Will the mark of the beast be a microchip:

The world today is fascinated with the End Times. Unfortunately, too few people take the time to thoroughly and honestly interpret the prophecies pertaining to the End Times. Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects is this figure we call the Antichrist. In particular, we are fascinated by the mark of the Antichrist, also known as the mark of the beast; the method by which the followers of the Antichrist will be identified.

With the emergence of micro-technology since the 1980s has arisen the prospect that people may be provided the option, or even obligated, to implant a microchip within their body for various reasons. Reasons for implanting a microchip are all, at least superficially, benign. They range from liberating people from carrying wallets, to protecting one’s identity from theft, to locating a missing person.

However, with the prospect of microchip implantation came droves of concerned Christians who believed (and still believe) that this microchip may be the mark of the beast. Today, many “End Time scholars” purport this theory as their preferred interpretation of the prophecies concerning the mark of the beast. While these popular and vocal “End Time scholars” voice their concerns, most real scholars dismiss such a theory as an uninformed superficial interpretation of Scripture.

To answer this question we must determine whether or not the “Mark of the Beast” will be a literal, tangible mark, such as a microchip:

Is the mark of the beast a literal mark:

Today, there are two schools of thought regarding how the book of Revelation should be interpreted. One school of thought, and the most popular among these “End Times scholars” is that Revelation is to be interpreted literally. The other is that Revelation is to be interpreted symbolically.

However, these classifications of literal and symbolic interpretation are not only unfair, they’re untrue. Those who interpret Scripture literally do not actually interpret Scripture literally. More precisely they interpret only some prophecies literally and other prophecies symbolically.

For example, proponents of the literal interpretation make the assertion that Revelation is to be interpreted literally at face value. According to this theory, this literal interpretation is to be applied to the mark of the beast. However, proponents of the literal interpretation do not interpret passages within Revelation relating to the description of the Antichrist literally.

According to Revelation, the Antichrist will be a seven headed 10 horned beast that comes out of the sea:

And I saw the beast coming out of the sea. He had 10 horns and seven heads, with 10 crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name.

Revelation 13:1

If one were to interpret Revelation literally, they would be forced to conclude that this is a literal description of the Antichrist. However, even the most staunch proponents of the literal interpretation theory admit that this passage is, to at least some degree, to be interpreted symbolically.

Those who are alleged to interpret Revelation symbolically also failed to maintain a consistently symbolic interpretation of Revelation. However, their classification of “those who interpret Revelation symbolically” is not a self-proclaimed classification. A more apt description of how these scholars interpret Revelation is: exegetically.

According to these scholars Revelation is not to be interpreted strictly literally or strictly symbolically. Revelation is to be interpreted exegetically, or in light of Scripture. Both classes of scholars agree that at least certain portions of Revelation should be interpreted in light of similar passages found elsewhere within Scripture.

Both literal and exegetical interpreters of Revelation agree that Revelation 13:1, which describes the Antichrist as a seven headed, 10 horned beast must be interpreted symbolically (not literally) and in light of Daniel 7:

He gave me this explanation: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.

Daniel 7: 23-25

Where exegetical and literal interpreters disagree is whether or not Biblical references to “mark on the hand and forehead” can or should be applied in the same way:

Mark of the Beast in Revelation:

He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,

Revelation 13:16

Marks on the Hands and Forehead in Scripture:

This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that this law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand.

Exodus 13:9

And it will be like a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead that the LORD brought us out of Egypt with his mighty hand.”

Exodus 13:16

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Deuteronomy 6: 6-8

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Deuteronomy 11:18

Some will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, ‘The LORD’s,’ and will take the name Israel.

Isaiah 44:5

and said to him, ‘Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.”

Ezekiel 9:4

From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the  marks of Jesus.

Galatians 6:17

Most scholars agree that, due to the common usage of “marking” the hand and forehead as identifying one as a follower or believer, the “mark of the beast” is likely to be interpreted as: one who worships the beast.

Never in Scripture is this mark a literal or tangible mark. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the author of Revelation, when he used the term “mark of the beast” was not suggesting a literal mark. Misusing such a common expression would certainly have confused the original readers of Revelation.

Conclusion:

If we were to interpret Revelation 13:16 literally and without considering its paralleled usage within Scripture we may not be able to rule out the usage of a microchip to identify those who submit to the Antichrist. However, when we consider Revelation 13:16 in light of Scripture, arriving at such a conclusion would make little sense.

Marking someone on the hand and forehead as a follower of God is a commonly used expression within Scripture, though never meant literally. To assume that the mark of the beast is to be interpreted differently is certainly unprecedented and inconsistent with Scripture in its totality. Therefore, the most reasonable conclusion is that the mark of the beast is not a literal mark; such as a microchip. Instead, “to receive the mark of the beast” means nothing more than to worship the beast as a God.