“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).

“And that no man might buy or sell,” (vs 17)

This does not describe a financial depression, it characterizes economic sanctions. The United States will impose repressive measures based on resistance to religious issues. This signals a desperate situation, a last-ditch effort to solve global problems, now perceived to be spiritually caused. This act reflects one aspect of persecution against the saints. Jesus noted that this occurs when a “time of sorrows” has come to the world (Matthew 24:8). Mark, who first recorded this warning, noted a collection of calamities that would lead to this state of affairs.

The full meaning of what this period of sorrows represents is not conveyed. Apparently a dire situation has fallen upon the earth, and its inhabitants see nowhere to turn but to God. They follow the advice of the papacy – and laws to require Sunday worship are enacted and now enforced.

“save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (vs 17)

This distinguishing “stain” is the world’s badge of honor. It will take a while, but they will discover it was satanically inspired!

This mark is on the forehead or right hand (vs 16). Intriguingly, the name of Christ – the Lamb – is on the forehead of the redeemed (22:4). The “mark of the beast” is held out as constant pressure to conform to Rome and not to God. “You will suffer unless you conform.”

The best rendition of the phrase “the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” is “the mark, which is the name … or the number called himself.”[1] This means that the “mark” is characterized by these two features.

      Mark of the Beast

 Name        or       Number

 The number will be described in the next verse. The name can be defined through the context of the beast or the woman who rides that beast.

• The beast was full of the names of blasphemy (17:3).

• The beast’s heads had on each one the name of blasphemy (13:1).

• The harlot’s name was on her forehead, “mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth” (17:5).

Whatever the United States is forcing on earth’s inhabitants, one can conclude several points:

1.      It blasphemes God.

2.      It relates to issues associated with Babylon.

3.      Whatever it stands for, God called it “abominations of the earth.”

The best clues take us to Daniel where many agencies are blaspheming God. A specific area where Jesus wanted us to focus was the “abominations that lead to desolation” (see Appendix III). That encompasses Daniel 8–12. Those horrible transgressions are shown to be against God’s true Sabbath. He is honored as the “Creator God” by our keeping the seventh day holy. The issue of a false sabbath defies this true God. The abomination is blasphemy against Him; and through its number, we will discover it is associated with Babylon. That, God says, is fallen – “come out of her.”

The ultimate “name” is best seen as duplicating the “name” on the harlot’s head – Babylon. Everything that this prophetic name alludes to is what the “mark of the beast” stands for. It is symbolized/epitomized by a false sabbath. The anti-Creator sabbath!

References: