The Power of the Second Beast to Compel Obedience vs. 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."
Without doubt, the compelling force in the hands of the second beast lies in the realm of self-preservation. In his hands he has the.physical wealth of the world.
Public Identification is the Chief Design of the
Mark vs. 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."
This is again a counterfeiting of the things of God. Since God seals (7:1-8), the devil does also. He wants his own to be made quite conspicuous and to make it less possible for any to escape. No exceptions are made, and the most conspicuous portions of the human anatomy must be marked.
Self-preservation is the Lever that is used by the
Beast vs. 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."
Having
a commercial monopoly on the wealth of the world, the beast uses this to compel
all men to receive the mark. Only by bearing the mark are they able to buy or
sell. Extreme need drives men into his power.
CONCLUSION:
1.
Wisdom: No one need speculate about the identity of the number, name,
or notorious person of the beast. All such in the past have been futile and
worthless.
2.
Meaning: This warning and number is especially directed to those who
shall be living on the earth during this awful time. These saints are to count
the number and know that it is the number of a man.
3.
Number: The number has moral significance. "7" is the number
of God. "777" signifies the Trinity in its highest perfection.
"6: is the number of man, and the nearest approach to divine perfection is
"666." ASV note says some ancient authorities read "616."
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