Advertisement
Bringing people together in love and faith
My Blog
Blogs > Sweethoney2007 > Intimacy in the Spirit > Nov 19, 2008
Intimacy in the Spirit
  
You must be born again to enter into the kingdom of God.
Title View |
Posts on 11/19View All
THE MARK OF THE BEAST Nov 19, 2008 7:10 am
276 Views
The 8 Characteristics of “The Mark”
Revelation 13:16-18; 14:9-11; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4
EadsHome Ministries

1) Likely a physical implant or detailed scarification

The repetitive nature of John’s description of the Mark lends itself to the interpretation that the Mark is to be taken as literal, rather than figurative.

It has been theorized that the Mark refers symbolically to the belief in [forhead] and support of [right hand] the AntiChrist, rather than to a literal Mark. If this were the case, it would be difficult to imagine how consumers could be easily identified as not having the Mark, since John says that those without the Mark will not be able to buy or sell.

The Mark is described as something that is “received”. Faith in AntiChrist and service to the AntiChrist is not “received”, it is ‘appropriated’ and ‘given’. The fact that the Mark is received highlights the fact that it comes from an outside source, not from within the person.

2) This physical Mark will be on the right hand/wrist or the forehead (Rev. 13:16)

The fact that the left hand is not mentioned as a possible site for the Mark is intriguing, and could shed some light onto the future purpose of the Mark from a practical standpoint. With large numbers of people receiving this Mark in a very short period of time, the choosing of the right hand may be for convenience purposes. New military recruits often stand in line to receive their vaccinations, which are given into the same arm as the line advances. The same may be true for the Mark. The location on the right hand may also serve as a quick means of identifying a person for commercial reasons.


3) The great majority of people on earth will receive the Mark

The usage of the word “everyone” in Revelation 13:16, cannot mean literally everyone on planet earth will receive the Mark. We know that there will be Christians who will not receive the Mark, and they are specifically mentioned in Rev. 20:4. Apparently all types of people will be represented as bearers of the Mark [small, great, rich, poor, free, slave].

4) It will be impossible to engage in common commerce without the Mark, but there will likely be an “underground” currency and commerce system amongst those without the Mark

The statement that “no one” could buy or sell without the Mark is not intended to mean that literally no one on earth will be able to buy or sell from anyone else on planet earth. If that were so, then most, if not close to all, Christians would die of starvation or dehydration during the final years. Since many elect will be left until the end to be gathered to Jesus [Matt 24:29-31], these will need to find a way to survive during the final 3 ½ years of oppression [Rev. 12:17, 13; Daniel 7:25].

Sustenance farming and lake water purification will not be immediately available to most, so an underground commerce system will likely form. Again, the usage of “no one” in Rev. 13:17 parallels the usage of “everyone” in Rev. 13:16, detailing that the entire world common market will be governed by the beast and will necessitate having a Mark to participate in it.

5) The Mark will consist of two types.
1) The name of the beast
2) The “number” of his name
It is important to remember that not every Mark will correlate to a number. We cannot be sure weather the majority will be related to his number or his name. The fact that even today a vast majority of people are familiar with 666 makes one wonder if the majority of “Marks” will relate to his name rather than his number as many will never imagine that they have the “dreaded Mark of the beast” because it is in no way related to a number.

6) The relationship of the Mark to the number of the beast will not likely be immediately apparent. Insight and wisdom will be necessary to make the connection.

Rev. 13:18 says that the correlation of the Mark to the number of the beast requires: 1) wisdom 2) insight and 3) calculation. The Bible says this despite the fact that a few words later the number 666 is given to us. For these reasons, the Mark will likely not be a large “666” tattooed on the back of the hand. We are encouraged to keep our mind and eyes open to recognizing the Mark. It may be prudent to avoid ANY marking or implantation of the right arm or head to avoid taking a device which is later transferred to the power of the beast.
It will be easier for those who have a marking or implant for innocent reasons to conform their pre-existing device to the name of a man, than it will be for first-time receivers of the marking or implantation.

7) 666: What we know about it.
1) The number is six-hundred and sixty-six, not six, six, six. Six, six, six is three separate numbers, whereas six-hundred and sixty-six is one number. The ramifications of this difference cannot be completely known at this time, but the Scriptures are clear that the number is a singular number, not three separate side-by-side numbers. Let the reader remember this important distinction.
2) 666 is “the number of his name” meaning that it is connected, though calculation, to the beast’s name. The tying of this number to the name of the beast may mean that a literal Arabic number will not be visible on the Mark.
3) 666 is also “that of a man”. The NIV translation of “man’s number” implies that mankind has a “number” which is known and can be used for our calculations. The structure of the greek is properly denoted in the NASB and KJV. The number is “the number of a man”. Let no one be deceived into thinking that this name, or its number comes from heaven in anyway. This number comes from a man. And anyone who follows man instead of God [Galatians 1:10] is destined for an eternity apart from God.

