The Mark of the Beast

Mystery Babylon

Chapter 8

"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.(Rev. 13:16, 17)

Natural – But the Essence of a Life in Christ is Spiritual

I wish to share with you why the mark of the beast is not a colossal computer, nor invisible numerals upon people's foreheads or hands, nor the use of optical scanners, nor implanted computer chips, nor buying and selling with "plastic cards", nor 'EFT" (electronic funds transfer), and not even worshiping on Sunday. There are a multitude of ideas. We must remember the real essence of a person’s walk with God in Christ is spiritual, …not physical.

Our focus will be somewhat different. We are going to approach the understanding of the mark from a Biblical or spiritual standpoint, ....rather than a literal one. We will attempt to look at Scripture in maybe a different way to reveal the Mark of the Beast, than the more popular and accepted dispensational one. The understanding that lies within the Bible.

The Holy Spirit's method of revealing understanding and knowledge is quite different than the usual educational methods. God's word has been written as a puzzle. It is not always sequential or in A. B. C. or 1. 2. 3. order.

God's way of teaching knowledge is mentioned in Isaiah 28:9-10, "Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine: them that are weaned from the milk and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little. When God teaches us by the Spirit, ..it is in this fashion. It is a revealing by his Spirit. If it weren't that way, then the theologians and language experts would have an edge over the common believer. The church is built upon the revelation of the Spirit; .... not degrees, ... not grammar expertise and ...not theology.

Since God wrote the Bible and gave the visions of Revelation; He knows, better than anyone else, what the symbolic language means, ...and in what order or sequence it all fits together. If we simply look further into the scripture, God usually tells us what the language he uses means, ....because he has usually expressed the same idea before, to some other people at some other time.

So we will let the Bible interpret Scripture. It will give you a completely different picture of the Mark of the Beast than the popular one found in Bible Book Stores. So prepare yourself for maybe a more unusual look at this passage.

"And he causeth all both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond.”

It is obvious the Mark affects All people at all levels of society over the whole earth. No one is exempt because of class, economic status, nor political influence.

“To receive a mark in their right hand or in their foreheads: ".

This is very similar language to that found when Jehovah instructs Moses and Israel in the keeping of the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Exodus 13:9, "And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand and for a memorial between thine eyes ..that the Lord's law may be strong in thy mouth. God shows us that when his people keep his Word, or commandments concerning this Feast, they would be marked in their hand and between their eyes (the middle of the forehead). (A spiritual mark invisible to the eye)

Another example of Marking is given in Ezekiel as the LORD is pronouncing judgments against Israel. In Ezekiel’s vision he saw men walking through Jerusalem with weapons following another man who had an ink marker. The man with the inkhorn was to "set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and cry, for all the abominations that be done. (Ezk.9:4) The other 6 men were to follow the marker, killing everyone without a mark. Those that were marked by the angel in Ezekiel's vision were to be preserved in the midst of God’s judgments which were to later come upon Israel during that generation. The coming judgments would effect and destroy those not marked.

Neither of the previous two Biblical examples spoke of marks or signs upon the literal forehead and hands. Both were of a spiritual nature, unseen to the human eye or senses, ...the results of obedience and a godly life.

In Exodus; ... keeping God's law and Word marked a person in God's eyes. In Ezekiel; ... the righteous people were marked with ink. Neither of these marks could be seen by people in a mirror. They were of a spiritual nature. The angels knew who to send destruction upon in Ezekiel's time. The common man could not see that mark by the ink writer. The Mark was a Spiritual Mark and Invisible to the Natural Eye.

Let me ask you a question? When God marked you as his own, how did he do it? Did he do it physically or literally? During the times of the Old Testament, men were circumcised literally, ...a mark in their flesh to show they belonged to Jehovah and were in covenant with Him. But in the New Testament, men are circumcised or marked spiritually in their heart, without hands, ... an operation of the Spirit of God. "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, ... the operation of God.” (Col. 2:11-12)

You may be aware that the scripture also says that each believer is or was sealed with God's seal or mark when each receives the Holy Spirit of promise, the gift of the Holy Ghost? (Eph. 1:13) And "The foundation of God standeth sure, ....the Lord knoweth them that are his. " (2 Tim. 2:19) God can see the seal or mark he's placed upon his own.

In Ezekiel 9:4 the "mark' was a mark or scratching, ....which assured that individual's preservation and sealing from a time of judgment, ....the "mark' in Rev. 13:16 is also a mark, an imprinting, an etching, ...which identifies that individual as ...one who is linked with an unfaithful whore and sealed unto judgment and destruction. Two marks! One blesses. The other curses.

At the Endtime, those who serve God and keep his Word are sealed with the Father's Name in their foreheads. "…Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.” "And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion and with him a hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.”(Rev. 7:3,14: 1)

Unfaithful Religious folk are sealed with their father's Name in their foreheads, ...the Devil's Name, ..the Beast's Name, ..the Harlot's Name. Rev. 13 speaks of it; "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. " (Rev. 13:16-17) "And they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name " (Rev 14:11)

It does seem appropriate that God marks and seals the righteous, while the Devil marks and seals the unfaithful. Both groups are sealed! Both groups are marked! "in their right hand"

In scripture, the right hand numerous times represents "strength', "power", and the "authority' of God. "Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power." (Ex.15:6) "Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, " (Matt. 26:64) "and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might,” (Eph. 1:20-21)

In Deuteronomy 33:2 the right hand represents the place from which came God's Law...”from his right hand went a fiery law ..” Jacob's right hand was the instrument of divine ordination as he laid his hands upon his two grandsons and prayed for them. The right hand was upon Ephraim. (Gen. 48:13-18) The right hand (thumb, toe & ear) were anointed during rites of consecration, sanctification, and cleansing of the Old Testament priesthood. (Ex.29:20, Lev 23..)

The Right Hand is also referred to when "the right hands of fellowship' (Gal. 2:9) were given to Paul and Barnabus by James, Cephas, and John to acknowledge their ministry to the Gentiles. Scripture speaks of the right hand in relation to strength, power authority, God's Law, divine ordination, anointing for consecration, and brotherly fellowship.

"in the forehead"

The forehead, the prominent part of the head, or amid face, is spoken of in scripture as the place where God seals his saints for security and preservation. (Ezek.9:4, Rev.7:3) In Exodus 28:38 the High Priests mitre says "Holiness To The LORD” and was to be worn upon the Priests forehead.. (Ex.28:38) The forehead also speaks of unholy desires and an unfaithful spirit when Jeremiah 3:3 states to God's people, that "the showers have been withholden and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hast a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed."

Within the forehead of a Whore exists a pattern of values, thought-life, and a mind-set that is much different than God. In fact, that mind-set is just the opposite and is opposed to the thought-life and mind of holiness in a virtuous woman. An unfaithful woman's forehead or mind is driven by Satan's word (which is simply a perversion of God's Word) while the Holiness forehead or mind operates from God's principles.

The forehead in scripture speaks righteously to us of: ...sealing, ...preservation, ...and Holiness unto the Lord. The forehead also reveals an ungodly character; such as: an .... unfaithful, ...unvirtuous, ... and a whorish spirit.

Isaac's bride Rebekah was marked as His bride in her Hand and Forehead or face. "At the time of the evening” Eleazar found a bride for the Master's son, Isaac, and gave Rebekah "a golden earring " (a jewel for the forehead-see Bible margin) "and two bracelets for her hands” (Gen.24:11,22) Eleazar relates this to Rebekah's brother in Gen. 24:47 when he said "I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands." The son's Bride was marked at evening time upon her forehead and hands. It would not be surprising if Jesus' Bride does not become marked in their forehead and hands at evening time also. (at the end of the age)

It becomes clear from looking into the scriptures that what God means by a mark in the forehead and hand means something entirely different than what the natural, book-store prophet mind thinks. Spiritually, a mark in the forehead, refers to a person's values, virtues, thoughts, character, will, mind and understanding. We are what we think.

Spiritually, a mark in the right hand refers to a person's anointing, consecration, and fellowship. We can disagree with someone but have fellowship for a common goal or purpose.

With the religious Ecumenical attitude of universal unity within the religious and christian community today, one can see why God warns us about getting our thinking straight, and to be mindful of our fellowship. God is concerned about His church at the Endtime. God knew that many believers would become interwoven into the religious fabric of a confused corrupt religious system, ...Babylon.

