What Is The Mark Of The Beast?

The mark of the beast is the number of a man...the number is 666, the man is Nero in the first century.

After Nero instituted his empire-wide policy, many believers were killed.

They could have avoided death by denouncing Jesus and declaring allegiance to Rome and Nero by receiving the mark of the beast.

But they refused to do so; and, therefore, they were killed.

Revelation 13:16-17 tells us the only way people in the empire could buy or sell was by receiving the mark of the beast on their right hands or foreheads.

Revelation 13:17-18 says the mark of the beast is the name of the beast or the number of the beast.

The name of the beast could be calculated as 666.

We know the beast is the Roman Empire in the first century.

The name connected to the Roman Empire in Revelation is Nero.

When his name is calculated, it equals 666.

The calculation of Nero’s name is done by taking the Greek name for Nero Caesar and translating it into the Hebrew name for Nero Caesar.

Each letter in the Hebrew alphabet has a numerical value.

When the numerical value of each Hebrew letter for Nero Caesar is added together, the calculation is 666.

Interestingly, Greek manuscripts of Revelation have been discovered having the number 616. 616 is the number calculated when the numerical value of the Greek letters spelling the name Nero Caesar are added together.

The reason for the change from 666 to 616 in some Greek manuscripts is because some receiving John’s letter did not know the Hebrew language and, therefore, could not calculate the number of the beast accurately.

By changing the number to 616, those unable to speak Hebrew, but could speak Greek, could accurately calculate the number and identify the mark of the beast as Nero Caesar.

Revelation does not reveal what the mark of the beast was during the reign of Nero.

It may have been a stamp placed on the right hands or foreheads of those who pledged allegiance to Nero.

The Strong’s Lexicon defines charagma (the Greek word for mark) as primarily referring to a mark or stamp, often used to denote ownership or authenticity.

Those in the Roman Empire who denounced Jesus and pledged allegiance to Nero possibly had a visible stamp on their right hands or foreheads enabling them to buy and sell.

Those who refused to denounce Jesus and pledge their loyalty to Nero were killed.

This blog was taken from Brad’s book: Revelation Volume Two: The War On The Saints (due our August 2025).

Revelation Volume One: Judgment On First-Century Israel is available now.
CLICK HERE to view all of Brad’s books.