We explored the number of the beast of Revelation 13:18 (666) in parallel with the crucifixion in Mark 15:28. I’d like to share the rest of this scene, and more examples.

I created Zerah.com to show passages in parallel, based on their design. The “Builder” is where you can build your own parallels. Take a look at passages on your left (or bottom on mobile).

The Mark of the Beast is from Revelation 13, and its icon is a flashlight. All revelation passages have flashlight icons. The Crucifixion is a regular passage, so it has a pencil. Name-rich passages have key icons.

Scroll this story with a touch-screen or scroll-bar to your right. As you move it, the Builder will automatically scroll to the part of the design we want to discuss. You can also scroll the Builder view yourself if you like.

Worship

The design begins with two potential kings, and the idea of worship – of the beast on the left, or Jesus on the right. Those who refuse to worship the beast are caused to be killed, as Jesus soon will be. I believe our spirit died with Christ, so it’s possible we who refuse to worship the beast are also caused to be killed.

All biblical names on Zerah.com link to the enhanced dictionary of biblical names, used with permission from Bridge Logos publishers. Hover over a name, like “Jews,” to see its definition. It means “God be praised.”

The idea of worship or praise connects these two passages.

Right Hand

Throughout the book of Revelation, people are marked, or “sealed.” Either with the name of the beast, which is Destruction (Revelation 9:11), or the name of Jesus, which means “God Saves.”

Revelation 5:9 says Jesus purchased us with his blood. Here, it says “no one can buy or sell” unless he has the mark of the beast.

So, in order for Jesus to purchase us, he must bear the mark of the beast. In fact, he bore two marks – one in each hand. Or four, if you count his feet.

In this parallel, body parts – right hands – connect these two passages.

Numbering

Three were crucified. Jesus was the second. It suggests the number of the beast, which is the number of a man, is two-thirds, like the decimal .666. Other parts of Revelations support this, as it divides things into thirds.

Revelations describes 7 bowls of wrath. As each bowl is poured out, it effects two-thirds of something. This suggests the wrath of God was poured out on Christ, as he was numbered accordingly.

Revelations describes 7 trumpets. As each trumpet sounds, it effects one-third of something, which I suspect applies to those who bear the name of Christ.

The idea of numbering, or a division of people between Satan and Christs, connects these two passages.

Dual-Victory

The next part of the Mark of the Beast parallel shows Jesus, the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion with a great number of people. In the crucifixion, many pass by the cross, blaspheming Christ. They talk of a temple being destroyed and rebuilt – in 3 days – like a new Kingdom, which is likely the Mount Zion of Revelation.

The interesting part of this passage to me is the duality. People are shown standing, victorious, with Christ on Mount Zion. Yet they hear a sound, from heaven, like the sound of many waters (a crowd), and great thunder (the voice of God), which is like harps (praise).

This suggests a dual victory, both on earth and in heaven. Or, perhaps a dual victory which is both physical and spiritual.

The idea of passing through connects these two passages, like passing through death and into new life. Or, passing out of this world and into the eternal Kingdom of Christ.

Made New

The people sing a new song before the throne, four living creatures and elders. The chief priests mock Christ. The purity of the worship of the people on the left connects to the blasphemy of the mocking on the right. An interesting opposite.

The elders of Christ, on the left, are also an interesting contrast with the chief priests of this world. Between those who follow him, praising him, with a new song in their mouth – and those who mock him.

No One

Part of the bible’s design, which I’ve observed, is the idea of mirrors or symmetry. Here, “no one” can learn the song except the people redeemed, which word means “to buy up” or “purchased.”

This is an exact mirror to the words we read earlier. No one can purchase unless he has the mark of the beast. No one can learn the song unless he’s been purchased, by Christ. A mirror.

The words of the mocking chief priests in the crucifixion scene are interestingly accurate. Jesus does save others, which the revelation clearly shows. Jesus can’t (or chooses not to) save himself.

Followers

The revelation then points out that the people who stand with Christ, victorious, are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. That includes following him through death and into new life.

The crucifixion scene on the right ends where it began, with a King. “Let the Christ, the King of Israel now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe in him.”

The revelation shows those who see and believe in Christ – who choose to follow him. The crucifixion scene shows those who do not. This is exactly where the design of these two passages began, with a choice of worship – the beast, or Christ.

This is also where the design of this passage ends, with a choice of worship – following the Lamb, or not.

More Parallels

These two passages work together in amazing ways. With Zerah.com, any two passages whose design is known will work together. You can build your own parallels, and in doing so, compare two passages it’s quite likely no one has ever compared before.

I cannot overstate how incredible this is. Not only do the words align, but the names of the people within the words align. And, the actions of the people within the words also align. Every word, it appears, is amazingly and intricately choreographed to uncover a deeper story of Jesus and his victory over the beast – together with us.

I’ve created more examples if you’d like to explore them. You can compare the Mark of the Beast passage to the Birth of Christ in Luke 2, and the Cast the First Stone story of the woman of adultery in John 8. And, with the Builder, you can compare this passage to any other thread on the site.

Click the right arrow, or choose the parallel you’d like to explore: