The Bible warns, in the end time, a world dominating government will emerge. This dystopian regime is prophesied to influence people around the world to receive a mark on their hand and forehead, shortly before the return of Jesus Christ to earth.
This mark has mystified millions. While it’s interesting to think about, it’s more important to understand that those who have this “mark” will suffer the wrath of God and the seven last plagues:
Revelation 14:9 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, 10 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.
Revelation 16:1-2 “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.” So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.”
The mark of the beast is a critical Biblical prophecy for us to study, understand, and recognize its impact on our lives!
Revelation Introduces the Beast and Its Mark.
Together, this regime will use a unique mark to control commerce and will exclude those who will not accept it.
Revelation 13:16-17 "He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark of the name of the beast, or the number of his name."
This false religious system is also pictured in Revelation 17 as a harlot ‘riding,’ guiding, and leading the final revival of the Holy Roman empire. This counterfeit to God’s Church is led by a false prophet performing signs and wonders while teaching a false Christianity.
Revelation 13:13-14 “He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth—by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast…”
Many will embrace this Holy Roman Empire and its mark to preserve their lives and ability to feed their families. People are going to believe this is their only option for survival, but God has said otherwise.
So what is this mark of the beast?
The Mark of the Beast Involves Following False Christianity.
Receiving the mark of the beast involves choosing whom to obey: false Christianity or the true God of the universe. The Bible gives us a key regarding what sets God’s faithful saints apart.
Revelation 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus".
If God's true servants are set apart by the faith of Christ and keeping His commandments, the mark of the beast must then involve rejecting the 10 Commandments of God. The false prophet, appearing as a false Christ and speaking lies, will attempt to turn people away from God’s Law and accept a counterfeit Christianity.
Revelation 14:11 “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.”
We’ve already read in Revelation that those who receive this mark of the beast would be allowed to buy and sell in this future government. Scripture references the mark on the right hand and forehead: the right hand symbolizes work and labor, while the forehead symbolizes the mind and our intelligent thought. One commandment uniquely affects our work and labor, making a living and doing business. In this same commandment we are specifically told by God to remember it and routinely bring it to mind. This is the commandment that has been singled out and rejected by most professing Christians today.
The Rejected Command Is the Sign of God’s People.
The fourth Commandment of God reminds us to keep His Sabbath day holy (Exodus 20:9-11). God’s appointed time would be a test commandment for His people, whether they would obey Him or not, and was even blessed and set apart at creation.
Genesis 2:2-3 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
He consecrated, sanctified, and set apart the seventh day as something separate and sacred - the true holy day of the week! God never did away with the Sabbath. It was a perpetual covenant and contract between Him and all who follow Him. The Biblical gospels even reveal that Jesus Christ and the apostles kept the seventh day Sabbath!
As the beast has his mark for those who are loyal to him, God has revealed the sign of His faithful people.
Exodus 31:12-13 “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying 13 “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.”
In an attempt to cause all to worship him, the beast enforces a counterfeit copy of God’s sign.
The mark of the beast is a false day of worship – a counterfeit copy of God’s Sabbath.
Sunday Becomes a Day of Allegiance to False Christianity.
Weekly Sunday worship is nowhere sanctioned in Scripture. An ancient pagan practice was to assemble at sunrise, face the east and worship the sun. Even so-called believers in God took part in this “abomination.”
Ezekiel 8:15-16 Then He said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these.” 16 So He brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house; and there, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.
Later, in an attempt to convert pagans, the Roman Emperor Constantine made the day of sun worship (Sunday) the official "Christian day of rest." True to prophecy, the mark of the beast was enforced by Roman Catholicism.
In blatant rejection of God’s Law, the Council of Laodicea, in 363 A.D., passed this decree: "Christians must not Judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, resting rather on Sunday. But, if any be found to be Judaizing, let them be declared anathema from Christ."
The Mark of the Beast Has Previously Been Enforced.
In the past, false Christianity has caused the death of many true followers of God for their obedience to His Law, including faithful Sabbath observance. True Sabbath worshipers were tortured and killed. Laws became so strict no one could officially hold a job or engage in business, unless he worked on Saturday and rested on Sunday. The mark of the beast was enforced, just as it will be in the near future.
Revelation 6:9-11 "...I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
These martyrs, whose righteousness and obedience cost them their lives, are given white robes. They refused to worship any false god, rejecting idolatry, pagan beliefs, and false religious customs – choosing to obey God no matter the cost.
Revelation 20:4 "...I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped 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."
All saints, martyred over the course of human history, must await the return of Jesus Christ for Him to avenge their deaths. This tremendous sacrifice will be greatly rewarded.
God’s People Reject the Beast and Its Mark.
God’s Sabbath is the perpetual sign between God and His people throughout history, during the end times, and even in the future Millennium (Isaiah 66:22-23).
The Bible is clear that God’s people must choose to neither be part of the coming beast system nor receive the mark of Sunday worship. We must embrace God’s incredible way of life, otherwise we will suffer the last plagues, along with the rest of the world.
Revelation 18:4,8 “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.” 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.
We can take comfort in God’s Word, as He shares with us the promise for those faithful to Him. We do not need to be frightened or worried about future, end-time events, knowing ultimately, He wins.
Revelation 19:14-16 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:19-20; 20:6 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone...20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
God’s judgment will usher in His Kingdom and bring an end to the beast and all rebellion. While the world mourns the finality of this empire, the millennial reign of Jesus Christ will dynamically begin on the earth. He will rule with His Family for 1,000 years, and finally bring an end to the hunger, sorrow, disease, pain, and suffering of so many. This is what we’ve been waiting for!
