Mark of the Beast

[Geo17]

One of the hardest things about interpreting the Bible is discerning what applied to ancient times, what applies to now, and how some verses have dual meanings applying to both. I think this is especially true of the book of Revelation. We also have to compare Revelation to the prophesy in Daniel that he was told to seal up. The angel said those who live in the times it applies to will understand it. History is full of people who thought they understood these prophesies but were wrong. I have learned to be ultra cautious in believing anyone who claims to know what Revelation means.

I think we’re in the latter end times, but I wouldn’t bet on it. I think that as long as we have cash in this world, the mark of the beast cannot happen. Therefore, I’d say we should resist those who want to bring about a cashless society. But then I remember that God’s will can’t be stopped. We can only fight against the devil. IMO what this world needs to do is to obey God.

My generation had a lot to do with America becoming the sinful nation you see today. You also won’t find many others from my generation willing to admit this. Most older folks love to blame everything on the younger generations. But I’m exceptionally honest. I pray you younger folks can fix some of the harm we caused. When I was a teen abortion was illegal which helped young people avoid sex before marriage. Fornication and adultery was frowned on so much that many people just didn’t do it. I also have good memories of almost all stores being closed on Sunday. It was the Lord’s day. A few bad things were the Mass being said in Latin, so most of us didn’t really understand the significance of it. Along with this, priests and nuns didn’t want us asking questions, and they certainly didn’t want us reading the Bible. America was changing too fast in the 1960’s and 70’s and us young people thought we knew what was best. We didn’t and we proved that “there is a way that seems right to a man but the end of it is the ways of death”. Today I fear America may soon die. Only God can help us, and we need to return to God’s ways. We need to do this as both, individuals and as a nation.

 

[MrSnaith]

While much of Revelations refers to what is happening during John’s own lifetime, and the time shortly thereafter, Revelations also makes reference to the judgement day. This means that it contains within it a long range of prophecy.

I’m going to make the assumption here that the Beast and Antichrist are “on the stage”, so to speak, during the end times.

So, given this, we see that the Mark is received upon worshipping the image of the Beast. Thus, to receive this mark, one must renounce Faith in Christ, and enter into the idol worship of the Beast.

If one does not have this Mark, then one is unable to buy or sell. Effectively, it seems the Mark is used to enforce the worship of the Beast. If you don’t, essentially you’re dead, being unable to buy (or trade/sell for) the simple necessities of life.

What I see as being necessary for this to occur are three things:

1. A cashless society. This has to be so because the Antichrist must have complete control of all wealth. If he does not, then you can imagine “black markets” or hidden markets arising uncontrolled by him, making it possible to buy and sell without the Mark.
2. A one-world government. This has to be so because in order to implement the “Mark” system, there has to be universal jurisdiction of the ruling power. Without this, there may be some countries that refuse to implement this “Mark” system.
3. A widespread cultural/moral repugnance toward Catholicism/Christianity. This must be so otherwise there would be too great a rebellion against the “Mark” system, which enforces an ideal that is the antithesis of Christianity.

I also happen to think that when this happens the great divisions in Christianity (Orthodox Schism, Anglican and Protestant divisions, etc.) will have been healed, but I don’t know if I could make an effective case for this.

Anyway, as far as the three points I mentioned, I think our world has been heading in this direction steadily for a long time, and it’s accelerating now.

 

[Cromwell4]

Today everyone is touched by the ‘Mark of the Beast’ altho we don’t seem to realize it.

Each time you use your banking ‘card’ you accept the number which is on forehead (brain) and on your hand. It is now virtually impossible to buy or sell without using this number.
Same sex, euthanasia, sodomy, abortion, fornication, adultery, gluttony, drunkenness, pornography — in fact all Seven Deadly Sins are nowadays accepted as ‘normal’. So it is pretty obvious we are in the Last days.

 

[Matt_Guitar_Man]

Today everyone is touched by the ‘Mark of the Beast’ altho we don’t seem to realize it.

Each time you use your banking ‘card’ you accept the number which is on forehead (brain) and on your hand. It is now virtually impossible to buy or sell without using this number.
Same sex, euthanasia, sodomy, abortion, fornication, adultery, gluttony, drunkenness, pornography — in fact all Seven Deadly Sins are nowadays accepted as ‘normal’. So it is pretty obvious we are in the Last days.

Yes this is true, however all of these things were accepted and going on in johns day. Nero was married twice in a same sex union, and read a little about Culligulas rule? I am sure John thought he was in the last days and he was right the last days have been happening for 2000 years.

 

[mikekle]

Today everyone is touched by the ‘Mark of the Beast’ altho we don’t seem to realize it.

Each time you use your banking ‘card’ you accept the number which is on forehead (brain) and on your hand. It is now virtually impossible to buy or sell without using this number.
Same sex, euthanasia, sodomy, abortion, fornication, adultery, gluttony, drunkenness, pornography — in fact all Seven Deadly Sins are nowadays accepted as ‘normal’. So it is pretty obvious we are in the Last days.

I agree, plus, everyone thinks nothing of using these ‘tools’ and once they come out with a credit card that can be implanted, people will be lining up for it! They wont have to fool anyone, people will openly accept it! Sad to see so many people being totally hoodwinked and they have absolutely no clue its even going on, or the extent! lol

 

[thequeen]

I believe it is referring to stuff going on in the first century.

 

[Matt_Guitar_Man]

I am of th opinion that dispensational theology has had such an influence that an undue emphasis of consecutive lineal interpretation is placed on St Jons revelation. I beleive it makes much more sense when viewed from a concurrent timeless eternal view point.

 

[PNEUMA]

Yes this is true, however all of these things were accepted and going on in johns day. Nero was married twice in a same sex union, and read a little about Culligulas rule? I am sure John thought he was in the last days and he was right the last days have been happening for 2000 years.

John, Paul and all the others were in the last days of the old covenant world. The Apostolic church is the new Jerusalem, outside of it, is hell.

 

[mikekle]

I believe it is referring to stuff going on in the first century.

So, you are saying everything said to lead up to the second coming has already happened and not relevant in our time?

Does this mean that the second coming will also not happen?

 

[PNEUMA]

So, you are saying everything said to lead up to the second coming has already happened and not relevant in our time?

Does this mean that the second coming will also not happen?

Of course it will happen and have happened, Jesus comes to everyone, he just haven’t come to you yet.