The mark of the beast
I have read numerous commentaries, confessional Lutheran resources, study Bibles etc. and I can't find an answer on what the mark and number of the beast mentioned in Revelation is referring to. Many today claim it could be a microchip put in the hand or forehead. I am not tempted to think our doctrine is wrong but on this point with what we're seeing today the mark of the beast and the mircrochip seem like a frightening coincidence. Could you please explain to me what we as WELS Lutherans teach about the mark of the beast? And please don't forget to address what Scripture means when it says you can't buy or sell without taking this mark? Many WELS resources don't touch on that point much (having the mark to buy or sell). Thank you.
The “mark” in Revelation 13:16 is a symbolic way of denoting ownership: those people belong to the beast. By way of contrast, consider how Revelation 7:4 describes God putting a seal on his people. That symbolic sealing identified them as belonging to God.
Those verses illustrate the truth of Jesus’ words: “Whoever is not with me is against me” (Matthew 12:30). There is no middle ground when it comes to Jesus Christ.
Regarding Revelation 13:17 (…”so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.”), Dr. Siegbert Becker offered this explanation in Revelation: The Distant Triumph Song: “This mark gives them the right to engage in commerce and to participate in the economic activity of the community. The sort of thing spoken of here is illustrated in many communist countries, where one must openly demonstrate allegiance to the atheistic form of government in order to participate fully in the business world as well as in the world of politics. In many of those countries, for example, young people are denied a higher education and entrance into the professions unless they join organizations for communist youth. Thus, in a sense, they cannot ‘buy or sell’ unless they have ‘the mark, the name of the beast of the number of his name.’” (pages 211-212)
The book is available from Northwestern Publishing House.