Mark of the Beast,
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The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants-things which must shortly take place. And He [Jesus] sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, Rev 1:1 |
As I said at the beginning, it doesn't happen until Jesus is back. But it does come with a warning to those who choose to accept it.
Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. Rev 14:9 – 10 |
Now worshipping the beast and it's' image is not done in the way someone might think. Since the mark doesn't take place until after a bit of time
in top the Wrath, worshipping it means the people who are alive at that time will come up with a way to control buying and selling and keep track of
it. Much like what is being done today. The Wrath is not the Tribulation, and so it could take years before the mark ever shows up.
Jesus said this generation will not end until all these things are fulfilled. The end of the tribulation is not a fulfillment, and neither is the first
period of Wrath.
"Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Mat 24:34
So what are "ALL these things? Well, what did he say?
Although it seems there are going to be a lot of things going on just before Jesus returns, one of the big misconceptions is that nothing says
they are 100% scheduled for then. In fact, history shows us these things started a long time ago and have been happening all along at various stages.
The only exception to this is the Abomination of Desolation.
The Abomination of Desolation is the last event to happen during this "Generation" before the period of Wrath. But that is still not the end of the
generation. The generation ends with the last person being resurrected.
That will be the end of the generation Jesus was talking about. As you an tell, this is one of the major reasons there is no 7 year tribulation period.
There's no way for all of them to happen in 7 years. Besides that, Daniel wasnt even talking about a 7 year tribulation anyway.
What the Mark of the Beast is about, is buying and selling after a time of recovery from the first Wrath segment. There will be so much gong on
during that time, I doubt very many will likey even think of it until things start to get back to normal. This is why it is the second beast, and not
the first beast that brings on the Mark.
The seven headed beast happens when believers are stil here. That's when Satan claims he is God. Then we are taken out of the way and the Wrath begins.
The second beast comes up later and there is no mention of believers being here when it begins. The non-believers, will convert when they see Jesus.
And that is how and why people will reject the Mark developing out of the new society. Jesus is back, and that's all the convincing they need.
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every
nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come:
and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
Rev 14:6 – 7
THE RETURN OF JESUS
Which now brings us back to the beginning of chapter 14.
Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. Rev 14:1 |
As you can see, Revelation chapter 14 is written in chronological order, that means that Jesus is here on earth with the 144,000 before the mark of the beast takes place. If you look at Rev 14:13 you see a compliment is given to those who will die in Jesus's favor after he has returned to earth. Take note of this statement:
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." Rev 14:13 |
The dead who die in the lord from then on are those who have managed ot struggle through the Wrath that began in chapter 6. They have just seen many things and
witnessed 1/3 of the population being killed. They are called "Dead" because they didnt believe in Jesus or they were not accountable enough to
be called "chosen" or the "Elite," and had to go through the Wrath.
"From now on", means from the point in time forward after Jesus has come back, it does not mean from the time John wrote it down or when
Jesus was here on earth before. As you can tell, the mark of the beast comes after the return of Jesus and after the calling for those who are
dead and those who are alive. With that said, it's time to move on.
The mark of the beast has been taught for years that it comes from the beast with seven heads, but that isn't true either. Notice what the bible
says about the seven headed beast.
The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. Rev 17:8 |
The mark does not come from the beast with seven heads, it comes from a beast with two horns.
Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. Rev 13:11 |
There's not much to go on with what this says, but a quick look at the description tells us that horns like a lamb mean that it will be in its
infancy when Jesus returns. Lambs do not have long horns, they have what is called buttons. A lamb is also considered a peaceful animal, thus the
description of horns like a lamb.
While there is nothing at this time to pinpoint what the horns represent, it could be something as simple as the statement that shows why the beast
comes into existence, buying and selling. The horns may represent that simple term and nothing else, one horn represents buying and one represents
selling. Which as time goes on I tend to think it's just that simple, or until the time comes that can give its true meaning.
This beast is a power source, meaning that is commands power over the earth in a spiritual way that eventually leads to a physical manifestation
of people having to have a mark of some kind to buy or sell. Why buying and selling is of importance is a mystery in itself. Mankind has been doing
it so for thousands of years, even Jesus bought and sold.
But, since Satan is the Man of Sin, he will be involved in the buying and selling.
Bible prophecy does not mention a one world government anywhere. In fact for prophecy to be true, all the countries in the world
must remain separate.
The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate." Gen 3:13
How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! Isa 14:12
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Mat 4:1
And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, Mark 1:13
Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. John 17:12
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, II Th 2:3
And the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, Dan 11:40
The reason I say Satan may not be in harge when the Mark takes place, is because his time of 42 months will be up when it takes place,
and the Wrath will have ended. Keep in mind, there are 2 segments of Wrath in Revelation. One beofre Jesus returns, and one after.
Satan's 42 months will be up by the beginnng of the first Wrath segment, not the ending of it, and so this is why the second Beast comes
after the first beast in chapter 13.
SAVING THE DEAD
The second beast rises after the first Wrath period, which is long after the believers or chosen ones were taken up.
The Important thing to know, is that salvation will be offered for those who reject the Mark.
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write: 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.' " "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they
may rest from their labors, and their works follow them."
Rev 14:13
They were resurrected and taken up after they were killed for rejecting the Mark.
And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, "Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has
come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe." So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
Rve 14:15-16
Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image,
and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Rev 20:4
What this does, is also show us the great gathering is not the only Rapture or Resurrection that will take place when Jesus returns. These people,
who were once thought of as "dead" (by faith) will live again and join in the millennial numbers. They are the final Elect or Chosen ones.
