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.
If there has been any passage to invoke fear among the masses, the above Scripture is near the top of the list- the mark of the beast. Many have drawn conclusions that a one world government would be set up and people would receive a tattoo with a unique barcode. But wait, new technology has now produced a computer chip injected under the skin that would be better! As new tracking technology improves, the story gets modified. I guess those prophets heralding the barcode method need to be dealt with appropriately.
“Come up hither” was the word to John and thus he was seeing in the Spiritual realm throughout this Fifth Gospel. This second beast represents those who walk in the soul realm and place their focus and submission to a religious order and follow after man’s derived authority rather than FATHER’S full and complete authority. The religious authority is based on man’s submission to outward practices that have been implemented to project some superior GOD-given ordination. Men oversee these organizations and agree to ordain other men as ministers. Doctrines have been created and customs to be followed in strict adherence to church law. Do you think FATHER is moved by a robe or a collar? Do you think a Bible thumping fireball preacher will demand HIS attention? Will bread and grape juice in the finest china satisfy HIS requirements for communion? In Matthew 23, Jesus spoke of the outward condition of the church during His ministry:
25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence.
26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.
28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
All of the outward religious traditions, practices, processes, and schedules are designed to bring the masses into submission. All who submit to those religions have mentally accepted the “mark” on their forehead and those who support those religions with their actions and resources have the “mark” on the hand.
Seven Is the number of Spiritual perfection and completion. Six is the number of man. There is a vast chasm between those two numbers and much could be said in comparing the two numbers. Man was to work six days and rest on the seventh day. This seventh day represents “being” not “doing”. The number 666 represents all three facets of man: spirit, soul, and body. All three facets come up short to full and complete Spiritual perfection and maturity. You could say the number of the Sons would be 777 in comparison. Lamech, Noah’s father, lived to be 777 years and his name means “powerful”.
The number of the beast represents the nature of the beast. The beast would have you work for your salvation rather than it being a free gift from Above:
Romans 5:18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
We are to put on the mind of Christ, not the mind and thinking of man. The Living Word is given unto us to ponder and trust in, not the traditions of men. We are to use our hands for the purpose and calling given to each of us individually. The hand represents action and our energy should be directed to HIS Divine Intent in our lives, not in submission to some pastor’s vision for a larger church building so he only has to preach one time on Sunday morning, leaving the building empty and unoccupied for the remainder of the day. It is estimated that there are about 4,200 religions on the earth today. Are there 4,199 wrong ones? We are to be Spiritual, not religious. Religions cause division among people whereas FATHER is in the unity business. The beast has divided men by creating religion to move the focus away from the internal.
The mark and number have been active for centuries and John was given the mystery to be revealed for our benefit. Let us each mature beyond the 666 number and as we die to the flesh, all three aspects of our being will align with HIS Divine Intent for our lives. Let us not fear man’s systems which are designed to enslave us. As Jesus said in John chapter 8:
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”