GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 373 May 25, 2011
THE MARK OF THE BEAST
"And a 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...he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb,'" Revelation 14:9-10.
It may be hard to read such detailed Scripture after the May 21st false prediction by Harold Camping. Then again, it may be the right time to see how serious it is for all who remain under the stuper of influence that "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2) has over the "children of disobedience" (Epn 2:2).
Clearly, we can't get much more serious that what the angels announced in the recording of Revelation 14:6-13. The first angel preaches the everlasting gospel to dwellers of the earth; an opportunity to trust in Jesus. The Second angel tells us about the end of world and the fall of Babylon; the reason to trust in Jesus. Then, the THIRD angel makes the anouncement of the MARK and those who take it in their hand or forehead; those who reject God's Son, Jesus. This angel doesn't have a nice ending for those who do.
But, we read of some bad things for those who refuse to take the mark, too. In the earlier chapter, John records "...that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed" (13:15).
The THIRD angel is pretty descriptive when he lists what happens to those who take the MARK and worship the beast. In Revelation 14:10, he speaks of Drinking of the cup of God's indignation and, those who are tormented with fire and brimstone for ever. It isn't a pleasent picture for us to handle or, for us to grasp.
WHAT IS THE MARK? Well, we've all seen a picture with the numbers "666" etched on the forehead of some guy that is bowing to an image of some sort. Yes, the number is correct (13:18); but, like May 21st, the picture presents an incorrect application of the Bible verse. Over years of study, I have thought that 666 represented the number that is on a credit card. Thus, one could go to the ATM and punch in his number that was in his (fore) head or, he could go inside the bank and present the card in his hand.
Now, I'm not absolutely sure that the credit card is the answer, here. However, I had the credit card idea long before there were "Debit Machines" in front of banks. To see meaning, I've always looked beyond words.
But, in this electronic world today, we may need to tweak our explanation a bit. That's because of the cell phone phenom. It almost looks like teenagers are already worshipping the image, doesn't it? No matter where they are, they can not put it down. Teens walk and check out the phone, non-stop. They want someone, somewhere, to call them or twitter them or, WHATEVER. Nothing's more important than the cell.
However, the Bible is a very mature book. Its understanding takes us beyond kids; even, beyond what the world appears to be. And so, when I think of the banks controlling accounts over the cell phone; even, shutting the accounts down, it sounds like the system will and can work all over the world. And, No! I don't own a cell phone.
So, rather than look at prophecy in actual terms - like, the number 666, the Bible continues to speaks in types and shadows; at least, to me. These prophetic passages of Revelation that are very scary to the heart, tell of the end-times, certainly. Yet, they speak of things within the system that contols the world in the end-times. We are not to understand them in the terms that appear. While, there is a MARK, it is interwoven within the antichristal system of the "seven heads and ten horns," the heads of blasphemy of the beast (Rev. 13:1). Like the ten heads and horns, we have to see further into the meaning, realizing that it tells; not of heads and horns, but of leaders and of nations.
THE RESISTANCE IS HIGH! A few days before the incorrect prediction of May 21st, I watched and listened to reaction of people. The radio commentators spoke of the day as if it applied only to their world. They would miss certain programs on TV. My computer listed ten things to be missed but, after reading the first one, I could go no farther. I almost threw up on the screen. The writer thought of the day of the Second Coming in only present and worldly terms. There is a STRONG DELUSION in the world, currently.
One phone call, at 5:00 pm on Saturday, asked if it were true. Nope! I was clear about that; adding quickly, "But, Jesus is coming back!. And, it will be soon. Are you ready?" The answer: "I don't wanna go!" Well, my friend, you are going! Sports announcers, radio broadcasters and TV newsmen had the same reaction. They don't want to go, either. They like it here. They like what is going on and their desire is to continue to live on this earth; even, it seems, if they have to take the mark of the beast.