Time is drawing near to a close. And I’ve known this for a bit now.
It’s one thing to know by seeing the world around us and the seemingly endless occurrences of climatic events. But when you take the time to see that the Bible has predicted historic events with 100 percent accuracy and then take a look at what it says about the times we are in… you really get a deeper and more pressing understanding of the times ahead of us.
It’s with the deepest sadness that I’ve attempted to garner the interests of people about this subject only to meet little enthusiasm. Time and time again, we overlook the warnings that are presented before us. God speaks in many ways… sometimes it’s a near death experience. Sometimes, a natural disaster or a catastrophic event such as the recent fires in California or large scale earthquakes. Sometimes, it’s a seemingly crazy person yelling in the street. If you don’t think God speaks through “crazy” people yelling in the street, go read the book of Ezekiel. You will probably look at “crazy” people yelling in the street as reasonable citizens after that.
I digress. The bottom line is, according to the Word of God, 6 out of 7 seals have been opened. Jesus is in His final phase of ministry. The angels are giving their final warnings. If that sounds too much like Bible “mumbo jumbo” then let me put it in reasonable terms. The Bible expresses that time is drawing near its close and a major event ahead of us is the time of the “mark of the beast”.
Some of you don’t know what that is so to put it plainly, it’s when we are forced to worship in a particular way by penalty of death if resisted.
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.
Rev 13:15
Many people think they will recognize this “mark of the beast” with ease and reject it. But the Bible sings a different tune.
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:
Rev 13:16
That word “all” is a relative term. All as in “most people”. I believe it’s relative because there are those who will not bow down to the beast in Rev 14:12.
Things have been in motion for years and the only reason why we are even still on this Earth is because God is desperately trying to wake His people up and prepare them for this time of trouble (Rev 7:1–3). God has plainly said that if anyone worships the Beast {btw, Beast is just another term for Kingdom or “nation” (Dan 7:23)} they will be tormented (Rev 14: 9–11).
God is a righteous God. He is merciful but He isn’t a liar. And from the looks of it, most people will be heading towards this painful experience (Rev 14:9–12).
With all this speak of doom and gloom, the Bible gives a remedy. Well, first off, Revelation speaks of a time, after all these atrocities, where God’s people will be in God’s presence again.
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”
Rev 21:3
There is a simple way to avoid the “mark of the beast” even if you don’t know what it is. Notice, I said simple, not easy. It’s by keeping the Commandments of God and there are only 10 of them. You can find them all in Exodus 20:2–17.
What makes it hard isn’t the keeping of these basic rules of
We know it’s wrong to steal because there is a man-made law against stealing and man-made penalties for it. But there is no man-made law against idolatry. There is no man-made law against saying God’s name in vain. And there is no man-made law against not keeping the Seventh-day Sabbath. Don’t get me wrong, freedom of religion is good! In fact, the mark of the beast is the opposite of freedom of religion but we do not effectively teach the first 4 Commandments from a religious standpoint.
However, we haven’t been trained in these Commandments so our sin has taken rule over our mind in
The Bible plainly says that keeping them is the way to avoid the “mark of the beast” and gain access to the tree of life which will sustain our lives for eternity. This includes the widely rejected Seventh Day Sabbath (Exodus 20:8–11)
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
Rev 14:12
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
Rev 22:14
Notice the first verse says and the faith of Jesus. No man-made attempt to be pure will be enough. We must believe in and submit ourselves to Jesus Christ or we will not be saved. Once submitted to Him, it’s imperative that we confess our sins and get in a very strong relationship with Him (1Jn 1:9, Matt 7:21–23). This is the only way we will stand in this coming trouble.
I’ve been reading about how Christians have been persecuted for their faith and how atrocious the acts against them are. This will continue to happen but this mark of the beast will affect all people. Many will be tormented, not by evil men, but by the wrath of God, the Creator, because they participate in the destruction of His people on a worldwide scale. The whole world will be against true Christians which forces God to act.
The sad thing is, many won’t understand why they are persecuting true Christians. By willfully disobeying God in the small matters or even some bigs ones, like rejecting His Commandments, God will allow the devil to deceive many. (2Th 2:10–12, Rev 12:9)
Thus, a great many will find themselves experiencing God’s wrath which has been withheld for a great deal of time.
The only Salvation is in Jesus Christ. And, through Him, we are able to do His Will and serve Him. God bless You all and may His peace be with you.