Posted on 12/04/2002 7:45:53 AM PST by GodsLittleOne
I was horrified to read this : http://www.texemarrs.com/031997/mark.html
Satan is getting a strong-hold on America, but he's doing it so subtly that it passes the recognition of most Christians.
And: NY Supreme Court Decision-Denial of Benefits For Refusal To Participate in biometric fingerprinting
Are both articles of interest as well.
Indeed it may well be, I am more worried about biometrics (regardless of biblical reasons) - and as can seen by my posts from linked articles the government is hell bent on us using it for everything. If nothing else we need to be aware of our rights slipping out the door whether it be the AC or the Government... :)
It is not a matter of worry. That is like asking Jesus why he bothered to give signs of his coming. The end times may be many years away, but leading up to them there will be opression. I don't think the biometrics stuff I posted is the MOB, but I do think it is an invasion of privacy and gives too much power to the government.
Guided by the warnings given us we watch, and because we watch we can see what problems that may affect us coming down the pike. The beast, like the socialists, muslims, etc, want power and control - a lesson we would do well to keep in mind. We may not find the beast while looking, but we may well find other ones that will affect us all anyway - whether you be atheist, pagan, islamic, etc.
If you get a chance to read my links you will see that our lives as US citizens could well be affected by the coming changes. It does not have to be by force, although the case in NY is one example that it can be.
I am worried about today for one thing, and my life as it is on earth. However, one may posture that research done now will be able to be found by those who 'stay behind' which will assist them in converting (depending on which stance you take on a rapture - I don't really take any, either way I am saved).
Stepping outside of the faith and looking at these things shows them in a bad enough light just as they are (from a non-socialist perspective). God warned us via prophecy and told us to watch, not doing so and discussing seems a little odd. Trying to expose what is coming may yet bring many to repentance - I used to be an atheist, then buddhist, then pagan. What brought me home was my outside study of the world and government and seeing that the bible was right.
The roadmap was given us, some like myself will look at it and watch to see where we are going, others won't. That is up to them. For me I chose to watch and educate myself, afterall we were instructed to do so.
He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,...
But, why, exactly? This is one of the things we are given specific Biblical instructions not to worry about.
Worry then is a poor choice of words. I am not sitting around fretting over it, I am however watching and noting it.
But, why, exactly? This is one of the things we are given specific Biblical instructions not to worry about.
Linear thinking would lead one to believe that such an act is carried out all at once - and who are those who will not get the mark? Would not those be the ones who had converted?
He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads,...
They key term here is 'causes', the greek poievw, which denotes his desire to implement something - it is this desire which will be combatted. His desire is to cause ALL his reality will be that not all will take the mark and hence be killed as the other verse mentions. It therefore denotes a process over time to implement his wishes, the ground work of which may be being laid now.
Taking the two verses as you showed in too literal a sense would be contradictory - he cannot make ALL to take the mark if it states elsewhere that ALL will not. That is why the word 'cause' is used - using the power given him he will attempt to force something, and those who convert will not accept his cause and henceforth be killed. The conversion comes about somewhere - or one could argue that it is not conversion but the christians of the day who will refuse.
I concur with that, that time of history will be his time of power on the earth, something I see mankind giving him.
As I mentioned elsewhere to someone:
Look back at Rome. The people building Rome did not know that biggest change to come from their labors of war and road building would be that it would be used for God's purpose. Christ came at the right time - he used the roads, paul used the government, and had Rome not been there the spread of the gospel probably would not have happened as it did (Strong covered this better then I can in his book, Systematic Theology).
So My question is are we building the 'highway' for the beast so that he and his message can reach all the world? Are we becoming liberalized so we are less atune to God and his laws and becoming more 'liberated' from his strong influence (like in physics, the greater two bodies are apart the less gravitational poll they exert on each other), are we in effect building our own god in our image and without thinking about it awaiting his coming - All this is setting a stage for some big player to come in and fill the gap.
He can reach the whole world, he will be needed, he will come to stop war and stop us from destroying each other (though that will be his ultimate goal).
Here, allow me to assist you. In a word: no.
Granting that - but it all takes time. Assuming that the rapture takes place well before it all goes down there will be 7 years in which the beast can work on his plans (and I am not saying it, the rapture, does happen first). Any massive operation of marking so many people will take organization and time (which will be shortened by our own workings today of making it easier).
The time it takes to implement though may well bring some people to realize that what they scoffed at for so long was true. In chapter 11 we see the two witnesses, shortly before the beast implements his marking scheme. There would be no point in the witnesses if not to call people to repentance, one last chance so to speak. Then we have this in verse 14:
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
The term used is 'IF any man...receive his mark', thus we see it as an ongoing process which is interrupted. The beast is given power and will seek to kill all who do not recieve the mark, which again is revealing. not worship the image of the beast should be killed (from 13:15) note the term 'should' versus a certainy. There will be those who resist and while he as power to kill them it does not mean he is able to do so succesfully.
13:18 which discusses the 666 states that it takes wisdom to understand, why would anyone want to 'worry' about understanding if they, the faithful, are all already gone? Those who will need wisdom are those that will be here to face it - perhaps to, once again, watch and prepare.
God could end it all in one fowl swoop, but it will be a period of last hope and punishment all at once. If the faithful are gone by then, then it will be last period for those wishing to repent and accept him to do so. He is giving the lost one last chance with his warning to them.
If we look at it all as static events it can get confusing, many of these things may well be happening at the same time. Also of note is 14:14 where the earth is harvested, where the earth is ripe - there are two mentioned, one for the converts and one for the wicked - follwed by the seven plagues (one could argue the rapture happens in verse 14 and that the christians who are here until then are battling against the beast by carrying out the commission christ gave them, us, to tell others the good news).
I am heading off for a nap, have to work tonight and will check back then. Thanks for the discussion, even when we don't agree it is nice to be opening the bible and reading it! God Bless!
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