|
What is the mark of the Beast?
During the time of the Tribulation, to bring
everyone under his control, the Antichrist will force all to receive his
mark on either their right hands or foreheads. This mark is the mark of
the Beast. The Antichrist will demand people to receive his mark so that
He could turn everyone into his servant. He will proceed with his political
scheme by using people's lives as his leverage. If people do not have
the mark showing that they belong to the Beast, he will prevent them from
buying or selling anything. This mark is the name of the Beast or his
number. When the Beast appears in this world, its people will be coerced
to receive this mark made of either his name or number.
When counted, the number of the Beast on this mark is 666. This means
that the Beast, who is the Antichrist, proclaims himself as God. In other
words, it shows the arrogance of a human being trying to be God. As such,
anyone who receives this mark on his/her right hand or forehead would
be serving and worshipping the Antichrist Beast as God.
When the world faces immense difficulties from the plagues of the seven
trumpets, the Antichrist, empowered by Satan, would bring the whole world
under his reign with great force. Healing himself from his mortal wounds
and performing such miracles as bring down fire from the sky, he will
make everyone of this world follow him. As heroes emerge in times of trouble,
the Antichrist, a man who received his power from Satan, will resolve
the difficult problems that the world faces with great authority, and
thereby be revered by all the people of the world as God. As Satan thus
makes people serve the Antichrist as God, many will end up worshipping
him as such.
The Antichrist therefore does his final works with the help of another
beast coming up out of the earth. The second beast forces people to make
an image after the first Beast, the Antichrist; gives breath to this image
of the Beast with the power of Satan and makes it speak; and kills everyone
who does not worship the Beast' image. He makes everyone receive his mark
on either the right hand or the forehead, and prevents anyone who does
not receive the mark from buying or selling anything.
Receiving the mark of the Beast means surrendering to him and becoming
his servant. The mark is not received by physical coercion, but by a personal
and rational decision. But as without receiving this mark no one can buy
or sell anything, or even live on, all the people of the world who have
not received the remission of sin would stand at the Beast's side and
end up surrendering to him.
Those who thus surrender to the Beast and receive his mark will all be
cast, together with the Devil, to the lake burning with fire and brimstone.
The nominal Christians who have not yet been born again will, because
their hearts are not dwelt by the Holy Spirit, capitulate before Satan
in the end, receive his mark on their right hands or foreheads, and worship
him as God. At this time, only those who have received the remission of
sin and who has the Holy Spirit in their hearts will be able to resist
the Beast's demand to receive his mark, and fight against and overcome
the Antichrist with faith.
|