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Whose “Brand” Do We Wear?

In cultures where slavery existed, it was historically common for slaves to be “branded.” This fleshly mark identified ownership. Slaves usually belonged uniquely to one master and served him. They did not belong to or serve two masters.

Along this line of thinking, Jesus said that we serve one of two masters — either mammon or God. When he said, “….You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24), he wasn’t saying that we should not or that it is foolish to try to serve two masters. Rather, he states an absolute fact — we “cannot” successfully serve two masters — it is something virtually impossible to achieve.

Similarly, Paul said, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16). In spiritual relationships, the master we “choose” is the master we “choose” to obey.

In Revelation Chapter 7, when the 144,000 were sealed, they were protected from the threatening winds of destructive judgment. Later they are said to have their Father’s name written in their foreheads (Revelation 14:1). The sealing and branding indicated both protective care and ownership. Conversely, the mark of the beast is also called the “name” and “number of the beast” (Revelation 13:17-18). This also indicated identity and ownership. Those who belonged to the beast were worshipers of the beast. Those who were the redeemed on the earth (the 144,000) were obvious worshipers of God (Revelation 14:2-3).

Paul once referred to his physical scars that resulted from his suffering for righteousness, as the “marks (“brands”) of the Lord Jesus” (Galatians 6:17b). However, in Revelation Chapter 13, the wearing the mark of the beast or the name of God do not refer to some physical numbering or a name worn in our flesh. The ownership of each is identifiable by a brand that is associated with behavior, character and loyalty to a master.

The question we need to ask ourselves from time to time is, “Whose brand do we wear?”