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.