| The Mark of the Beast Satan has confused most people by applying a literal interpretation to the obviously symbolic book of Revelation. Preachers speculate as to high-tech digital chips administered by subcutaneous injections, in conjunction with social security numbers being the “mark of the beast.” Thus, millions believe the mark of the beast will be a literal tattoo or invisible sign placed on people’s hands and foreheads. If this were the mark of the beast, it would be quite easy to force its administration. You can tie someone down and inject or tattoo them against their will; but you cannot force the conscience. The Bible tells us that the mark of the beast is deceptive[373], which tells us that those who receive the mark were deceived “by means of miracles.” No one believes a “Godzilla-like” monster will literally rise from the sea and terrorize God’s people. If the Beast is symbolic, then his mark must also be symbolic. The mark of the Beast is a spiritual decision. Peter tells us that “no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”[374] We cannot speculate as to the meaning; we must use scripture to interpret scripture. A Mark on the Forehead or Hand Marks on the hand and forehead are always associated with the commandments. It is always recorded in that order: hand/forehead[375]. If the forehead represents a man’s thoughts, character, and moral choices, the hand represents a man’s actions, as indicated in Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatever your hand finds to do.”[376] Yet while the beast’s mark will symbolize either a mental acceptance and belief of what it represents, or giving allegiance to the beast power by our actions[377], it will also have a corresponding literal application—not as a tattoo or mark, but by our thoughts and actions. How does the distinguishing mark that God’s true people will have relate to God’s law and the great controversy? |
 |
 |
| 373 see Revelation 19:20 374 2 Peter 1:20 375 see Deuteronomy 6:8; 11:18; Exodus 13:9,16 376 also, Isaiah 9:6—”The act of violence is in their hands.” 377 it is interesting to note that the mark of the beast can be received on either the right hand or the forehead, but the seal of God is placed only on the foreheads of God’s people. A mere mechanical assent to the truth will not see us through the last days. |
 |
| Page 48 |