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It will be seen that while the mark and the name are spoken of separately, both the
expression "the mark of his name" and "the number of his name" point to the fact that in
both cases it is the NAME that signifies. Before going further into "the number of his
name" we shall learn a little by contrast from the emphasis laid in this book upon the
name of the Lord and the application of that name to the believers of the period:--
The Name (the Lord Himself).
"Hast not denied My name" (3: 8).
"He had a name written that no man knew" (19: 19).
"His name is called the Word of God" (19: 13).
"On His thigh a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords" (19: 16).
The second reference demands a moment's consideration before proceeding. The
Vatican MS reads in 19: 12, "many diadems having names written, and a name written,
which no one knows except Himself". The reading of the Vatican MS are of the highest
importance and for the most part correct. This gives us our first contrast:--
The Beast.
Christ.
"Upon his horns ten diadems and upon "Upon His head many diadems,
his head names of blasphemy" (13: 1). having names written" (19: 12).
Surely it is patent to all that the name written on the many diadems of Christ will be
the exact contrast to those blasphemous names written on the heads of the beast. If
"blasphemy" sums up the seven names of the beast, the words "holiness to the Lord" will
sum up the names on the diadems of the King-Priest of God. Another name, written on
the thigh of the coming Christ, is "King of kings, and Lord of lords". This name is in
direct contrast to Gentile domination. Daniel uses the words in his interpretation to
Nebuchadnezzar of the head of gold, "Thou, O King, art a KING OF KINGS.......ruler
over all" (Dan. 2: 37, 38), and we meet it again in Rev. 17: 18, "and the woman
(supported by the beast).......is that great city, which reigneth over the KINGS of the
earth".
The Name (the believers).
"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God.......and I will write
on him THE NAME of My God.......and My new name" (3: 12).
"An 144,000, having His name, and the name of His Father on their foreheads" (14: 1).
"And they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads" (22: 4).
Here is a most evident contrast with the devotees of the beast. The world at that time
will be divided into two classes, the huge majority, those that receive the mark of the
beast; the persecuted minority, those that deny not the name of the Lord, and who receive
the name of the Lamb on their foreheads. Here we must examine a second contrast
which is instructive.