Satan has many names given to him by the various authors of the bible and the prophesies that are forthcoming.
All of these are names given to the one and only Satan. Notice that Paul said the man of sin was also the son of perdition. That means that no
human will become the power over the mark of the beast, instead, it is none other than Satan. The mark of the beast will rise out of an image
that is suppose to be built at some point in the future that isn't here yet.
Telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived.
Rev 13:14
This image doesn't exist today and has yet to be built. Now we come to a time that Jesus mentioned the image, but still gave no reference to any
mark rising out of it.
Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),
Mat 24:15
The abomination of desolation is mentioned twice in the New Testament, once where I just quoted, and again in the book of Mark.
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So when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand),
"then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
Mark 13:14
Some people have taught the abomination happened in 70 AD, but this cannot be true if you consider what you just read. The beast, or image
of the beast, will speak. This did not happen in 70 AD nor at any time since. Nor has the world been subjected to any mark or controlling authority
when it comes to buying or selling, therefore, the abomination of desolation Jesus and Daniel spoke of has not occurred yet, so be careful what you
believe and what you have been taught about this.
Both of these verses mention the "abomination of desolation," which is nothing more than the image of the beast John tell us about. This
image will be built in what the bible says is the "Holy Place," or as Mark said, "where it ought not." Which everyone knows, anything
that's an abomination to God should not be placed in a Holy Place, especially if that holy place is holy to God.
The bible tell us of "holy" places here on earth.
Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, "the mountain of God." Ex 3:1 Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is "holy ground." Ex 3:5 Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the "Holy Place" inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat. Le 16:2 |
There is another holy place on earth that has been long sealed up and no one has been allowed to enter since, and that is the Garden of Eden.
So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way
to the tree of life.
Gen 3:24
More than likely, the abomination will be set on Mount Zion because that is where Jesus will come first when he returns to earth.
The way the image is described could leave a door open as to whether it will be an image of one head, or seven. The beast that rises out of the
sea has seven heads, yet only one head is wounded and heals. Since the image is to be made in the image off the beast that is wounded and lived,
in theory it will have seven heads, or seven traceable references to its origin and not one. But I wouldn't rule out there being just one head on
the image since it will be the last reigning power.
And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.
Rev 13:3
This scripture is interesting as it mentions a wounded head of the beast coming back to life after it was presumed to be dead. However, there are
several things that can cause a wound to this beast, the unfortunate thing is that I don't know of anyone who can actually put a country or event
to the wound of this beast. There are a lot of theories out there, but none seem to be provable at this time.
* Seven Churches * Seven Continents * European Union
Just to name a few, but how about the nation of Israel? Doesn't the world marvel over it now because of coming back to life and all of the bible
prophesies about it? It only makes sense that Israel is the head of the beast that wounded, and yet lived. This is because Satan was already
rullng over it when Jesus came, and he will do so again just before he returns. JOhn 8:44.
When you consider that Satan will take on the role of playing God, then we must consider how he plans to do it and that is the main reason the
seven heads play a role and why the beast will go to the wayside. If God is more special and different than Satan, then the answer is simple if
you take the number "seven" into consideration. Let me show you a few examples.
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The number seven clearly gives reference to all three: God, Jesus and even Satan. It also gives reference to the beast that rises out of the sea that belongs to Satan.
Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, Rev 13:1 |
Thus the commonality between all of them is the number seven. It describes both good and evil, God, Jesus, Satan, and the Beast, making it hard, if not impossible, to tell the difference between them. Since Satan is a spirit like God and was created on the base of seven, he can then use the same base of information proclaiming himself to be God and no one would be able to tell the difference or be able to prove him a liar when he makes his appearance.
Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, II Th 2:3 |
Paul tell us of the falling away will take place before the return of Jesus. There are many opinions about the falling away, but for certain it
pertains to Christian belief and believing in God. It hasn't happened yet, but when it does it will serve as part of the final sign as people begin to worship
Satan as God.
Paul then goes on to describe Satan in the same likeness that Daniel gave us.
Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. II Th 2:4 |
Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. Dan 11:36 |
As you can see, Paul says the man of sin and the son of perdition are one in the same being and that he will exalt himself above all that is called
God. This is what tells us that it is Satan who will rise up and not a human man or a person like so many people are teaching.
Satan will place himself above God and every other god, real or fictional, that is known or worshipped proclaiming himself to be the almighty.
Because the bible tells us who will do this, so there isn't any reason believe the man of sin is the antichrist. The man of sin is Satan,
and it is he who will proclaim himself to be God. The Antichrist is also a spirit and made up of people who tell false things about Jesus and want
people to worship the false Jesus they do.
Since I have already covered what the antichrist is in another area, there's no need to expand any farther on the subject here. In a sense, if you
believed what you were taught about the antichrist being a man who comes into power someday, then you have been had by the antichrist since its mission is to deceive through its spirit of false teachings.
Getting back on subject, the falling away will take place when the abomination happens. After all, if you believe God is making an appearance
in Jerusalem, and performing the signs Satan will be doing, then why wouldn't you quit believing in an invisible God? The signs Satan will perform
will be enough to convince many people that God is here on earth. And that is what the Falling Away is.
This belief in Satan as God, is what brings on the Mark of the Beast when his time runs out. Notice the second beast is what brings on the Mark, not the first.
This is one of the very last warnings that Jesus said would happen before he returns.
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Luke 21:20 |
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Mat 24:15 |
The Mark of the Beast is not that hard to figure out when it will happen. By what's goingon in the world, it could be anything having to do with buying and selling. BUt it apears it will be a visible Mark that takes place After Jesus has returned to earth.
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