Mark of the Beast
Birth of Christ
It was given to him to give breath to it, to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as many as wouldn’t worship the image of the beast to be killed.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David;
He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their foreheads; and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him as wife, being pregnant.
Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.
While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth.
I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps.
She gave birth to her firstborn son.
They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders.
She wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a feeding trough,
No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth. These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins.
because there was no room for them in the inn.
These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock.
666 + Birth of Christ
- November 9, 2023
- | Jim Tallman
666 + Birth of Christ
- November 9, 2023
- | Jim Tallman
We just explored the Crucifixion scene in parallel with the Mark of the Beast and his number 666. Here, I’d like to compare the famous Birth of Christ story from Luke 2. Let’s look for points of connection, deeper symbolism and things revealed.
Worship
Joseph and Mary “went up” into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem. The name Judea holds the connection. It means, “The LORD be Praised.” Or, worship the beast.
Writing
They go to enroll, written into a census – like a book. In Revelations, people are marked with the name of the beast, or their name is written in Jesus’ book of life.
Come
The time comes for Mary to give birth. Christ, the man, (God in human form) is about to enter this world. He’ll leave this world bearing the mark of the beast, at this death.
Reborn
Mary gives birth to her firstborn son. A great multitude stand with Christ, victorious. I believe this shows Christ’s rebirth along with his followers – in Heaven and on Earth.
Renewed
Mary wraps Jesus in cloth. I suspect this symbolizes renewal through the Holy Spirit. The victorious sing a new song – made new, by Christ’s spirit which lives within them.
No Room
There’s no room in the inn. I believe this symbolizes a place prepared by Christ for those he purchases. Christ remains outside, so we can live inside – the inn – his Kingdom.
Flock
The design ends with those who follow the Lamb. Shepherds keep watch over their flock. Christ is still a newborn.
The design began with people “going up” to a city. The design ends with a flock, protected, in a new Kingdom.
Beyond Time
To me, the interesting thing about these two passages it that it tells a story which goes beyond time. Even before Christ enters our world, people “went up” to a City, which symbolizes his Kingdom.
A great multitude stands victorious, with Christ, both on earth (and in Heaven). Because Christ has come into this world, died and been reborn. Even though in this scene, he still lies in a feeding trough.
It’s decades before the time in which Jesus is marked for destruction. Yet, this Christmas passage already tells of a place prepared for those he purchases.
Christ, the Shepherd, guards his flock. Even though he is part of the flock, and enters this world, as a Lamb. Multiple stories come to life in this parallel – one literal, the other eternal.
All this suggests that these parallels reveal a time beyond literal time as we know it. Together, the passages tell an eternal story that goes beyond the single instance – a story of Christ purchasing souls in a place of eternity.
Cast the First Stone
A great example of Christ purchasing a soul is the woman of adultery story of John 8. It provides an interesting revelation, in parallel with the Mark of the Beast.
Click the right arrow, or “Cast the First Stone” link below to take a look.
- 666
- 666 + Crucifixion
- 666 + Birth of Christ
- 666 + Cast the First Stone
To explore these passages directly, click this button:
