Tattoos are everywhere. On the NBA courts and even in the pulpit, though the later are usually obscured by clothing. Is body art more than a fad? Is it an opening to evil spirits? More important, are tattoos a potentially existential way that the Antichrist will control populations? I want you to think twice before you get that tat.
Is the Mark of the Beast a tattoo? When I suggest that tattoos might be connected to the Mark of Beast” from Revelation chapter 13, I can almost hear the groans of those of you who have tattoos and love them. (Actual statistics say that at least 20% regret their tattoo.) You’re probably thinking that I’ve gone off the deep end with spiritual judgment and legalism. But hear me out. This topic isn’t new to me. I’ve written about tattoos many times before. My book “Curse Breaking” details a biblical and spiritual analysis of this dilemma. I have thought this matter through thoroughly and cast out many demons that entered by tattoo portals. I won’t get into the Bible verses now. Read my book and make up your own mind.
To be clear, we need to be reasonable about body art that might cover unsightly birthmarks (so long as the tattoo isn’t something demonic such as a dragon). I have nothing against tattoos that are used as medical identifiers or to enhance surgery, such as breast reconstruction. I also leave open to the reader his or her own conclusions about tattoos that depict Scriptures or biblical themes. They certainly are not a spiritual hindrance on the same level as the “ink art” of a voluptuous woman or a serpent. However, any physical defacement potentially facilitates demons and is a risk to consider. The blood which is drawn in the gory process can be a figurative blood sacrifice if the customer is being inked by someone with lethal, demonic bloodline cures. You can’t go into a tattoo parlor and first do deliverance on the person doing the inking!
Consider how extreme inking is in our culture. Take the case of an Australian woman, a pretty young lady who underwent $250,000 worth of tattoos, body modifications, and ink in her eyeballs. She now calls herself “The Dragon Lady.”
This is what she used to look like… 
and this is what she looks like now! 
.
Her innocent look has morphed into a totally demonic appearance with 600 tattoos. She even went blind for 3 weeks from injections in her eyeballs. Right now, she’s an adult porn model in demand. As she ages and her tats wrinkle, she’ll be professionally discarded, and likely suffer serious health issues. Still, she claims that all these tattoos released “negative energy” and calls her appearance “euphoric” and “peaceful.”
Tattooed Christians can surely agree that the Dragon Lady is taking ink a bit too far. But consider these facts when thinking of tattoos as a possible Mark of the Beast:
- Several decades ago, tattoos were rare. Now people cover their entire arms, legs, necks, and even private parts. When I was recently in the ER due to COVID it was unnerving to have the male nurse attending me put the tattoo, of a coiled rattlesnake on his arm, right in my face. I had to look at it just inches from my eyes as he was doing his job. I’m certain it never occurred to him that I might find that offensive.
- Tattoos are the most universal, self-induced form of individual, immediate identification on the planet. In America, 30% of people have tattoos. Among Millennials that is 50% and growing. When asked why people tat, the most common answer is to be sexy or rebellious.
- Take this challenge. Try to name an NBA or NFL star who isn’t heavily tattooed. There are very few exceptions. These are the most visible and “admired” cultural icons. What they do, youth will follow. And they are international stars setting world trends. Tattoos may someday be displayed on almost everyone.
- When it comes to the Beast’s Mark on the right-hand or forehead, most prophecy teachers have inferred it must be an electronic means of identification, like an embedded chip. Maybe not. People now commonly tattoo their hands, necks, and faces. Many recent serial killers and mass shooters have sported face tattoos such as the Highland Park shooter. Facial ink is the #1 trend in tattoos, including the forehead. Hmmm. That is interesting.
Perhaps the Antichrist won’t need some sophisticated, implanted chip to control the population. Given a few more years of normalization, a tattoo marking allegiance and qualification for commerce might be thought of as normal. The Beast may have some dazzling computerized way of tracking those loyal to him and the Mark would only be visible with proper detection. But think about the pre-technological age of Cain who had a mark everyone could see readily (Genesis 4:15). It is certain that during the Great Tribulation you’ll only be able to survive by having a Mark to be able to buy or sell to survive (Revelation 13:17). If tattoos are part of the plan, you might want to reconsider getting any more “body art.” Do you really want your artistic ink to become the devil’s calling card?
