Revelation 14:9-11
“Finally, a third angel came and shouted: Here is what will happen if you worship the beast and the idol and have the mark of the beast on your hand or forehead. You will have to drink the wine that God gives to everyone who makes him angry. You will feel his mighty anger, and you will be tortured with fire and burning sulfur, while the holy angels and the Lamb look on. If you worship the beast and the idol and accept the mark of its name, you will be tortured day and night. The smoke from your torture will go up forever and ever, and you will never be able to rest.”
It is apparent from the context of Revelation 13 and 14 that the “beast” is being used in the sense of a wild, adversarial animal. The Beast is described here would cause great fear and anxiety. It produces malevolence. It desires to consume and destroy all that cross its path. It is the personification of violence and aggression.
The symbolism of the “Beast” and the context is not literal animal. The beast appears to represent a governmental system, the personality of a system, and that system’s philosophy of life. The context is showing us that from the system’s point of view; people have no value other than for its purpose. The beast’s purpose is simply to maintain and to extend its existence and power through the use of terror and fear.
In Revelation 13:4 it says, “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” This “beast” puts people into fear. This is a system that puts people into fear. It manipulates and controls to its good, not for the good of those that it governs. It has an attitude of Satan, which hates people and wants to destroy.
This beast places its mark on human beings. What is “the mark of the beast” in a spiritual sense? In Revelation 13:7 it says, “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds and tongues and nations.” At the core of the issue, it appears the war in Revelation 13:7, indicates hostility to God and the people who honor the ways of God. It appears that it is possible this verse points to physical war that results in physical death for some people. It is equally apparent that God gives this system permission to be hostile against His people. In a spiritual sense “the mark of the beast” is Satan’s attitude. Satan is the great red dragon (Revelation 12:9), who gives power unto the beast (Revelation 13:2). It appears that this beast power government will exercise the spirit of Satan’s dominance over many peoples. Our salvation and deliverance from Satan and the beast power government lies in our relationship with God, the Father and Jesus Christ. More to come on this series.
