image of the beast

[BruceM]

I have a feeling it will be really apparent what this mark is when it comes about. Nobody will get to heaven with it, or with worshipping the beast. I do not think it will be a secret that only a few come to notice. People will be killed (beheaded) for not accepting it, and many will die that way.

Kenod, you mentioned:

Do you think the reference to "no man" means every one of the 6.5 billion people in the world? This seems unlikely to me. I think it is talking about everyone in a particular category. Something similar happens in China today -only those church groups who have official approval are allowed to function as a church. I know of "non-approved" Christians in China who are afraid to have their photos placed on the internet for fear of persecution.


I don't think it will be only for a certain category, like proclaimed christians, because we see the armies that follow the anti-christ have his mark.

Revelation 13:16

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:

From this verse, it seems to say no matter what category you are in, whether president, rich, famous, poor, normal, or slave, he will require the mark for all. Even many of God's last vial judgements only hits those with the mark of the beast:

Revelation 16:2

2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.

9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

I believe from the terminology used in revelation, that most of the plagues hit only those who are unbelievers during the tribulation. Many times it says they blasphemied God and did not repent. This would not fit a believer.

There are some plagues that affect the earth, like all the green grass burned up, the seas and rivers of blood, that may affect all, but I am not sure there. The definite thing that we know affects believers during the tribulation period is the beheadings and persecution that the beast brings against them. I really think it is worldwide for the mark of the beast and most of the judgements.

Love,

Bruce

[kenod]

the armies that follow the anti-christ have his mark.

That is certainly true ... just as Hitler's armies had his "mark" in the forehead (mind) or in the right hand (co-operation). They did not have a literal mark, unless we regard the swastika as such. (I'm not suggesting that Hitler was the beast, I am just looking for examples of how this might play out in a realistic scenario).

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.

Some read this as: "every person on the face of the earth had to receive the mark ( tattoo, microchip, ID, etc) to be able to buy or sell"

As I see it: "... every Christian person had to receive the "mark" (that is, give allegiance and obedience to the beast system of control) to be able to buy and sell (function as a church)

John said that the spirit of antichrist is already in the world (1 John 4:3), so I believe that we can recognize today what will eventually assume absolute control of the whole of Christendom. I have indicated that I believe this is the denominational system (both Catholic and Protestant) which will eventually secure the power to outlaw any Christian group that does not abide by the creeds they espouse.

Remember that the "man of sin" sits in the temple of God:

2Thes 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.

Eph 2:19-22
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

When we consider the letters to the seven churches in the beginning of The Revelation (especially Laodicea) we can see that included amongst the real believers there are those of whom Jesus says: "I will spew thee out of my mouth" (Rev 3:14-22).

GBU