| The Mark of the Beast [message #14183] |
Mon, 18 November 2024 03:18  |
 Mark L
Messages: 865
Registered: October 2006
Location: Canada |
Senior Member |
|
|
The Mark of the Beast
This comes of course from Revelation 13/16 It's also referred in Rev. 14/ 9,11
Let me say right off that Rev. is a big book and I can't deal with everything in it in one note here. So I have a very narrow focus here on just the mark of the beast. Let me also state my bias right off. I believe that most of the book is yet future and will be fulfilled in our time. In other words we're in the end times and this mark is not far off. I also think some of the book is symbolic but most I take literally like I do John 3/16.
So what is the mark of the beast? According to the book there will arise a world ruler who will cause all to have some kind of mark put on their hand or forehead. Whatever it is it is serious enough that taking it will keep the person out of Gods kingdom. It is not simply a line in the sand. Its not a bar code like we see on goods to sell. Or just an arbitrary point that God sets. It has to be something very real and very serious that puts a person beyond any means of redemption.
But before we look at what it is lets go a little sideways.
Eph.5/ 31-32
Paul speaks here of the relationship between a husband and wife. "they two shall be one flesh" He is obviously referring to the physical relationship. I think though it speaks to something much deeper. The physical relationship is the very expression of the marriage. But marriage is also a spiritual union. There is a spiritual uniting in a marriage that transcends the physical reality.
Paul calls it a great mystery and then points to Christ and the church. A mystery in the bible is not something to be solved but understanding that is hidden until God chooses to reveal it. There are several times Paul says he is unveiling a mystery
1Cor. 15/51-58 the rapture of believers
Eph. 3 the mystery of the church. Gentiles being brought into Gods kingdom
Paul calls this relationship of Christ and the church a "great" mystery. In other words there is deep understanding here. A deep mystery that he doesn't give a lot of info on. In some way beyond the new birth and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit we as believers are in a real spiritual union with our Lord.
Here's another aside. Why can't all these modern day prophets that can read everyone's mail not unveil mysteries like this one.
So with all that in mind what is the mark of the beast? I think there are several issues that will allow the anti-christ to be able to require it.
1. He will be in a position to make it happen. He will have total political military economic and spiritual control over the whole world.
2. A great breakthrough is coming in science.
3. Information and understanding from mans golden age ie: before the flood is going to be found and used by the anti-christ
4. Waves of spirituality physic- occult mystical . . . understanding is going to hit our western world and then along with the rest of the world will turn it away from secularism and materialism toward a new spirituality. It will engulf the entire world.
To put it in a nutshell the mark will bring about an spiritual union between the anti-christ and the world. Also more disturbingly a spiritual union with the powers that stand behind the anti-christ and/or the beast. Its a line one can't cross as it puts one into a permanent union with the devil and his kingdom. A person then is beyond any chance of redemption and incurs the eternal wrath of a holy righteous God. Revelation 13/16 14/ 9,11
Whatever one believes about believers in the tribulation its a serious warning that the church should keep in mind. In light of that I'd like to add a note of hope.
Luke 21/28 Jesus said: "when these things begin to come to pass then look up and lift up your heads for your redemption draws nigh". In other words it means Jesus is coming for his people.
11Peter 3/13 We according to his promise look for new heavens and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness
You can read
"Meanderings on Scripture by Mark
https://mlederman.substack.com/
|
|
|
| Re: The Mark of the Beast [message #14184 is a reply to message #14183] |
Mon, 18 November 2024 14:40  |
 |
william
Messages: 1469
Registered: January 2006 |
Senior Member
Administrator |
|
|
Quote:To put it in a nutshell the mark will bring about an spiritual union between the anti-christ and the world. Also more disturbingly a spiritual union with the powers that stand behind the anti-christ and/or the beast. Its a line one can't cross as it puts one into a permanent union with the devil and his kingdom. A person then is beyond any chance of redemption and incurs the eternal wrath of a holy righteous God. Revelation 13/16 14/ 9,11
Do you think that this 'union' comes about more as an embracing of the world's (antichristian) concepts by the population or is it driven simply by the fullness of the times, or fullness of the Gentiles, being complete? I'm thinking about the Exodus and Pharroh's part, both his own rejection and the divine hardening of his heart.
Blessings,
William
[Updated on: Mon, 18 November 2024 14:43]
I want to believe!
|
|
|
| Re: The Mark of the Beast [message #14185 is a reply to message #14184] |
Mon, 18 November 2024 17:26 |
Mark L
Messages: 865
Registered: October 2006
Location: Canada |
Senior Member |
|
|
No I think it is something deeper. Paul called our union with Christ a great mystery. The mark of the beast is intended to mirror that. I think it is something spiritual. It unites the world with the antichrist and then the devil in some real way. It has to be so real and complete it puts the person beyond any hope of salvation.
You can read
"Meanderings on Scripture by Mark
https://mlederman.substack.com/
|
|
|
|
| Re: The Mark of the Beast [message #14187 is a reply to message #14186] |
Tue, 19 November 2024 21:31 |
Mark L
Messages: 865
Registered: October 2006
Location: Canada |
Senior Member |
|
|
The reason I brought up the marriage aspect was because Paul used it to illustrate the connection (spiritual or mystical in a positive sense) between God and us. I don't think Paul was referring to that union with Christ as referring to love and commitment at all. Although that is obviously there.
Paul called it a great mystery so it must be something deep and hidden. There must be something spiritual holding us in union with him. I have no idea what it is only that it is there. Spiritual doesn't mean ethereal or hazy or cloudy or see through. That kind of idea. There is something real there that has actuality or substance.
So the mark of the beast is also some kind of spirituality that joins in some real way people through the antichrist to the powers behind him.
I looked up my notes on NT theology to see what he said. He addresses some of the spiritual aspects to union with Christ but doesn't really address the issue in the way that Paul called it. ie a deep mystery.
You can read
"Meanderings on Scripture by Mark
https://mlederman.substack.com/
|
|
|
Members
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
E-mail to friend 
