Read on Twitter
Regarding the Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13:
(1) Firstly, taking a futuristic view of Revelation 4-22, all of this is yet to occur, according to the threefold breakdown of the book in 1:19.
(2) The central point is at minimum this: the mark, and any mark to which many
(1) Firstly, taking a futuristic view of Revelation 4-22, all of this is yet to occur, according to the threefold breakdown of the book in 1:19.
(2) The central point is at minimum this: the mark, and any mark to which many
Will confuse this, absolutely must have to do with receiving the mark in order to buy and sell (13:16-17). But beyond this...:
(3) The First Beast (the Antichrist) must be present, having been raised, or, at least, overcoming a fatal wound (13:3), receive worship (13:4),
(3) The First Beast (the Antichrist) must be present, having been raised, or, at least, overcoming a fatal wound (13:3), receive worship (13:4),
Speak blasphemies (13:5-6), rule for 3.5 years (42 months; 13:5), have authority over the saints (13:7a), and over the whole earth (13:7b), and, again, receive worship from all of those on earth, who have not their names written in the book of Life (13:8).
(4) The Second Beast
(4) The Second Beast
Must also be present (13:11; the False Prophet), receiving and diverting praise to the First Beast “whose fatal wound was healed (13:12),” performing signs (13:13), deceiving those on the earth (the unbelieving), and calling them to create an image of the First Beast (13:14),
Which has power to speak and condemn to death those who don’t worship the image of the beast (13:15).
(5) This same “puppet idol,” as I’ll call it, finally “...makes everyone-small and great, rich and poor, free and slave-to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,
(5) This same “puppet idol,” as I’ll call it, finally “...makes everyone-small and great, rich and poor, free and slave-to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,
so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark: the beast's name or the number of its name (13:16-17).”
(6) The last verse assumes all of the prior context and setting and then tells those alive at this time to be aware, to “...calculate the number of the beast, because
(6) The last verse assumes all of the prior context and setting and then tells those alive at this time to be aware, to “...calculate the number of the beast, because
it is the number of a person. Its number is 666 (13:18).” This last verse also has much ink spilled over it, but it’s clear that the only way anyone can calculate this number is by all of the previous points being true, and then discovering the identity of the beast; though,
I don’t take it that doing so will be that difficult considering the uniqueness of all that we have seen in this chapter which both has yet to happen and has never taken place in history even if parts of it has been true or similar to what will take place.
My point?
My point?
I. Be sure to keep the scriptures in context. Be discerning.
II. No, the COVID vaccination isn’t the mark of the beast (again, given the context and whole of Revelation 13). And so far nothing has come close: ie. There’s been no first beast, second beast, or puppet idol.
II. No, the COVID vaccination isn’t the mark of the beast (again, given the context and whole of Revelation 13). And so far nothing has come close: ie. There’s been no first beast, second beast, or puppet idol.
III. Be confident that, in Christ, as believers, we are with Him where He is and are awaiting Him from Heaven, so He will rescue us from this future tribulation.
IV. Know for sure that your name is in the book of Life, by trusting in Jesus, who died for your sins, rose again,
IV. Know for sure that your name is in the book of Life, by trusting in Jesus, who died for your sins, rose again,
And gives eternal life and the forgiveness of sins to all who believe in Him for it.
V. And, finally, we ought to live in thankfulness for the Lord for His Word, His Son, and for eternal life in Him, knowing that it is His glory, not ours, which should be showcased in our lives,
V. And, finally, we ought to live in thankfulness for the Lord for His Word, His Son, and for eternal life in Him, knowing that it is His glory, not ours, which should be showcased in our lives,
Which He has so freely given us. While we should reach out and be lighthouses to and for Him, we should also focus on faithfulness, to Him, to our families, and whatever roles and responsibilities that He has given us.
A verse I passed over in this passage, encourages us in
A verse I passed over in this passage, encourages us in
This:
“If anyone is to be taken captive, into captivity he goes. If anyone is to be killed with a sword, with a sword he will be killed. This calls for endurance and faithfulness from the saints (13:10).”
Perhaps we won’t see this sort of persecution. Perhaps we will. And we
“If anyone is to be taken captive, into captivity he goes. If anyone is to be killed with a sword, with a sword he will be killed. This calls for endurance and faithfulness from the saints (13:10).”
Perhaps we won’t see this sort of persecution. Perhaps we will. And we
Also recognize that this is speaking to persecution in this time (by the two beasts and the puppet idol), but still applies to any and all believers: Endurance. Faithfulness.
Stay in the Word, in prayer, and with His own.
Stay in the Word, in prayer, and with His own.
