The Beast, the image of the Beast that leads to the Mark of the Beast
The First Beast: Papal Rome
Identity of the Beast
- A kingdom- Revelation 13:1-4 introduces a beast rising from the sea, symbolizing a kingdom
emerging from a populated area (Revelation 17:15, Daniel 7:23).
The kingdom has a king .The beast has seven heads and ten horns, representing its governance and kings (Revelation 13:1; Daniel 7:24).
Its king blasphemes, signifying his claim to divine authority also, such as the Pope a Priest-King being called "Vicar of Christ" being able to forgive sins and also leader the Religion of Rome (Revelation 13:1; John 10:33).
This beast ( Kingdom) receives power and authority from the dragon (Satan), consolidating both civil and religious control (Revelation 13:2; Revelation 12:9).
A Composite Beast
This beast embodies characteristics of empires preceding it :
Lion (Babylon), Bear (Medo-Persia), and Leopard (Greece) (Daniel 7:4-6).
It emerges as a composite beast, symbolizing its inheritance of power, structure, and policies from these prior kingdoms, making it unique among beasts (Revelation 13:1-2).
Historical Context
The Roman Bishop, elevated to Pontifex Maximus, became both a religious and civil authority in 533
AD by decree of Emperor Justinian who made him head of all churches and the corrector of heretics. This established the Papacy as a power that combined church and state; a feature which Christ gave strict instructions to stay clear from Mark 12:17
The Second Beast: The United States
- Revelation 13:11 describes another beast rising from the earth, symbolizing a kingdom emerging in a sparsely populated area.
Its lamb-like horns represent Protestantism and Republicanism, foundational principles of the United States (Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32).
Though it begins as a haven of liberty, it speaks as a dragon by enacting oppressive laws (Revelation 13:11) shows that is what it will do close to the image and mark of the Beast crisis.
Formation of the Image of the Beast Before the Mark of the Beast
In Revelation 13:14-15 Protestant America mirrors Papal Rome by combining church and state, forming an image of the beast.
This image manifests as Christian nationalism where religion influences state power, and state power receive directives from religious men will leading to enforced worship/state religion.
Logical Progression to the Mark of the Beast
1. The First Beast: Papal Rome's Authority
Papal Rome rises as a composite beast with elements from Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece, symbolizing its absorption of their characteristics (Revelation 13:1-2, Daniel 7:4-6).
It gains power and authority from the dragon (Satan) and establishes dominance through religious and civil control (Revelation 13:2, Revelation 12:9).
2. The Deadly Wound and Its Healing
The Papacy receives a deadly wound in 1798 when Napoleon's general arrests the pope, symbolizing the loss of its political power. This wound is later healed, and the Papacy regains influence globally (Revelation 13:3).
3. The Second Beast: The United States
The United States rises in a sparsely populated area, symbolized as a lamb-like beast with two horns representing Protestantism and Republicanism (Revelation 13:11).
It speaks as a dragon by enacting laws that erode religious liberty, ultimately reflecting the characteristics of the first beast (Revelation 13:12).
4. Creation of the Image of the Beast
Protestant America mirrors Papal Rome by combining church and state, leading to a state-enforced religion (Revelation 13:14-15).
An image of the beast is formed when religious powers influence legislation, coercing worship in alignment with the first beast's authority (Revelation 13:14).
5. Enforcement of the Mark of the Beast
The mark of the beast involves enforced Sunday worship, contrary to God's seventh-day Sabbath commandment (Exodus 20:8-11, Revelation 14:9-10).
Those who refuse the mark face persecution, economic sanctions, and even death (Revelation 13:16-17, Revelation 20:4).
The Mark of the Beast: Sunday Worship
The Role of the Papacy
The Catholic Church claims authority over the Sabbath, as illustrated in the following statements:
"Sunday is our mark of authority...The church is above the Bible, and this observance is proof of that fact." — Catholic Record, September 1, 1923.
"Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act, and the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical power." — Faith of Our Fathers, Cardinal Gibbons.
"Sunday is a Catholic institution, and its claims to observance can be defended only on Catholic principles." — Catholic Press, August 25, 1900.
"The Catholic Church abolished the Sabbath day and commands worship on the first day of the week...The whole world bows down in reverent obedience to the command of the holy Catholic Church." — Father Enright, American Sentinel, June 1893.
Enforcement Through Legislation
The image of the beast enables the enforcement of Sunday observance, a direct contradiction to God's law (Exodus 20:8-11).
Those who uphold God's Sabbath are marginalized, persecuted, and ultimately face death (Revelation 14:12-13, Revelation 20:4).
Recognizing the Image of the Beast and Escaping the Mark of the Beast
Understanding the Image of the Beast
The "image of the beast" is a representation of the Roman Papacy’s power, re-established in a new form. This image is a hybrid of church and state, where religious and political authorities are fused. The Bible describes this transition in Revelation 13:11-14:
Revelation 13:11 - “And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.”
