Myth Debunked – the Mark of the Beast in UPC barcodes

September 18, 2014

For every new invention or international event, there comes a conspiracy theory or inconceivable rumour to go with it. The UPC barcode was invented by George Laurer in 1973, and since then has played a pivotal role in the retail markets across the globe. And with such widespread usage, it was almost inevitable that certain groups of people would find fault with it.

Fundamentalist Christians have claimed that hidden in every UPC barcode is the Mark of the Beast – 666 – as referenced in the Bible. This is what it says in Revelation 13:16-18, King James Version:

16 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: 17 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. 18 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.

There are two flaws in claiming that UPC barcodes represent the Mark of the Beast as according to the book of Revelation in the Bible. Firstly, barcodes are found on products – they are not marked onto our hands or foreheads, or anywhere on our bodies for that matter. We can deduce that no commerce will be able to take place without a mark or chip embedded or etched into the skin on our right hands or foreheads. It is highly unlikely that barcodes are biblically in line with these prophesies.Revelation 14:9 says this:

And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his MARK in his forehead, or in his hand.

Therefore secondly, and according to the scriptures, receiving the mark will be done with the full knowledge that you would be serving or worshiping the Anti-Christ or beast. Barcodes are utilised throughout the world, yes, but it was hardly enforced with the notion that we would be revering the devil.Extremists have also claimed that the number of the beast, which is 666, is hidden in every UPC barcode. Let’s have a look at the picture below.

The number 6 is encoded as two bars (blue). Every UPC barcode has 3 guard bars to assist the scanner with reading it (red). And by looking at this image alone, it does appear that there are three sixes encoded into every barcode.

Based on the above symbology and facts, we simply cannot claim that the number of the beast is ‘hidden’ in every UPC barcode. From a human’s perspective, it may very well seem as if it represents 666 — but we humans have an uncanny ability to see whatever it is we want to see. George Laurer, the inventor of the UPC barcode, has the following to say about the proposed notion that UPC barcodes have the mark of the beast imbedded in their code. His comment can be viewed on his website as well:

“There is nothing sinister about this nor does it have anything to do with the Bible’s “mark of the beast” (The New Testament, The Revelation, Chapter 13, paragraph 18). It is simply a coincidence like the fact that my first, middle, and last name all have 6 letters. There is no connection with an international money code either.”

We at SA Barcodes have even dealt with a few customers who refused to accept our barcodes if there was even one ‘6’ present in the number. Though we cannot change anyone’s beliefs and while we respect the beliefs of others, we can still attempt to educate our customers. We’ve all been made aware of the conspiracy theories, but it is not often that we do our research before accepting everything we read to be true. Let’s try to look at all sides of the story so that we can develop an informed and objective opinion in all matters.

Myth Debunked – the Mark of the Beast in UPC barcodes

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SA Barcodes Team

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