"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads."
Revelation 13:15
The book of Revelation has this to say about the...
"Mark of the Beast."
Revelation 13:15-18 "And he had power to give life to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their hands, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six."
The prophetic message given by Christ identifies this "Beast" as the kingdom of religion, which developed into what is called Protestantism. The "power" that this religion holds was given to it through the birth of the 16th century Reformation. The "Image" that it has made came from the "Beast" that was before it, which was the Roman Catholic system of religion.
The symbols declare that it is the "image" that is speaking. This means that each denominational system is speaking it's own doctrinal stance to it's membership. Protestantism has a voice to speak and indoctrinate any one who will believe what they teach. The "Image" is not speaking the unadulterated Word of God, as the first Protestant Reformers did.
Denominational systems have become a spiritual potpourri of mixed traditions with a small portion the Word of God. There is little agreement among the denominational systems. This is the reason there are hundreds of schisms or sects calling themselves "Christianity."
In the Revelation prophecy, God uses the term "Babylon" to identify these apostate religions. The analogy refers back to the Old Testament tower of Babel, which was a confusion of the articulation of languages. The Lord did confound their languages because they wanted to devise their own means of getting into heaven.
According to the prophecy, this "Beast" or system of religion causes ALL, small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark! The word "all" is referring to all those who have accepted this traditional system of religion. These particular symbols are not really that difficult to understand…IF…we continue to use the symbolic guidelines the Lord has given. Amen? "Come, let us reason together saith the Lord." What does it mean to be "marked?" We use the expression today in our modern vernacular. We say, "He is a marked man." Does this mean someone who has a tattooed message on his forehead? No! It simply means that he has been marked or noted by something he has done, or by something that he has proclaimed himself to be.
Every person who has become a member of the denominational system has been "marked." They are identified by what they believe through adhering to the doctrines of a particular denominational name. If you ask them, "Are you a Christian?" Few will answer…"Yes, I am a Christian." The majority will let you know immediately that they are a, "Baptist" or a "Presbyterian" or a "Methodist" or an "Episcopalian" or a "Lutheran" or a "Nazarene" or a United Brethren" or a "Catholic" or a "Pentecostal" and the list goes on and on…Let us look at these symbols more closely as to HOW these adherents were "marked."
The text tells us that they were either marked in their right hand or in their forehead. Let us consider the hand first…The evangelical persuasions of Protestantism receive their new members with the “right hand of fellowship.” From that moment, they receive the “mark” or the “name” of that particular denomination.
The more formal ecclesiastical persuasions of Protestantism expect their potential members to attend their catechism classes to learn their particular doctrine. Thus, these adherents receive their “mark” in their mind, or what symbolically is termed the forehead. At their official confirmation service they affirm their belief in that particular denomination and become identified by its name. Both of these classes of people have ALL received the “Mark of the Beast.”
It is God who clarifies these symbolic truths to us through His Word. We remember that the prophet of old referred to the mind as the “forehead.” The book of Hebrews also incorporates this terminology. It is written: “I will put my laws into their MIND, and write them in their hearts.” (Hebrew 8:10)
Remember! This Beast symbolizes ALL of Protestantism, which is the second stage of the Apostasy. This continuing symbolism in Revelation 13:7 speaks of not being able to “buy or sell” unless you had received the “Mark of the Beast.” We need to know WHAT it is that is being “bought and sold” here.
The Prophet Isaiah will tell us through the Spirit of the Lord WHAT we are buying and selling…“Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price,” (Isaiah 55:1) Was Isaiah writing about a grocery order, a loaf of bread, a gallon of milk? Of course not! We recognize that he was referring to spiritual things. He is speaking of the “Water of Life,” and the “Bread of Life,” that is in Jesus.
Believers desire the sincere milk of the Word, that they may grow thereby.” The wisdom given to us from proverbs also confirms this symbolic truth of the Revelation message. “Buy the truth and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”(Proverbs 23:23) God’s Word and His Spirit deal with “Spiritual exchange,” not a material exchange. As believers, we are “buying” truth, wisdom and understanding when we accept God’s Word. “Buying” means receiving it. We receive it by faith as a free gift from God. We are invited to come without money to buy and eat.
Now that we have received this wisdom and knowledge, we may better comprehend the symbolic terminology concerning the meaning of “buying and selling” in Revelation 13:17. It was said, “And no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”
This brief explanation may be of further help in understanding exactly what these scriptures are saying. We know that each ecclesiastical system within Protestantism has its own seminary or school of divinity. As a person completes his or her training, they are officially ordained in a formal ceremony. This ordination permits them to minister in their chosen sect. They receive their “mark” by taking the name of that particular denomination. The Catholics will not interview a Methodist for their parish priest. The Lutherans will not be hiring a Baptist as their bishop. The Nazarenes will not be seeking a Pentecostal preacher to be their Pastor. The Pentecostals will not be looking for an Episcopalian cleric to preach to them.
