Revelation 13:2-3 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

Continuing from the last commentary in the book of Revelation, verse 2 mentions a leopard and as we know, a leopard has black spots. Interestingly enough, black spots are a recurring theme in the Bible.

You would be able to find these nuggets only in the King James Version.

Why is the mark of the beast X?

To understand the importance of the black spots on the leopard (and in general), we need to go to the book of Jude. Note that this particular beast has marks on its body (possible mark of the beast reference). This particular wording makes you wonder about this particular mark of this beast which is, not necessarily, the number of the beast or a chip of sorts.

Jude 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

The book of Jude is for the tribulation timeline. It mentions Tribulation saints having a disdain for garments marred by spots.

Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

Verse 12 also makes a mention of spots and based on context from previous verses, sinners are mentioned in relation to these spots. These people during the tribulation timeline, God puts spots on them. Because they took the spot (mark of the beast). From this, we can determine that these spots are considered damnable.

Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5 also makes a mention of a church presented unto Jesus that is without spot or wrinkle.

Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

This verse presents two specific characteristics of the leopard’s spots, that they are black (as they are compared to an Ethiopian’s skin) and that they cannot be removed. Why would the Bible put together the leopard spot and Ethiopian skin color?

More interesting things to consider are where the phrase “x’s marks the spot” comes from and the fact that the three animals that make marks on trees in the form of an x are leopards, bears, and lions. Another interesting note is that trees are likened to men in the following verses:

  • Psalms 92:12-14
  • Psalms 37:35
  • Mark 8:23-24

‘X’ marks a spot. Another important thing to note about the letter x is that it is often the last letter in many of the words of the official Roman Catholic language or Latin. Take the following words that end in x for instance (video at 8:39).

English (Latin)

  • Cat (felix)
  • Black (styx)
  • Mark (pox)
  • Peace sign (crux)
  • Peace (pax)
  • Voice of God (vox)
  • King (rex)
  • Six (hex)

To read the book of Revelation and Christian eschatology through the lens of biblical perspective, here are a few articles for you:

– Who is the beast in Revelation? (and its mortal wound)

– What is the unholy trinity?

– What would happen when flesh of kings, captains and horses are eaten?

– What is the book of life?

– Who is going to rule with a rod of iron?

You can find more of such studies through the verse by verse study guide of the book of Revelation.