Since this is the 4th part of our Mark of the Beast Series, I have already explained that the beast kingdom reigning at the time the Mark of the Beast terminology was first introduced, was the Holy Roman Empire- 7th head of the seven-headed beast. We also know by now that the Mark of the Beast is an invisible mark because of its spiritual significance. Allegiance to the world (Satan) - paganism - is visually illustrated so we can better understand the spiritual message.
When we were last together we gave the Biblical history of the significance of the symbolism of the forehead and hand to describe our allegiance to God or the world (paganism). Once we define the metaphorical language and esoteric imagery in Revelation the message is revealed. Here is wisdom: Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666...Rev. 13:18. Don't you just love a good riddle...especially when it is so easily and clearly solved?
Do you remember the two-horned beast in part 11 of our study? His two horns and voice symbolized the merging of secular government with an ecclesiastical system of government. The two horns symbolize a lamb (Christian), but the beast had the voice of a dragon, revealing a transformation has taken place - 6th head of the beast evolved into the 7th head of the beast...Rev. 13:11-16.
Continuing in Revelation chapter 13, we find the two-horned beast is revealed by symbolism - 666. The Mark of the Beast is revealed during the reign of the Holy Roman Empire - pagan religion. Numbers in the Bible have symbolic meaning. Defining the meaning of the numbers used in scripture, especially prophecy of scripture, clears up any ambiguities in the message.
What does the number 6 mean? It is defined as -- the sum total of human achievement. There is no mystery here. The number six, simply put, is man's number, just as the number seven is God's number. Compound the number 6, as in 666, simply illustrates that no matter how much a human being accomplishes through his own worldly efforts, his sum total value goes no higher than six in the language of numbers.
The Bible tells us that man was created on the 6th day of the creation of the world. The number six symbolized that the sum total of man was incomplete until God breathed life into him. - then he became one-with-God. When mankind sinned against God he stood alone once again - the sum total of his achievements are symbolized by the number 6.
God anointed Solomon as King to replace King David on the throne of Israel. Eventually King Solomon grievously disobeyed God by having multiple wives, whom he permitted to worship their own pagan gods. With all of the fame and fortune bestowed upon him by God, Solomon's achievements were assessed by the number six - sum total of man's achievements - incomplete without God. How do I know this?
The annual income for King Solomon was calculated at 666 talents of gold...I Kings 10:14. The weight of his gold was 25 tons. This is a lot of money, even in our day. So we can see that 666 simply represents - the sum total of Solomon's human achievements - incomplete without God.
In Revelation, it is the Holy Roman Empire - image of the beast - who causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead...Rev. 13:16. This empire personifies the number 666.
Only Jesus Christ can spiritually complete, or perfect a human being, thus raising his numerical value. Alone - a human being is always a number six - incomplete without Jesus Christ. By his allegiance, a human being chooses which invisible spiritual mark is revealed by the fruit of his life - Mark of the Beast or Mark of God.
Since a human being will never symbolize the number seven unless he becomes one-with-God, because only the number seven means complete - perfection - find out next week if your life reveals the Mark of the Beast (666) or the Mark of God. Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...
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