If you are anything like I am, when you think about Scripture and the Beast, you focus on ‘the mark.’ But what about the rest of the warnings Scripture gives about the Beast? Do you even know about them? I didn’t.
In my previous post, What Is ‘The Mark of The Beast?’, I explained that I believe ‘the mark of the beast’ is connected to how we think and how we act (i.e. in your head and in your hand). However, this mark is not the only warning the Scriptures give us about the Beast. When you read the rest of the warnings in the Scriptures, it should be clear that the true threat is much more than a physical mark on our heads or hands.
Here are the Scriptures that we should really be studying; the passages that describe the true threat:
they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?”
He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
[ Doom for Worshipers of the Beast ] Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,
And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.
[ Doom of the Beast and False Prophet ] And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.
Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
You see, the real threat is not about a mark, it’s about worship. If you worship the One True God, then you will be sealed with His mark. If you are sealed by YHWH, you are assured salvation. However, if you worship the Beast, then you will bear his mark, and being marked by the Beast assures damnation. Which mark you take all depends upon which you worship: YHWH, or the dragon.
Now, this is not to say that the Beast will not force us to take a physical mark on our hand or head. This is certainly possible. But I do not believe this mark alone is what will condemn us. If it is, if we can be condemned simply for a mark on our skin, then Scripture is in contradiction with itself, as it clearly says we are justified by faith and sanctified by our fruits. Therefore, what condemns us is worshiping any god other than the One True Living God, the Most High Elohim.
Which means, if we want to make sure we are safe, the next thing we should do is find out how the Scriptures define ‘worship’ and make sure that we are worshiping YHWH, and no other(s).
THE ROAD TO CONCORD 