Revelation 13:17; Save He That Had the Mark

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Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 

Further describing the mark, John notes that it will consist of either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Antichrist will have a universal designation, his name within a numbering system. What is clear is that everyone will be required to have the identifying mark or suffer the consequences.

 MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2000). Revelation 12–22 (p. 63). Chicago: Moody Press.

The name of the beast is another phase of satanic mimicry. Christ has a name that is truly above every name, but the false prophet will see to it that the beast’s name is honoured above every name. A name, as we know, can mean an emblem of allegiance. Faithful believers, however, will refuse to wear such a name. In stern and solemn protect they will refuse to be branded with any symbol of submission to the beast. They will rather die than bow to the beast. Sealed by God, they will scorn any imitation. In those days, Psalm 23 will be exceedingly precious, for despite imminent starvation the Lord will prepare a table for His loyal servants in the presence of their enemies, and, passing through the valley of the shadow of death, they will fear no evil. The ideal shepherd will preserve His own from the cruel deception of the “idol shepherd” (Zechariah 11:15-17).

Zechariah 11:15-17 And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, whichshall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened. 

[Herbert Lockyer, All About the Second Coming, Hendrickson, 2007, 118]