8 Those who receive the Mark will be tormented with burning sulfur without rest forever
Rev. 14:10-11
0 Comments
AMERICA (a reorganized Babylonian empire ) Nov 19, 2008 7:01 am
260 Views
Economy

1) Controls the world via its Economic / Military / Political Superpower status
“Sits on many waters” Rev. 17:1;15
“great city that rules over the kings of the earth” Rev. 17:18

2) Exporting nation of many commercial goods: Rev.18:11-13

The long list and repetitive nature of the exported goods described in Rev. 18 prevents a figurative interpretation. Babylon will not merely specialize in one or two commercial goods, but a broad range of varied exports.

3) A Maritime Nation: Babylon will have sufficient access to the sea to export many of its goods via water so that many seafaring merchants grew rich from Babylon: Rev 18:17-19

4) A nation marked by luxury and extravagance

“her excessive luxuries” Rev 18:3

“the glory and luxury she gave herself” Rev 18

“dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls” Rev 18:16; see Rev 17:4

5) Other people will grow rich from Babylon

“and gained their wealth from her” Rev 18:15

“the merchants of the earth grew rich from her…” Rev 18:3

Morality/Spirituality

6) Well known for sexual immorality, adulteries, and prostitution: Rev. 17:1-5; 18:3

“prostitution” can refer to literal sexual immorality as well as spiritual adultery in turning away from the True God [See Hosea for example]. Other passages in revelation make it clear that Babylon is certainly not a Christian nation [take for example its persecution of believers]. prostitution and adultery in this case likely refer to both sexual and spiritual sins, though the emphasis appears to be upon Babylon’s well known sexual sins.

7) A persecuting nation:

Babylon will persecute Christians: Rev. 17:6

Babylon will be seen by all in heaven as a great persecutor

“Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets, because God has judged your judgment upon her.” Rev 18:20 [Greek]


Is held guilty for the blood of the saints, prophets, and all who have been killed:
“In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints,
and of all who have been killed on the earth." [Rev 18:24]

This point has many ramifications. Is Babylon the Great a brand-new modern nation that God holds responsible for the killing of ancient prophets? Or is Babylon the Great an ancient empire that reorganizes in future times and reinstitutes its persecution of God’s people?

The repetitive phrase “of all who have been killed on the earth” reiterates the persecution of the prophets and saints that Babylon is responsible for. The verb for “who have been killed” is “sphadzo”, which is used to describe the killing of innocent lives, esp. persecution or sacrifice.

The case for a reorganized Babylonian empire:

1) A reorganized Babylonian empire would be guilty of the blood of ancient prophets because of the link to ancient Babylon and the continuance of the same behavior of ancient Babylon. Jesus pronounced to the Pharisees that they were guilty of the ancient prophets’ blood because of their lineage and continued similar behavior. [Matt. 23:29-32]

2) The notion of a reorganized Babylonian empire which is linked to ancient Babylon is found in Jeremiah 25:12-38. The passage begins with a prophecy of ancient Babylon’s fall, which occurred in approx 539 B.C. at the hands of the Medes and Persians. But Jeremiah makes it clear that Babylon will experience punishment in two different time periods:

a) In the past: “when the seventy years are fulfilled” [70 years after Judah’s captivity began]
b) In the future: After all the kingdoms on the face of the earth have been judged

This occurs when “The LORD will roar from on high” [verse 30] and brings judgment on all mankind [verse 31], a reference to Jesus’ second coming.

3) Revelation 17:16-17 tells us that the beast’s kingdom will hate and attack Babylon and will be successful in defeating her. Daniel 11:40-45 chronicles the final battles that the beast’s kingdom will be involved in. Daniel mentions the king of the North [probably Russia] and the king of the South [probably Egypt] as countries that he engages in battle. Egypt is attacked and conquered by the beast and his kingdom. Libya and the Nubians [Sudan and southern Egypt] will also be conquered. Many other countries will fall, and one exception is given to the beast’s victories: Edom, Moab and Ammon [modern day Jordan]. The ancient Babylonian empire from 605 B.C. to 536 B.C. included Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, and several other countries [see Appendix 1]. Daniel therefore gives us documentation of the beast’s future attack and success [with one exception] against countries that were part of the ancient Babylonian empire.

