A gracEmail subscriber asks: "What is the mark of the beast mentioned in Revelation 13:16-18? Is it a RFID ('radio frequency identification') chip that will be implanted in the hand or forehead of those who follow the great adversary of Jesus Christ in the last days?"

After an introduction that begins with an appearance of the glorified Jesus Christ (Rev. 1-3), the Book of Revelation consists of a series of dramatic visions given to the aged Apostle John who was exiled on the island of Patmos because of his gospel witness. This cosmic drama is full of vivid, larger-than-life symbols taken largely from the Old Testament (especially the books of Daniel and Ezekiel but also Old Testament history in general). Many also appear in non-biblical, end-times Jewish writings during the 400 years between the Old and New Testaments. Those first-century believers for whom John originally wrote this book were familiar with these symbols -- a sort of visual code-language used for their protection during a time of persecution. We might think of ourselves seeing a cartoon of "Uncle Sam" with his tall hat and striped clothes and knowing immediately that he represents the United States.

To read Revelation without taking its symbolism into account practically guarantees missing its intended message and usually leads to fanciful interpretations that would have left John scratching his head in amazement. For an general introduction on how to read the Book of Revelation, I recommend the first two chapters of a commentary titled The Most Revealing Book of the Bible, by the late Dr. Vernard Eller. To access it at no charge, click here or go to http://hccentral.com/eller7/index.html .

The "mark of the beast" is one such symbol and its background is found in Ezekiel 9:3-6. In describing his judgment against Judah through the Babylonian exile, God there commands his agent to put a mark on all the faithful among the Jews. This "mark" later identifies them as under divine protection when an avenger moves through the land and kills everyone lacking the mark. In Revelation 13, two antichrist characters personified as monsters ("beasts") emerge from the sea and from the earth and persuade people to worship and follow the first monster instead of God. The second monster "marks" his converts, enabling them to buy and sell when such normal activities of life are denied everyone else.

The vision ends by admonishing the person with understanding to "calculate the number" of the beast, which is 666. This number is a symbol telling us that the beasts are counterfeits of God and his kingdom. The number 7 represents perfection or fullness. For example, when we read about "the seven spirits of God," we think of the fullness of the Holy Spirit. The number 3 represents deity. Putting those two numbers together gives the perfect, divine number of 777. The number 666 is almost 777, but not quite. It is a counterfeit divine number. It suggests 777 but comes short of it. Rather than being the number of God, it is "the number of (a) man." In Revelation, the number 666 signifies the approval and protection given to its followers by any human being or government that puts itself in the place of God and demands the kind of total allegiance that only God has the right to claim.

A gracEmail subscriber asks: "What is the mark of the beast mentioned in Revelation 13:16-18? Is it a RFID ('radio frequency identification') chip that will be implanted in the hand or forehead of those who follow the great adversary of Jesus Christ in the last days?"

People sometimes call the last book of the Bible "the Book of Revelations," as if it were a preview description of the details of earthly history. In doing so they are twice mistaken. It is not the Book of "Revelations," but rather, as its opening words tell us, "the Revelation (or Uncovering) of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 1:1). We do not look to Revelation to learn the events of history but rather the meaning of history's events. This book was written to assure persecuted Christians that, despite all appearances, the resurrected Jesus Christ is already the sovereign Lord over all earthly rulers, a reality that one day will be unmistakable to his followers and his enemies alike.

From time to time throughout history, a human government comes along and says, "The government stands in the place of God. You must give us total allegiance and obedience. If you do, we will take care of you and provide your needs. If you do not, you will pay the consequences." Nebuchadnezzar did that in the time of Daniel and his three friends. Antiochus Epiphanes repeated it during the days of the Maccabees. The Roman emperors Nero and Domitian did the same just about the time John was writing the Book of Revelation. More recent examples include Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Idi Amin and Kim Jong-il. We may be sure that other anti-Christian governments will arise until the end of time.

The number 666 reminds the believer that no government that usurps the place of God will have the final word, for 666 is the symbol for man. Such claimants to absolute allegiance are merely human, earthly counterfeits of the true King of kings and Lord of lords. God's people must be faithful to Christ no matter when or where they live, and no matter what the consequences. When they know the meaning of 666 and remember "the Revelation of Jesus Christ," they are emboldened to do just that.

The Book of Revelation assures believers that their faith is more precious than this life. They follow the Lamb that was slaughtered but lives again. They serve Jesus who holds the keys to Death and to Hades. They pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ and bow before his authority -- authority achieved by obedience even to death, verified by his resurrection and confirmed by his exaltation to God's side in heaven. They await Jesus' coming in power, to judge their oppressors and to vindicate the faith of all who trusted in him.

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