When we were last together I left you with the question, "What does historical documentation reveal about the Mark of the Beast?" If you have carefully followed this series, you know that I place the visions of Revelation sequentially, according to their fulfillment as verified by historical documentation - the subject of the Mark of the Beast is no different. What is different you have never read in any book or heard taught by any denomination, because they all believe the Mark of the Beast is a future experience.
This is such an important subject with so much information, that it will take me awhile to reveal to you all the documentation, so you will be able to see clearly for yourself what is the truth of the matter. Since I accepted Jesus as my Savior in 1972 I have searched the Bible and church historians for truth. So much that is taught seems to be men's ideas, so I ask a lot of questions - I hope you do too.
In 1972-4, as I was embarking on this spiritual journey I immediately heard about some evil Antichrist figure that would someday take over the world. He would require everyone to take his mark, otherwise they could not buy or sell...and...anyone who took this mark would go to Hell! Wow...scary! In the 20th century these scholars said that the mark was a stamp on their forehead or hand with the numbers 666 - much like the stamp Hitler put on the victims of the holocaust. Now they have changed their minds - it is a chip implant, not a stamp...hmmm.
I had read Revelation and saw where it was described: He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their hand or on their foreheads...Rev. 13:16. I could read for myself that sequentially the Mark of the Beast" was connected to the image of the beast. When I asked any of these scholars, how could the Mark of the Beast be in the far future, when it is connected to the image of the beast, who is one of the empires of the seven-headed beast - fulfilled prophecy?
Do you know the answer they gave? The seven-headed beast prophecy has not come to pass - it is in the future. Wow...that defies the historical documentation that I have carefully outlined in past weeks to you, proving the seven-headed beast prophecy has been faithfully fulfilled.
In the early 70's when I was searching for the truth about the Mark of the Beast, I did not know then, what I can prove to you in the ensuing weeks of this blog. But one thing I did know - these scholars did not have the truth of the matter of the seven-headed beast - so how could they have the truth about the Mark of the Beast since these two subjects were connected at the hip?
In part 13 of this blog, we provided clear documentation to prove that the image of the beast was the Holy Roman Empire. The image of the beast demanded, that the allegiance the people of the kingdom once surrendered to the Imperial Roman Empire, now be transferred to them. - if they did not they would be imprisoned, tortured, or murdered.
In our study text, he - the image - causes all to receive a mark...that no one may buy of sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name...Rev. 13:17. Contextually, the Mark of the Beast cannot be separated from the image of the beast, who is the Holy Roman Empire.
One thing I learned early in Bible research - do not take a scripture out of context - unless by doing so it will not lose its identity with the context of the chapter! Cyrus Scofield in his 1909 Bible commentary, took all end-time prophecy out of context, but the Bible scholars of the 20th century, threw away important research principles in order to accept his fanciful concepts - now embraced by every radio and television preacher - myriad of authors in modern times. It is mind-boggling to me.
So let's keep asking questions. Now we can see for ourselves that the Mark of the Beast was revealed through the Holy Roman Empire. What kind of mark could this empire put on the hand or forehead of their citizens? What does this mark look like - is it visible or invisible? Is the Mark of the Beast physical or spiritual?
Remember - in the Revelation - Jesus is showing John His spiritual kingdom of Heaven - the spiritual side of the happenings on the earth. We will learn in this study the spiritual definition of the Mark of the Beast. Once we define the symbolism for the hand and the forehead the message wrapped up in 666 will clearly unfold to you. Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...
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