The Mark of the Beast
Notes
Transcript
The Mark of the Beast
The Mark of the Beast
16 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:
17 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.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
What a topic!!!!
As we look into “Eschatology” the study of “things to come” we see some amazing things to study, learn and wonder about - much is a mystery and will be revealed to us in days to come…
Some of the study of prophecy is clear as we compare scripture with scripture and other areas are filled with supposition and conjecture.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
clearly there are blessings tied to the reading, hearing the words of this prophecy...
Of course it is dealing with the book of Revelation -
Sometimes people will inadvertently say that it was the Revelation of John - and even songs are written — John the revelator...
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ -
John was merely the witness of the record… giving / relaying the Testimony of Jesus Christ.
Now, as we look at the scriptures in Revelation, we want to make sure that we do not just guess at what these prophecies mean...
I will be very honest - as I look at things to come, and I look at things that are… I am more inclined to study and to teach the things that deal with what are...
Mission -
Go - obedience
Win / Warn - spread the gospel
Baptize
Teach / disciple
Sin
Salvation
Service
Sanctification
Sovereignty
These all have practical life application
Marriage
Childrearing
Love, grace, mercy, forgiveness
I am saying this, not to minimize the value of studying Eschatology, but to recognize that we could be well versed in:
The Seven Churches - Rev 1-3
The Seven Seals - Rev 4-8
The Seven Trumpets - Rev 9-12
The Seven Vials - Rev 13-18
The Seven “Last Things” of Rev 19-22
So as we study - we can have understanding and insight, but the knowledge of end times can become a hobby horse and could cause us to be so consumed with symbolism and typography that we disregard the very clear truths of scripture.
Now - unlike our 7th day adventist friends, who have gotten completely off on the end times bandwagon...
They do not believe that the mark of the beast is a mark at all - it is only symbolic - referencing worship only - but
the Bible is clear that there are:
RIGHTS and
RESTRICTIONS IN REFERENCE TO HAVING OR NOT HAVING THIS MARK.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16 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:
The Mark of the Beast -
What is the mark of the Beast?
Bar Code
Micro-chip
Monster energy drink
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Video - company - 2017 had a chip party - microchip...
What is the Mark?
1. It is an impression...
1. It is an impression...
χάραγμα = Char-Ag-Ma
Mark - Impression, inscribed, branded, -
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament A. In the Greek World.
1. χάραγμα is an engraved, etched, branded, or inscribed “mark” or “sign.” Closest to the original sense of χαράσσω (→ line 17 f.; 418, 3ff.) is the earliest example in Soph. Phil., 267, where χάραγμα denotes the bite of a snake. Elsewhere the term means an “inscription,” e.g.
2. It is a number
2. It is a number
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
3. It is an identifier
3. It is an identifier
Identifier of:
Identity
Worship
Beast - The Antichrist
We have to remember that Satan has trinity - as God has a trinity.
God the Father
God the Son
God the Holy Spirit
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Satan - The Dragon
Beast - The Antichrist
False Prophet
The battle is over who is to be worshipped...
We know that God is ultimately going to receive the worship...
3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
The wonderful thing is, that the saved will not be here during the events of the mark of the beast...
We looked a few weeks ago about the rapture, and that we as the children of God will be raptured - from the grave or from among the living - before the tribulation period begins...
The tribulation period - 7 year period - is divided into two 42 month periods...
7 x 12= 84 months -
as Daniel prophesied (confirmed by revelation) it is in 2 - 3 1/2 year periods - 42 months...
The first 42 months will begin with the signing of a treaty with Israel - it will be short lived and in the midst of the treaty - He will break the treaty...
it will be during the 2nd half of the tribulation period - great tribulation - that the persecution and wrath will be unleashed -
4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
So - it the mark something to be worried about?
chip???
spooky - yes
fall into the dialogue? absolutely
But… the mark of the beast isn’t a reality until the 2nd half of the tribulation period...