The Mark of the Beast I
When we think of the Mark of the
Beast we must understand how Satan operates. If we think according to the
masses and with a limited view or estimation of Satan then a person may have the
mark now and would not know it.
I have written a few articles on
understanding the enemy. Satan is very wise, cunning, and smooth and knows how
to woo a crowd. The Bible makes reference to him as a “snake”. Snakes are
quiet, sly, you would rarely know they are around until—they get ready to or strike.
Those of you who live in swampy,
hot or dry places may have at some point had a snake close by and you didn’t
see it until it hissed or until you opened your eyes and looked closer. This is
how Satan operates he is the ultimate deceiver. The Bible tells us if it were
possible he could even deceive the very elect.
Matthew 24:24, “For there shall arise false
Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch
that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
As you see from the above verse
that Satan works through others to further the deception. I don’t understand
why this fact is so hard for a great many believers to grasp for we know that
the spirit of Satan entered Judas (Luke
22:3). Obviously, if the spirit of Satan entered Judas, who walked with
Jesus, that same spirit can enter those whom we trust, support, and know as
well. That is why it is imperative for us to use discernment and test all
spirits. Not just some but all.
I John 4:-3, “Beloved, believe not every
spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false
prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every
spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And
every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not
of God and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it
should come; and even now already is it in the world.”
We must try the spirit of
everyone for we understand through scripture that this is Satan’s kingdom. Matthew 4:8-9, “Again, the devil taketh him
up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the
world, and the glory of them; and saith unto him, all these things will I give
thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.”
Satan has clearly let us know
that this is his kingdom and what he wants from us in this kingdom is worship.
Satan cannot give Jesus something that is not his (Satan’s) already. We know
that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world; so whose world is this? Matthew 4:8-9 has told us plainly.
When most say proudly and boldly God Bless America, we must grow up as
Christians and realize that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not going
to bless Satan’s kingdom. Also, what God are they referring to? If one is
worshipping Satan then that’s the God they are referring to. We must be careful
when we go along with the masses in our speech and praise. Everyone who
mentions God may not be referring to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
From 1st John 4:1-3 we notice that the spirit of the
antichrist has been in the world a long time; this isn’t anything new nor
should it be considered a new belief of a believer in Jesus Christ. This should
be old news that the spirit of the antichrist is all over this world. Sadly,
there are some who are waiting for this spirit to come on the earth. The spirit
of the antichrist can reside in your neighbor, your co-worker, your relative,
or your friend, and contrary to popular belief even pastors and teachers of our
Heavenly Father’s Word.
Matthew 7:15, “Beware of false prophets,
which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”
There are many who only teach the Old Testament and do not believe Jesus came
in the flesh; however, they teach love for our heavenly Father. As 1st John tells us even though
they may be pastors or teachers if they deny that Jesus came in the flesh they
have the spirit of the antichrist…bottom line. If we go by this verse on the meaning
of the spirit of the antichrist we could name and number many people who have
this spirit.
I know, I know, Mama Flora down
the street may be a Pagan or Atheist who is nice to all and smiles and loves to
bake cookies and pies; okay, I get it. However, once we open our eyes and get
passed that persona we will then see the spirit of the antichrist all over and
around Mama Flora. The antichrist is peaceful, cunning, wise and wooing. Mama
Flora will smile at you peacefully; she’ll bake cookies and pies to woo you. That’s
how the spirit of the antichrist works. Now when you deal with rage, pure evil,
and violence, we’re dealing with demons and that’s another topic. For now, we
are again familiarizing ourselves with the spirit of the antichrist.
Satan is too wise for the mark to
be an actual visual mark on your hand or forehead. If you believe it’s a
literal mark then you really don’t understand the ways of the enemy. The mark
will be something you want, lust for, or desire. Satan will try and deceive us
just as he deceived Eve in the garden (Genesis
3). The fruit was pleasant to her eyes, she desired it, and she lusted
after the fruit for what it could do for her which was to make her as God.
The mark represents your belief
and faith and shows your allegiance to something or someone. For instance, you
might see a person wearing a t-shirt that has the Pope on it. You can pretty
much assume that this person is Catholic, supports the Pope, agrees mostly with
his decisions, and if you say anything ill-favored about the Pope they will
probably reply in his defense.
