Marking and Sealing

2023-07-04

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:17)

Here, let us discuss not the hypotheses of what this could be, but by what we can know according to the Scriptures. We will discuss the word for “mark” and the concept of marking.

The word for mark is only used once elsewhere that is not related to the mark of the beast. “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device” (Acts 17:29). This is Paul preaching to the Athenians. He explained that the real God is not like idols. Idols are made of some metal “graven by art and man’s device.” There is carving and etching in the metal to make it look like a figurine of some kind.

A related word is translated “trench”: “For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side” (Luke 19:43). This is Jesus foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem as He wept over it. This trench was made to destroy the city.

The mark of the beast will be something that will something that requires disrupting, etching, or engraving in the skin in a similar fashion.

Elsewhere, God marks people for His own. The Beast’s mark is likely counterfeiting this process. See how God marks out 144,000 Jewish believers in the end times:

And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. (Revelation 7:2-4)

This seal the angel had was like a signet. It is translated elsewhere:

“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also” (Romans 4:11). Abraham had righteousness by faith. Afterwards, Abraham received this seal of what was already true of Him.

“If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 9:2). The church in Corinth is proof of authenticity of the Paul’s apostleship.

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19). Who are the truly saved, but those whom God knows are His, call on His name, and turn from sin? These are the truly marked for salvation.

“And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals” (Revelation 5:1). The book containing the end times events are sealed with a signet that only Jesus can open.

The sealed of God from the tribes of Israel will be left on earth but not harmed from the destruction the wrath of God will bring: “And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads” (Revelation 9:4).

The verb form for sealing used in Revelation 7:3-4 is used in several places as well.

The stone of Jesus’ grave was sealed to ensure His body would not be stolen: “So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch” (Matthew 27:66).

“He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true” (John 3:33). Every believer, when they trust in Christ, acknowledges the truth of God. They agree with God about what He said about His Son.

“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed” (John 6:27). The Father fully endorses and sanctifies the Son; only He can offer eternal life.

“When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain” (Romans 15:28). The gift to the Jerusalem church would be transferred and secured to the people there before Paul traveled to Rome and Spain. He would ensure that the transaction has taken place.

“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 1:22). God has secured us with the Holy Spirit. And again, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13). And again, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).

“As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia” (2 Corinthians 11:10). Paul could not be contained by anyone about the boasting of the Macedonian churches providing for His needs while He ministered in Achaia.

In what other ways did God seal people for certain things in the past?

“And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him” (Genesis 4:15). God placed some kind of sign on Cain to protect him from being killed while out condemned as a wanderer.

“And the glory of the God of Israel was gone up from the cherub, whereupon he was, to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity” (Ezekiel 9:3-5). God had those in Jerusalem who did not participate in the abominations marked, while the rest were slain. This is similar to what the 144,000 would receive in the end times.