Imagine

6 min read

16 It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 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.

18 This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.

Revelation 13:16-18

“It” is the second beast. It is an imitation and a mockery of Christ. As I was reading its description, I was thinking about the entertainment industry and then the possibilities of AI. And of course, some people speculate about whether people will one day be implanted with chips that will be required for buying and selling merchandise.

And of course, there has been a lot of speculation about who the antichrist is based on the number 666 (Nero, Hitler, the pope, Ronald Reagan, etc.). But the literal reading of verse 18 says that the number is “the number of man.” In other words, 666 could represent the imperfection of humanity versus the perfection of Christ.

That reading makes a lot of sense to me. Many people, especially in the developed world, believe that humanity is capable of solving all of the world’s problems. Some people believe that humanity will solve the problem of the speed of light and space travel. Some people even believe that humanity has the capacity to solve the problem of death.

Personally, I do not believe that humanity will ever solve the problem of space travel or the problem of death because the ultimate problem is sin.

And it seems to me that people who believe in the power of humanity also believe that humanity can solve the problem of sin.

One of John Lennon’s most popular songs includes these lyrics:

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

Imagine all the people
Livin' life in peace

Imagine

I used to love that song when I believed that I was better than anyone else; if only they would have my perspective on life, the world could live in peace.

In a way, it’s really interesting that John Lennon’s vision is reaching for the perfection of heaven and God’s glory. It’s just missing one key Component: God.

In today’s Bible reading, I read the following prophecy:

The earth will become desolate because of its inhabitants, as the result of their deeds.

Micah 7:13

That prophecy is on target; John Lennon’s is not. The number of the beast is human existence without Christ. “Monkey Gone to Heaven” by the Pixies is a more accurate prophecy (albeit accidental) than “Imagine.” Without Christ, every human bears the mark of the beast. With Christ, we bear the mark of Christ: 777.

Whether the beast is an actual person or a symbol of humanity’s apparent determination to destroy itself, one thing is clear, we ought to be prepared for either. Because, either way, the only solution is Christ.

Father, Give us wisdom. And let us not be discouraged by sin. Rather, let us find hope in You. You give life. You give hope. You give peace, joy, and love. In Jesus’s name. Amen.