Tag: mark of beast
Three Angels of God’s Mercy
Scripture reading for December 18: Revelation 14
“And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of His anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” Revelation 14:9-12
Following John’s vision of the beasts and the mark of the beast received by those deceived by the false prophet and antichrist, John saw three angels, each bearing a message of invitation or warning. The first angel preached an eternal Gospel to all people still dwelling on the earth. He invited all to fear God and give Him glory and worship Him as Creator and Lord. (Revelation 14:6-7) The second angel followed warning or declaring the fall of Babylon the great, the humanistic world system exalting man, rebellion, and sexual immorality. (Revelation 14:8)
The third angel warned all of earth’s inhabitants of the coming judgment and wrath of God on those made in His image who have received the beast’s mark on their forehead or right hand. This angel told of torment by smoke and sulfur viewed by the Lamb and holy angels. He warned that this torment would last ‘forever and ever!’ This passage shows the mercy of our Lord giving all a final chance to repent of their idolatry, sexual immorality, greed and theft, and violence and murder. God truly does nothing by judgment unless He warns His people by the prophets and in this case angels. (Amos 3:7)
Have you received the invitation to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord? As others look at how you live your life, would your decision to either repent and follow Jesus or live for yourself be easy to discern? Do you think that you have the seal of belonging to Jesus imprinted on your forehead?
Prayer: Father God, I humbly renew my acceptance of Your amazing invitation to honor You by repentance and faith in Your Son Jesus Christ. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and form Your heart and mind in me today afresh. May I declare Your invitation and broadcast warning to all You send me to. Amen.
The Mark of the Beast
Scripture reading for December 17: Revelation 13
“Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is the name of the beast or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:11-17
Much has been made of this passage concerning the beasts that arise from earth’s ‘sea’ of mankind in the last days. These ‘beasts’ are men made in God’s image but indwelt by Satan to fulfil the final purposes of God. The first beast was empowered by the dragon and had characteristics of a leopard, bear, and a lion. These beasts remind us of Daniel’s visions and the great kings who conquered the world through humanist power and ruled by occultic practices. (Daniel 7:1-8) But this beast has a fatal wound that has been healed and is the final world ruler of Satan’s rebellion and know as antichrist. (Revelation 13:1-10)
John describes a second beast who worked to bring worship to the first beast known also as the false prophet. This ‘beast’ would look like a lamb, obviously a counterfeit of Jesus Christ. However, when this beast spoke, it sounded like the dragon. This beast was allowed to do signs that would deceive those on the earth into idolatry, immorality, and ultimately receiving a mark on their right hand or forehead. The mark, 666, is the number of the antichrist’s name found on those rejecting Jesus Christ and serving the antichrist in false worship.
Does the use of the descriptions of these end-time beasts help you in understanding God’s plan? How is the worship of the beast being manifested in today’s world? What is the significance of the mark of the beast on right hands or foreheads?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I testify that You Alone are the Lamb of God Who shed blood for my forgiveness and salvation. Mark me with Your Holy Spirit that the work of my hands and the meditation of my mind and heart might please You. Amen.