Revelation 13:12 - “And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.”
The influence of the Image of the Beast on all living in the world
This second beast lam like beast identified as the United States, will initially appear innocent (like a lamb) but will eventually speak as a dragon. A nation speaks through its laws.
The U.S, through its laws, will form an image to the first beast (Papacy) by enacting laws that align with papal power, promoting religious practices like enforced Sunday worship (Revelation 13:12-14).
No buy No sell implemented
Revelation 13:12 Caused all, or force all
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Daniel 11:43)
The Mark of the Beast – Worship of the Beast
The mark of the beast is connected directly to worship. Revelation 13:16-17 states:
Revelation 13:16-17 - “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”
The mark is a symbol of allegiance to the beast and its system.
Forehead:-Where conviction and conversion to a belief takes place? Where the mind is made up (Jer 3:3), Romans 12:2.
The significance of receiving the Mark of the Beast in the hand :
What is the hand a symbol of in the bible ?
Power to get wealth Deuteronomy 8:18
Power to do work Ecclesiastes 9:10
The desire for financial security and the ability to earn a living will drive many to take the mark of
the beast, as they will be unable to buy or sell without it. The mark in the hand represents the action—working within a system that demands worship and submission to the beast in exchange for economic survival. People will be forced to make a choice between their loyalty to God and their need for financial stability.
Matthew 6:24
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other…”This verse speaks to the choice that people will face. The mark in the hand represents choosing to serve the beast system, and by extension, seeking material security in a way that compromises faithfulness to God’s commandments.
Matthew 6:31-33
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? … But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”The Bible encourages trust in God for provision, even in times of economic crisis. Choosing to take the mark in order to buy and sell is a decision to rely on earthly systems for provision rather than trusting God for His provision, even in the face of adversity.
The Digital Infrastructure for Controlling Buying and Selling
The control of buying and selling can only be efficiently achieved through a digital monetary system. This is why there is a global push toward implementing digital currencies. The transition to a cashless society provides the necessary framework for enforcing the "no buy, no sell" mandate prophesied in Revelation 13:17.
The Digital Banking and Digital Currency (DBDC) systems are clear testimony that the infrastructure needed to enforce such restrictions is already being put in place. This shift is not just about the convenience of digital transactions but also about creating a system where economic participation can be controlled based on compliance with certain global standards.
As the infrastructure for digital money and transactions grows, the ability to restrict or limit access to goods and services becomes more feasible, aligning with the prophetic warnings of a time when individuals will be unable to engage in the global economy unless they submit to the authority of the first Beast of Revelation 13.
What the mark in Hand and Head really means
This mark represents compliance with the enforced worship and observance of Sunday as the Sabbath, a change instituted by the Roman Catholic Church. The mark is not just a physical mark but a sign of spiritual submission to the authority of the beast, demanding worship contrary to God's commandments.
Revelation 14:9-10 - “And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.”
This warning is clear: those who accept the mark will face God's judgment. Worship is central to this issue, and the Bible points to Sunday worship as a key manifestation of this false allegiance.
Escaping the Mark of the Beast
To escape the mark of the beast, we must remain faithful to God’s commandments and worship Him in spirit and truth, as prescribed in the Bible. Specifically, this involves:
Worshiping the Creator: Revelation 14:7 commands, “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”
True worship is directed towards God as the Creator and not a man-made system (like the beast).Obeying God's Commandments: Revelation 12:17 states that God's faithful people "keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
The Sabbath command (Exodus 20:8-11) remains as a sign of God’s authority and creation. The seal of God, placed on His followers, is symbolized by obedience to His holy day, the seventh-day Sabbath, which remains unchanged despite efforts by the beast to alter it.Resisting the Beast's Authority: Revelation 14:12 offers a promise to those who resist the mark: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
We are called to remain steadfast in keeping God's commandments, even when tempted by the pressures of societal laws that oppose divine principles.The End-Time Decision: Daniel 7:25 warns that the beast will “think to change times and laws.” The enforcement of Sunday worship is a clear example of this effort to change God's law. However, by keeping the true Sabbath, we reject the authority of the beast.
Conclusion
To escape the mark of the beast, we must obey God's commandments, particularly the Sabbath which tells who or creator is his territory which is heaven and earth, We aught worship the Creator, and resist enforced worship that contradicts His law. By standing on the Bible's clear teachings, we align ourselves with God's people and prepare for Christ's return.
Through obedience and faith in God, we are judged righteous, receiving access to eternal life and the renewed kingdom promised to the faithful. Revelation 22:14 declares: “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Jesus assures us in Matthew 25:34, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” This promise of eternal life and restoration is the reward for those who remain faithful to God's Word.
The Apostle Paul also encourages us in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Those who live by faith in Christ, and in obedience to His commandments, are granted access to be with Him forever in the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-3). This hope assures us of our place in the eternal kingdom of God, where we will live in peace and harmony with our Savior.
