The Mark of the Beast - Preserved Word Ministries

Revelation 13:16 – 18

16 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:
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.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Revelation 14:6 – 12

6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, 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.
8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
9 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,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

The Mark of the Beast will be introduced at the midpoint of the seven year Tribulation. It will be some sort of global identification, that is permanently placed on one’s right hand or forehead. Without it, you cannot buy and sell. You cannot work a job. You cannot buy groceries. You might not even be able to pay your taxes. Not receiving the Mark will cripple your ability to live out everyday life. No one will be forced to take it, they will just have to have it if they want to carry on normal life. The Mark will identify them as belonging to the Antichrist. However, the Bible warns that all those that take the Mark will spend eternity in Hell.

Receiving the Mark, Worshiping the Beast:

Receiving the Mark is linked with Worshiping the Beast in Scripture:

9 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,
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Revelation 14:9,11

And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
Revelation 16:2

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Revelation 19:20

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Revelation 20:4

The Mark isn’t just a form of identification, it’s a form of adoration. Therefore, taking the Mark will be synonymous with worshiping the image of the beast. Those who worship him take it. Those who take it worship him. Those who refuse to worship the image will be killed. Those who refuse the Mark will be killed. (However, there will be survivors at the end of the Tribulation.) By taking the Mark, you identify yourself as a worshiper and follower of the Antichrist.

Receiving the Mark, Automatic Damnation!

Those who receive the Mark are automatically damned to the Lake of Fire for eternity, with no possibility of being saved later. Shortly after the Mark is introduced, three angels appear in the sky. The FIRST angel is preaching the Gospel to the whole world.

6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, 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.

Rev 14:6 – 7

The second angel warns of the coming fall of Babylon:

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Rev 14:8

The THIRD angel warns against taking the Mark:

9 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,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Rev 14:9 – 11

The penalty for taking the Mark is so serious, that God, in His mercy, sends an angel to WARN against it. Note, that there are no provisions for 1) a Christian who takes the Mark, or 2) for someone getting saved later after taking it. The FIRST and THIRD angels are speaking with LOUD voices. Why? God sent the FIRST angel to preach the Gospel, so that people would be saved. He sent the THIRD angel to warn against taking the Mark. The deception during this time will be so great. Everyone who is NOT saved WILL eventually take the Mark. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matt 24:24). God sends an angel to preach the Gospel, because, without being saved, you will not be able to resist the Mark of the Beast. He sends another angel to warn, in no uncertain terms, against taking the Mark.

NO ONE who takes the Mark will be at the Judgment Seat of Christ:

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Rev 20:4).

It is important to note that ALL saved people will be present at the Judgment Seat of Christ – see Rom 14:15, 1 Cor 1:7 and 2 Cor 5:10. The lost will have their own judgment before God, known as the Great White Throne judgment, which comes a thousand years after the Christ’s Judgment Seat. (Rev 20:7, 11 – 15). So, if you’re not present at Christ’s judgment, then you are not saved. Let me repeat, no one who has received the Mark will be present at Christ’s Judgment Seat! They are all lost!

Gaining the Victory over the Mark

1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

Revelation 15:1 – 2

In this view of heaven, toward the end of the Tribulation, we see no one who has taken the Mark. All these people have had victory over the mark. Yes, this will be a very terrible time for believers, but by the grace of God those here will make it through. God will give us the victory over the Mark. Read that passage carefully; these people have gotten the victory over the Mark, but they are in heaven. They have been martyred for their faith. There will be survivors at the end of the Tribulation, but there will be countless martyrs along the way.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:55 – 57

Even death is not defeat. It is better to loose your life and keep your soul than to keep your life and loose your soul. Only people who know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be able to resist the Mark. It will be tough times, but those who refuse to worship the beast, who reject his number, and refuse his Mark will be victorious.