The first readings for this 34th Week of Ordinary Time is taken from the Book of Revelation (except Thursday in the United States as we celebrate Thanksgiving). Revelation, the last book of the Bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism, which at best is unfamiliar to us. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature which enjoyed wide popularity in both Jewish and Christian circles from ca. 200 B.C. to A.D. 200. The first readings this week contain visions in symbolic and allegorical language borrowed extensively from the Old Testament, especially Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Daniel.

Like Daniel and other apocalypses, Revelation was composed as resistance literature to meet a crisis. In this case the ruthless persecution of the early church by the Roman authorities.The book is an exhortation and admonition to Christians of the first century to stand firm in the faith and to avoid compromise with the demands to worship Roman emperors as divine. Despite the threat of adversity and martyrdom, believers are to be ever hopeful and await the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. Even when such fulfillment seems not possible, we are reminded that the triumph of God in the milieu of life remains a mystery to be accepted in faith and longed for in hope. It is a triumph that unfolded in the history of Jesus of Nazareth and continues to unfold in the history of the individual Christian who follows the way of the cross, even, if necessary, to a martyr’s death.

Our readings speak to that ultimate victory. In Monday’s reading (Rev 14:1-5) we hear the victorious change of the believers marked with the sign of faith. Tuesday’s reading (Rev 14:14-19) sees the beginning of the harvest of the just, even as Wednesday readings (Rev 15:1-4) turn to divine retribution upon those who have chosen to align themselves with the Beast.

Chapter 13 introduced us to the two agents through whom Satan (the dragon) carries out his war against believers. The last verse of chapter 12 pictured Satan standing by the sea to summon his agents from its troubled waters of chaos. The first agent/beast comes out of the sea and is described in fantastical imagery. The unbelieving world worships both the beast and the dragon who gave him authority. The beast is allowed to blaspheme God and exercise his authority for a period of time. Even more, this beast is permitted to wage war against the saints and conquer them.

The second beast comes out of the earth. He is less terrifying in appearance but able to deceive people by his power to work miracles. Together with the dragon the two beasts constitute an unholy trinity of malicious evil. In context, the two beasts represent the power of Rome and the willingness of local religious authorities to cooperate in carrying out the plans of Satan himself. The second beast orders the inhabitants of the earth to set up an image of the first beast and then gives it the power to speak. People are forced to receive the mark of the beast on the right hand and on the forehead, without which no one is allowed to buy or sell. Those who do not worship the image of the first beast are put to death. The number of the beast is 666. (Rev 13:16-18). This contrasts with the seal of God on the foreheads of the faithful (Rev 7:3; 14:1), making clear two opposing allegiances—one to God and one to the beast (seen as a symbol of evil, the antichrist or antichrist-like systems).

In biblical numerology, 7 symbolizes perfection, completeness, and divine order (e.g., creation in seven days, the sevenfold Spirit of God in Revelation 4:5). By contrast, 6 falls short of 7, symbolizing imperfection, incompleteness, and humanity. Repeated three times (666), it intensifies this imperfection, signifying a total lack of divine completeness – or complete evil. Revelation calls it the “number of a man” (Rev 13:18). This can symbolize humanity’s attempts to elevate itself apart from God, reaching for power or divinity but ultimately falling short. This is a theme appearing in the rebellion in the Garden of Eden, the tower of Babylon, Pharaoh in Egypt, and Nero in Rome – and many biblical stories in between.

In ancient cultures, letters often had numerical values. The interpretation of such things is “gematria.” It was typical of apocalyptic literature to use gematria to communicate information and identity. “Nero Caesar” transliterated into Hebrew yields the numerical value 666. This aligns with the historical context of early Christian persecution under Roman rule, where Nero and the empire were seen as “beastly” powers opposing God.

The “mark of the beast” also carries theological and spiritual significance. It signifies allegiance to worldly, corrupt powers rather than to God. It contrasts with the mark of God’s faithful, emphasizing the spiritual battle over worship and loyalty. The restriction on buying and selling without the mark symbolizes the pervasive influence of anti-God systems in everyday life. Christians are called to resist conforming to such systems, even at great personal cost. Yet despite its prominence, the beast and its mark are ultimately temporary. Revelation 19:20 and 20:10 promise the defeat of the beast and its followers, underscoring God’s final victory.

The above understandings are long rooted in the tradition. In modern interpretations 666 has been interpreted symbolically as representing various oppressive systems or leaders throughout history, such as tyrannical governments, corrupt ideologies, or economic systems that demand loyalty at the expense of faith. These interpretations often focus on the broader themes of idolatry, human arrogance, and systemic evil.

During the Reformation period, the Catholic Church and its practices were sometimes seen by reformers as embodying the “mark of the beast” citing the selling of indulgences and corruption in the Vatican and Holy Roman Empire. The charge was that church systems made salvation a commodity indicative of a church aligned more with worldly power than divine truth and a church that demanded conformity to religious authorities in exchange for spiritual or material benefits.

Totalitarian regimes are often identified with the beasts because of their consolidation of power, control over people’s lives, and persecution of religious groups. Persons such as Napoleon Bonaparte and later leaders like Hitler or Stalin were identified with the beast. Such regimes demanded absolute allegiance, a theme that echoes the themes of Revelation 13.

The mark’s association with buying and selling (Rev 13:17) is often linked to modern economic systems that prioritize profit over human dignity or morality. Some have speculated about credit systems, microchips, or digital identifiers being modern equivalents of the “mark,” especially when tied to potential loss of freedoms. Globalization critics argue that systems enforcing materialism or economic dependence over spiritual priorities reflect the beast’s influence. The rise of surveillance technology and biometric data has raised questions about control and allegiance.

It is easy to see how some will connect the “the mark of the beast” with technology such as Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) government-controlled digital currencies. Unlike decentralized cryptocurrencies (e.g., Bitcoin), CBDCs could be programmed to restrict or monitor purchases.

Technological Surveillance and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are increasingly used for mass surveillance, tracking everything from online activity to public movements. Algorithms on platforms like social media shape public opinion, often promoting materialism or ideologies contrary to Christian values. The subtle demand for conformity in thought and behavior parallels the spiritual allegiance associated with the mark.

While these technologies and policies raise valid concerns, they are not necessarily the mark of the beast. The real issue lies in allegiance—systems or technologies become problematic when they demand loyalty that conflicts with devotion to God.

Some see the “mark” as a broader metaphor for ideological conformity in modern life. The control over public opinion through mass media and algorithms is viewed as a subtle form of allegiance to anti-God systems. Movements that promote secularism at the expense of faith are sometimes seen as advancing the beast’s agenda.

As you can see, the influence of the “mark of the beast” writ large appears in all aspects of modern life. The connections – flights of fancy to some, prophecy to others – points to the power of the symbolic language and imagery employed by the author of Revelation. But we do well to remember, the mark of the beast is not necessarily limited to a single event or figure but reflects any system, ideology, or leader that demands allegiance contrary to God’s will. Historically and today, this can manifest as various forms of tyranny: political, economic and cultural.

Revelation ultimately assures believers that the “mark of the beast” is temporary and that those who refuse it—remaining faithful to God—will be vindicated. The Lamb’s mark (Rev 14:1) signifies eternal life, protection, and ultimate victory, contrasting sharply with the doom awaiting those aligned with the beast.