The Antichrist's Mark of Allegiance in Scripture

The concept of the Antichrist's mark of allegiance is primarily found in the book of Revelation, though the term "Antichrist" itself is used exclusively by the Apostle John in his epistles ^{[1, 4]}. John defines the Antichrist as one who denies the Father and the Son, specifically denying that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh ^{[1, 3, 5, 6]}. This spirit of Antichrist was already present in apostolic times ^[3].

In Revelation, the "mark of the beast" is presented as a symbol of allegiance to the Antichrist. This mark is described as something people "might buy" or receive, and it is associated with the name of the beast or the number of his name ^[7]. This mark is not necessarily a visible brand, but rather a symbol of loyalty, much like the sealing of God's saints in their foreheads symbolizes their allegiance to God ^{[7, 12]}. Historically, masters would brand their slaves, and soldiers would mark themselves with symbols of their general as a sign of service ^[12]. Similarly, votaries of idols would brand themselves with the idol's cipher or symbol ^[12]. For instance, Antiochus Epiphanes branded Jews with an ivy leaf, a symbol of Bacchus ^[12].

The mark of allegiance to the Antichrist stands in contrast to the mark of God's servants, who have His Father's name written on their foreheads, signifying their open and practical devotion to God through faith in Christ ^[11]. The Antichrist is also characterized by presumption, opposing God, and self-righteousness ^[2]. Paul describes a "man of sin" who exalts himself above all that is called God, which some interpretations connect to the Antichrist ^{[4, 8]}. This figure is seen as the ultimate antitype of earlier figures like Antiochus Epiphanes, who typified the Antichrist in the Old Testament ^{[8, 10]}. The refusal to confess Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh is a key characteristic of the deceiver and the Antichrist ^{[6, 9]}.

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Antichrist — This term is employed by the apostle John alone, and is defined by him in a manner which leaves no doubt as to its intrinsic meaning. With regard to its application there is less certainty. In the first passage-- (1 John 2:18)--in which it occurs, the apostle makes direct reference to the false Christs whose coming, it had been fore-told, should mark the last days. In v. 22 we find, "he is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son;" and still more positively, "every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of antichrist."”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Presumption — A characteristic of the wicked -- 2Pe 2:10. A characteristic of Antichrist -- 2Th 2:4. Exhibited in Opposing God. -- Job 15:25,26. Wilful commission of sin. -- Ro 1:32. Self-righteousness. -- Ho 12:8; Re 3:17. Spiritual pride. -- Isa 65:5; Lu 18:11. Esteeming our own ways right. -- Pr 12:15. Seeking precedence. -- Lu 14:7-11. Planning for the future. -- Lu 12:18; Jas 4:13. Pretending to prophecy. -- De 18:22. Pray to be kept from sins of -- Ps 19:13. Saints avoid -- Ps 131:1. Punishment for -- Nu 15:30; Re 18:7,8. Exemplified Builders of Babel. -- Ge 11”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Antichrist — Denies the Father and the Son -- 1Jo 2:22. Denies the incarnation of Christ -- 1Jo 4:3; 2Jo 1:7. Spirit of, prevalent in apostolic times -- 1Jo 2:18. Deceit, a characteristic of -- 2Jo 1:7.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Antichrist — Against Christ, or an opposition Christ, a rival Christ. The word is used only by the apostle John. Referring to false teachers, he says (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7), "Even now are there many antichrists." (1.) This name has been applied to the "little horn" of the "king of fierce countenance" (Dan. 7:24, 25; 8:23-25). (2.) It has been applied also to the "false Christs" spoken of by our Lord (Matt. 24:5, 23, 24). (3.) To the "man of sin" described by Paul (2 Thess. 2:3, 4, 8-10). (4.) And to the "beast from the sea" (Rev. 13:1; 17:1-18).”
1 John “and every spirit who doesn’t confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already. -- 1 John 4:3”
II John “II John 1:7 (BSB) — For many deceivers have gone out into the world, refusing to confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 13:17: And--So A, B, and Vulgate read. C, IRENÃ†US, 316, Coptic, and Syriac omit it. might buy--Greek, "may be able to buy." the mark, or the name--Greek, "the mark (namely), the name of the beast." The mark may be, as in the case of the sealing of the saints in the forehead, not a visible mark, but symbolical of allegiance. So the sign of the cross in Popery. The Pope's interdict has often shut out the excommunicate from social and commercial intercourse. Under the final Antichrist this shall come to pass in its most violent form. number of his na”
2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 2:4: th2 2:4Dan 11:36-37 is here referred to. The words used there as to Antiochus Epiphanes, Paul implies, shall even be more applicable to the man of sin, who is the New Testament actual Antichrist, as Antiochus was the Old Testament typical Antichrist. The previous world kingdoms had each one extraordinary person as its representative head and embodiment (thus Babylon had Nebuchadnezzar, Dan 2:38, end; Medo-Persia had Cyrus; Greece had Alexander, and Antiochus Epiphanes, the forerunner of Antichrist); so the fourth and last world kingdom, under w”
2 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 John 1:7: As love and truth go hand in hand (Jo2 1:3-4), he feels it needful to give warning against teachers of untruth. For--giving the reason why he dwelt on truth and on love, which manifests itself in keeping God's commandments (Jo2 1:6). many-- (Jo1 2:18; Jo1 4:1). are entered--The oldest manuscripts read, "have gone forth," namely, from us. confess not . . . Jesus . . . in the flesh--the token of Antichrist. is come--Greek, "coming." He who denies Christ's coming in the flesh, denies the possibility of the incarnation; he who denies that he has c”
Daniel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Daniel 11:31: arms--namely, of the human body; not weapons; human forces. they--Antiochus' hosts confederate with the apostate Israelites; these latter attain the climax of guilt, when they not only, as before, "forsake the covenant" (Dan 11:30), but "do wickedly against" it (Dan 11:32), turning complete heathens. Here Antiochus' actings are described in language which reach beyond him the type to Antichrist the antitype [JEROME] (just as in Psa. 72:1-20 many things are said of Solomon the type, which are only applicable to Christ the Antitype); including perhaps”
Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 14:1: A Lamb stood on the mount Sion - This represents Jesus Christ in his sacrificial office; mount Sion was a type of the Christian Church. And with him a hundred forty and four thousand - Representing those who were converted to Christianity from among the Jews. See Rev 7:4. His Father's name written in their foreheads - They were professedly, openly, and practically, the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus. Different sects of idolaters have the peculiar mark of their god on their foreheads. This is practised in the east to the present day, and the mark is ca”
Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 13:16: to receive a mark--literally, "that they should give them a mark"; such a brand as masters stamp on their slaves, and monarchs on their subjects. Soldiers voluntarily punctured their arms with marks of the general under whom they served. Votaries of idols branded themselves with the idol's cipher or symbol. Thus Antiochus Epiphanes branded the Jews with the ivy leaf, the symbol of Bacchus (2 Maccabees 6:7; 3 Maccabees 2:29). Contrast God's seal and name in the foreheads of His servants, Rev 7:3; Rev 14:1; Rev 22:4; and Gal 6:17, "I bear in my body”

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