The Mark of the beast
For over two
thousand years ago, the apostle John forewarned us of a two-horned beast which
looks like a lamb but speak like a dragon and will causes all, both small and
great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or
on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark
or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” (Revelation 13:16-17).
The apostle
John also alerted us of the consequences for partaking of the mark, name or
number of this two horned beast by stating; “Then a third angel followed them,
saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and
receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink
of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup
of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the
presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of
their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who
worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name"
(Revelation 14:9-11).
It is
imperative to note that, it will be only those who do not give in to the demand
of the beast that will inherit the kingdom of God, for we have been instructed
saying; “Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels
having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete. And I
saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the
victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of
his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song
of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: " Great
and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O
King of the saints!” (Revelation 15:1-3).
It is made
abundantly clear that if one is not willing to be even beheaded for not taking
the mark of the beast will not be granted ruler-ship in the kingdom of God for
it is written; “Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their
witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or
his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands: And
they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4).
Now there is absolutely no ambiguity as to who the beasts and the horns on
the head of the beast refers to because according to the prophet Daniel they
all refers to a world ruling kingdom/s or ruler of a great or lesser kingdom for
he wrote, “Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out
of the earth.” Therefore, the two-horned beast that will execute and revive the
beast and its image may not necessarily be a ruling kingdom per say, but could well
be a world organization whether it is a religious or health organization (Daniel7:17).
For example, there are five integral parts in relation to the beast the
ruler or ruling kingdom and they are:
- The beast which refers to the authoritative power that will execute the directives whether it be a leader or a global organization.
- The image of the beast s symbolizes something from the past which pertains wholly and solely to worship which the beast will implement for as it is written: “And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 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” 3.(Revelation 13: 14-15).
- The mark of the beast which is an identifying sign without which no one may be able to buy or sell, for it is stated that, “He (the beast) causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
- The number of the beast which is already determined for it is written: “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666’ (revelation 13:18).
- The name of the beast
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