What does it mean then… "And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or name of the beast, or the number of his name." The symbols of this prophecy only verify the reality of those things that have taken place. In other words, every minister must have the proper credentials to permit him or her to, "buy or sell" the specific doctrines and traditions of his chosen denomination.
According to the full story given to us through this Revelation prophecy, the previous religious system of Catholicism holds the key to understanding the number of 666. There is a MAN, a perpetual man who has throughout history usurped the authority of God. The Catholic Church proclaims that the "Chair of Peter" is ONE perpetual man chosen by God to be His Voice on this earth. According to God's Word, this is "BLASPHEMY." The Popes have ascribed to themselves the very names of the true and Living God.
 
The Popes of every age have presented themselves to be worshipped. Their adherents bow down to them in homage, kissing their hands, and sometimes even their feet! Do the scriptures present the lowly Nazarene entering into the cities in this copy of Pagan exaltation? NO!
The Popes official tittle is ...VICARIOUS FILII DEI. In the English language, these words are translated as the... "VICAR OF THE SON OF GOD." According to the Bible, "Vicar" applies to the Holy Spirit. It is written in Revelation 13:18, "Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a MAN: and his number is six hundred threescore and six." God has already provided the wisdom and understanding for us. We know that certain letters of the alphabet are derived from Latin and Phoenician sources, which posses numerical value, so...
* V = 5
* I = 1
* C = 100
* A - No Value
* R - No Value
* I = 1
* U = 5
* S - No Value
* F - No Value
* I = 1
* L = 50
* I = 1
* I = 1
* D = 500
* E - No Value
* I = 1   
The Apostle Paul gives this graphic and pointed description of the... "Man of Sin" He writes..."Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day (Christ's return) shall not come, except there be a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed (seen openly) the son of perdition; who opposseth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
Many commentators erroneously place this "falling away" at the close of this present age as an end time prophecy. This is not what is written or implied! In the continuing account, Paul admonishes the church to "remember" that he had told them that these things would happen.
This "falling away" began in the infant church. Paul tells them that the "mystery of iniquity" was already at work. What was that? We recall that Paul had forewarned the church that men would rise up among themselves, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after themselves.
This did come to pass as the Apostate church began to develop in the later part of the second century. These believers knew what was "withholding" the revealing of the "Man of sin." These believers knew that it was Paganism's religious power that Paul was speaking of. They understood that when the power of Paganism would be "taken out of the way" or loose its deceptive power, then would that "wicked one be revealed" or seen openly.
In ancient Pagan Rome there was a college of priests, with one supreme high priest called "Pontifix Maximus" who ruled over all the others. It is also interesting to note that the very same religious attire of magnificent apparel, which the Pagan priests, adorned themselves in became the apparel of this Roman Catholic hierarchy.
The previous tittle of the Pagan priest, "Pontifix Maximus" is still used officially today! The Pope is addressed as, "The Pontiff." According to historical facts, the Papacy's reign of tyranny ruled with the sanctioning and support of the Emperors of Rome during what is known as the "Dark-Ages" for more than 1,000 years. All who would not bow down to the Popes were branded as heretics and burned at the stake, or killed in other heinous manners.
Foxes book of Martyrs reveals this hidden "holocaust" against true Christians during the Pope's reign of terror!
Many commentators erroneously place this "falling away" at the close of the age as an end time prophecy. This is not what is written or implied! In the continuing account, Paul admonishes the church to "remember" that he had told them that these things would happen. This "falling away" began in the infant church. Paul tells them that the "mystery of iniquity" was already at work. What was that?
We recall that Paul had forewarned the church that men would rise up among themselves, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after themselves. This did come to pass as the Apostate church began to develop in the later part of the second century. These believers knew what was "withholding" the revealing of the "Man of sin." These first believers knew that it was Paganism's religious power that Paul was speaking of. They understood that when the power of Paganism would be "taken out of the way" or loose its deceptive power, then would that "wicked one be revealed" or seen openly.
Daniel's prophecy said that this "little horn" symbolizing a great religious power had the "eyes of a man" = The Holy See
Daniel 7:20-21
The previous tittle of the Pagan priest, "Pontifix Maximus" is still used officially today!
The Pope is addressed as...
"The Pontiff."
According to historical facts, the Papacy's reign of tyranny ruled with the sanctioning and support of the Emperors of Rome during what is known as the "Dark-Ages" for more than 1,000 years.
All who would not bow down to the Popes were branded as heretics and burned at the stake, or killed in other heinous manners. Foxes book of Martyrs reveals this well hidden "holocaust" against true Christians during the Pope's reign of terror!
Paul's description of this "Man of sin" has been verified in fact by those events that came to pass. The following graphic discription is used by Christ to identify and describe this great Apostate church and her harlot daughters which represent Protestantism's many divisions....
God's command is to, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not her plagues."
God is calling HIS people (believers)out of Babylon's confusion...
Will YOU
be among those who obey God's call?
Art work done by Pat Marvenko Smith - Copyright 1992 Click on pictures to visit her Web Site
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