Masks and the Mark of the Beast?
Quite a few Christians feel that not wearing a mask is a conscience issue. This post will not deal with the political, practical, and scientific aspects of the issue, but will focus on apocalyptic associations that have been made. It is not wise to associate masks themselves with false worship, idolatry, or the mark of the beast.
Many of us have, in this past year, seen more disruption than in our entire lifetimes. It should be no surprise that disruption will bring out the apocalyptic in people. Interest in prophecy and conspiracy theories often grows during times like these. Recent generations, however, lived through brutal wars, pandemics that killed many more, and the great depression. Some have suffered similarly in the past year, but many of us hardly have. The most “apocalyptic” revelation of all may be this: some of us are quite soft, and have latched onto some strange ideas. This post will explore some of the dangers of one such idea: the association being made by some between masks and the mark of the beast.
The Pitfalls of Literal Interpretations (2 Peter 1:20)
Throughout church history, but especially the past century, many people have attempted to link literal events to Revelation. Much ink has been spilled on charts, maps, and timelines. If you take any one of these works that is more than a couple decades old, and you will soon realize that interpretations in that class have not often aged well. As time passes, many of these proposals start to look foolish, and are proved to be false. Church history has an oft-forgotten hall of shame when it comes to attempts at pinning down parts of Revelation to current events. That hall seems to be filling faster and faster. A new wing may need to be added for some of the conspiracy theorists as well. Sadly, some of these ideas are damaging the church within and from without.
If you are a literalist in interpreting the book of Revelation: let me ask you, did anyone see an angel pour out a bowl, or blow a trumpet, or open a seal in December of 2019 as COVID began? (Revelation 15:1) Did anyone look up in the sky and see that? If we think that you should see and hear Revelation play out like some kind of movie, we need to start with some basics. You may need a better method of interpretation. Understanding and remembering the title of the book will be the best place to start.
The Title “Revelation”
The title of Revelation is “apocalypse” in Greek. That word in ancient Greek did not have much or anything to do with disasters. Apocalypse means… “Revelation.” Think of taking off a veil, or pulling away a curtain. Seeing what is ordinarily covered. Now think of the book of Revelation in this light: John, the apostle has a vision. It is a revelatory vision. That vision allows him to go behind the curtain of what is ordinarily seen. Imagine going to an elaborate stage play, and being allowed to watch it from the back side. You now get to see all the wires, the supports, the props, bright lights and the arrangements. The stagehands, and the stage director are visible to you. You get to see how the scenes are changed. This is something like John’s position in the vision. The vision reveals. It is apocalyptic in the correct sense. In a glorious sense.
Revelation reveals, through symbolic visions, that the Lord is sovereign over all of history.
This Side of the Story
We need to be very careful to remember which side of the curtain we see from. Everyone else in history, save John, ever, will have to watch the “play” that is history from the ordinary side. The everyday side. We don’t get to see the angels pouring out the bowls or blowing the trumpets from down here. We should not expect to see all of the symbols in front of us. That is the point of a revelation. It gives us a view into what we cannot see and will not see. John saw that events are perfectly arranged into plans of perfect sevens. God is in control, Christ shall have dominion.
When we read Revelation, we at most imagine John's vision, almost 2000 years later. We do not get to see exactly what he saw. We see a messy church and some hard history. In this vale of tears, we often ask, why? The best news is that if we humbly read John's testimony of being taken behind the veil, we learn that God is perfectly in control. He has a definite, sovereign plan for all of this. He is coming to get his bride!
We see events play out from the ordinary side of reality.
Time
Revelation covers time in a way that is unusual to us. Consider this: John’s vision takes him outside of ordinary time. God is not bound by time, He is Lord over time. Time does not change Him. There is good evidence that Revelation contains cyclical, repeating themes. Every responsible interpreter believes that to one degree or another, it is not fully linear. Even dispensationalists will have to agree, ask one about Revelation 12 some day. Chapter 12 comes after the seven churches in chapter 1, 2, and 3, and yet it clearly describes some things that happened before those seven churches existed. More on that below. The apostle John is taken out of this space and time, into a revelatory vision that cannot be fully linear. The vision is arranged in a non-linear, but cyclical order. I believe there are seven or so cycles, but I won’t argue for that. They seem to be telling a similar story over and over, which grows in intensity. The church struggles, the beast attacks, the world is judged, the King saves His church. In the end, it all comes to a crescendo. “That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
It is very likely that even the mark of the beast is a symbol related to realities in past, present and future. It is referred to in Revelation 14, 15, 16, 19 and 20.
