REVELATION 13: THE COALITION OF EVIL - PART 2
Updated: Apr 4
THE TWO-HORNED BEAST - REVELATION 13:11-17
"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 13:11
The first beast of Revelation 13 is the most powerful end-time RELIGIOUS power in the world. The second beast of Rev 13 is the most powerful end-time POLITICAL power in the world. THE LAST TWO END-TIME SUPERPOWERS ARE HERE.
The founders of the United States were very much oppossed to the Papal principle of uniting Church and State. They knew too well the intolerance and persecution which had endured for centuries in Europe. It took well over a hundred years of Catholic immigration, political manouvering and media brainwashing, before the American people were willing to elect their first Roman Catholic president in the 1960s. Even then they only did so after he had publicly repudiated the Catholic principle of uniting Church with State. JFK was later shot dead in the back of his limousine.
It was not until 1984 that the US sent its first “ambassador to the Vatican” and since then they have worked more and more closely. The most graphic accomplishment of the Roman~American connection was seen in the fall of the Berlin Wall and the break up of Soviet Communism. The attack on the King of the South (Atheism - Daniel 11:40) had begun. The last two end-time superpowers are here.
Papal Rome had led many of God’s people into prisons & dungeons during the Dark Ages so itself goes into captivity when the Pope was taken prisoner by the French armies in 1798. "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints." Rev 13:10
Papal Rome slew millions of Bible believing christians and true to Rev 13:10 was itself 'killed' by the sword. The papal state power was dead and the grave, into which the dead enter, is called the prison house (See Isa 14:17-19). The papacy was captive in death. Having used the sword to slay the saints, the sword (military power) of France slew the church of Rome in 1798 (cf. verse 3). “They that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” (Matt 26:52). This verse also indicates that Christ’s followers are not kill (John 18:36).
"[The French general] Berthier entered Rome on 10th February 1798, and proclaimed a Republic. The aged Pontiff refused to violate his oath by recognizing it, and was hurried from prison to prison in France. Broken with fatigue and sorrows, he died...[in] August 1799, in the French fortress of Valence...No wonder that half Europe thought... that with the Pope the papacy was dead." Lectures on the History of Religions, vol 3, lec. 24, p1. J. Rickaby or The Modern papacy, J. Rickaby (A Catholic Jesuit) p 9.
“The papacy was extinct: not a vestige of its existence remained; and among all the Roman Catholic powers not a finger was stirred in its defence. The eternal city had no longer prince or pontiff; its bishop was dying a captive in foreign lands; and the decree was announced that no successor would be allowed in his place.” Rome: From the Fall of the Western Empire, George Trevor, p440. cf. Dan 7:25; 11:33-35
“In 1798 General Berthier made his entrance into Rome, abolished the papal government, and established a secular one.” -Encyclopedia Britannica 1941 edition.
As the first beast, Papal Rome, went into captivity in 1798, there is seen rising another beast from the earth in the 1700s
ONLY ONE NATION FITS THE TIMELINE - THE USA.
It is no surprise that the most powerful nation on earth figures in Bible prophecy. This now dominant nation, emerged relatively peacefully in the late 1700s to independent power, in the great wilderness land discovered by Columbus and known as The New World. It has since grown to super power status and will play a significant and terrible role in the last days of this earth's history.
verse 11 And I beheld another beast...
A beast symbolises a kingdom or nation (Dan 7:23; 8:20-22). “another” beast means another nation distinct and seperate from the preceeding papal beast. Here then is described the rise of another nation. The clues show that this beast symbolizes the USA...
A beast in prophecy is symbolic of a power or kingdom – Daniel 7:23, 8:21-22.
This is another beast distinct from the Papal Beast & exists with it - v 14
This beast arises after “the first beast before him”– verse 12
It arises around the time the first beast goes into captivity - 1798
This beast (kingdom) arises from the EARTH rather than the SEA.
The SEA is symbolic of nations & wicked people - Rev 17:15, Isa 57:20
The conflict between nations (SEA) leads to the rise and fall of the 7 beasts.
In contrast, the EARTH represents a sparsely populated area.
