Beastly Economics

The Second Beast or Fale Prophet employs economic sanctions to coerce men, so they swear allegiance to the Beast from the Sea.

The “False Prophet” uses economic power against anyone who refuses to render homage to the World Empire, and the “Mark of the Beast” is his test of loyalty to determine who worships the Beast’s image and who does not. The ability to impose monetary penalties on nations, communities, and individuals is key to the imperial power of the First Beast.

The Book of Revelation contrasts the “Inhabitants of the Earth” with the followers of the “Lamb.” Members of the former group have the “Number of the Beast” branded on their “right hand,” but those of the latter have the name of the “Lamb written on their foreheads.” The “Mark of the Beast” is the Devil’s counterfeit of the “Seal of God” - (Revelation 7:1-3, 14:1-4).

[100 Bill - Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash]

All the “Inhabitants of the Earth” take the Beast’s “Mark,” therefore, they are legally authorized to engage in commerce – “To buy and sell.” In contrast, the followers of the “Lamb” bear his name and are therefore prohibited from participating in the economic life of the Empire. They find themselves under economic sanction- (Revelation 13:16-18).

Humanity is divided into two groups - the men who follow the “Lamb,” and the “Inhabitants of the Earth” who subjugate themselves to the “Beast.” To which group anyone belongs determines whether his name is included in the “Lamb’s Book of Life.” References to the “Earth” and “Zion” are not geographical but relational.

The “Mark” or “Number” designates whether one belongs to the “Beast.” Without it, no one is permitted to engage in the economic life of society. The ability to “buy and sell” is obtained by giving one’s allegiance to the World Empire.

The “Mark of the Beast” also determines whether anyone is excluded from the “Book of Life.” Placing the Beast’s “Mark” on the “forehead” or “right hand” mimics the ancient call for Israel to worship Yahweh alone. The “Mark” is part of the imperial cult, the counterfeit to the “seal of God” - (Deuteronomy 6:5-8).

If the “Seal of God” is figurative so is the “Mark of the Beast.” Anyone who gives allegiance to the “Beast” takes its “Mark,” just as everyone who follows the “Lamb” receives the “Seal of God.”

The congregation of Smyrna was experiencing economic deprivation because it refused to compromise with the surrounding culture, and its members were enduring slander from the “Synagogue of Satan,” those who “call themselves Jews but are not” – (Revelation 2:8-11, 3:9).

Nevertheless, though the saints in Smyrna were impoverished, they “were rich” because they persevered in the “testimony of Jesus.” They would escape the “Second Death” and receive the “crown of life” in the city of “New Jerusalem.”

The beastly system of John’s time was the Roman Empire. Though it was not the final incarnation of the “Beast,” it certainly was its forerunner. Satan has been pushing the same agenda from the beginning, which is why the Church often experiences economic oppression from governing powers.

The Beast’s final form will come. When a political entity appears in History that uses economic sanctions inordinately to compel other nations, peoples, and individuals to submit to its sovereignty, that will be the first sign that the “Beast” is starting its “ascent from the Sea.”

We must choose whether to swear allegiance to the “Beast from the Sea” or to “follow the Lamb wherever he goes.” If we do the latter, we will find ourselves marginalized by society, and possibly impoverished, but we also will stand before the “Lamb” in the “city of New Jerusalem.” If the former, we one day will find our names erased from the “Lamb’s Book of Life.”

[PDF Copy]

SEE ALSO:

• Beast from the Sea - (The Dragon began his attack against the Seed of the Woman by summoning his seed, the Beast from the Sea – Revelation 13:1-5)

• The Ascending Beast - (To identify the Antichrist, we must understand what the relevant scriptures say about him, his methods, and his agenda)

• Beast from the Earth - (The Beast from the Earth mimics the Lamb. It is the mouthpiece of the Dragon, and the propagandist for the first beast)