The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) interpretation that the Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13 symbolizes the enforced observance of Sunday instead of the biblical Sabbath (Saturday) has been challenged for several reasons. I argue that this view lacks solid grounding in the biblical text and Revelation’s historical context. It is ironic since the only approved method of Biblical Interpretation in the Adventist framework is the historical-grammatical method.  General Conference President Ted Wilson made this emphatically clear in his Sabbath sermon at the 2023 Annual Council meetings:

The historical-grammatical method of interpretation is a hermeneutical approach to Bible interpretation that focuses on these four things:

1. 1. Grammatical Analysis
   2. Historical Context
   3. The Plain Meaning of the Text
   4. Comparing Scripture with Scripture

Keep these four items in mind as we test and compare the Adventist understanding of the Mark of the Beast with what Scripture can actually uphold.

First, let me be clear. In Adventist theology, the Mark of the Beast is tied to a National (gone Global) Sunday Law that supposedly will require the ENTIRE world to worship on Sunday.  Anyone who doesn’t will be persecuted. (AKA the Seventh-day Adventists)

Ellen White was extremely clear on this topic. She writes in her book Evangelism:

“The change of the Sabbath is the sign or mark of the authority of the Romish church. Those who, understanding the claims of the fourth commandment, choose to observe the false sabbath in the place of the true, are thereby paying homage to that power by which alone it is commanded. The mark of the beast is the papal sabbath, which has been accepted by the world in the place of the day of God’s appointment.” ^[2]

But wait, this ‘mark’ isn’t in effect yet since this law hasn’t yet been passed.  It isn’t until this National Sunday Law is enforced that anyone who worships on Sunday will then receive the Mark and be condemned as worshiping the DEVIL (The Beast).

Ellen goes on in the next paragraph:

“No one has yet received the mark of the beast. The testing time has not yet come. There are true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion. None are condemned until they have had the light and have seen the obligation of the fourth commandment. But when the decree shall go forth enforcing the counterfeit sabbath, and the loud cry of the third angel shall warn men against the worship of the beast and his image, the line will be clearly drawn between the false and the true. Then those who still continue in transgression will receive the mark of the beast.” ^[3]

And yes, I understand that some Adventists reading this article will claim that they don’t believe in Ellen White or that she doesn’t inform their understanding. For clarity, this isn’t about what people inside the Adventist Church believe but rather what the Church Proper teaches. So, let’s look at the official stance of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Executive Committee.

In an article dealing with questions submitted to the Biblical Research Institute (The Adventist Scholarship arm of the Church) regarding the Seventh-day Adventist position on the Mark of the Beast in relation to Sunday observance and pertinent statements from Ellen G. White, the Executive Committee states the following:

“In harmony with the reference to the testimony of Jesus functioning at the end of world history (Rev. 12:17), Seventh-day Adventists recognize Ellen G. White as a messenger of the Lord and continue to affirm that her writings are given to the remnant church as an inspired guide for these last days and are especially helpful in understanding Bible prophecies concerning final events. As answers to these questions show, we believe that her interpretations of prophecy are sound and remain relevant and instructive for the church.” [4]

Clearly, the Adventist Church system recognizes Ellen G. White’s interpretations on this topic and accepts them as inspired guidance. From this perspective, I would like to address the primary reasons why the Mark of the Beast cannot be definitively linked to the Sabbath or Sunday observance.

Here are the six reasons I believe Sunday worship cannot be the Mark of the Beast. These will be covered in depth over the next six articles:

1. 1. The Biblical Context of Revelation 13
   2. Historical Context and Audience
   3. Misinterpretation of Sabbath and Sunday
   4. Economic and Political Dimensions of the Mark
   5. Broader Symbolism of the Beast’s Mark
   6. Theological Bias

In Christian Love,

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[1] Samuel Girven, “In Annual Council Sermon, Wilson Lists ‘Confusing Interruptions’ to Church Mission,” Spectrum Magazine, October 10, 2023, https://spectrummagazine.org/culture/annual-council-sermon-wilson-talks-confusing-interruptions-church-mission/.

^[2] Ellen Gould White, Evangelism (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1946), 234.

^[3] Ellen Gould White, Evangelism (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1946), 234–235.

[4]“Answers to Questions on the Mark of the Beast and End Time Events – Executive Committee,” accessed January 22, 2025, https://executivecommittee.adventist.org/newsletter/article/answers-to-questions-on-the-mark-of-the-beast-and-end-time-events/.