Is the Mark of the Beast related to worship?
“Here is wisdom. Let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. And his number is six hundred sixty-six.” — Revelation 13:18
There has been much debate about what this number means. Interpretations usually say: a tattoo, a barcode, a microchip, etc. However, could these interpretations really be correct?
Revelation chapter 13 includes the word “worship” or “worshiped” five times. It also includes the word “authority” five times. These two words are always directed toward the first beast of Revelation 13:
“He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” (Revelation 13:12)
With this made clear, we can assume that the mark of the beast definitely CANNOT be something like a tattoo, a microchip, or a barcode, because it must be related to receiving the authority of someone or something, and likewise to the religious worship of some entity, since the beast represents a kingdom or political power (Daniel 7:17). In addition, another requirement is that the mark must be connected with the number 666.
Number 666 and Sun worship
As we see in the first image, on the front there is a representation of a King stepping on the Babylonian lion, above it, the image of the Sun. On the back of the seal we find something known in numerology and cosmology as “the magic square of the Sun.”
In the second image, we can observe the sun god above again. On the back, the same pattern appears again: once more the same square with the same numbers.
Obviously, we know that Babylon was a pagan and polytheistic nation. Part of the worship of their gods was connected to the cosmos and celestial bodies, along with the worship of the Sun.
Babylonian priests used the solar seal to represent the sun god himself.
Obviously, we know that Babylon was a pagan and polytheistic nation. Part of the worship of their gods was connected to the cosmos and celestial bodies, along with the worship of the Sun.
Babylonian priests used the solar seal to represent the sun god himself.
As we see in the first image, on the front there is a representation of a King stepping on the Babylonian lion, above it, the image of the Sun. On the back of the seal we find something known in numerology and cosmology as “the magic square of the Sun.”
In the second image, we can observe the sun god above again. On the back, the same pattern appears again: once more the same square with the same numbers.
In this image we can now clearly identify the numbers that were found; they are in perfect harmony with the two seals mentioned earlier, having six squares on each side.
If you add the numbers vertically or horizontally, the result will always be 111 per row. And when you add together the totals from each row, you end up with the number 666.
Now then, we know that John wrote about 666 in the book of Revelation hundreds of years after ancient Babylon. However, the revelation given to John pointed both to the past and to the future, warning about sun worship in the past and about a future power that, not being a new concept, would simply renew sun worship in a different form.
Catholicism's link with 666
One of the most interesting titles that the popes have used is the title “Vicarius Filii Dei,” which in Latin means “Vicar of the Son of God” or “substitute of the Son of God.” This title can be seen on the three-crowned tiara.
Certain letters of the Latin alphabet have numerical value: I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000).
Interestingly, when you calculate the numerical value of the title “Vicarius Filii Dei,” you once again arrive at the number 666.
One of the most interesting titles that the popes have used is the title “Vicarius Filii Dei,” which in Latin means “Vicar of the Son of God” or “substitute of the Son of God.” This title can be seen on the three-crowned tiara.
Certain letters of the Latin alphabet have numerical value: I (1), V (5), X (10), L (50), C (100), D (500), and M (1000).
Interestingly, when you calculate the numerical value of the title “Vicarius Filii Dei,” you once again arrive at the number 666.
There is debate over whether a crown like this really existed. The Catholic Church denies that such a triple-crowned tiara ever existed; however, history does not lie, and we have evidence from the newspaper Our Sunday Visitor, which wrote the following on April 18, 1915:
“What do the words on the Pope’s crown mean, and what do they symbolize, if they have any meaning? The words written on the Pope’s crown are: Vicarius Filii Dei, which in Latin means ‘Vicar of the Son of God.’ Catholics maintain their position that the Church must have a visible head. Christ, before ascending to heaven, appointed St. Peter to act as His representative.”
— Our Sunday Visitor, April 18, 1915
“Just as the blessed Peter is seen as having been appointed Vicarius Filii Dei on earth, so also the pontiffs…”
— Corpus Iuris Canonici, 1879, a compilation of Canon Law, published by order of Pope Gregory XIII.
Now then, what element of the Catholic Church will be the Mark of the Beast?, Seventh-day Adventists believe it will be Sunday worship enforced by law. The Catholic Church itself claims that this is its mark of authority:
“Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change (from Saturday being the Sabbath to Sunday) was her act… And the act is a MARK of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters.”
— Letter from C. F. Thomas, Chancellor for Cardinal Gibbons, October 28, 1895
“Practically everything that Protestants regard as essential or important they have received from the Catholic Church… The Protestant mind does not seem to realize that in accepting the Bible and observing Sunday, in keeping Christmas and Easter, they are accepting the authority of the spokesman for the Church, the Pope.”