Recall the woman (God’s church) was persecuted by the Dragon in Rev 12:13
The Dragon sends a symbolic flood after her … Rev 12:15
The Woman fled into the wilderness in Rev 12:6 to escape from the Dragon.
The wilderness: a place prepared by God for her where she is FED - Rev 12:6
In Rev 12:14, she flees into the wilderness & is NOURISHED there.
She is fed / nourished by the two witnesses of Rev 11 – the scriptures.
We are told the EARTH helped the woman – Rev 12:16
The EARTH swallowed up the Dragon’s flood in Rev 12:16
Hence the EARTH is the place prepared by God for her where she is FED.
A place in which the 2nd beast was to arise unlike the rise of the other beasts.
The other beasts rose & fell by wars between nations, not so this one.
The beast arose in the sparsely populated great wilderness of the USA.
It is not surprising then, that the church which the Dragon goes to make war with, which keeps the commandments of God and has the Testimony of Jesus (Rev 12:17) emerges from the Earth or “wilderness” of North America
THE RISE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
THE TIMING OF ITS RISE - ABOUT 1798
As this beast is spoken of as distinct from “the first beast before him” (v 12) it must rise after the “first” beast.
It is not the first beast healed of its deadly wound because this two-horned beast exists seperate from and in the sight of the first beast. (v 14). It is “another” beast.
It is, however, from the time of its rise a power contemporary with the beast whose deadly wound was healed. One obvious clue as to the time this nation arose (v 11) is that it is spoken of in connection with the wounding of the first beast, the papal power, in 1798 described in the previous verse (v10).
The great Methodist, John Wesley, taught that the first beast of Rev 13 was Papal Rome and in his 1774 notes concerning this two horned beast he wrote:
“Another beast, but he is not yet come, though he cannot be far off, for he is to appear at the end of the forty two months of the first beast [i.e. 1798] and he had two horns like a lamb. A mild innocent appearance.” John Wesley, The New Testament With Explanatory Notes, (1774), p427
RISING AROUND 1798
The rise of this nation is described immediately after the deadly wound of the first beast (1798). At that very time the USA was indeed “coming up.”
DECLARATION-INDEPENDENCE: 1776
WAR OF INDEPENDENCE: 1775-1783
CONSTITUTION VOTED: 1787
CONSTITUTION RATIFIED: 1788
FIRST PRESIDENT ELECTED: 1789
BILL OF RIGHTS: 1789
BILL OF RIGHTS ADOPTED: 1791
verse 11 ...coming up out of the earth...
This point contrasts with the rise of the first beast and the beasts of Daniel 7, which all arose from the sea as the winds of strife roared. Symbolic waters represent “MULTITUDES, and nations,” (Rev 17:15; Isa 57:20). By contrast the symbolic EARTH represents few people. This nation therefore arose from a place of few people. So the USA arose from the great wilderness land of North America.
verse 11 ...and he had two horns like a lamb...
Various horns are mentioned in Rev 12, 13, 17 but this is the only place where the kinds of horns are described. These horns are lamb-like. In Revelation, the lamb refers to Christ.
Horns represent kingdoms.
The first beast of Rev 13, the Papacy, was also represented in Daniel 7 as a little horn. The little horn was a union of the two powers of Church and State. The founding fathers of the United States, knowing how the union of Church and State led to persecution in Europe and the colonies, determined to separate the two powers of church and State. They were not to be combined into one horn but seperated into two.
The USA has two great lamb-like (Christ- like) characteristics. The Christian exiles who first fled to America (the New World) from Europe (the Old World), sought an asylum from ROYAL OPPRESSION and PRIESTLY INTOLERANCE. In America they established a government upon the foundations of CIVIL LIBERTY (freedom to elect oneʼs government) and RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (freedom to choose oneʼs religion). These two lamb-like principles have been the great secret of US power and prosperity and God has blessed America.
The Beast has two horns like a lamb
Horns symbolise power, nations, kingdoms
The first beast of Rev 13, papal Rome is represented in Dan 7 as a little horn.
The little horn was a union of the two powers of Church and State.
The lamb is Jesus. John 1:29, Rev 13:8
What two powers (horns) did Jesus recognize? – Caesar & God. Mark 12:17
Caesar refers to the state or civil power.
God refers to the divine or religious power.
This beast with lamblike horns recognises the CIVIL & RELIGIOUS powers.
This beast has as the very fabric of its government civil & religious rights.
The Civil liberty to elect its own Government & not be dictated to by a King.
The Religious liberty to choose one’s own religion
The liberty to worship & not dictated to by a “pope”
verse 11 ...and he spake as a dragon...
Tragically the prophecy predicts that the US will demonstrate Satanʼs spirit of religious intolerance and persecution.
The voice (he spake) of a nation is its government. The speaking of a nation is the declaration (legislation) of its government.
Despite its strong civil and religious rights, this beast will speak as a dragon.
The dragon is that old serpent, the devil and Satan. Rev 12:9
The first beast was given its power, seat & great authority by the Dragon – v 2
The second beast speaks as a dragon.
The first beast of Revelation 13:1-10 is the seat of the Devil or Satan.
The Second beast with lamblike horns is the Dragon’s henchman.
He spake as a Dragon.
The mouth of a nation is its government
The speaking of a nation must be the laws it proclaims.
“The ‘speaking’ of the nation is the action of its legislative and judicial authorities.” Great Controversy p. 442.
This nation will pass laws consistent with the principles of the Dragon which has been and will be at war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God and have the Testimony of Jesus. These laws will ultimately lead to the persecution of God’s Bible believing people in the last days.
verse 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.
“And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him,…”
The first beast, Papal Rome, exercised religious & political power - a union of church & state. The power of the first beast was its ability to persecute God’s people.
It lost this power when it was wounded in 1798, commencing the “time of the end”. Dan 11:40
The second beast exercises all the power of the first beast.
The second beast 'becomes' a union of church and state as its political side legislates for the church.
Like the first beast, it will be a persecuting power.
The religious element will unite with the state to enforce the church’s power, edicts, or mandates.
The politicisation of Covid 19 is a trial run for the power of Government to mandate, lockdown and disadvantage those who have a contrary view to its edicts.
The building of internment camps to supposedly house Covid 19 individuals is possibly a preamble for what is to come in Revelation 13.
This prophecy foretells that the US government will command some observance which will be an act of worshipping the first beast, the Papacy. In order for this to happen the USA will have to unite Church & State. This would be the formation of “the image” of the beast, i.e. an image of Papal Rome - a union of Church & State.
The US Constitution separates Church & State, hence aspects of or the Constitution itself must go or be modified to accommodate this aspect of the prophecy. Note the attack on the Constitution over the years even from Chief Judge Rehnquist's time.
"The 'wall of separation between church and state' is a metaphor based on bad history," Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist wrote in a court opinion in 1985. " ... It should be frankly and explicitly abandoned."
“… and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast,…”
The second beast is in sympathy with the first beast.
It is a church state system although unlike the Papacy, without a Pope.
It will cause the earth and them that dwell on the earth to worship the first beast.
They will be forced (“causeth”) by legislation to pay homage to the first beast.
HOW DOES HE CAUSE THE EARTH TO WORSHIP?
The EARTH here represents the earth itself rather than a place of “few people” as in verse 11 else it would make the interpretation of the verse under consideration non-sensical as it would read: “causeth the earth (few people) and them (people) which dwell therein to worship the first beast.”
Rather the earth here refers to the earth itself. In what way can the earth be made to worship? (Exo 23:10-11). Scripture gives us a clue in that WORSHIP has to do with a particular day ordained for that purpose. As it was in ancient days, the earth or land "enjoyed her Sabbaths" 2Chronicles 36:21, Leviticus 26:34 when she remained unworked on the Sabbath day, i.e. the landed rested and kept Sabbath as well as the people, so by implication laws enforcing the Mark of the beast, will necessarily allow the earth a day of rest "to worship" so to speak, the first beast, in that the land or earth will remain unworked.
THE TYPE IN SCRIPTURE OF THE EARTH BEING MADE TO WORSHIP
“And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:
But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.” Exodus 23:10,11
“To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years.” 2Chronicles 36:21
“Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it.” Leviticus 26:34,35
A SABBATH LAW IMPLIED IN VERSE 12
The USA will enforce a ‘Sabbath’ rest.
This rest will involve the Earth as well.
Hence the Earth can be said to "participate" in the worship of the first beast.
The Mark of the beast has to do with worship – verses 4,8,12,15,16
Worship has to do with a day of worship.
The first beast represents Papal Rome.
Hence the Mark of the beast is the Mark of the Papal Rome beast.
The day that has to do with worship in that system is SUNDAY.
The ENFORCEMENT of SUNDAY LAWS constitutes the MARK of the Beast.
The Earth will ‘worship’ the first beast by not being ‘worked’ on Sunday.
The USA will cause the earth to worship by allowing it to REST on Sunday.
No-one has the Mark of the Beast as yet.
Individuals receive the Mark when they consciously make a decision for it.
“…. to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
We saw that the first beast of Revelation 13:1-10 is Papal Rome.
Papal Rome is known by different names & phrases in Scripture
It is the feet of iron & clay of Daniel 2
It is the little horn of Daniel 7
It is the little horn of Daniel 8
It is the transgression of desolation of Daniel 8
It is “the abomination that maketh desolate” of Daniel 11:31
It is the King of the North of Daniel 11:40
It is the first beast of Revelation 13:1-10
It is the harlot woman of Revelation 17
It is “Babylon the Great” of Revelation 17
It is the mystery of Iniquity of 2 Thess 2:7
It is the man of sin of 2Thess 2:3
It is the Son of perdition of 2Thess 2:3
In Revelation 13:1-10 we are dealing with the beast with seven heads and ten horns, more specifically, the head that received a deadly wound. The only head of the 7 heads that ever received a deadly wound is the Papal Head - Papal Rome.
We are told that all the world wondered after the beast - v 3
All the world worshipped the beast – v 4
All whose names are not in the lamb’s book of life will worship the beast – v 8
All will be MADE to worship the 1st beast who had the deadly wound – v 12
All will be made to make an image to the beast which had the wound – v 14
All the world will pay homage to Papal Rome in one way or another.
All dissenters will be punished – cannot buy or sell or by the penalty of death.
verse 13: And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
“And he doeth great wonders,…”
Deceptive Miracles will occur. Miracles will be performed to deceive people into believing that God is behind this power.
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
Matt 24:24
Note how the Lord responds to those who claim to be his [PROFESSED] followers:
“Many 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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matt 7:22,23
“And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Rev 19:20
“… so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.”
This is a miraculous fire and not a nuclear bomb or any such thing as bombs do not deceive. In Acts 2:3 when the gift of tongues was given at Pentecost, it was described as follows:
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.”
In Revelation 19:20, the beast is Papal Rome while the second beast is described as the false prophet which deceived all who had taken the mark of the beast. The two horned beast will DECEIVE by means of a counterfeit Pentecostal fire and deceive men into forming an image of the beast - a union of church and state (See on v 14).
Though we have not yet seen the deceptive fire fall, even today the tongues speaking movement is helping to unite various denominations because many believe God must be with all who speak in ‘tongues’. The deceptive fire will be a counterfeit of the fire which fell in the days of Elijah.
The “Earth” in this verse refers to that which compliments the heavens, i.e. the surface of the globe.
verse 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.
“… the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.”
The beast which had the wound and did live is Papal Rome.
Papal Rome is a union of Church & STATE
The image to the beast is the UNION OF CHURCH & STATE.
The deceived will form an image of the Papacy.
This image will result in the Church using the State power to achieve its ends.
These miracles will convince people that God is behind the movement to create an “image of the beast.” The two horned beast is the false prophet. See Chart.
THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST
verse 14 ...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.
The image to the beast is also called the image OF the beast (v 15). Deceived by the great wonders the people will be led to form an “image” or copy of the first Beast. As the first beast, Papal Rome, was a union of Church & State in which the Church used the State to enforce its religious ideas, so the image of the beast will be a union of church and state enforcing the Churches wishes. The USA is supposedly a Protestant nation, hence Protestantism will take control of the state to enforce the worship of the first beast by mandating SUNDAY worship
HOW THE IMAGE WILL BE FORMED
“When the early church became corrupted by departing from the simplicity of the gospel [2Thess 2] and accepting heathen rites and customs, she lost the Spirit and power of God; and in order to control the consciences of the people, she sought the support of the secular power. The result was the papacy, a church that controlled the power of the state and employed it to further her own ends, especially for the punishment of “heresy.” In order for the United States to form an image of the beast, the religious power must so control the civil government that the authority of the state will also be employed by the church to accomplish her own ends.” E.G. White, Great Controversy, p443.
Almost 500 years ago the Protestants came out of Rome with an open Bible and a message to proclaim. However the Reformation they began failed to continue. Today many are wondering whether it was all a mistake! Prophecy declares that Protestantism will follow in the steps of the Mother church and turn to the State for political power. Protestantism will form an “image of the beast” and the image will enforce the Mark of the Beast.
verse 14 ...that they should make an image
“...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 13:14). As people made up the beasts so people will make up the image of the beast. The fact that a requests is made to the people to form the image shows that this is a Democratic or Republican form of government in which the power resides with the people.
Republicanism and Protestantism are the secrets of US power and prosperity. These features are represented by the two lamb-like (Christ-like) horns. The horns are uncrowned as this is a government without a king and a church without a Pope.
verse 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast...
The USA has risen to become the most powerful nation on earth both economically & militarily. God has wonderfully blessed America which has been the great defense against religious intolerance and persecution. Under Godʼs Omnipotence it has become in some respects the greatest nation of all time.
“… the image of the beast, …”
These unions of Church and State throughout the world will speak (legislate) and cause (enforce) the worship of the beast which had the wound by the sword and did live. The second beast of Rev 13:11-17 will initiate the whole process and enforce the worship of the beast by enforcing Sunday legislation. It will commence in the USA and spread to the rest of the world. This beast will eventually convince the whole world to pass a death decree on all dissenters including God’s commandment keeping people.
Tragically the USA will use its economic and military power to “give life unto the image of the beast.”
verse 15 ...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.
In the final conflict those who refuse to accept the beastʼs mark and worship of the beast will be condemned to death.
The USA exactly fulfills the predictions. It arose at the right time in the late 1700s relatively peacefully from the sparsely populated wilderness of North America. It has become a superpower, has a Republican form of government and grants all its citizens religious liberty. Sadly it is changing character and is soon to speak like a dragon and enforce the final movements in prophetic history - the worship of the Papal Beast which is none other than the Babylonian worship of the Dragon.
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:
The USA will lead the world into receiving the Mark of the Beast. Protestant USA will cause all both great and small, rich and poor, free people and bond people to receive the Mark of the beast. Everyone will be affected by the legislation. Through deception and force virtually all will comply. Only the faithful remnant will refuse to comply (Rev 20:4)
The mark of the beast is received in the right hand. The right hand is symbolic of work and fellowship or cooperation. Eccl 9:10, Gal 2:9. Philosophically or intellectually one might not agree with the MARK of the beast but will accept it by cooperating in order to avoid persecution / discrimination.
We saw in verse 12 that the Mark has to with WORSHIP – cf verses 4,8,12,15,16.
Worship has to do with a particular day of worship.
Worship, therefore, involves a DAY OF REST.
In the case of the Beast and its image, the day of rest or worship is SUNDAY.
The EARTH will be made (causeth) to REST / WORSHIP the first beast – v 12.
The PEOPLE that dwell in the EARTH will be made (causeth) to worship – v 12
The USA will enforce this ‘Sabbath’ REST for the earth & the people.
The first beast represents Papal Rome.
Hence the Mark of the beast is the Mark of Papal Rome.
The day of worship for that system is SUNDAY.
The ENFORCEMENT of SUNDAY LAWS constitutes the MARK.
The Earth will ‘worship’ the first beast by not being ‘worked’ on Sunday.
The USA will cause the EARTH to WORSHIP by RESTING it on Sunday.
The USA will cause the PEOPLE to WORSHIP by enforcing a Sunday rest.
No-one has the Mark of the Beast as yet.
Individuals receive the Mark when they make a conscious decision for it.
The word “mark” is from the Greek word “charagma” which means a stamp. To say that this proves the mark is a literal stamp is as foolish as saying that the use of the Greek word “therion” for “beast,” proves that the beast is a literal beast. Though the word “therion” means “beast,” the beast is clearly symbolic of kingdoms and nations etc in Bible Prophecy.
In Ezekiel 9 a marking occurs which is clearly symbolic (See Eze 9-10. Eze 10:2 esp. shows that this is symbolic). Note that this mark was a sign to preserve the faithful from the destruction that followed. The previous chapter (Eze 8) lists the abominations that led to the destruction, the worst being SUN WORSHIP (Eze 8:16).
THE MARK OF THE BEAST IS NOT A LITERAL MARK
(a) The word “mark” is from the Greek word charagma which means a stamp. To say that this proves that the mark is a literal stamp is as foolish as saying that the use of the Greek word therion, “beast,” proves that the beast will be a literal beast. Though the word therion means “beast,” the beast is clearly a symbol.
Many things may serve as a sign or mark: The Lord calls His Sabbaths a sign distinguishing His people from the heathen. (Exo 31:13; Eze 20:12; Eze 20:20). The word “sign” means a distinguishing mark. Such a mark is not a physical object but it is a mark of identification nevertheless. To receive the mark is a sin and sin is the breaking of Godʼs law.
(b) Revelation speaks of Godʼs seal and the Mark of the Beast. One is the counterpart of the other. The mark of the beast is the counterfeit of Godʼs seal, mark or sign (See on Rev 7). As Godʼs seal is not a literal mark neither is the beastʼs mark.
(c) The specification that the mark is received in the “RIGHT hand” indicates symbolism because if the mark were literal it could be taken in either hand. The hand is symbolic of work (Ecc 9:10). The right hand is symbolic of “fellowship” (Gal 2:9) and those who take the mark will show their fellowship with the beast. The forehead is symbolic of the mind or will (Eze 3:9).
(d) In Ezekiel 9 a marking occurs which is clearly symbolic (See Eze 9-10. Eze 10:2 esp. shows that this is symbolic). Note that this mark was a sign to preserve the faithful from the destruction that followed. The previous chapter (Eze 8) lists the abominations that led to the destruction, the worst being SUN WORSHIP (Eze 8:16). Remember this as we continue.
A SIGN OR MARK
The Lord calls His Sabbaths a sign. (Exo 31:13; Eze 20:12; Eze 20:20).
The word “sign” means a distinguishing mark.
Such a mark is not a physical object but is a mark of identification.
To receive the Mark of the beast is a sin and sin is the breaking of Godʼs law.
Revelation speaks of Godʼs seal and the Mark of the Beast.
*God’s seal is received only in the FOREHEAD – Rev 7
The Mark of the Beast is received in the FOREHEAD & the RIGHT HAND
The mark of the beast is the counterfeit of Godʼs seal, mark or sign (Rev 7).
As Godʼs seal is not a literal mark neither is the beastʼs mark a literal mark.
The mark is received in the “RIGHT hand” indicating symbolism.
If the mark were literal it could be received in either hand.
The hand is symbolic of work (Ecc 9:10).
The right hand is symbolic of “fellowship” or cooperation (Gal 2:9)
Those who take the mark will show their cooperation with the beast.
The forehead is where the frontal lobe of the brain is located.
The frontal lobe is the very person of who you are.
The frontal lobe is the seat of the will of man where decisions are made.
Hence the FOREHEAD is symbolic of the mind and will of man.
The forehead is symbolic of FAITH
The Right Hand is symbolic of WORKS or cooperation.
Salvation is by Faith not by Works.
God’s seal is received by Faith (forehead) NOT by Works (right hand)
The Mark is received both by faith OR by cooperation (right Hand) v 16