The Mark of the Beast

A few weeks ago, I stopped at McDonald’s after spending part of the afternoon passing out gospel tracts. Because the cashier line was long, I used a self-serve kiosk to pay for my food. I was a bit surprised when noticing the order number on my receipt was 666. Just about everyone knows that number is associated with the Antichrist as mentioned in Revelation 13…

16 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, 

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.

18 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.

While many Bible prophecy followers believe the mark will be a microchip, it could also be a tattoo. Until a generation ago, tattoos in Western countries were mostly seen on military men. Nowadays, both men and women from all walks of life have them. It’s possible the mark could be a bar code or some other symbol permanently stamped on people’s hands and foreheads. As a “pre-trib” believer, I don’t expect to be around when the actual Mark of the Beast becomes mandatory. 

Some Christians have tried “pinning the tail on the Antichrist.” During World War II, many were convinced Adolf Hitler was the Antichrist especially since Germans used money called “marks.” When Ronald Wilson Reagan was president, some suggested he was the Antichrist since his first, middle, and last names all had six letters each. Others have claimed King Juan Carlos of Spain (who’s no longer in power) or Barack Obama will be the Antichrist. The identity of the Antichrist won’t be revealed until he signs a seven-year peace treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27).

There used to be a well-known highway numbered 666 located near the Four Corners section of the southwestern United States. Route 666 was often referred to as “Devil's Highway.” That highway has since been renumbered 491 mainly because people kept stealing road signs numbered 666.

During the early 1990s, I was in a Toastmasters group that met at a hospital. People using the parking lot needed to enter the code “6606” to exit an automated gate. Occasionally someone would jokingly say, “Don’t forget the zero.” 

One shouldn’t be worried if they receive a piece of paper that happens to bear the number 666. The mark of the beast indicates worship of the Antichrist only if stamped on someone’s right hand or forehead. If I was issued a phone number or license plate with three consecutive sixes, I’d probably request a change. Either way, my faith in God is greater than any number.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” - 2 Timothy 1:7

The Antichrist is Coming

Not long after committing my life to the Lord in 1991, I developed an interest in end-time prophecy. One thing that helped me learn more about the subject was a series of films produced by Mark IV Pictures. The first of which was the 1972 release “A Thief in the Night.”

As I’ve become friends with Christians from different denominations, I found out about the varying beliefs out there on how end-time events will pan out. Among the doctrines I’ve heard taught is that we are either in the tribulation, it’s already happened, or there is no tribulation. Yet the Bible talks about a world ruler who will emerge before the return of Christ. Even non-believers know about this man called the Antichrist. 

1 John 2:22 says, “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.” The Greek word for antichrist is antichristos which means “the adversary of the Messiah.” Other verses in John’s epistles make it clear the Antichrist and the spirit of the antichrist are two separate entities...

“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” - 1 John 2:18

“and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” - 1 John 4:3 

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” - 2 John 1:7

The Antichrist is referred to by other names in Scripture. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 calls him “the man of sin” and “the son of perdition.” 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9 identifies him as “the lawless one.” Many verses in Revelation refer to him as “the beast.” Among the most well known are in chapter 13 verses 16 and 17...

“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.”

The identity of the Antichrist won’t be revealed until he signs a seven-year peace treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27). Nevertheless, some Christians have tried pinning the tail on the Antichrist. One woman I know believes Barack Obama is the Antichrist. While I don’t agree with her assertion, I do agree some of the President’s policies such as ObamaCare are setting the stage for the Mark of the Beast system. There are reports that a microchip connected with this health care plan will someday be inserted in people’s right hand or forehead. As a “pre-trib” believer, I don’t expect to be around when the actual Mark of the Beast becomes mandatory. 

Regardless of your eschatological beliefs, I exhort you to focus on fulfilling the Great Commission instead of defending end-time doctrines that might differ from mine. Jesus said in Luke 19:13 (KJV), “Occupy till I come.” The only thing we can take with us to heaven is souls.

“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” - Matthew 12:30

Your Way or Yahweh

Before the Interstate Highway System was constructed, a popular road Americans traveled on was Route 66. At one time, this legendary highway stretched from Chicago to Los Angeles. Nowadays, you will find historical markers where this highway once existed including the town of Atlanta, Illinois from where I’m writing this article.

There is another well-known highway once numbered 666 located near the “four corners” section of the southwestern United States. Route 666 was often referred to as “Devil's Highway” because of the number associated with the antichrist. Partially because people kept stealing road signs numbered 666, that highway has since been renumbered 491.

Spiritually speaking, there are many people traveling down Route 666. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Yet multitudes believe that they will be okay for eternity traveling down paths of their own making.

Last night, I stopped at a gas station in Atlanta to buy a cappuccino and witnessed to the gray-haired man behind the counter. This man had no concern at all about his eternal destiny because of confidence in the good things done in his lifetime. It reminded me of an old song written by Paul Anka that was popularized by Frank Sinatra and was also a hit for Elvis Presley…

And now the end is near/And so I face the final curtain


My friend I'll say it clear/I'll state my case of which I'm certain



I've lived a life that's full/I traveled each and every highway


And more, much more than this, I did it my way



(Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”)

Regrets I've had a few/But then again too few to mention


I did what I had to do/And saw it through without exemption



I planned each charted course/Each careful step along the byway

And more, much more than this I did it my way



(Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.”)

For what is a man what has he got/If not himself then he has not


To say the things he truly feels/And not the words of one who kneels


The record shows/I took the blows


And did it my way



(Proverbs 4:19 says, "The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.")

Burger King still uses the advertising slogan, “Have It Your Way.” While God wants to give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4), we must always be ready to make sudden changes in our lives as the Lord leads. God has a bird’s eye view from heaven observing the paths everyone travels in life. By fully yielding your life to Him, your steps can be redirected to avoid traps and accidents the devil tries to set up in your way.

It pays to listen to Yahweh!

"Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies." - Psalm 27:11