The Mark of the beast (part two)

 

Now since t has been granted to those with understanding to find the name of the beast by utilizing the number 666 it is imperative that we try to unravel this secret in order to escape the possibility of receiving the mark, worshiping his image or having the number of his name.

Recently, I was deeply troubled in mind as to how could one receive the mark of the beast on the forehead and was amazed at the conclusion I came up with. I came up with the conclusion that it is what is triggered or indoctrinated in the mind in relation to the beast and causes one to act accordingly, is how one receives the mark on the forehead. And what are being indoctrinated are three things that originate from the sixth letter of the alphabet which are:

1.      Falsehood: The falsehood that our natural human body is incapable of fighting this virus on its own strength and that unless it is vaccinated its chances of surviving this pandemic is minimal or impossible. Thus implying that, science or man’s wisdom is more powerful and capable of protecting our bodies than our Creator who created and designed our human body. And so the common saying is “trust science.” And so science has now become man’s savior.

6.      Fear: This pandemic and the promulgated science behind it have generated a high level of fear in the minds of people. There is for example the fear of discrimination, lost opportunity to gainful employment, travel and other social and physical activities and thus coercing people to submit to their divisive agenda   in order to safeguard their jobs, their livelihood, and the opportunity to travel and be able to carry on with life as usual.

6.        Faith: This is confidence and reliance man has placed in science in dealing with this pandemic instead of having their faith in the power of God, when the admonition to all who profess to believe in Jesus Christ is according to the apostle Paul is that our faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

On Sunday 16^th May 2021, I viewed a video on face book where a man explained a similar concept on how he arrived at the name of the beast which he said is “CORONA” He explained his concept by adding the numerical value of every letter that forms the word corona, with the word corona itself consisting of six letters and so the calculation is as follows:

C – 03

O – 15

R – 18

O – 15

N – 14

A – 01

--------

6   66

Now, since it is left to those of understanding to calculate the number of the beast and the consequences for receiving it is so grave with the whole world being under the sway of the deceiver, it is imperative that we seek wisdom and understanding from the Holy Spirit as we have been admonished saying;  “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.’

It is imperative for us to note therefore, that there are five integral components in relation to the end time prophecy known as the “Mark of the beast” and the way his mark is applied on the hand is not the same way that it is applied on the forehead. The choice is yours.

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

The Mark of the beast (part one)

 

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:

1.  The beast which refers to the authoritative power that will execute the directives whether it be a leader or a global organization.
2.  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).
3. 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.
4. 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).
5. The name of the beast

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To be continued, stay tuned

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Third once and for all phenomenon

 

1.    A perfect sacrifice for sins

The third once and for all phenomenon is that once and for all there is a perfect sacrifice for sin that can present the worshiper perfect, holy and irreproachable and blameless in the presence of the Father. For it is written, “Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these (the blood of animals), but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another ---He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9:23-26).

With regards to the previous sacrifices we are told, “For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (Hebrews 10:1-4).

But now once for all, Christ offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice so now, we have been admonished saying; “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:19-23).

The implementation of this third once and for all phenomenon is the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness, but this act is being perpetuated by the cup of the New Covenant which gives us the boldness and access to the throne of grace.

This third once and for all denotes that, once and for all there is a sacrifice that can cleanse us from sin and present us holy and blameless before God.

This ordinance was instituted by Jesus Christ on the night before He was led to be crucified when He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:27-28).

Therefore, without any ambiguity the process by which one’s sins are forgiven is by confession and cleansing as we have been duly admonished saying; “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Remember, the cleansing is effective only through the blood represented by the cup of the new covenant and so the admonition is, “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1John 1:7,9).

Please note carefully that the cleansing is something current and not the original cleansing that took place once and for all. This cleansing is a condition that takes place when believers have fellowship with one another and with the Father and the Son.

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To be continued, stay tuned

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Second once and for all phenomenon

1.    Access to the Most Holy Place

The second once and for all phenomenon, is Man's access to the Most Holy Place in the presence of the Most High: The scripture states quite clearly that, “the Holy Spirit indicating this that, the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing.” But Jesus Christ with His own blood entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption”. So now, we can come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 9:8, 12: 4:16).

We have also been instructed saying; “For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another ---He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9:24-26).

The implementation of this second once and for all phenomenon is the sacrificial body of Jesus Christ who according to the apostle Paul is, a new and living way which Christ consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, but this act although it is a once and for all occurrence, but it is being perpetuated and represents the sacrificial body of Christ by partaking of unleavened bread during the communion service, for as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.

One must also take into consideration the fact that, without holiness and peace no one can see the Lord, so even though Jesus Christ once and for all gave us access to the Father, nevertheless, because no one can say that I have no sin, or I have not sinned it is imperative that the worshiper follow the necessary established protocol by which one becomes holy, perfect, and irreproachable before the Father, because it is only if one is in the light as Jesus Christ is in the light that on can have fellowship with the Father.