Symbolism
We should not expecting to look up one night and see a “…great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.” (Revelation 12:3-5) We can be quite sure that that all happened already, and that no one was looking up at the sky to see it happen. Well, except the wise men, they were looking at the sky. But at a star, not a dragon. That scene was happening all around them, as the evil one sought to destroy Christ. (Matt. 2:16) Herod and a lot of other wicked leaders, then and now, are representations of Satan. There are too many threads linking Revelation 12 with Matthew 2 and Luke 2 to deny the connections. If you do deny that chapter 12:4 is about the birth of Christ, we are not going to agree. Read both Matthew and Revelation again, perhaps.
Revelation is revelatory through the use of symbolism. Chapter 12 reveals how powerful, and wicked, and destructive Satan is. But even more, we learn how precious Christ is. How He was preserved. And how His church is preserved. The symbols teach about the intensity and significance of such events. Sometimes the symbols are hard for us to connect with reality, but the Bible itself is the key. Every single cycle, symbols point to consistent themes such as the church, her testimony, evil powers, deception, God’s intentional judgements, and Christ’s victory.
Symbols are symbols, don’t often look for them to show up visibly in history. Look for realities that correspond.
Cross References
The book of Revelation is absolutely chock full of cross references and allusions to other scriptures, Old Testament and new. So many that it can only be inspired. So many threads tying together all of scripture that no ordinary human can remember them all. This is why many responsible preachers hardly dare to tread on this ground. Our brains aren’t big enough, and we stumble in many ways. I honestly think that most of us preachers need to deeply study or preach through at least Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, many of the Psalms, Daniel, Joel, Hosea, Matthew, Luke, John, Acts, a few epistles, and even more of the prophets before preaching much between Revelation 3 and 19. We are limited. I confess being not entirely ready for this topic, but this is a unique time. A blog is slightly safer than a pulpit, in some ways. I also see few others tackling a trend that has been obscuring the truth and dividing churches.
You’d better know the entire Bible, very, very well before you start proposing or promoting new interpretations of Revelation.
"Marks" as Seen by Ancients
Now, to the topic at hand, where the beast is in view in the next chapter. Chapter 13, comes after 12, and it seems to be describing what happens at some point in the church age, certainly between the first and second coming of Christ. At some point in history Satan has great power, and the ability to make many people his possessions:
He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. - Revelation 13:15–17
John’s first readers, around 2000 years ago, would have connected these symbols quite clearly to their present time. This was written in a time when Christians were being forced to worship images of the Emperor, under the threat of death. It was written in a time when wearing amulets on the wrist was a way to display allegiance to false gods. People who refused to identify with the Roman state religion were ostracized or killed. They were eliminated from the marketplace. There was also an ancient practice of branding slaves with a mark, even on the forehead, which was evidence that they belonged to their owners.
People around the original readers of Revelation walked around with marks. They were a symbol of allegiance to a master or god, and even ownership by another.
The Marks as Seen by Ancient Hebrews
This was also written to an audience that was familiar with the Old Testament. How to interpret the symbols is admittedly difficult. But there is a pattern in Revelation that may help. It is woven through many of the descriptions of the beast and the anti-Christ. It is a theme of falsehood and deception where Satan mimics true Biblical religion. There is another place in the Bible that speaks of wrists and foreheads:
…you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. - Deuteronomy 11:18
Some Jews still use tiny versions of the law in boxes, tied to their wrists and foreheads. They are called phylacteries. They were a symbol of allegiance, of radical commitment that identifies the bearer visually with God's law. There is some debate over whether the command was ever meant to be taken literally, but clearly some took it literally. Archaeological finds at Qumran have produced evidence that some Jews were taking this commandment literally during the Apostle John’s time.
It is no stretch to draw at least an association between Deuteronomy 11:18 and the mark of the beast. Both are deeply religious in symbolism. Both are pictures of a visible identification and commitment. Both are unusual in speaking of something on both the hand and forehead. It is very likely that many Jews in John’s time would make this connection.
In the ancient world, a pagan amulet may even have evolved from an original Biblical ideal. Both were a sign of allegiance. One Word centered, the other idolatrous. Many elements of pagan worship were spin-offs of true Old Testament religion: temples, sacrifices, priests, feast days, and ritual washings. Those truths were twisted and changed into false religion. All over the world. They still are. Even in some “churches.” That theme is woven throughout Revelation: false worship, false prophet, false signs, and deception. It is one of the eye-opening themes of Revelation.
John was seeing a vision of people who had a symbol of Satan’s ownership on them. It was a symbol that they were fully given over to Satan. Sold out. It was, I believe, very likely the kind of thing that John could see, but we cannot see. I am quite convinced that this will end up being a behind-the-curtain symbol, and even one that exists in multiple times to different degrees. It is a symbol that is powerful in meaning. Like the bowls, the trumpets, the angels, the beast, the stars, and many others. Symbols of real things and events, but not usually seen on this side of the curtain.
