This podcast explains the symbolism and meaning of the words in Revelation 13:17, which say: “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” This is John’s prophecy that will be fulfilled during the last 3½ years before the Second Coming in the period of time called the Great Tribulation. The Second Beast will control the world's economy during the Great Tribulation. His power will be so great that only people who symbolically have his mark, name or number in their right hand or in their forehead will be able to buy and sell. The model or precedent for this economic control can be seen in the Roman empire when the emperors issued emperor certificates to prove that people had made sacrifices to the Emperor. Those that failed to do so were prevented from buying and selling. A simi ...