(Babylon represents religious confusion which covers the whole earth and even within Christianity.)

The word Whore was the best term God could use to describe the religious apostasy of many His people. (Whore represents a female who can't be faithful to one man. This represents those believers within Christianity who can't be faithful to God's Word.) The Spirit of God condemns the religious confusion of this earth and especially of Christianity at the endtime and calls unto his people to separate themselves in thought and fellowship.

Listen to God's voice in Revelation 18: 2, 4; "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. ' "I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." We should see that the Endtime is a time when separation from the spirit of religious ecumenical confusion is most important for God's church. It will decide if we will be judged with the foolish virgins and the worldly confused religious spirit which works today within Christianity.

“that no man might buy or sell, .. "

A mark is given in the forehead or in the right hand to prohibit something … that no man might buy or sell, .. " When we look into the Scriptural meaning of buying and selling in the scriptures we again come upon a quite different merchandizing concept than that of groceries, clothing, or hardware. Watch.

Proverbs 23:23 speaks of buying and selling the truth, “Buy the truth and sell it not.” Isaiah spoke of buying in 55:1, “Ho, everyone that thirsteth come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” What kind of water, wine and milk does God speak of that can be bought without money or price? Jehovah was speaking of salvation being for sale without price for all who would come and buy. A buying and selling of the truth of God is the only thing which can satisfy man’s thirsty and hungry soul.

Jesus spoke of buying and selling oil in Matthew 25:9 when the five foolish virgins were told, “but go ye rather to them that sell and buy for yourselves" The foolish virgins took their lamps but no extra oil. It is understood that the oil represents the Holy Spirit and Light in scripture. In 1st Samuel 10 when Saul is anointed with oil, the Spirit of God comes upon on him. It is even clearer in 1st Samuel 16:13 that the oil represents the anointing of the Spirit. "Then Samuel took the, horn of oil arid anointed him in the midst of his brethren and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from day forward.”

The Lord Jesus made it clear in Matthew 24 and 25 that right in the middle of all the endtime events leading up to the 2nd return of Jesus Christ; …that a portion of God's people would not have enough oil for spiritual light. Not enough Spiritual enlightenment to keep shining brightly so they could go out to meet the Bridegroom at midnight. Due to this lack, the five foolish are instructed to "go ye rather to them that sell and buy for yourselves." They need something greater than kerosene lamp oil. It is Holy Spirit Oil which can not be bought at any brick & mortar store. It is that born again new creation life, which is only “sold" without price during the preaching of the gospel and is "bought" with repentance and submission to the Word of God; .... all without the transaction of money, …paper or coin.

Jesus spoke of buying and selling again in Revelation 3:18 as he counseled the lukewarm Laodicean church beliervers to come and buy gold which he had for sale. “I counsel thee to buy of me”, he said. Of course, it is plain that he was speaking figuratively of gospel righteousness. Jesus was not merchandising literal lamp oil. Christ has something to sell to the religious mind who think they have all the Godliness they need. He has "gold tried in the fire" which makes us rich in God and clothes us in righteousness so that the shame of our nakedness or carnality does not appear.

1st Cor 3:12 shows us that each believer can build spiritually upon the foundation of Jesus Christ in their lives. They can build using spiritual materials of value and preciousness to God portrayed as "gold, silver, and precious stones”. A believer can also choose to build using perishable unstable materials of "wood, hay and stubble.” The precious stones and metals can withstand the fires of God, while the other can't. The fire of God burns away impurities from the precious metals; yet at the same time the fire consumes everything of the "wood, hay and stubble.”

Job saw this in 23: 10, "He knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me' I shall come forth as gold. " The Spirit speaks in Zechariah 13:9 again of the fulfillment of God’s divine purpose in out lives as of "gold tried in the fire. "…. "And I will bring the third part through the fire and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried.”

Buying and selling in scripture refers to different facets of walking in fellowship with God, ...of eating and drinking of salvation’s free eternal life, at no literal cost or charge, ...of acquiring the Truth and not letting it go, ...of possessing enough oil of the Holy Spirit for Light on our path during the midnight of time, ....of acquiring spiritual righteousness as impurities are burnt out of our lives.

