When we were last together I began the Mark of the Beast Series. If you missed it, please read Part 17 of my blog, so you can find out how to keep your study of Revelation in context - don't remove one sentence and make a future end time doctrine from it. We found out that it is the image of the beast that says, no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name...Rev. 13:17.
He causes all...to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead...Rev. 13:16. What does the symbolism of the right hand or the forehead tell us? Remember, once we define the symbolism, the message wrapped up in it will be revealed. The Holy Roman Empire is the image of the beast that demands this mark - is it visible or invisible?
The right hand of a human being symbolizes his power and authority over his service, labor, or works. The forehead symbolizes the mind of a human being - decisions are made with his mind. The allegiance of a human being - whom he will worship - is determined by his mind, which mirrors the condition of his heart. The works of his hands will reflect the decisions made by his mind (forehead).
When a citizen of the Holy Roman Empire surrendered his allegiance to them, his mind and service - works of his hands - reflected his total allegiance to the empire. Allegiance to the Holy Roman Empire - false god - is the invisible mark of the beast. Allegiance to anyone or anything other than the Lord Jesus Christ is the invisible mark of the beast.
If the heart (spirit) of a human being is transformed through the blood of Jesus Christ, his mind will surrender its allegiance to Him. His allegiance to Jesus Christ will produce righteous service (works) through his hands. Jesus said, by their fruits you will know them...Matt. 7:20. This is the mark of God and it is invisible.
Did you know that the Prophet Ezekiel saw angels apply the invisible mark of God on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it?...Ez. 9:4. God's people who abhor sin, rather than condone it, cry and weep before God to intervene, because their allegiance (mind) is to Him alone. Their allegiance to God is revealed in the fruit of their works - hands - service. This is the mark of God.
Therefore you shall lay up these words of Mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes...Deut. 11:18. The symbolism of the mind (soul) and hand was used in this text by Moses to explain to his people the importance of their allegiance to God, and how it was demonstrated in his day.
Moses is telling the people, if they will bind God's word to their hand as a sign, and lay up His words in their heart and mind (soul), His words will be as frontlets between their eyes. Frontlets describe a protective covering around the mind. The only protective covering for the blood-bought follower of the Christ is the Word of God...who will keep in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon thee...Is. 26:3.
Moses is telling the people that surrendering their allegiance to God gives Him permission to provide for their needs and protection, just as He did before sin interrupted their relationship with Him. If they do not keep their mind focused (frontlets) on the Word of God, the works of their hands in the fields will yield no produce, because He will stop the rain from the heavens and they will perish...Deut. 11:17. In other words - they will not be able to buy or sell because their allegiance is no longer surrendered to God alone.
This Biblical historical foundation is so important in explaining our subject - Mark of the Beast. Because of the modern viewpoint on the Mark of the Beast, people believe it is a new concept that will only apply to a few people in some distant future. Next week we will find out how men of ancient Israel affirmed their allegiance to God symbolized by a mark on their forehead and hand. Yes, we will eventually get to the definition of 666. Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...
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