Living on the Outside (Hebrews 13:12)
The reality is, a literal lack of marks would put some ancient Christians outside of society. There are many stories of martyrdom and separation due to unwillingness to adopt pagan or even Jewish practices. The refusal to sacrifice to emperors or the Roman pantheon of gods was part of that.
As the decline of our civilization progresses, Christians will almost certainly find themselves on the outside as well. We already are. Right now, if you have read this far, your views on entertainment, parenting, abortion, euthanasia, marriage, sexuality, socialism, hate-speech, definitions of words, and materialism put you on the outside. Notice how those issues parallel the commandments. If you refuse to call evil good, you really can lose your job these days. It may soon happen that some websites, or bank or credit card companies, will want you to check a “hate-speech” box that is beyond the limits of Christian conscience. Or already. Read the fine print, folks. More and more, this places you outside the marketplace. There may or may not be future visual identifiers that line up with that.
Capitulation to Satan in these cases is not a good idea. I suspect that Christians will need to be very careful not to just roll over and give in to demands of government or corporations in the next few decades. I even expect that we may have to draw some stark lines sooner rather than later. That will be costly. In some cases, compliance will likely will be spiritually deadly. You do not want to bow to the beast. It is wise to go into the future with eyes wide open.
Be ready to live on the outside. Do not assume you will be offered some literal mark to help stop you from making very bad decisions.
Symbolism and Marks Today
Have you considered, however, that Satan may be smart enough to not associate that with a literal mark in some times or places? Or even, that he may be crafty enough to forge associations with the wrong deceptive symbols that distract from darker realities? Satan is working in a culture here and now where there is a history of Biblical knowledge. He is working to deceive and mislead, we need be ready that he may be throwing curveballs or sliders. Don't swing at the wrong pitches.
It is not wise, however, to assume that the mark is never related to visible things. We ought to be aware that deeply symbolic pagan and satanic marks are cropping up again. I am not surprised when I see evidences of very ancient pagan practices in our culture as well, including strange and dark symbols tattooed on hands. Literal symbols, in some regions, are being used to ostracize or persecute Christians right now. That may range, depending on region, from rosaries to communist party ribbons. Similarities in form and purpose to what John would have seen. But I do not think they are the root of the issue. In some cases, symbols are absolutely unacceptable for a Christian to use, but I cannot see how that applies to something as multi-purpose as a mask at this time. There are some very practical dangers with such a proposal:
First, there are people walking around in a state of allegiance to Satan, and their wrists look empty and foreheads look clean. To our eyes. Just because one’s forehead and right hand are clear and clean, or empty, does not mean they are not in great spiritual danger.
Second, if you take a literalist view, please realize that medical professionals and others are used to wearing masks. Realize that you may be associating something used very broadly for practical purposes with evil. In my previous career, I often wore masks for hours every day. We worked with controlled and even designated substances. To not wear a mask would be deadly. If you are in such a career, you get used to wearing one. And you should.
Third, many Christians wear a mask in public places out of simple obedience. (1 Peter 2:13) In some countries they have been doing that for decades during flu seasons. I don't like the mask regulations myself, but I fully support their freedom as a Christian to wear one. They should be able to do that, free from accusations or slights. It is not wise to assume their motives, we can't read their hearts. (1 Samuel 16:7) In fact, in some contexts, the most courageous people are probably wearing masks. One might need a backbone of titanium, and some thick skin, to wear a mask in some churches right now.
Fourth, if you take a literalist view, realize that there are also people, right now, walking around with pagan symbols on them. Amulets, dots, markings, scars, brands, and tattoos that relate to false religions. Some forced upon them by gangsters, parents, or pimps. Are they now beyond the reach of the gospel? Are they already lost souls due to a superficial mark? (Revelation 14:11) What if they are hearing the gospel for the first time in their life, and beginning to see the light? Does one foolish mistake of the past condemn a person forever? Can the blood of Christ not overcome such a past?
Fifth, literalism does not even work in this case: masks are not worn on foreheads or right hands. They also lack any reasonable association to the number 666. (Revelation 13:18)
Think about how your ideas and words affect others. This irony may be greater than you realize. (James 3:6)
A More Present Danger
That leads, to another deeply dangerous problem with such an interpretation. I fear that the real meaning of the mark of the beast has more to do with being whole-heartedly, completely, sold out to the flesh. Which is possible with or without literal symbols. I suspect it is related to an association that many will be bothered with: terminal addiction to sin. Addiction is sadly, a helpful and relatable concept. This is the point of spiritual slavery where one is so under the power of Satan that they are his marked slaves. His possessions. They are so into Satan’s lies that, in a reversed image of the Old Testament Hebrews of Deuteronomy 11:8, it is like Satan has tied their sin to their forehead and wrist. They cannot escape it. Bondage to sin, especially calling good evil and evil good, has become their marker.
