What is the mark of the beast? What is the number of his name?

The phrase “the number of his name” or a variation of it appears in the Bible at least 21 times:

• 17 times in the Book of Numbers, where it refers to a census of men of military age or to the number of firstborn males who will be in the service of the Lord
• 1 time in the Book of 1 Chronicles, where it refers to the number of priests (the sons of Levi)
• 1 time in the Book of Acts, where it refers to the number of disciples of Jesus
• 2 times in the Book of Revelation, where it refers to (???)

It seems reasonable to me that the phrase means in all instances one of the following:

• Men of military age in the army of the Lord
• Priests or other men in the service of the Lord
• Disciples of the Lord
• The army, priests, and/or disciples of the antichrist

It does not refer to gematria or some other scheme to determine the name of a person by assigning letters to the numbers “666”. The Bible does say that it refers to the number of a man:

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (Rev. 13:18 KJV)

I believe this passage means that the number somehow represents the multitude of soldiers, priests, and/or disciples who swear allegiance to a man or to an entity named after him, and that man is the antichrist.

What is the mark of the beast? The Bible says that the mark is put on the right hand or forehead:

And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads (Rev. 13:16 KJV)

What is the one thing that people do universally with their right hand and forehead?

Render a military salute.

This is one form of the mark of the beast, taken voluntarily by his army, the number of his name, to show their allegiance to him.

Who is he?

His name will be revealed in due course.