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The Bible warns, in the end time, a world dominating government will emerge. This dystopian regime is prophesied to influence people around the world to receive a mark on their hand and forehead, shortly before the return of Jesus Christ to earth.
This mark has mystified millions. While it’s interesting to think about, it’s more important to understand that those who have this “mark” will suffer the wrath of God and the seven last plagues:
Revelation 14:9 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, 10 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.
Revelation 16:1-2 “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth.” So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.”
The mark of the beast is a critical Biblical prophecy for us to study, understand, and recognize its impact on our lives!
Revelation Introduces the Beast and Its Mark.
Together, this regime will use a unique mark to control commerce and will exclude those who will not accept it.
Revelation 13:16-17 "He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark of the name of the beast, or the number of his name."
This false religious system is also pictured in Revelation 17 as a harlot ‘riding,’ guiding, and leading the final revival of the Holy Roman empire. This counterfeit to God’s Church is led by a false prophet performing signs and wonders while teaching a false Christianity.
Revelation 13:13-14 “He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth—by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast…”
Many will embrace this Holy Roman Empire and its mark to preserve their lives and ability to feed their families. People are going to believe this is their only option for survival, but God has said otherwise.
So what is this mark of the beast?
The Mark of the Beast Involves Following False Christianity.
Receiving the mark of the beast involves choosing whom to obey: false Christianity or the true God of the universe. The Bible gives us a key regarding what sets God’s faithful saints apart.
Revelation 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus".
If God's true servants are set apart by the faith of Christ and keeping His commandments, the mark of the beast must then involve rejecting the 10 Commandments of God. The false prophet, appearing as a false Christ and speaking lies, will attempt to turn people away from God’s Law and accept a counterfeit Christianity.
Revelation 14:11 “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.”
We’ve already read in Revelation that those who receive this mark of the beast would be allowed to buy and sell in this future government. Scripture references the mark on the right hand and forehead: the right hand symbolizes work and labor, while the forehead symbolizes the mind and our intelligent thought. One commandment uniquely affects our work and labor, making a living and doing business. In this same commandment we are specifically told by God to remember it and routinely bring it to mind. This is the commandment that has been singled out and rejected by most professing Christians today.
The Rejected Command Is the Sign of God’s People.
The fourth Commandment of God reminds us to keep His Sabbath day holy (Exodus 20:9-11). God’s appointed time would be a test commandment for His people, whether they would obey Him or not, and was even blessed and set apart at creation.
Genesis 2:2-3 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
He consecrated, sanctified, and set apart the seventh day as something separate and sacred - the true holy day of the week! God never did away with the Sabbath. It was a perpetual covenant and contract between Him and all who follow Him. The Biblical gospels even reveal that Jesus Christ and the apostles kept the seventh day Sabbath!
As the beast has his mark for those who are loyal to him, God has revealed the sign of His faithful people.
Exodus 31:12-13 “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying 13 “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.”
In an attempt to cause all to worship him, the beast enforces a counterfeit copy of God’s sign.
The mark of the beast is a false day of worship – a counterfeit copy of God’s Sabbath.
Sunday Becomes a Day of Allegiance to False Christianity.
Weekly Sunday worship is nowhere sanctioned in Scripture. An ancient pagan practice was to assemble at sunrise, face the east and worship the sun. Even so-called believers in God took part in this “abomination.”
Ezekiel 8:15-16 Then He said to me, “Have you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these.” 16 So He brought me into the inner court of the Lord’s house; and there, at the door of the temple of the Lord, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the Lord and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.
Later, in an attempt to convert pagans, the Roman Emperor Constantine made the day of sun worship (Sunday) the official "Christian day of rest." True to prophecy, the mark of the beast was enforced by Roman Catholicism.
In blatant rejection of God’s Law, the Council of Laodicea, in 363 A.D., passed this decree: "Christians must not Judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, resting rather on Sunday. But, if any be found to be Judaizing, let them be declared anathema from Christ."
The Mark of the Beast Has Previously Been Enforced.
In the past, false Christianity has caused the death of many true followers of God for their obedience to His Law, including faithful Sabbath observance. True Sabbath worshipers were tortured and killed. Laws became so strict no one could officially hold a job or engage in business, unless he worked on Saturday and rested on Sunday. The mark of the beast was enforced, just as it will be in the near future.
Revelation 6:9-11 "...I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
These martyrs, whose righteousness and obedience cost them their lives, are given white robes. They refused to worship any false god, rejecting idolatry, pagan beliefs, and false religious customs – choosing to obey God no matter the cost.
Revelation 20:4 "...I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped 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."
All saints, martyred over the course of human history, must await the return of Jesus Christ for Him to avenge their deaths. This tremendous sacrifice will be greatly rewarded.
God’s People Reject the Beast and Its Mark.
God’s Sabbath is the perpetual sign between God and His people throughout history, during the end times, and even in the future Millennium (Isaiah 66:22-23).
The Bible is clear that God’s people must choose to neither be part of the coming beast system nor receive the mark of Sunday worship. We must embrace God’s incredible way of life, otherwise we will suffer the last plagues, along with the rest of the world.
Revelation 18:4,8 “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.” 8 Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judges her.
We can take comfort in God’s Word, as He shares with us the promise for those faithful to Him. We do not need to be frightened or worried about future, end-time events, knowing ultimately, He wins.
Revelation 19:14-16 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:19-20; 20:6 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone...20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
God’s judgment will usher in His Kingdom and bring an end to the beast and all rebellion. While the world mourns the finality of this empire, the millennial reign of Jesus Christ will dynamically begin on the earth. He will rule with His Family for 1,000 years, and finally bring an end to the hunger, sorrow, disease, pain, and suffering of so many. This is what we’ve been waiting for!
May We Suggest...
Dig Deeper ⬀
cogassembly.org