It is possible for people addicted to sin to be far gone, and I fear many are heading in the direction:
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? - Romans 6:16
Sin that leads to death does not necessarily come with a literal mark. Some people even hide it quite well, for years at a time. The sin itself is likely the worst mark. It is a danger we see playing out around us, even more keenly in this pandemic. Substance abuse, sexual abuse, addiction to pornography, and even addiction to technology. The perversions of our day, and the blindness that comes with them. Some of those paths even ending in suicide. These are sobering, heart-rending thoughts.
Many sins can lead to such an end. What about addiction to pride, addiction to being right at the expense of everyone around you? What addiction to a false religion of works? What if an anti-masker's own stubbornness leads to continual contentions and dissension? (Galatians 5:19-20) What about the sin of not getting along with anyone around you? (1 John 3:14) What about materialism and covetousness which is idolatry? (Colossians 3:5) Buying into the lifestyles that Hollywood, the music industry, and the internet have been selling around the world? What about bowing to the idols on TV and internet that speak vile lies into homes across the earth? Do they not kill spiritually? What about being addicted to the gossip or false accusations on social media? Surely some of these sins mark you up more than a mask? Follow any one of such sins to its end, and you will find yourself on the side of the beast. The marks of the flesh are evident.
Consider your own words, thoughts and deeds, and how they could lead you to slavery. (Galatians 5:19-21)
The Dark Danger of False Accusation
This is what gets me most concerned. Some anti-maskers end up being quite accusatory. Association of masks with false religion, Satan, and lies can be destructive. If they stick with this view, they become an accuser of the brethren. That is even the definition of Satan: “accuser.”
If you take a strong position, you risk throwing them under the bus. If you are an evangelical preacher, and you have preached or promoted this link, please consider repenting before the Lord. At least call every nurse and hygienist in your congregation and apologize. If there are any left to apologize to. Even more important, please call up the people with COPD and diabetes, and recovering from chemo, and tearfully apologize. Then perhaps remember Peter, and feed the lambs more carefully in the future.
I am not sure if they know it, but I am getting convinced that some of the anti-maskers have played a very bad bluff hand here. Would you stake your spiritual life on that hand? Is this even worthy of being an “issue of conscience?” Perhaps. But pointing to masks as having some link to fear or false religions may be an ironic inverse of a mistake. Be very careful how far you take this. It affects others.
False accusations, even false insinuations, divide the church.
Concluding Thoughts
This approach does not mean that we deny that there are signs of government overreach and control that are troubling. Thoughtful people have concerns that totalitarianism is looming. The visibility of masks makes them a natural fit for those that see such dangers. These are troubling times when it comes to cancel culture and freedom of speech. Many see masks as highly symbolic of the times we live in. We feel "muzzled" by them, and in a way, we literally are. Masks do make it difficult to communicate and harder to breathe. Dismissing those kinds of concerns has not been the point of this post. If you have those concerns, however, it would be better to stay focused on the real issues rather than making associations with false worship, which slight other Christians who ought to be free to wear a mask if they choose to.
Be very careful about trying to connect any one part of Revelation too directly to what is happening right now. Days may indeed come when Christians should connect some more dots, but never forget, Christ will return like a thief in the night. (2 Peter 3:10) He will come at a time when many people seem to be quite comfortable. (Matthew 24:38) That means most will be very surprised! It is best to be ready, always.
If we sit down here, and try to use our limited intellect, in our limited little worlds, living to see just a few decades, and we try to interpret Revelation thinking we can see behind the curtain into what only John actually saw, history will usually make us into fools. Even worse, we might become false-accusers. If you know of an interpreter who has such an insightful literalist view of Revelation for today, that is worthy of accusing brethren, I’d like to see it. Then we will put it in a file and read it together in 20 years, if we are still around. I expect it will age about as well as most Christian contemporary music does!
The real question is: are you bowing to Satan or bowing to Christ? Is God’s Word "tied" to your forehead and wrist, and planted deep within your heart and mind? Or is it marks of materialism, pornography, a substance, or self that owns you? Have you traded God’s good for Satan’s evil? To whom do you belong?
Even if you are addicted right now to some sin, there is great hope for you in the gospel of Jesus Christ. You are on a dangerous path. Yet even the Apostle Paul was well down a dangerous road. So was Peter, and the thief on the cross. But the Lord rescued them from their sins and troubles. Today is still the day of salvation. Repent and believe in the gospel! (Mark 1:15) Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)
Final Thought
The above approach to interpretation leaves room for future possibilities without trying to predict them. Though I think that the mark is not necessarily literal, that does not mean I rule out the future possibility. There may be a future, international, and literal mark of the beast. Or there may not. (Psalm 2:1-3, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, Ephesians 6:12)
