Sunday, January 31, 2016

Some Thoughts on the Mark of the Beast






Carbon
Life is based on the chemical and physical properties of the element carbon. It is not a plentiful substance and only makes up about 0.025 percent of the Earth's crust. However, carbon reacts with more other atoms and forms more compounds than all the other elements put together. Pure carbon can be found in three different forms; diamond, graphite and carbon black. Diamond and graphite are both crystalline but differ the way their atoms are arranged. Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance known, while graphite is soft and slippery. Graphite is also a good conductor of both heat and electricity and is used as a lubricant and as the "lead" of pencils. Both diamond and graphite can be made artificially and are usually inert but, under the right circumstances, can be made combine with oxygen. Diamonds do burn.
Carbon black is amorphous. Examples include charcoal, coal, and coke, all of which are the products of oxidation and breakdown of organic compounds. Coal and coke, are used as fuels. Charcoal is used as a filtering agent, a fuel and as part of gunpowder. Carbon black also is added to the rubber in tires where it makes the tires last longer.


Compounds of Carbon
About 0.03 percent (by volume) of the Earth's atmosphere is carbon dioxide and more carbon is found as marble, limestone, chalk, coal, petroleum, and natural gas in the Earth's crust. Human scientists have recognized or synthesized more than 1,000,000 carbon compounds, and many new ones are added each year to the list. This diversity of organic forms stems from the capacity of carbon atoms to unite not only with other carbon atoms but also with a large variety of other atoms. Carbon compounds and their chemistry are a specialized field of study called organic chemistry, so called because early chemists thought that all carbon compounds originated in living organisms.
Organic carbon compounds make up about 18 percent of all the matter in living things. In these molecules, carbon joins up with hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous and sulfur to make the large and small building blocks of life.

Reference:- http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/ahp/SDPS/AtomCarbon.html




Revelation 13:11-18
Rev 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. Rev 13:13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men(G444), Rev 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. Rev 13:15 And he had power to give life(G4151) unto the image(G1504) 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 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive(G1325) a mark(G5480) in their right hand, or in their foreheads(G3359): Rev 13:17 And that no man(G5100) might buy or sell, save he that had the mark(G5480), or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man(G444); and his number is Six hundred threescore and six(G5516).
 


 Definitions
Image – G1504 – eikōn [Strongs] From G1503; a likeness, that is, (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance: - image. [Vines] eikon denotes "an image;" the word involves the two ideas of representation and manifestation.

Life – G4151 - pneuma
[Strongs] From G4154; a current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively a spirit, that is, (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vitalprinciple, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, daemon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy spirit: - ghost, life, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind. [Vines] pnuema denotes “spirit," also denotes "breath,"
Receive – G1325 – didōmi
[Strongs] A prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternate in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection): - adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
[Vines] In Rev 13:16 didomi is translated "to receive" (marg., "to give them"), RV, "(that) there be given (them)."

Mark – G5480 – Charagma
[Strongs] - From the same as G5482; a scratch or etching, that is, stamp (as a badge of servitude), or sculptured figure (statue): - graven, mark.
[Vines] - denotes "a stamp, impress," translated "mark" in Rev_13:16,17, etc.

Forehead – G3359 – Metopon
[Strongs] - ōps (the face); the forehead (as opposite the countenance): - forehead.
[Vines] - metapon from meta, "with," and ops, "an eye," occurs only in the Apocalypse, Rev 7:3; Rev 9:4; Rev 13:16; Rev 14:1,9; Rev 17:5; Rev 20:4; Rev 22:4.

Six Hundred Threescore and Six – G5516 - chi xi stigma
[Strongs] The 22nd, 14th and an obsolete letter (G4742 as a cross) of the Greek alphabet (intermediate between the 5th and 6th), used as numbers; denoting respectively 600, 60 and 6; 666 as a numeral: - six hundred threescore and six.
Stigma (Greek) - G4742
[Strongs] From a primary word (to “stick”, that is, prick); a mark incised or punched (for recognition of ownership), that is, (figuratively) scar of service: - mark.


Man – G5100 – Tis
[Strongs] An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object: - a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, -thing, -what), (+ that no-) thing, what (-soever), X wherewith, whom [-soever], whose ([-soever]).