You can apply this to any faith,
walk or tradition; if you see someone wearing a Cross they are probably a
Christian, a pentacle they are probably a Pagan, a five-pointed star they are
more than likely a Jew. These all represent a person’s faith, walk or
tradition. That is what the mark is—it’s a representation of one’s belief,
allegiance and way of life. When you believe something you believe it in your
mind and with your heart. Your mind is no place other than—your forehead.
This is why our Saviour Jesus
said in Matthew 15:19, “For out of the
heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false,
witness, blasphemies:” Thus, there are a host of things that we believe
that has it origins within the heart. That hidden place within where most do
not allow others to see. Proverbs 4:23,
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Now, let’s get back to the mark.
Jesus has told us not to be concerned with the cares and the lusts of this
world. If we are concerned with the cares and lusts of this world can we still
have Jesus in our life and serve him faithfully? “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and
love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye
cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24.
A person can certainly try to
serve their wicked ways and God; however, God wants us all the way in or all
the way out. We know from Revelation 3:15 if we are lukewarm Jesus
will vomit us out. There comes a time in all of our life when we have to make a
decision. It took me a while to finally grasp that. I wasn’t so much in the
world; however, I wanted to do my own thing my way, my style, my choice. And then
I finally got to a point where I had to make a decision. “…whoseoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of
God.” James 4:4.
The mark of the beast is anything
that is contrary to God and the Word of God. We know that the road is straight
and narrow. And many go into destruction while only a few make it into
everlasting life. “Enter ye in at the
strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to
destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate,
and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”(
Matthew 7:13-14).
Jesus didn’t say many walk the
narrow road only a few. When we look closely at the mark of the beast and how
the enemy works in his kingdom we can clearly see that the mark of the beast
also appeals to the flesh. It sounds good, it looks good, it may taste good, and
it gives one pride, fame or fortune. When we step back and digest and meditate
on Jesus’ Words He clearly tells you what the mark is and it’s the belief in or
actions of anything that is contrary to His Word.
He has given us instructions on
how to live in this world so that we might have eternal life with Him forever.
Jesus tells us to pray continuously; yet, today people are harassed for praying
in public and prayer has been taken out of our schools. Jesus tells us not to
concern ourselves with this world and the cares of this world; however, a lot
of people live for their favorite NBA team, they’ve become huge fans of major sports
teams.
Jesus tells us that it’s easier
for a camel to get through the eye of a needle, than it is for a rich person to
get into heaven; but yet, we live in a world where the more you have the better
you are favored. Jesus has told you to feed the hungry, take care of the widow,
clothe the needy; yet, today a lot of people have gotten too proud and greedy
to help their neighbor and even family. Jesus tells us to love one another as
He so loves us; but, yet, there is so much hate and jealousy in the world
today.
In Matthew 7:1 Jesus tells us not to judge; but yet, we live in a
world where we are conditioned to judge a person by the color of their skin,
the balance of their bank account, how many letters they have behind their
name, if any, and their status in the world. Our heavenly Father has told us to
be fruitful and multiply; yet, today there are more than 3,000 abortions per
week.
Beloved that is why repentance
was such a major part in Jesus’ ministry. He mentioned the word repent/repentance 19 times in the New
Testament. He knows how narrow the road is—He walked it and lived through it
and overcame it. He knows our struggles, He knows what is in our heart and He
knows the ways and deceitfulness of the enemy.
Our goal is to overcome this
world so that we can go to that place He has prepared for us. Matthew 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many
mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for
you.”
If you’re waiting for a literal
mark Satan is not going to give a person a literal mark. Satan is too
intelligent for that and a literal mark would be obvious and we know that Satan is a deceiver. The mark will be something that you will want and will
not consider it as the mark of the beast.
Satan’s job is to kill, steal and
destroy. And we see all those signs throughout the world today with greed,
lusts, arrogance, pride, loftiness, fornication, and all these things steal,
kill and destroy your relationship with God, unless you repent and turn away
from those things of the heart. The love of money can destroy your relationship
with Jesus as well as those around you. Pride will give you the illusion that
you are above all others. Fornication can destroy your temple and as a Bride of
Christ your relationship with Him as well.
The mark does not only include
those which are obvious such as being a Satanist, Luciferian, Atheist, witch, or
wizard for we know that way of life is obvious and most people in the world
today are not either of those; therefore, the mark must include something else
in addition to the obvious. As believers in the Word and our Lord and Saviour
Jesus the Christ we have to start looking deeper into the meaning of scripture
and oftentimes just using a bit of common sense will go a long way.
