Letters From Our Readers: November/December 2025

The Mysterious Mark of the Beast

In our July–August 2025 issue, we turned our attention to one of Scripture’s most intriguing subjects: What is the mark of the Beast in the book of Revelation? Is it here now? And how can we avoid receiving it in the years ahead?

I had asked if the mark of the Beast is a symbol for church government set up like the Roman Empire and now just read the two articles on the mark, concluding that it is a false religious system that opposes God and distorts his truth. To some extent my conviction from Scripture reveals that the mark is already here because the vast majority of society practices a false religion or doesn’t believe in God at all. In Deuteronomy 6:8, the frontlets mean what you believe, and the hands mean action. God’s people are identified as those who keep the seventh-day Sabbath and Holy Days. So to avoid this mark is to keep the commandments of God, fellowship with true believers, honor God’s Sabbath days and Holy Days, pray, etc.

Your magazine issue presents the mark of the Beast with mixed language, weaving in ideas about forced religion, economic control and technology, but without making a firm, spiritually grounded statement. The description leans heavily on external mechanics and future enforcement scenarios, rather than calling out the mark as a current spiritual condition rooted in voluntary compromise. It’s been taught, and my conviction from Scripture is, that the mark is a conscious, voluntary alignment with false worship, a sign of spiritual compromise in practice and belief, and something people receive now by disobeying God’s law. -- From the Internet 

From author Tom Robinson: To clarify, the mark of the Beast is not the false church organization patterned after the Roman Empire. That is the image of the Beast. The mark of the Beast is following in mind and actions the false Roman/Babylonian worship system in disobedience to God. It is most apparent in the observance of pagan worship days in place of God’s Sabbaths, but it is broader than that—entailing any compromise with God’s laws to go along with the false system. It involves submitting to the false worship system instead of to God.

As for whether the mark of the Beast is here now or not, obviously the opportunity to follow the pagan false church and system of beliefs instead of what God commands is indeed here now. But what is not happening right now is enforcement, as described in Revelation 13, which says the false religious power will “cause” all to receive the mark—to compel them. This compulsion comes through the buying and selling restrictions—and even demands to submit to the image of the Beast—the false religious authority—or be killed. As the article explains, such enforcement is not exclusive to the end time. Its greatest form is yet to come, but there have been precursors throughout the centuries, and there still could be before the last phase.

I don’t believe the message of the articles is mixed. I was unequivocal in stating that we must obey God and come out of Babylon now. But we can’t leave out the matter of enforcement in explaining this topic, as that’s central to understanding what Revelation says about the mark of the Beast. May we all endure when persecution increases.

My compliments to those who design the cover, as it is so eye-catching and is a powerful image. The magazine team does an excellent job with the cover designs, and I would love to see you make mini posters of the covers accessible to those interested. I really appreciate the art but don’t want to have to tear up my magazine to hang it up! -- Caller on the phone

I am rereading your article concerning the mark of the Beast, and I thank you for clarifying this for us. It makes it clear and understandable. As a 76-year member of God’s Church I am still studying the Bible and trying to see my sins and to put them out of my life—still some to go, no doubt. I am thankful that I can still learn and practice God’s agape [love] towards everyone. Thank you again. Much love in Christ. -- Reader in the United States

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I’m very grateful for the teaching you have composed and published for us. It has edified me greatly, and I would wish to have more and more articles please. -- Subscriber in Uganda

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