Man – G444 – Anthropos
[Strongs] From G435 and (the countenance; from G3700); manfaced, that is, a human being: - certain, man. [Thayers]from (435) and ops (the countenance, from (3700)); man-faced, i.e. a human being
Note: Anthropos in the Greek is never used to identify a certain man with an identity. The exception often used is Mathew 9:9 yet in this passage the author has added the name Matthew while the narrative is referring to Jesus simply seeing a certain man without identity.
Mat 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. References:-

Walter Bauers Greek Lexicon

http://www.scribd.com/doc/52343287/Greek-Lexicon

Thayers Greek Lexicon (I took an image of the relevant page from my version as I can no longer find the PDF online - will update if I find it)

 
Vines Expository Dictionary


 http://www2.mf.no/bibel/vines.html


The Mark of God

First let's establish that there is a mark of God in the Scriptures and its meaning can be summed up easily with one simple scripture.
1Ti 1:5Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
Let's list some scriptures which refer to this mark or seal.
Rev 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Rev 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

Eze 9:4 And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheadsof the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. Eze 9:5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Eze 9:6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.
Exo 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 in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.
Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deu 6:6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: Deu 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deu 6:8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.

Luk 10:27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. Luk 10:28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Deu 11:18Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.

The previous scriptures clearly show that those who are marked by God hold fast to the two greatest commandments and thus abhor sin.

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Mat 22:38This is the first and great commandment. Mat 22:39And the secondislike unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Mat 22:40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
It is those who keep the commandments which shall inherit eternal life.

Rev 22:14 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.
 


 Slaves to Whom You Obey

Both the Mark of God and the Mark of the Beast are stamps of servitude which denote whose master one serves.
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?



 One Cannot Serve Two Masters

The Bible clearly teaches that one cannot serve two masters. It is a teaching which is repeated many times throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
Jesus taught clearly that one's “eye” must be singly focused on the Lord. Carefully read this scripture.
Mat 6:22The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. Mat 6:23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how greatisthat darkness! Mat 6:24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. The above scripture clearly shows Jesus teaching that one can have a light in them which in reality is darkness and that such a darkness is great indeed. This is a very prudent warning regarding self deception. We have to carefully examine ourselves making sure that we are not double-minded.
2Co 13:5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Here are some more scriptures which deal with being singly and double-minded.
Col 3:22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Rom 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Rom 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Rom 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Jas 1:6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. Jas 1:8A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.


 Serving Two Masters Is Spiritual Adultery

Jer 3:1 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD. Hos 2:5 For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink. Hos 7:8 Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned. Hos 7:9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.
Mat 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
Mat 16:4A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.


We Are To Die That We Might Live

Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If anymanwill come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Mat 16:25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Gal 2:20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Heb 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Heb 9:16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. Heb 9:17For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Rom 12:1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The Mark of the Beast

If the principle behind the Mark of God is spiritual as opposed to a literal mark when why would the principle behind the Mark of the Beast be any different?

Remember that “forehead” in Revelation literally means “with an eye.”

Remember the scripture quoted earlier.

Mat 6:22The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. Mat 6:23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how greatisthat darkness!
Jesus taught that we must pluck out the sinful eye of the flesh and cut off the sinful hand of the flesh. What is He talking about? He is teaching that we are to by singly fixated upon the Lord. It is impossible to serve two masters.

Mat 5:28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Mat 5:29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and castitfrom thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and notthatthy whole body should be cast into hell. Mat 5:30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and castitfrom thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and notthatthy whole body should be cast into hell.
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water andofthe Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Joh 3:6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Joh 3:7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

We are saved by the washing of regeneration. It is through this process that our old nature is put off and we become a new creation in Christ.

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Those who have the Mark of the Beast are those who have not plucked out the sinful eye, they have not crucified the old man and thus they are not truly born again. They do not love God with all their soul, strength and mind.

Is it possible that the Mark of the Beast is the mark of the man who follows after the flesh? Scripture bears out that the Mark of God is that of the man who follows after the Spirit. There are only two ways a man can really go illustrated in Scripture, one way that leads to life and another way that leads to death.

Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,


The Number of a Man

“Six hundred threescore and six” or “666” in the Greek is “chi xi stigma.” It is of interest that the word stigma, like mark, denotes a badge of servitude or ownership.

As mentioned earlier, all life is carbon based. Carbon is the most common element in the human body and when all the water is removed it measures up to approximately 18% of the mass of the body. What is interesting is that the atomic number for Carbon is 6 with a mass of 12.0107 amu which means that the Carbon element in its stable form consists of 6 protons, 6 neutrons, and 6 electrons. Truly this is the element of the flesh. Does the Carbon atom bare a relation to 666, I don't think it is conclusive but it is something that is definitely noteworthy.

As noted in the definitions, the word “anthropos” in Revelelation 13:18 is referring to mankind as opposed to a particular individual. If the “man” in question were to be a particular individual then the Greek word “Tis” would have been used. Anthropos is always used when it is referring to a man in the general sense of the term and never for a particular individual (see the Thayers reference above). Thus the “Six hundred threescore and six as the number of a man," appears to me, to be in the context of mankind and not in relation to a particular individual. This conclusion also fits well with the context of scripture in regards to the teachings about the flesh versus the spirit.



God's Image

Rom 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 1Co 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 1Co 15:49And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2Co 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 2Co 4:4 In whomthe god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2Co 4:5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 2Co 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2Co 4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Col 3:5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: Col 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: Col 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; Col 3:10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 
 

Second Beast and the Image

The second beast has two horns which appear as a lamb yet it speaks the language of the dragon. This beast is able to deceive those on the earth by calling fire down from heaven in the sight of men, amongst other miracles. This beast also causes the people to make an image and is able to give life to this image. The image is a likeness or resemblance of Christ which is created within the mind of the carnal man. To the natural man it looks like the real thing because such cannot discern due to being in bondage to the spirit of error (1Jn 4:6). This image is Satan's absolute masterpiece and it fools the whole world, even those who deny the Bible. Through this false Jesus the Second Beast is able to get the entire world to worship the Dragon, both those that profess a belief in the Bible and those that do not (everyone is serving the flesh due to the mark engrained in the mind).

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bown down to the false image in the book of Daniel and had to endure fire. Yet it was through this fire that they walked with the Son of Man. Is it any different for those whom truly follow God today?

Dan 3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Dan 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Dan 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, Rom 1:23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Rom 1:25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them


The Falling Away and the Strong Delusion

Falling Away – G646 - apostasia Feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth (properly the state), (“apostasy”): - falling away, forsake.

2Th 2:3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away(G646) first, and that man(G444) of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 2Th 2:4 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.

“Anthropos” is used for man in the above scripture as opposed to “Tis.” Paul was saying that the falling away would occur and that the man of sin would be revealed. The falling away from the truth or apostasy has already occurred because, throughout the world, the Jesus that is mostly being preached is a Jesus acceptant of those whom are double minded whom have not forsaken their sin. A gospel message has been very carefully crafted which teaches that men are covered in their ongoing rebellion and thus appear as righteous before God, certainly a retelling of "ye can sin and not surely die.
 
The man of sin has been revealed in those whom sit in their own temple and sit as their own god. The god of self. The God of self only sits upon the throne of those whom have not crucified themselves to sin in repentance, thus the sin never stops because the self service has never ceased. The grain of wheat in this case simply has not died (Joh 12:24).


We are the temple of God.

2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2Co 6:17Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing;and I will receive you,
The above scripture clearly lays out the two conditions of coming out and touching not the unclean thing as being required for one to be received by God. This is the complete opposite to the saved in sins message being preached almost universally today. Today the Gospel is preached in reverse where people a falsely taught that God receives them BEFORE they come out from among them and that they still continue to touch the unclean thing. Sanctification in the modern church system is sinning less and less or rebelling less and less, the false convert still remains a servant of sin.

Paul taught that if we defile the temple we will be destroyed.

1Co 3:16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 1Co 3:17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

The mystery of iniquity is an interesting subject.

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

Jesus calls the many, who profess Jesus Christ as Lord yet are shockingly rejected at the judgment, "workers of iniquity."

The mystery of iniquity is a reference to the powers of darkness and the mystery which surrounds them. The powers of darkness are the forces which operate unseen in the spiritual realm and are made manifest through man in the natural.
It is important to realise that evil is a mystery because it can only function through deception, in other words a darkened mind which cannot perceive the way things actually are. Evil is always destructive and ultimately serves to the benefit of no-one save as an example of what not ought be done (hence grace abounding, Rom 5:20). It is only through delusion that an individual willfully engages in evil (for the temporal is exchanged for the eternal which is illogical).  It is the powers of darkness which lie at the root of iniquity.
  Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

One way that these forces influence men is through the philosophy long taught by the ancient mystery religion (Mystery Schools) out of which systems such as Neo-Platonism and Gnosticism developed. It is interesting to note that the idea behind the Greek word used for "mystery" in the biblical text actually denotes the silence imposed through the initiation which occurred in the various schools of the ancient mystery religion.

Mystery – G3466 – mustērion [Strongs]
[Strongs]From a derivative of μύω muō (to shut the mouth); a secret or “mystery” (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites): - mystery.

The powers of darkness have been able to thoroughly pervert Christianity by introducing pagan philosophies into the early church which today stand as the root upon which much false theology is built. In the early Church we find the Spirit of Truth battling against these false teachings through the witness of the apostles and the rest of the early Christians. That which letteth (hold down) in 2Thess2:7 was the Spirit of Truth possessed by those who were contending for the faith. As time progressed and early Christianity became corrupted this witness of the Holy Spirit decreased which consequently allowed the increase of all manner of perversions and false doctrine.

Christianity today has become so corrupted that the Spirit of Truth has been, for all practical purposes, completely removed which is why the delusion works so effectually in the minds of the people.

Rome began to introduce many corrupt teachings into the Church once its ecclesiastical structure was established. Even though the reformers, such as Martin Luther, cast off many of the traditions of Catholicism and rejected the authority of the Pope, they still built their foundation upon earlier corruptions such as the dualism (Original Sin) which entered orthodox church teaching primarily through the work of Augustine of Hippo back in the fourth century. These corruptions have been very effective in making null and void many of the very simple teachings that Jesus taught.

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 2Th 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 2Th 2:9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2Th 2:11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2Th 2:12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Notice that it is God that sends this delusion and the reason He sends it is because the people did not receive a love of the truth. It is not enough to simply know truth, the truth must be loved. I believe God send delusion simply by giving people over to a reprobate mind.

Judgment begins at the house of God.

1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?



Buying and Selling

Rev 13:17 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.
You do not want to be buying and selling when the Lord returns.
Mat 13:44Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Mat 13:45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Mat 13:46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
We must buy that gold that is refined in the fire that we may be able to see and thus able to be clothed in white which represents purity of heart.

Rev 3:14And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; Rev 3:15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. Rev 3:16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Rev 3:17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: Rev 3:18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, andthatthe shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. Rev 3:19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

The foolish virgins had no light and were out buying when the Lord came. The Lord never knew them and they were workers of iniquity (Mat 7:23).

How do we buy the oil for our lamps? Simple, we forsake our sin, in both body and mind, and we yield back to the Lord, who then empowers us to live a holy life. Our lamps burn bright when this occurs. We no longer need to go and buy the oil as we have an abundance.

Jesus taught this principle in both the parable of the man who sold everything he had in order purchase the field with the treasure, and also in the parable of the one who sold all that in order to purchase the pearl of great price. In these parables they made their transaction. They had given up the world, they had given up that which was temporal in exchange for that which is eternal. They had made their transaction in repentance. They had tasted the prize and simply needed to hold it close and endure to the end lest they lose it.

We need to make that transaction while we are still in the day. We do not want to be trying to make it when it is too late.


Mat 25:8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. Mat 25:9But the wise answered, saying,Not so;lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. Mat 25:10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Mat 25:11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. Mat 25:12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 7:22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat 7:23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Having made such a transaction, ff one is to preach true repentance and faith today, ie. that one must forsake all known sin through a broken godly sorrow BEFORE forgiveness is granted, they will simply not be welcome to engage (buy and sell) in the church system. If one is to contend earnestly that all willful sin must stop once and for all as a condition for forgiveness, that one will not be welcome to theologically engage in the church system.

To expose the false teachings of being born a sinner as well as substitution will mark one as a heretic to be avoided. Remember that John the Baptist was one who preached in the wilderness, his message would not have been welcome in the Synagogue.

God is calling people out of the church system and its false doctrines. Heed the warnings of Jesus and do what He plainly taught that one must do.

Go and sin no more!






Summary and Conclusion

My understanding of Revelation 13:11-18 is that it is speaking of a false religious system that worships another Jesus and dispenses a false salvation as a gift (the mark is received). Theris also  a false holy spirit (fire coming down from Heaven, Acts 2:1-4) and many lying signs and wonders. Those who refuse to bow down and worship this false Jesus are killed (deprived of eternal life/cast out/labeled heretics) and cannot buy and sell (participate) in the false religious system.
The Second Beast consists of a multitude of false teachers, who through their theology, cause the whole world to worship the beast (self worship having never come to a real repentance). Thus those within and without the apostate church are worshiping the beast.
This prophecy has already occurred and it is in full effect today yet it appears that very few can see it.
In Jeremiah's day the religious system was apostate, blind and deceived. In Jesus' day the religious system was apostate, blind and deceived. Today why would it be any different? As yourself that question. WHY WOULD IT BE ANY DIFFERENT TODAY?

Remember there are only two ways. One road to life and one road to death. One road is narrow and difficult and it takes a lot of effort to endure, whilst the other is wide and easy and takes little thought or consideration. Only a very few will find the narrow way and even fewer will be able to endure it to the end.
Which road are you on? Which mark do you have?
Question
Luk 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
Answer
Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Luk 13:25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:
Luk 13:26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.
Luk 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.
2Ti_2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

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