Summary

1. The mark of the beast is a counterfeit seal of salvation

   • The seal comes in the form of blood as a symbolic payment for sin
   • Instead of using blood according to the law of the passover lamb, those who worship the beast prescribe their own rules for this sacrifice

2. The image of the beast is the love of money

   • The nonelect make blood sacrifices to money where blood is a symbol of life
   • People worship money as a god capable of saving them from disaster, illness, and even death

Passover Hypothesis

The sprinkling of blood is a symbol for the payment of a debt that can only be satisfied by the taking of life. Lamb or ram’s blood is put on the tip of the right ear, on the right big toe, and on the tip of the right thumb of the highpriest, Aaron, and his sons.

Mark of the Beast

The mark of the beast relates to the blood of the lamb placed on the right hand and forehead. See Revelation 13:16.

Image of the Beast

The image of the beast relates to money and the images inscribed on currency. See the image and inscription of Caesar.

Beasts

The genitive case in Mark 1:13 indicates these are Satan’s beasts — not wild animals but ministers of deception. See 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 and Titus 1:10-16.