Page 26 - The Mark of the Beast

The Beast Nature

hat is the beast nature that Adam and Eve submitted unto? What is it that Adam and
WEve were commanded to subdue and rule over, but which they became slaves unto?
A good place to begin studying this matter is to look at the creature that was the instrument
of Eve’s fall.

Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which Yahweh God had
made.

Genesis 3:14
Yahweh God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, cursed are you more
than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; On your belly you will go, and
dust you will eat all the days of your life...”

The serpent is identified as a beast, and he excels all other beasts in two distinct ways
which are mentioned in these verses. The serpent was more crafty than any other beast, and
the serpent was cursed more than any other beast. We should note that in this account we
have the very first appearance of Satan, and he appears as a serpent. That the serpent and
Satan are one is revealed in other passages.

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and
Satan, who deceives the whole world...

Satan’s first appearance in the form of a beast reveals much about his character. Satan
is wholly given over to the beast nature. He was created as a covering cherub, perfect in
beauty and the sum of wisdom (Ezekiel 28, Isaiah 14). He was flawless in his creation until
the day that iniquity was found in him. He became corrupted due to his great beauty, and
he began to worship the creature rather than the Creator. When Satan began to worship the
creature he was given over to a beast nature. His wisdom, which was declared to be
“perfect” before his transgression, became distorted, and thus we see the serpent described
as “cunning.” The word cunning speaks of a fallen wisdom that has been given over to the
pursuit of selfish desire, no longer seeking the will of God.
There is no greater characteristic of the beast nature than its selfishness. It lives for
self. It exists to satisfy the natural appetites that are found within its own being. It lusts and
covets and is jealous and knows nothing of dying to self in order to live for the will and
pleasure of another. While Satan was yet in heaven he determined that he would no longer
live for the will and pleasure of God, but he thought it right that he should be equal with
God and be able to determine his own way, being self-directed and seeking self-fulfillment.
An attitude of selfishness always leads to a host of other sins such as covetousness, jealousy,
selfish ambition, pride, strife, and violence.
Much is revealed about the beast nature in the curse which God spoke to the serpent.