Paul the Poke

Revelation 13:16-18 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.

Volumes of books and articles have been written about these three verses.

The context of the mark emerges with the total domination and rule of the antichrist. This takes place during the last 3 ½ years of the seven year tribulation.

The word for “mark” in the original Greek is charagma. Per Strong’s Concordance, it means: a stamp, an imprinted mark; the mark branded upon horses; thing carved, sculpture, graven work; or of idolatrous images.

And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves… Everyone who is alive at this time will be faced with this decision.

no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark…This decision will affect one’s ability to engage in commerce (groceries, gas, water, clothes, etc.). Take the mark, short term gain, eternal loss in the lake of fire.

Per Strong’s Concordance, “wisdom” or sophia in the Greek means: broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters; specifically the varied knowledge of things human and divine, acquired by acuteness and experience, and summed up in maxims and proverbs; the science and learning; always giving the sagest advice; the intelligence evinced in discovering the meaning of some mysterious number or vision; skill in the management of affairs; skill and discretion in imparting Christian truth; the knowledge and practice of the requisites for godly and upright living.

One can tell by the definition of the word. Wisdom is not just knowing information. It is taking the information and applying it skillfully. Take facts and use them. Know and do.

Let him who has understanding…To “have hold” or echo in the Greek. “Understanding” or nous is defined as: the mind, comprising alike the faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining; the intellectual faculty, the understanding; reason in the narrower sense, as the capacity for spiritual truth, the higher powers of the soul, the faculty of perceiving divine things, of recognizing goodness and of hating evil; the power of considering and judging soberly, calmly and impartially; a particular mode of thinking and judging.

calculate the number…The Greek word for calculate is psephizo. It means: to count with pebbles, to compute, calculate, reckon; to give one’s vote by casting a pebble into the urn; to decide by voting.

These verses are an appeal to your intellect. Taking the mark is not an emotional response that is made because one has a flutter in their stomach. It is not a gut hunch. Take control and hold mental faculty. Pay attention closely. Carefully think and discern. Have sober purpose. This is a massive decision. It will be the biggest vote of your life. Your eternal destination rides on this choice.

Revelation 14:9-11 Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”