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 To be continued, stay tuned

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Once and for all phenomenon

Once and for all phenomenon

 Since there are so many different ideologies with regards to the once and for all phenomenon let us with an open mind search the scriptures to find out what exactly the terminology once and for all truly means.

As far as I have studied the word of God, I can pinpoint five (5) things which Jesus Christ did once and for all for humanity, and two things yet to be done once and for all. And as far as I can perceive none of them relegates mankind especially the believer the responsibility from doing what they have been ordained to do, which is to become holy and blameless before Him in love, as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own special people, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

One should always bear in mind the fact that this once and for all phenomenon is to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

It is also of intrinsic importance to note that, they are not all Israel who are of Israel: Therefore, what the Lord did once and for all pertain to all humanity especially the true Israel who is of that One Seed which is Christ. For there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for we are all one in Christ Jesus. And if we are Christ's, then we are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Now the five once for all phenomena mentioned in the scriptures which have already transpired and are currently in force today are as follows:

1.    Christ died to sin once for all 

It is stated quite clearly that, “Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many.  Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit: And also, “knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God” (Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 3:18, Romans 6:9-10).

The emphasis here is on Jesus Christ who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence: For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:15-20).

This is the first once and for all phenomenon which will never again be repeated. It is the revealing and presentation of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

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 To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Reasons for fearing God

There is a motive for fearing God and to tremble at His word because there are basically six reasons why we are to appear before the Lord and tremble before Him, also taking delight in the Lord.

·         His Majesty

We ought to stand in awe before the Lord because of His majesty as we have been duly admonished saying; “Who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For this is Your rightful due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You” (Jeremiah 10:7).

·         His Holiness

We have been instructed saying; “Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested" (Revelation 15:4).

·         His forgiveness

Because according to the Psalmist; “If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared; “Psalms 130:3-4)

·         His Power

As the Israelites were reminded saying; “ the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever" (Joshua 4:23-24).

·         His Goodness

For we have been duly instructed saying; “Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you” (1Samuel 12:24).

·         His judgment

As we have been instructed by the angel with the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth, to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water" (Revelation 14:6-7).

Therefore, when it comes to having the fear of God we should follow the example of David who wrote; “But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple” (Psalms 5:7).

Or like the early Christians of whom it is said, “then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied” (Acts 9:31).

So then, appearing before the Lord on the days He has appointed to appear before Him is not legalism but rather something we should all take delight in as we have been duly admonished saying; “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the LORD honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words, then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the LORD has spoken" (Isaiah 58:13-14).

This is the essence of trembling before the Lord; it is by taking delight in Him, appearing before Him at His appointed time and expressing our deepest appreciation and gratitude for who He is and for what He has done for us,

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

The seventh vital component of true worship

 

The seven integral part of true worship is to tremble before Him, or take delight in Him meaning that, we are to stand in awe of Him and have the rightful fear by being obedient to His word, for thus says the Lord; “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," Says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word” (Isaiah 66:1-2).

The reason why we are to tremble before Him or take delight in Him it is because the church being similar to the captives of the children of Judah and Israel to whom the Lord said; “I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me. Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it” (Jeremiah 33:8-9).

Remember, Jesus Christ is the Lord God of the Old Testament who created the heavens and the earth, for it is written; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that were made: In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it’, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-5, 14).

It is further stated in scripture that; “He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:15-18).

Now it is a common belief and a biblical statement that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” And when He came into the world He said; "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath" (Hebrews 13:8; Mark 2:27-28).

Since Jesus Christ is Lord of the Sabbath, the summons to attend the holy convocation at their appointed times is a directive from Him, and when obeyed we are demonstrating our reverence, glory and honor to Him as “LORD.” For thus says the LORD, “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2).

Similarly, when one disregards or hold in contempt the days which the Lord has summoned them to appear before Him and choose to appear before Him at a time He has not summons them to appear before Him is profanity: For thus says the Lord; "When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts?

Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies --- I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear, your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:12-15).

Having fellowship, in the breaking of bread was the community spirit that prevailed in the New Testament church when it originally started, when Peter said to them, "Be saved from this perverse generation." Then those who gladly received His word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles” (Acts 2:40-43).

The Christian church, the children of God, and the Philadelphia church are all characterized in whole and in part by these seven distinctive marks or attributes, and it is the formula by which the church which is presently so confused and divided can obtain its objective and be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Unfortunately people rather hold on to the customs and traditions taught by men instead of taking delight and stand in awe of the directives the Lord gave to His people and the only sign He gave to distinguish His people from the rest of the world. For thus says the Lord; “Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.” And, “I am the LORD your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them; hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the LORD your God' (Ezekiel 20: 12, 19.20).

Remember, Jesus Christ unequivocally said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17-18).

Therefore, the Sabbaths, the seventh day including the annual Sabbaths are perpetual sign God ordained to distinguish Himself and the people who are sanctified. Moreover, in our new dispensation as free moral agents, one person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. It is a matter of love, respect adoration and delight in Him who loves us.

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph