revelation 13, I can’t help but suspect one exists, and it points to money, man as god, and rebellion to YHWH.

[NOTE: there is a similar passage in which six materials are listed three times in connection to man setting himself up as a god, but I could not find it right away.  I will add it to this post once I do as it is a close parallel to Daniel 3.]

CONCLUSIONS

Since a ‘beast’ represents a kingdom, not a man; and, since the Antichrist is a Spirit, not a unique historical figure, I have given up looking for him, or for a way to connect the ‘beast’ to a man, or the number, 666, to a single, unique person.  Instead, I have started to look at the Spiritual meanings in the language John used.  They are Hebrew in nature, and they can be identified with a great deal of certainty.  Thus, I have come to believe that the mark of the beast has something to do with adopting a belief or way of thinking that is not only rebellious to YHWH’s Law, but which also causes us to act contrary to that Law.  Furthermore, I believe it may well be connected to money, or, at the very least, a love of money (which closely parallels a lust for control over the lives and will of others).  Once again, I do not know any of this for certain.  I will just say that, for me, the way I have come to understand this issue seems to fit better with the whole of Scripture than anything else I’ve found.  Once again, I am speaking for me and me alone, so I will end here and leave others to decide for themselves.

OK, so there are a lot of ‘crazies’ out there, and this title places me firmly in the center of them — right? Well, maybe. But, before you dismiss this post as yet another blog by one of these religious conspiracy theory nut cases, how about you read it first. You might just realize that I am seeing something you are not (probably because you are not looking for it, or don’t even know what to look for).

Let’s start with a little clarification, first. I am not saying that Sorors, Gates and the COVID shots are specifically mentioned in the Book of Revelations. However, I am saying that the thing that ties all of them together may be. What ties them together? The movement we call, ‘Eugenics.’

Scripturally, Eugenics is an attempt to reverse one of YHWH’s first commands:

Genesis 1:28 (New American Standard Bible 1995)

²⁸ God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

We can discuss Eugenics later. For now, please understand that the Eugenics movement is primarily focused on the reduction of the global population and the re-inventing of human nature/evolution — and both through ‘science.’ Specifically, they seek to do this through vaccinations and genetic manipulation.

So, where and how does this connect to the Book of Revelations? Well, that part is also easy to show you:

Revelation 18:23 (New American Standard Bible 1995)

²³ and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.

Here is where we have to go a little deeper to see the connection. The Greek word translated here as, ‘sorcery,’ is, ‘pharmakeia.’

This is the word from which our English word, pharmacy, is derived.

pharmakeia‘ means:

◄ 5331. pharmakeia ►

Strong’s Concordancepharmakeia: the use of medicine, drugs or spellsOriginal Word: φαρμακεία, ας, ἡ Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: pharmakeia Phonetic Spelling: (far-mak-i’-ah) Definition: the use of medicine, drugs or spells Usage: magic, sorcery, enchantment.

So, now, let us use this to revise Revelation 18:23 so that it reads in a more modern, Western way of understanding:

²³ and the light [guidance] of a lamp [YHWH’s Teachings — TORAH] will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom [Yeshua — Maschiach] and bride [The Body of Believers — the Church] will not be heard in you [Babylon — the apostate material or Satanic world] any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery [medicines used to commit acts of witchcraft or sorcery — magic].

Now, the reader does not have to agree with my understanding of this passage in Revelation, but they should not dismiss it, either. All I ask is that the reader give it some serious consideration because, if they do so, I believe — though they may still disagree — they will find that this understanding certainly fits the times.

The ‘Atheistic’ world-view behind the Eugenics movement has lead to the use of both drugs and medical practices designed to reduce the human population while — at the same time — altering the human genome for the purpose of ceasing control over and re-directing the evolution of Man by Man. To the ancient world — and even to many today — this would seem like witchcraft and/or sorcery — because it is, especially if considered in light of several other passages in Scripture:

Matthew 24:37 (New American Standard Bible 1995)

³⁷ For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.

Luke 17:28 (New American Standard Bible 1995)

²⁸ It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building;

Yes, both passages say that people will be caught by surprise by the return of the Messiah, but there is something more lurking in the background. Both passages would also have brought the stories in I Enoch to the minds of the first century Hebrews who heard Yeshua make these statements.

Now, some have seen the return of the Nephilim in these passages, or maybe even a connection to UFO’s. I don’t even want us to focus on these things here. The surface meaning of the two passages above is clear: the people will not see the signs of the Messiah’s imminent return because they will be too spiritually blind. All the masses will see is the affairs of their own lives and, thus, they will be caught by surprise. However, both stories — Noah and Lot — are about times and places where the people are so evil, only one righteous man can be found in either, Noah and Lot, respectively. This is also at the heart of the story-line in I Enoch, which was well known in YTeshua’s time. Peter and Jude both make allusions to I Enoch. Therefore, it is very unlikely the people would not bring I Enoch to mind when Yeshua mentions the Days of Noah and Lot — especially when we think of the things I Enoch says Man was taught by the Watchers:

The names of the Watchers

1. Semyaza, Shemyaza, Semjaza, Semiaza, Samyaza, Shemhazai

“Taught enchantments and root-cuttings.”

3. Amazarak

“Taught all the sorcerers, and dividers of roots.”

4. Armers, Armeros, Armaros

“Taught the solution of sorcery.”
“Taught the resolving of enchantments.”

14. Kasdeja, Kisdeja

“Taught the children of men all the wicked smitings of spirits and demons, and the smitings of the embryo in the womb, that it may pass away.”

OK, here me now, and listen very closely:

I Enoch is not Scripture! It should not be taken as the Word of YHWH!

However, this does not mean it is not in the minds of the 1st Century Hebrews. The Books of Jasher and of Jubilees, as well as The Wisdom of Solomon are in their minds, as is evidenced by Scripture either directing the People to read them for edification or making direct references to them. None of those books are Scripture, either. The point is simple:

Scripture was written by real people in a real, material world, and the things going on in that world outside of the Scriptures would still be on the minds of the People who both wrote and who heard the teachings and Scriptures of the New Testament.

So, while I am not saying the story-line of I Enoch is meant to be assumed in connection to anything I have cited here, I am saying that — if it were — it would fit with the overall message of prophecy — especially as it relates to our modern world.

Just consider it, test it against Scripture, and do so in constant prayer for guidance by the holy Spirit and understanding from the Messiah.