The term “buy” in scripture means; "to go to market, to purchase, to create, to procure, to own by purchase”. A deliberate decision is made by an individual before he or she can make a purchase or acquire an item.. That's true naturally in the world and it is also true in God. "Go ye rather to them that Sell and Buy for yourselves " (Matt 25:9) and "I counsel thee to Buy of Me” (Rev 3:18) Both of these statements are spoken to people who think they have enough of Holy Ghost anointing OIL for LIGHT to sustain them within the darkness. Yet the Lord makes it clear they need to go and acquire some more of God. Go get it! Buy it! ..... Where?

Buying and Selling of the things of God takes place when we are seeking to lay hold upon the truth of God for our souls. This does not take place at Krogers, Winn-Dixie, Wal-Mart, or the Mall; ... does it. Buying and Selling of truth and righteousness usually takes place in an atmosphere or a place where the truth is being presented, taught, proclaimed or preached. Christ Jesus is the One element always present is the atmosphere of the preaching or teaching of the Word of God by God called ministers.

“no man might buy or sell except"

The power or ability to buy or sell is linked to a requirement. Everyone is restricted from buying or selling except or unless they satisfy the qualification. If buying and selling refers to the things of Godliness and truth, then we can expect that there will be endtime restrictions ...upon acquiring the truth of Christ and God's Word.

This restriction upon buying and selling of the gospel truth of God will be placed upon people worldwide, ....but not all people will submit to it. Some will not accept this restriction upon their buying and selling; 'they will persist in buying and selling without the mark. They have "gotten the victory over the Beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name." (Rev 15:2)

Many of the church will continue to preach and teach Bible salvation and righteousness, ...just as the Apostles did. And preach it just like the Bible says. Of course those who get this victory must go upstream against the majority. They will buck the down-stream flow of worldy religions and the popular majority opinion expressed in apostate churches. No matter how high the price they will not submit.

Most will submitt to the restrictions placed upon the church by the anti-christ spirit of Apostatsy; yet, they will continue to preach and uplift Jesus Christ. They will compromise the truth as necessary which will only dilute the power of Christ’s message. What kind of truth do we have to share with a lost sinful world if our spirit seeks fellowship with the lukewarm Ecumenical Religious spirit and corrupt confusion which saturates so much of Christianity today? Will it have enough power to change lives and bring about a heavenly new birth within their inner spirit?

Satan's power ultimately wants to control the pulpit messenger. Once this occurs, the spiritual power to change lives is removed from the gospel. It becomes a religion, without a new birth. It becomes a mental decision, …not a life changing crisis conversion experience. A restricted gospel is one that pleases the ears of man more than God. It becomes a message of mixture, of lust and pride without a crucified life.

Restrictions upon the Gospel takes various forms.

Some are Open and blatant restrictions; while others are hidden and subtle. Open & Blatant Restrictions. The Jews of the New Testament attempted to restrict the apostolic message in the book of Acts, …but it was to no avail. Persecution nor death deterred them, ....they kept on telling the good news of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Ghost. In fact, the church has always progressed during adversity.

After the Apostles passed off the scene, believers were forced eventually to acknowledge the religious christian church system’s power structure with it’s doctrines or be deneid a license to preach the gospel. Ministers were not allowed to follow the Holy Spirit if it deviated in any manner from the precepts sanctioned by the Ruling Church Bishops and Hierarchy. If you kept preaching openly, you had to knuckle under. Millions were persecuted and martyred because they would not yield. Others went into hiding to keep the message alive.

During the days of the conception of the Methodist Revival in England; the Anglican Church of England closed its church doors to the Wesley brothers and George Whitefield. They were illegal preachers -- called "Irregulars'. So they preached 'illegally" to thousands in the fields of England, and often with persecution. They did not compromise the gospel message of Truth or there would not have been a great awakening and harvest of souls.

Hidden and Subtle Restrictions.

As the Apostles died and their influence waned, it was not long until the gospel message lost its power to change the sinful heart and became merely a religious persuasion. Many believers did not realize in those early centuries that the diluted gospel they were hearing was far from that which had been preached in the book of Acts in the power and demonstration of the Holy Ghost.