Jesus said upon His return it
will be as the days of Noah (Luke 17:26-29). We are living in the
days of Noah today. Jesus told us how the world would look and what would be
taking place in the world and this is for our discernment of the times we live
in. (Luke 21). Jesus also told us
that an adulterous and wicked generation looks for a sign and there will not be
a sign other than the sign of Jonas (Matthew
16:4).
If we think for a moment, if
Jesus told us there would not be a sign
why are a great many believers looking for one? With that said, understand that
Satan will not issue out a literal stamp, chip or mark on one’s forehead or
right hand signifying the mark of the beast.
The mark is not geared toward a
certain group of people either. All people are/were caused to receive this
mark. Revelation 13:16, “and he causeth
all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in
their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell,
save he that had the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”
Today, we cannot buy anything
unless we have—money, credit, credit cards, check etc. And today there are many
people who have a love, desire, worship and lust for money. No man can buy
unless he has money which displays the image of the beast.
Matthew 19:24, “Verily I say unto you, That
a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto
you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye needle, than for a rich man
to enter into the kingdom
of God.”
I Timothy 6:9, “But they that will be rich
fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition.”
Genesis 1:29, “And God said, Behold, I have
given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and
every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall
be for meat.”
God has given us food and fruit
of the earth; and money is in total contrast to God’s original plan for His
children. And we know that Jesus made a differentiation between Caesar’s money
and God’s kingdom (Mark 12:17). Since we do have
Caesar’s money today, Jesus would want us to feed the homeless, help the needy,
assist the widow, and clothe the poor.
As we notice today, we are living
in the complete opposite of how God would have us live. If we are worshipping
Satan’s kingdom and all that there is within we are in direct contrast with
God, if we are friends with the world that makes us an enemy to God, giving us
the mark of the beast by showing loyalty and likeness for the image of this
current system. We are to be in the world but not of the world once we are of
the world we take on the liking and image of the beast because this is his
kingdom.
And this is how the enemy works.
He is very sly, cunning, wise, and the ultimate deceiver creating illusions for
that which is not of God, making it appear that it is all okay with God. Giving
the illusion that God is blessing this nation and the ways of this nation, when
in fact it is operating through the spirit of Satan.
We know that the spirit of the
antichrist has been in this world a very long, long time. We know that a person
who is friends with this world is an enemy of God. (Keep in mind that God’s
wrath is poured out on His enemies.) We know from scripture that Jesus tells us
how the appearance of the world would look before His returning and said there
will not be a sign other than the sign of Jonas. And we know from scripture
that this is Satan’s kingdom. Therefore, anything that you make allegiance to,
make a representation to or for, or worship toward this earthly kingdom is the
mark of the beast.
Satan knows that a great many
believers are waiting for this to happen and waiting for that to happen and in
the meantime, Satan has already deceived you with five other marks of the heart.
Are you still harboring unforgivness while you’re waiting for a sign? Are you
hoarding lots of money when you can help some in need? Are you still judging
while you’re waiting for this sign? Are you living well beyond your means in
comfort while you continuously pass a homeless person on the street? Are you
still partaking in pornography and lusting after someone or something while you
await a sign? Are you still arrogant and rude while awaiting this sign?
This is how Satan works. He is
the ultimate deceiver planning the ultimate deception of all times. While
you’re looking for a sign you haven’t changed your ways, habits or heart while
making yourself ready to meet our Lord in the air. Let’s take fishing for
example: the fish does not know for sure that the lure you cast wasn’t real
food or that the food is attached to a line. He saw the lure was pleasant to
his eyes, shiny and may have sounded good to his ears (some lures rattle). Had
the fish known that he would die once he bit the lure what would he had done
differently?
We must always make ourselves
ready as the Bride of Christ just as you would if you were getting married to
someone of this earth soon. You may be loosing weight, cleaning up your credit,
finishing school, building a house or something else. Why give Jesus any less
of your time making Him less than the person you’re preparing to marry in this
world?
I know there are some of you who
have a hard time with this article because it does not tickle your fancy. If
this article is grieving to you, then you are, more than likely, a friend of
the world. If you still wish for a literal sign you are, more than likely,
friends with this world.
The only way this message or this
type of message can be received is if you meditate on the Word of God,
preferably what our Lord and Savior has instructed us to do and how to live. Jesus
said we are the light and salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13-14),
and anything that leads us into perdition is of darkness and not of God but of
Satan.
May the Lord Bless you and keep you!
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