9) Babylon has a corrupting effect upon the world
“who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.” Rev 19:2
“By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.” Rev 18:23


Geography / Physical characteristics 10) Composed of a main city that is part of a larger nation/empire: Rev. 18:14,21

Some have supposed that Babylon the Great is made up solely of a single city. But Revelation chapter 18 shows us the two phase destruction of Babylon that precludes the assessment that Babylon the Great is composed of only a city. In verse 14 John writes, “all your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.” Whereas in verse 21 he writes, “Then a mighty angel [said]… ‘With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.” This shows a two-phased utter destruction of Babylon. If Babylon were only a city, then the second destruction is meaningless because verse 14 states it is already destroyed.

Some have supposed that verse 14 is ancient Babylon and verse 21 is future Babylon. But verse 14 states that after that first phase of destruction, its riches and splendor are never to be recovered again. And Babylon has to attain some level of prominence to be able to sit upon the beast’s kingdom, a kingdom which we know to be a futuristic kingdom.

Therefore the only explanation for the two-phased future utter destruction of Babylon is that Babylon the Great is composed of a prominent capital city within a larger empire nation.

11) Has access to large waterways / seas: see point #3

Method of Babylon’s Future Destruction

12) Babylon will be initially attacked by the kingdom of the beast, but her final annihilation will be exacted by God when Jesus returns

Phase 1: Revelation 17:16-17 tells us that the beast and the ten horned kingdom will hate Babylon and bring her to ruin.

This likely coincides with Revelation 18:1-19 and it’s description of Babylon’s first wave of destruction.
This also likely coincides with Daniel 11:40-45 and its description of fighting between “the king” [the beast] and other kings.

This also likely coincides with the 6th Trumpet [Rev 9:13-19] and it’s description of the death of 1/3 of mankind by fire, smoke, and sulfur when the armies mobilize to prepare to advance against Israel. This massive amount of death could result from intense warfare between Israel’s common enemies before the battle of Armageddon. Two of Israel’s common enemies are the beast’s kingdom and Babylon.

Phase 2: Revelation 18:21-24 tells us that a second wave of destruction awaits Babylon. This will occur when Jesus returns as the seventh bowl states:

“God remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of His wrath.” Rev 16:19\

The ancient Babylonian Empire from 605 B.C. to 536 B.C. included the area spanned by the following modern-day countries in 2005 A.D.:

1) Egypt 2) Northern Sudan 3) Northern Saudi Arabia 4) Israel 5) Jordan 6) Syria
7) Eastern Turkey Azerbaijan 9) Georgia 10) Armenia 11) Western Iran 12) Kuwait 13) Lebanon
14) Iraq—with the capital city of Babylon
0 Comments
 

To link to this blog (Sweethoney2007) use [blog Sweethoney2007] in your messages.
48 F
Guidelines
November 2008
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
            1
 
2
4
3
  		4
  		5
2
6
2
7
5
8
5
9
5
10
4
11
7
12
4
13
5
14
1
15
 
16
1
17
2
18
  		19
2
20
1
21
  		22
 
23
  		24
1
25
1
26
1
27
1
28
1
29
3
30
2
           

Recent Visitors
VisitorAgeSexDate
BelovedByHim 47F1/7
countryboy1962 46M1/7
musicman62 50M1/7
svofgh 64M1/5
seekingtruth3 53M1/5
Claudia_T 51F1/5
Noah235 51M1/4
44522333M1/3
godschoice200856M1/3
melvine47439M1/3
Most Recent Comments by Others
PostPosterPost Date
LAW KEEPING WILL SEND YOU TO HELL....BUT OHHHHHH THE BLOOD OF JESUS IT WASHES WHITE AS SNOW!!!!Sweethoney2007Jan 8 9:49 am
JESUS CAME TO DESTROY THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL( MANIFEST IN THE CARNAL UNSAVED PERSON).Claudia_TJan 4 10:40 pm
THE FLATTERING TOUNGEchocnrosesJan 2 7:58 pm
SALVATION IS GODS DECISION AND NOT MANS.Sweethoney2007Jan 2 11:32 am
IT TAKES 1000 POINTS TO ENTER INTO HEAVEN........OR GRACE.......godschoice2008Jan 1 9:57 pm
ONLY BY UNDERSTANDING GRACE DOES ONE TRULY KNOW JESUS!!!Sweethoney2007Dec 31 9:10 am
A WORD FROM THE LORD TO DENNISSweethoney2007Dec 30 7:38 am
TWELVE QUESTIONS FOR CHRISTMAS! CHRISTMAS TRIVIASweethoney2007Dec 22 8:30 am
GOD IS PRO LIFEwpx1Dec 21 2:23 am
The Tablecloth Christmas StorySweethoney2007Dec 19 8:19 pm
STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES....HOW STUPID ARE YOU? THE STUPID TEST.Sweethoney2007Dec 17 6:01 pm