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The Mark of the Beast

 

The Mark of the Beast


"And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 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 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: 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.” Revelation 13 (KJV)

 

What is the Mark of the Beast?

The Bible speaks about a great controversy between good and evil, right and wrong, God and Satan. With this in mind it’s important to understand that not only does Satan mark his people (the mark of the beast) but God also ‘marks’ his followers. What are these ‘marks’ and what is this ‘beast’? Let’s identify from the Bible what God’s mark is and what the beasts mark is.

"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. 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: 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.” Revelation 13:15-17 (King James Version)

 

God’s mark or symbol of authority

Ezekiel 20:12 “ 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.” Exodus 31:17 “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.” God’s sign or mark is The Sabbath. We should keep His seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) Holy as a symbol, or mark, that he is the ruler and creator of the world. True Sabbath keeping signifies that a person has surrendered their life to Jesus Christ and is willing to follow wherever Jesus leads. Since the symbol and mark of God’s authority is His holy Sabbath day, it’s likely that the symbol or mark of God’s arch rival (the Antichrist and the Beast) might also involve a holy day.

 

The beasts mark or symbol of authority

In order to know what the beasts mark is, we must first identify the beast. In prophecy, a “beast” represents a king or kingdom. (Daniel 7:17,23; Revelation 13:2,3,7). The kingdom represented by this “beast” power of Revelation 13 is simply another name for the “Antichrist”. Form a Biblical analysis of this Antichrist beast and its characteristics of being a religious and political power, the historical timeline of events and the four beasts of Daniel 7, the only conclusion left to make is that this “beast” is none other than the Papacy (The Roman Church State). (see Biblical identifiers of the Antichrist power)

 

A Word of Explanation – In harmony with God’s command to honor all people (1 Peter 2:17), we recognize the papacy for her many good deeds and activities. Her hospitals, orphanages, care for the poor and aged are appreciated universally. But, like all other organizations, she has made mistakes. God pinpoints some of her errors in Revelation.

 

The identifying mark of this beasts authority can be found by examining its own statements and declarations:

  • “Sunday is our mark or authority...the church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact.” Catholic Record of London, Ontario, September 1, 1923.
  • “Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change (Saturday Sabbath to Sunday) was her act...And the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical authority in religious things.” H.F. Thomas, Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons.
  • “From this we may understand how great is the authority of the church in interpreting or explaining to us the commandments of God - an authority which is acknowledged by the universal practice of the whole Christian world, even of those sects which profess to take the holy Scriptures as their sole rule of faith, since they observe as the day of rest not the seventh day of the week demanded by the Bible, but the first day. Which we know is to be kept holy, only from the tradition and teaching of the Catholic church.” Henry Gibson, Catechism Made Easy, #2, 9th edition, vol. 1, p. 341-342.
  • Read more quotes at Romes Challenge

 

The “mark” of the beast spoken of in Revelation 13 is the observance of Sunday as a holy day of worship in contradiction to God’s commandment of the seventh day Sabbath (Saturday).

 

The mark is received in the forehead or in the hand?

Revelation 14:9-12 (King James Version) “ If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” The forehead represents the mind (Hebrews 10:16). “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; “ A person will be marked in the forehead by a decision to keep Sunday as a holy day. The hand is a symbol of work (Ecclesiastes 9:10). “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” A person will be marked in the hand by working on God’s holy Sabbath or by abiding by legislated Sunday law observance.

 

Is the mark of the beast a physical mark?

The sign or mark of either God or the beast is invisible to people. The Sabbath (God’s mark) or Sunday (the beasts mark) is known by God (2 Timothy 2:19) ”Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” Revelation 7:3 (King James Version) Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Every person, in essence, marks themselves by accepting either God’s mark (the Sabbath) or the beasts mark.

 

Does anybody have the Mark of the Beast today?

No one receives the mark of the beast until Sunday worship becomes an issue forced by man-made laws contrary to God’s eternal law (the 10 commandments). At that time, those who disregard their moral conscience and disobey Gods law and follow the false teachings of the beast and worship on Sunday, they will receive the mark of the beast.

 

What about those who currently worship on Sunday?

Anyone who worships on Sunday doesn’t have the mark of the beast. Current Sunday worshipers are not ‘forced’ or ‘compelled’ to worship on this day, however, the Bible clearly identifies that a day is coming when the antichrist (using the beast power) will legislate Sunday law observance and will implement economic sanctions (no buying or selling) for those who do not receive its mark and will ultimately put to death anyone who violates Sunday law observance. Revelation 13:15-17 (King James Version) And he [the antichrist] 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. 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: 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.

 

What advantages are there in having God’s mark?

Following Gods Sabbath law and receiving not the mark of the beast will protect us from the dreadful plagues that are to fall upon the earth. God’s mark also marks us ready for translation at Jesus’ second coming. Revelation 7:3 (King James Version) Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Psalm 91:10 (King James Version) There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Revelation 15:2 (King James Version) “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.”

 

What is the penalty for receiving the mark of the beast?

The book of Revelation speaks of God’s seven last plagues that a poured out onto those who receive the mark of the beast. Revelation 14:9-12 (King James Version) “ If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” Revelation 16 “And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood… And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared… And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.. The seven last plagues bare a similar resemblance to the plagues inflicted on Egypt before God delivered Israel. This should serve as warning for all who receive the mark of the beast and partake in the judgment plagues of Revelation 16. Isaiah 24:4-6 (King James Version) “The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.”

 

How do I avoid receiving the mark of the beast?

If you keep the commandments of God (The 10 Commandment Law) and keep the Sabbath Day Holy (Saturday) then you avoid receiving the mark of the beast. While this may sound simple enough, a time is coming when your employment, your work, your family members and your church will all request that you ignore God’s law and obey earthly laws that contradict God’s commandments. It’s a personal decision that everyone will be forced to make. Obey God’s law and receive earthly punishment now or obey the beasts law and receive punishment from God that has eternal consequences. Revelation 7:3 (King James Version) Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” Isaiah 26:20-21 (King James Version) “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.”

 

The mark of the beast is all about worship

If you serve something you essentially worship it. Christians call the weekly ceremony a “worship service” as your serving your worship to God. The Bible mentions the word “worship” many times in conjunction with the mark of the beast. Below are just a few of the passages:

 

  • Revelation 14:9 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
  • Revelation 14:11 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.
  • Revelation 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which WORSHIPPED his image.
  • Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that WORSHIPPED his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
  • Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not WORSHIPPED THE BEAST, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

 

Notice how many times worship is mentioned in connection with the mark of the beast. It’s interesting that to note that one of the very temptations Satan used on Jesus was also worship: Matthew 4:1-10 (King James Version) “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and WORSHIP me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt WORSHIP the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Who do you serve? For whom is your worship reserved? A day is coming when only two options will be available, serve the God who created the heavens and the earth or serve Satan who is a master of deception and lies who seeks your worship.