The number of the beast is not simply the number six, but the number six three times: 6-6-6. This is insightful when we consider that the Bible regards the number three as a number for divine perfection. To triple any number (or saying) is to perfect it. In the case of man’s number six tripled is also an attempt to perfect it. On the other hand, the spiritual perfection of God, the number seven, is tripled in the holy trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit thus giving it also divine perfection. Typically other sayings in the Bible, such as Holy, Holy, Holy are tripled to indicate divine perfection. We can see also divine perfection in the universe that was created by a perfect God. There are three qualities of the universe: time, space, and matter. To exist all three are required. Each quality consists of three elements. Time is past, present, and future; space is height, width, and depth; and, matter is solid, liquid, and gas. Therefore, to give the number six to the beast and then triple it (6-6-6) is clearly an attempt at divine perfection.

In the same way when man follows the teachings of the world and takes the mark 666 it demonstrates his attempt at divine perfection. Is this mark a chip inserted just below the skin or is it a visible mark like a tattoo? Or is it simply a seal placed on fallen humanity’s foreheads by the Antichrist (or Beast) who is parroting God who has also placed a seal on the foreheads of His servants. (See Rev. 7:3) If we choose the later then it would indicate that the mark is invisible, but clearly has eternal ramifications. If you choose to accept the teaching of Antichrist and follow him in perfecting your character then you have clearly taken the mark. On the other hand, if you have been sealed by the living God then you follow Him and are being changed from one degree of glory to another. God is not kidding when He said that He has given you everything you need for life and godliness so that you can participate in the divine nature.

Yet fallen humanity will not accept that truth but is obsessed with perfecting man apart from trusting in God exclusively. The psychiatric industry, which stretches beyond cultural and religious barriers, is attempting to help man modify his behavior and reach perfection apart from trusting in God. Psychotropic drugs are prescribed by medical practitioners and psychologist to treat some sort of disease labeled by the psychiatric industry. There are over 300 different psychiatric disorders (or labels) listed in the DSM-IV, which is the psychiatrist bible. However, when one looks at these labels it becomes clear that they have crossed the line by not calling most of the labels sin, a condition that only God can cure. Only by the removal of sin can man become perfected in Christ. To leave man in his sins and on drugs will keep him in bondage to the old sin nature and a slave to Satan. To trust man to perfect man is nothing short of idolatry. The choice is yours. Whose mark will you take – the mark of the beast or the seal of the living God?

This great nation in the last days is often referred to in the Bible as the great city. What makes this city or nation so great will help us to understand Satan’s other mandate. There are actually two things that make her great among the nations. First, she is extremely wealthy by the world’s standards. The rich and famous (kings and rulers) in other nations around the world may come close to the wealth and prosperity of America but most of their population continue to live in poverty and great distress. It is clear that other nations at least among its ruling class and their merchants have grown wealthy from the excessive luxuries of the United States by producing our coveted goods in their factories. Secondly, we are seen as the greatest nation on earth because of our great power. Not only do we have the greatest and most feared army in the world, but we also rule over the kings of the earth. Not only is our military stationed around the world for our national interest, but we are paying out billions of dollars in aid to countries where we may not have a military presence.

Why are we paying out all this aid to other countries in the world? Is it because we are a righteous nation, a bright and shining city on a hill that has a great desire to help others even as our national debt continues to skyrocket?  Or is it for some other more sinister reason? Let me ask you a question. Can you imagine our government giving out free money with no strings attached? No of course not! If we cannot control a nation militarily then we will do it with strings attached for what we deem as our national interest, but clearly another form of ruling others and dictating our foreign policy. Additionally, they happily receive our nation’s promiscuous life style, addiction to seductive entertainment coupled with a real hunger for wealth and prosperity.  Moreover, they readily accept a mandated tolerance so that they too can dabble in other world religions, psychology, and the introduction of psychotropic drugs.

But let’s return to our original question. What is Satan’s other mandate? Not only is he interested in causing Christians to stumble by defeating them spiritually, but he also wants to physically destroy her nation and all those who reside in her sphere of influence. As we shall see this attack is real and the outcome is horrendous. “The beast and the ten horns (other nations in league with him) you saw will hate the prostitute (the great city). They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire” (Rev. 17:16).  Satan’s other mandate is to destroy the United States of America. Clearly to destroy our economy will leave us naked. To be soft on Iran and her segregate nations could open the door to death and destruction on a biblical scale. We must ask ourselves why God is allowing this to happen, especially in lieu of the following verse (v.17) that indicates that He has allowed them to reign to accomplish His purpose. Have the sins of the United States gotten so bad that they have become a stench to His nostrils?

For those who stood the test and weathered the storm this will be a happy day indeed to see their Lord coming in great power and glory. “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So it shall be! Amen! (Rev. 1:7, italics are mine). The persecution will stop. The pain and suffering will stop. The prison doors will fly open, the shackles will fall from their feet, and there will be freedom. Freedom at last! Those who caused you all the pain and torment will now suffer for their misdeeds. They will stand shaking before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Each of them will bow in submission before receiving their final sentence of eternal punishment.

But for you dear saint things will be gloriously different. You will be caught up in the clouds to meet your Savior! “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (I Thess. 4:16-17). Your filthy rags and prison clothes will be exchanged for the white robes of glory. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth…” (Rev. 21:1a). The Evil One Satan and the beast had destroyed God’s original creation by raping it of its natural resources, destroying its beautiful forests, polluting its lakes, its rivers, and the air. But now there are a new heavens and a new earth re-created in all of its original beauty, free of smog and pollution. The forests will look greener, the skies bluer, and the rivers crystal clear. To look at the heavens and see the other planets, moons, and stars will look as though you could reach out and touch them. The freshness of the air will be like nothing you’ve ever experienced. Everything will be made new! It will be like being in the Garden of Eden all over again, but this time there will be no Evil One coming along to tempt humanity. This time God will make His dwelling among His people.

This entire blog is quoted from my book: Final Warning.

Blair, Daniel, Final Warning (Tate Publishing & Enterprises 2006) pp. 209-211

This Part II demonstrates that the Church has already begun to enter the Great Tribulation. This is a powerful and moving video that will awaken the spirit in every Christian who wants to know the truth and to be prepared for what lies ahead

This is an important book review in a confused world.