October 5: THE MARK OF THE BEAST (part 1)
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 . . . Revelation 13:16
The Greek word used for mark here is charagma, signifying an imprinted or engraved mark, even a graven image. It is a technical term that was often applied to the imperial stamp placed in the center of commercial documents and the royal impression on Roman coins. This word was also used for branding animals. There is no historical evidence of an ancient practice of placing charagma on people. A different word was used for branding slaves: stigmata, but it is not used here.
The location of the placement of such a mark is crucial to understand, for in the last days the enemy of the objects of God’s great love will insinuate his deviation(s) into the minds of people—expressed here by the word foreheads—and into the actions of people—here expressed by the words right hand. This brings to mind the location that our God specified for the placement of His covenant law:
“You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.” Deuteronomy 6:8
If it is bound in your mind, between your eyes, you believe it. Belief translates directly into action, symbolized by the hand. Others see what you do, signaling your beliefs. The action of a Christian, in harmony with the Bible, is a positive influence in the world. Conversely, the action of a professed Christian that is out of harmony with the word of God constitutes a negative influence, a disservice to God, and to others. Such actions weaken and negate the effect of His word, conveying the idea that personal preferences and popular opinion outweigh His directions.
The little word “or” in our opening verse is very important. Those who receive the mark on their foreheads actually believe a false doctrine. But others, indeed many others, will receive the mark only on their hand, meaning that they understand that it is out of harmony with the word of God, yet they go along with what the majority is doing. Either way is just fine with Satan. He wants to brand each of us like an animal with this mark, as his possession.
In the very center of the document known as the Ten Commandments—spoken by God’s voice and written with His finger on tables of stone—is a widely ignored law: the fourth Commandment. It is the longest of the ten, reminding God’s people of His role as Creator (Exodus 20:11) and Savior (Deuteronomy 5:15). He is the Source of life. As Creator, only He can create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10). He can convert me from a worldling into a citizen of heaven. This is the very definition of salvation, and He is the only Savior. His grace is the empowerment to overcome unbiblical conditioning of this fallen world—even long-term conditioning. He treasures our obedience to Him, for only genuine love for Him can fuel obedience. Soon, there will be a man-made law for small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, commanding disobedience to the fourth commandment. Now is the time to become grounded in God’s word, for it is able to make you wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed [is better] than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:22b
For further study: Genesis 2:1-4; Exodus 16:4,24,26-30; 31:15; Deuteronomy 11:1,18,19; Nehemiah 13:15,17,19,22; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Isaiah 56:1-7; 58:12-14; 66:22-23; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 20:12,16,20,21,24; 22:26; Daniel 3:17-18; 6:5; 7:25; Matthew 12:8,12; 24:20; Mark 1:21; 6:2; 28:1;15:42; 16:1; Luke 4:16,31; 6:5; 13:10-17; 14:1-6; 23:56; John 9:16; Acts 5:29; 13:14,27,42,44; 15:21; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4; Hebrews 4:1-6; 8:10