The Mark of the Beast – Is it a literal mark? (17)

We learn from the Bible that every person’s loyalty will be tested in the end-time crisis. Whose commandments will we choose to obey, Christ’s or Antichrist’s? This is connected to the many theories about the Mark of the Beast. Is it a chip, tattoo, or barcode etc? What does the Bible say the Mark of the Beast is? It will be clear that Jesus alone is worthy of worship for He made us, is able to recreate us perfectly and take us through the impending conflict, and thus receiving the Seal of God.

So why is it important to form a right understanding about the Mark of the Beast? Revelation 14:9-10

“9 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, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: “

What is the difference in experience of those that receive the Mark of the Beast and those that obey God rather than man? Revelation 14:11-12

“11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (See also Isaiah 48:22, which tells us there is no peace or rest for wicked.)

How far reaching is the effect of the Mark of the Beast crisis? Revelation 13:15-17

“15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 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.” (See also 2 Timothy 3:12 which tells us that all who would be loyal God will have to suffer persecution.)

Where in Bible do we the true principle of the mark in the forehead or in the hand? Deuteronomy 6:6-8

“6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.”

What is the crisis of the mark in the forehead or in the hand all about, and will anyone be able to stay on the fence? Deuteronomy 11:16, 18

“16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; .. 18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. ”

What were the Israelites to place in their hand and in their forehead; were the literal stones to be attached to their bodies? Exodus 13:9, 16

“9 And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD’S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. … 16 And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.”

The symbols represent something deeper than just physical appearance, as we’ve seen previously, it means worship. Hand means Action, Forehead, Thought or Belief.

We read earlier that we should take heed that our hearts be not deceived to worship other gods, what is the keynote in this deception? Daniel 7:25

“25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”

Will Antichrist be able to change the law? Matthew 5:18

“18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

Not being able change the law, Antichrist will resort to enforce his spurious changed law onto the world, by civil, religious and financial persecution.

What does Christ call the attempt to worship Him without obeying Him? Mark 7:7

“7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.”

What does Jesus think of the worship from someone who knowingly lays aside God’s Commandments for the traditions of men? Proverbs 28:9

“9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”

The conflict in the last days is about whose law we will obey, God’s or Antichrist’s.

But before the world will be forced to obey Antichrist’s laws, will the world be warned? Revelation 7:1-4

“1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”

What do God’s people receive in their foreheads? Isaiah 8:16

“16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.”

Either we will have God’s seal or we will have the mark of the beast. Ancient seals marked a document’s authenticity. It contained the monarchs name, title and territory.

That commandment connected to the law that Antichrist especially attacks, why does it make up the seal of the Creator? Ezekiel 20:12, 20

“12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them. … 20 And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.”

What is God’s sign or seal? Exodus 31:15-17

“15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.”

The Sabbath is the only commandment that reminds us of why we worship God? Revelation 4:11

“11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (See also Revelation 14:6-7, which teaches to fear God, meaning to give Him glory and worship Him, the Creator and our maker.)

The fourth commandment is the only commandment that contains all the components of a seal, can we identify His name, title and territory? Exodus 20:8-11

“8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

It is not just about a day, it is about authority and worship. God alone has the right to make something holy, not human beings at their own convenience. When the Papacy changed the Sabbath, they removed the seal from the Law and replaced it with their own mark of authority (Sunday). This they are proud of and claim as proof of their church’s supremacy over the Bible.

According to Rev. 13, there will be universal Sunday laws, with economic sanctions and death penalty threats against Sabbath-keepers. Those who, at this time, knowingly choose to obey the Papacy, are worshiping the beast and receiving his mark.

What does Jesus command the four angels not to do and for what purpose? Revelation 7:1-4

“1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.”

Before the climax of the crisis and the impenitent Sunday-keepers and all unbelievers  receive their condemnation, all sincerely deceived will be enlightened about the Sabbath. Not “one is made to suffer the wrath of God until the truth has been brought home to his mind and conscience, and has been rejected. .. Every one is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently.”

What counsel is to be followed if we are to endure through the final crisis? Deuteronomy 11:16, 18

“16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; .. 18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. ”

Friend,

Jesus is pleading for you. Is it your desire to be faithful to Jesus and keep the Sabbath holy today that we may just continue doing the same in the end-time crisis? It is impossible to be loyal to Christ when life’s at stake, when haven’t been loyal in times of peace.

Have you ever considered to keep the Sabbath holy? Is there anything that would keep you from beginning right now?