Mark of the Beast | Understanding the Context

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.

CC Attribution: Marcin Wichary https://www.flickr.com/photos/mwichary/3655729013/in/photolist-4uZnPg-51PR8D-6z3ySz-4wVSha-4wVWeg-5LkaFS-4kfSRs-4kbQGx-5LjRW1

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.

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