As we have seen, the commandments of God—and thus the government of God—are targets of Satan’s anger. He will use the supposed powers of the Papacy in the final conflict between good and evil, eventually forcing the
mark of the
Beast on all the citizens of
Earth.
The warnings concerning the
mark of the
Beast are the most serious and solemn messages found in the Bible. It is essential that we apply careful examination and exegesis to unravel their meaning.
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 (Revelation 13:16-17).
...If any man worship the
beast and his image, and receive his
mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation: and he shall be tormented with
fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; and the smoke of their
torment ascendeth up forever and ever; and they have no rest
day nor night, who worship the
beast and his
image, and whosoever receiveth the
mark of his name (Revelation 14:9-11).
The
mark of the
Beast carries with it the greatest punishment that God has ever pronounced—the punishment of eternal separation from God—and is therefore an issue of vital importance.
It is surprising how many theories there are on the
mark of the
Beast, ranging from computer-generated IDs to implants of computer chips, none of which have any bearing on character, a personal relationship with God, or subjection to the government of God.
All of these theoretical marks may be useful to the Enemy in terms of monitoring human activities and controlling access to resources, but they cannot be the
mark of the
Beast, if the
Beast is the
Papacy as we see in Revelation 13.
If we are going to identify the
mark of the
Beast, then we must do so within the framework of the great controversy and how it affects the plan of salvation. It is through sin (1 John 3:4) that humanity became separated from God, and this rebellion against His government has brought about the consequences the human race is experiencing.
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear (Isaiah 59:2).
Justice demanded that the penalty for sin be paid (Romans 6:23), and Christ fulfilled these requirements by paying the price Himself. Through His sacrifice, grace abounds, and the broken relationship between humanity and God can be reestablished. The renewed heart is one that “keeps the commandments, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of
Israel after those days, says the LORD. I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people (Hebrews 8:10).
A restored relationship means a life that is once again in harmony with God’s law. Those who say they know God, but don’t keep His commandments are liars (1 John 2:4). Separation from God is the consequence of sin, and the
mark of the
Beast also pertains to sin, because it is the only cause for separation. The final cause for ultimate separation from God is the breaking of His law.
Ahead to The Image of the
Beast
Back to The
Mark of the
Beast Introduction
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This article is adapted from Truth Matters by Professor Walter J. Veith, an international speaker who has studied Biblical issues in-depth in his quest for truth. His popular series Genesis Conflict brings the debate between Creation and evolution to a new climax as he dissects the arguments with a scientific eye. His highly-acclaimed series Total Onslaught sheds light on the state of the world today as we move to a one-world government and an anticipated apocalypse.
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It is our sincere desire to lay the clear Word of God before you, the truth-seeking reader, so you may decide for yourself what is truth and what is error. If you find herein anything contrary to the Word of God, you need not accept it. But if you desire to seek for Truth as for hidden treasure, and find herein something of that quality, we encourage you to make all haste to accept that Truth which is revealed to you by the Holy Spirit.
Read several authors' thoughts on papal Rome's history.
This article highlights quotes from historical and Catholic sources proving the Papacy's aggressive nature.
Persecution in the First Centuries
An Era of Spiritual Darkness The Waldenses
John Wycliffe Huss and Jerome
Luther's Separation From Rome
Luther Before the Diet The Swiss Reformer
Progress of Reform in Germany
Protest of the Princes The French Reformation
The Netherlands and Scandinavia
Later English Reformers
The Bible and the French Revolution
The Pilgrim Fathers Heralds of the Morning
An American Reformer Light Through Darkness
A Great Religious Awakening A Warning Rejected
Prophecies Fulfilled What is the Sanctuary?
In the Holy of Holies God's Law Immutable
A Work of Reform Modern Revivals
Facing Life's Record The Origin of Evil
Enmity Between Man and Satan
Agency of Evil Spirits Snares of Satan
The First Great Deception
Can Our Dead Speak to Us?
Liberty of Conscience Threatened
The Impending Conflict
The Scriptures a Safeguard The Final Warning
The Time of Trouble God's People Delivered
Desolation of the Earth The Controversy Ended
Is Revelation a Sealed Book?
Revelation 1 Commentary
Revelation 1: Jesus, The Heart of Revelation
Revelation 2 Commentary
Revelation 2-3: Letters to Seven Churches
Revelation 3 Commentary
The Lamb and the Sealed Book
Revelation 4 Commentary
Revelation 5 Commentary
Revelation 6 Commentary
Revelation 7 Commentary
Revelation 8 Commentary
Revelation 9 Commentary
Revelation 10 Commentary
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