Eschatology: Part 6- The Beast & The Mark of the Beast

The first beast comes "out of the sea" and is given authority and power by the dragon. This first beast is initially mentioned in Revelation 11:7 as coming out of the abyss. His appearance is described in detail in Revelation 13:1-10, and some of the mystery or connection to Revelation 17:7-18.  The second beast comes "out of the earth" and directs all peoples of the earth to worship the first beast. (The second beast is associated with Revelation 13:11-18 the false prophet) The two beasts are aligned with the dragon in opposition to God. They persecute the "holy ones" and those who do "not worship the image of the beast [of the sea]" and influence the kings of the earth to gather for the battle of Armageddon.[1] The two beasts are defeated by Christ and are thrown into the lake of fire mentioned in Revelation 19:18-20.     The Bible is full of typology, symbolism, and metaphorical content that has deeper and dual meanings based on the descriptions. Like I mentioned in an earlier film in this series when the bible describes the stew Esau was eating it was red stuff… because it was describing a covenant that was founded in scarlet blood.      The Book of Daniel was written during the time of King Antiochus Epiphanes who desecrated the Temple of Jerusalem and forced many Jews to adopt idolatrous customs and to abandon the requirements of their Law. Many resisted and paid for their actions with torture and death.   The Book of Revelation was written in similar circumstances to Daniel. The Church in parts of the Roman Empire was undergoing fierce persecution, likely even starting a literal war because of it. Many were being arrested and martyred while others were driven underground. The end times wording in Daniel fits what happened here!    It is full of symbolical language and imagery, which the Christians could understand in many ways at face value. While the meaning of much of the symbolism and images has been recovered, there are still parts of the book whose meaning we can only guess at. (Thus giving a field day to some evangelical preachers to see in these symbols references to present day events. Most of these speculations are quite unjustified.)    In keeping with Revelation’s main theme—judgment upon Israel for crucifying their Messiah (Rev 1:7)—John presents the Land beast as symbolizing apostate Judaism as concentrated in its religious leadership in its High Priestly aristocracy. He shows the leadership of Judaism functioning as a subordinate to pagan Rome, further demonstrating Israel’s apostasy and the legitimacy of God’s judgment upon her. All of this is in keeping with the trial and crucifixion of Christ under Jewish pressure upon the local Roman authority.   Who are the Beasts? • Sea Beast is Nero but also the persecuting political system of Rome (depicted by the many heads) • The Land Beast is the Religious political hierarchy of Jerusalem • 666 applies to both in that it is the number of Nero’s name and the number of gold that Solomon collected from foreign lands to sell himself to foreign interests forsaking God.   Mark of the Beast • The Mark is symbolic.  • The Mark is about worship and access (buying and selling)- You can only worship 1 master. • The Mark is about who you are allegiant to. If we are justified by faith alone, then why would a mark annul that? That sounds like salvation/damnation by works to me.