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The Mark On The Hand Or Foreheadby Wayne Blank The Mark of Babylon There are many opinions as to what the end-time mark of the beast will be, a "mark" that, as the Scriptures say, will be either on the "hand" or the "forehead." Some believe that it will be an actual mark, like a tattoo, while others think that it represents one's beliefs (i.e. the mark on the forehead) or one's actions (i.e. the mark on the hand). Either may be possible because the actual Greek word of the Scriptures that has been translated as "mark," pronounced car-ag-mah, literally means to etch, but was also used figuratively to mean a sign, or an indication of something. Either way, the Bible describes it as something that is accepted or refused. Everyone has personal control of whether or not they will have the mark of the beast.
First, we know that no one will be immune from potentially having the mark of the beast. As plainly stated in the verses above, people from all levels of society ("small and great"), all levels of personal finance ("rich and poor"), employer or employee ("free and bond") will have the mark of the beast. Nothing about social or financial status creates, or prevents, the mark of the beast. Those three groupings cover everyone (the use of "man" refers to the species as a whole), but the Bible also says that not everyone will have the mark of the beast. So what else is there? What else does the Bible say?
"And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name" (Revelation 14:9-11 KJV) The mark of the beast has to do with those "who worship the beast and his image" of "Babylon." The mark of the beast therefore isn't primarily political or economic, it's religious. So what religious factor will determine who will have the mark of the beast and who won't? What else does the Bible plainly say? How do the verses above continue?
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the Commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." (Revelation 14:12 KJV) And who will Satan be raging against for not accepting the mark of the beast? The same answer as above. Those who "keep the Commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" are those who will not have the mark of the beast.
"And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the Commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 12:17 KJV) Those who won't have the mark of the beast will be those "that keep the Commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Whatever else may become a factor, they will all (1) truly obey the Ten Commandments and (2) remain faithful to the only true Messiah. But how many people even today really do that? And how many people today think that they do that, but really don't? How many people today already have the mark of the beast and need to do something about it (see also "Come Out Of Her, My People") before it's too late? For the answer to those questions, see the Fact Finder questions below.
Fact Finder:
(a) See Numbering God's Commandments
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But if we don't yet know for sure what the mark of the beast will be, can we know for sure who will, and who won't, have the mark of the beast? Yes we can.