— Our Sunday Visitor, February 5, 1950
We have already seen how the Catholic Church is connected with the beast of Revelation 13, as well as with the sun god and the ancient Babylonian religion. Interestingly, the Catholic Church promotes Sun-day.
The Papacy as the Beast that enforces the mark
As we can see in this other article, we identify that the first beast of Revelation 13 is connected with the little horn of Daniel 7, since these two entities share the same characteristics: a blasphemous power, a deadly wound, exalting itself above God and claiming to sit on His throne, persecuting the saints, and, especially, ruling for the same period of 3.5 years / 42 months / 1,260 days.
Taking this into account, we know that the little horn has been identified as the Vatican — the Roman Catholic Church — the Papacy. Therefore, we conclude that:
Little horn = First beast of Revelation 13
Both represent the same power.
How will the Mark of the Beast be enforced?
The Bible tells us that the mark of the beast will have a primary factor: commerce.
“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.” (Revelation 13:17)
Those who choose to stand firm with God and keep His holy Sabbath will be penalized and will have their ability to buy and sell taken away.
We currently live in a digital age in which we are getting closer and closer to conducting business only through bank transfers, credit cards, and other digital methods, while cash is disappearing.
With only digital means of commerce, it eventually becomes much easier for authorities to freeze bank accounts, leaving people without the ability to trade, especially if we reach a cashless society.
“When Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshiping the beast and his image.”
— The Great Controversy
From the archaeological and historical evidence that demonstrates the Bible is a reliable and true document, to the most relevant end-time prophecies, the “Total Onslaught” series teaches us the methods of deception and assault used by Satan against Christ, and how the final events of this world will unfold.
There is debate over whether a crown like this really existed. The Catholic Church denies that such a triple-crowned tiara ever existed; however, history does not lie, and we have evidence from the newspaper Our Sunday Visitor, which wrote the following on April 18, 1915:
“What do the words on the Pope’s crown mean, and what do they symbolize, if they have any meaning? The words written on the Pope’s crown are: Vicarius Filii Dei, which in Latin means ‘Vicar of the Son of God.’ Catholics maintain their position that the Church must have a visible head. Christ, before ascending to heaven, appointed St. Peter to act as His representative.”
— Our Sunday Visitor, April 18, 1915
“Just as the blessed Peter is seen as having been appointed Vicarius Filii Dei on earth, so also the pontiffs…”
— Corpus Iuris Canonici, 1879, a compilation of Canon Law, published by order of Pope Gregory XIII.
Now then, what element of the Catholic Church will be the Mark of the Beast?, Seventh-day Adventists believe it will be Sunday worship enforced by law. The Catholic Church itself claims that this is its mark of authority:
“Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change (from Saturday being the Sabbath to Sunday) was her act… And the act is a MARK of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters.”
— Letter from C. F. Thomas, Chancellor for Cardinal Gibbons, October 28, 1895
“Practically everything that Protestants regard as essential or important they have received from the Catholic Church… The Protestant mind does not seem to realize that in accepting the Bible and observing Sunday, in keeping Christmas and Easter, they are accepting the authority of the spokesman for the Church, the Pope.”
— Our Sunday Visitor, February 5, 1950
We have already seen how the Catholic Church is connected with the beast of Revelation 13, as well as with the sun god and the ancient Babylonian religion. Interestingly, the Catholic Church promotes Sun-day.
The Papacy as the Beast that enforces the mark
As we can see in this other article, we identify that the first beast of Revelation 13 is connected with the little horn of Daniel 7, since these two entities share the same characteristics: a blasphemous power, a deadly wound, exalting itself above God and claiming to sit on His throne, persecuting the saints, and, especially, ruling for the same period of 3.5 years / 42 months / 1,260 days.
Taking this into account, we know that the little horn has been identified as the Vatican — the Roman Catholic Church — the Papacy. Therefore, we conclude that:
Little horn = First beast of Revelation 13
Both represent the same power.
How will the Mark of the Beast be enforced?
The Bible tells us that the mark of the beast will have a primary factor: commerce.
“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.” (Revelation 13:17)
Those who choose to stand firm with God and keep His holy Sabbath will be penalized and will have their ability to buy and sell taken away.
We currently live in a digital age in which we are getting closer and closer to conducting business only through bank transfers, credit cards, and other digital methods, while cash is disappearing.
With only digital means of commerce, it eventually becomes much easier for authorities to freeze bank accounts, leaving people without the ability to trade, especially if we reach a cashless society.
The Great Controversy.
“When Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honor popery above God. He is worshiping the beast and his image.”
— The Great Controversy
From the archaeological and historical evidence that demonstrates the Bible is a reliable and true document, to the most relevant end-time prophecies, the “Total Onslaught” series teaches us the methods of deception and assault used by Satan against Christ, and how the final events of this world will unfold.