Churches expanded and proselytes grew in number. The faith that was once given unto the saints was being lost, although a gospel was being preached. The Holy Spirit exhorted them to "earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 3)

Over time, the salvation message lost the new birth experience of the gift of the Holy Ghost which came to Jerusalem at Pentecost, …they lost that which came to Cornelius' home in Caesarea, …they lost that which came to Paul in Damascus, and …they lost that Holy Ghost experience which came to the Ephesians …when the truth was expounded to them more perfectly. The gospel message became diluted or weakened in doctrine and power.

Yet the so called christian church kept preaching and expanding. Yet all the time, a similar gospel, yet so unlike, that of the 1st century church was being preached. Many knew there was a greater measure of original truth to preach, but they were intimidated by the dominating religious spirit of their age. People were intimidated by their peers, …intimidated by the law and civil prohibitions, and by the overwhelming prevailing church system. So many who knew better just went along with the status quo; ... so as not to be singled out for harassment or persecution.

During this 20th century we saw the churches of World War II Germany compromise with the Nazis to keep their doors open. They accepted restrictions upon their worship and the message expounding of truth. Communist Russia did the same with its State Churches. If preachers and ministries fell in line with the political winds and popular doctrines, …their church doors could remain open. And many did; but their message became anemic and weak. ....Far from the faith that was once delivered to the saints.

We find ourselves Now living in times where it has become very subtle. The preaching of the whole counsel of God's Truth at this present time puts you in the place of less favor with the ecumenical winds which want to make all of Christianity into one big happy family. There is a universal unity spirit working among all that profess the name of Jesus. However, the Holy Spirit of Jehovah is not behind it. There is another spirit of darkness back-stage manipulating and controling what the audience is presented.

God is concerned and cries for his people to come out of this tidal wave of influence which carries men away from the truth of His Word.

Thus saith the Lord, ....ministry brother or lay-member ...the binds and restrictions will become more restrictive than just peer pressure or religious pressure. Each of you will have to choose to either compromise the preaching of the gospel or become uncooperative with the formal religious ecumenical community inChristianity.

Christianity's corrupt systems and lukewarm church folk work together formally and informally in one spirit to wield pressure against the true saints to relax their grip on the Truth. Even a political sword (the eight kingdom) will be used to bring the earth and the Bride into greater captivity. Some will know better than to cooperate, but they will see no other alternative. They will think that all their labors for the Lord are at stake.

Many won’t be able to see any rational way out, other than adapting to the IMAGE which the majority of the christian community is agreeing to project. Pray my friend that you will have the power to make the right decision and to make it now. It will bring you victory. ….“Come Out of Her My People”.

“gotten the victory over the Beast and over his mark "

Praise God, there will be those who will have "gotten the victory over the Beast, and over his image, and over his mark and over the number of his name." (Rev. 15:2) They will be of the caliber of Israel’s 7000 group which God told Elijah about. God said … 7000 have not kissed nor bowed their knee to the Baal of his day. They will not bow to a lukewarm, mingled, mixed ecumenical apostate church spirit of this Endtime.

There is an Endtime 7000 Club who will refuse to submit to the pressure to compromise with the doctrines and prevailing spirit of most gospel churches majoring upon so many Spirit manifestations and religious trappings, ....yet lacking a holding to Truth, Separation, and a Cross with Sacrifice.

The mentality and heart of these Endtime 7000 Club members will be in the minority. They will at some point refuse that which preaches and teaches a gospel message that pleases the ears of the listeners, and satisfies the flesh; ... but does not proclaim the original message and faith the apostles preached in the New Testament. Some will be asked to step out openly on the front page of events as Elijah did. Others will be asked to hold their peace but to keep on holding and proclaiming the truth, … although hidden away from popularity and notoriety as Obadiah was involved with.

“the hour of temptation to try the whole world”

Jesus said that there would come a time when a certain trial or temptation would face the whole world, ....not just one church, one city, or one nation. The way out of this trial or temptation would not be to manifest the power of the Holy Spirit; but to live the truth of God's Word. Revelation 3:10 expresses it clearly, "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. "

Brother or Sister, we are at the Endtime. It is Harvest time. A time to return to the original seed. Each of us should have our spiritual ear open to the voice of the Spirit of God as he is encouraging his people to draw closer to the truth, doctrine, faith, and Spirit of the original New Testament church.

Remember no one has been able to improve upon the reply in Acts 2 to the question of "What Shall We Do to be saved ?" “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. " (Acts 2:38)