Welcome to part 15 of End Time Prophecy Revealed. This week, we are looking at the mark of the beast. It’s something that can cause some anxiety, confusion, controversy and disagreement. But, today we are going to look at what the Bible has to say and hopefully, dispel some of the myths surrounding this topic.
The key passage today is found in Revelation 13:16-18. And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the 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 word for ‘mark’ in the Greek is charagma which means a brand, stamp or imprint, an engraving mark, a badge of ownership. The antichrist will mark out human beings that belong to him and you will have to have this mark in order to buy or sell anything. It will be tied to the worship of mankind, a badge showing that this person is loyal to the world’s system and has embraced false ideology.
It says the number of the beast will be 666. Six is the number of man and seven is the number of God. Six represents man’s self-sufficiency whereas seven represents God’s provision. It’s a counterfeit seal. Ephesians 1:13 says we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise. That’s what God gives when you are born again because you surrendered to Jesus Christ and you are ‘marked’ as one who belongs to God.
Everything you see about the devil and his works in the book of Revelation is a counterfeit, a false type of Holy Spirit or godliness. He will ‘set himself up as god’, remember? We discussed that before. It’s all a lie.
So what will the mark of the beast be? It's very likely that the mark of the beast will be a computer chip, implanted in the body, that is linked to a global super-computer. No, we haven’t gone crazy! Bear with us.
Digital trading became a thing as soon as our credit cards and bank cards and mobile phones were used to swipe across a scanner and pay for something. That's now 'normal' in society, isn't it? So, it’s not a huge jump to imagine the next step is to simply implant those details and that system into your body so you don’t even need to carry a wallet or a purse, no plastic, no cash, nothing. You’ll just wave your hand or whatever across the scanner and they will have all your details and you’ll be able to purchase things that way.
It’s like a sci-fi movie isn’t it?! But, did you know that Elon Musk and other companies are already doing this? A.I. has already been unleashed onto the market. People actually refer to it as ‘god’s brain’. There will be an interface with our human brain that includes the internet and all knowledge available to us constantly. Imagine that! It'll sound like an amazingly useful and helpful thing.
It will be like putting our phones in our brains. It will ‘seem’ to be amazingly convenient. You won’t have to worry about fraud, losing your bank card or your wallet, you won’t have to worry about inflation because the government will be able to control the value on things. It’ll seem very logical and appear to be a really good thing. Imagine having the internet at your disposal in your brain! It’ll even help people medically with mental health issues etc. It’s going to appear to be amazing folks! This is why it is so important that you be prepared and informed about this.
It's all rooted in the elevation and worship of 'mankind'. It follows the idea that we don't need God, that we are God and that we can rule this world ourselves without Him. Remember the Tower of Babel? Instead of spreading out and subduing the earth as God had commanded, they assembled themselves together and built a tower in a desire to be 'gods' themselves. God slowed them down but ultimately couldn't stop humanity from following that same course. The antichrist will also do away with sovereign states, something that God ordained, and create a one-world government in a so-called ‘utopian’ world.
During Covid, Pastor Richard said to the church that the pandemic is not the great tribulation but it is a trial run by the devil. He’s rolling out these things to see what works and doesn’t work. Vaccines were pushed really hard, remember? But what came with it? Control and monitoring. Vaccine passports - if you don’t, you’re not loving your neighbour etc.! In France, you had to have a QR code in order to get into a store!! Think about that.
We are on the verge of this folks. The next level will be even greater. We must not take the mark of the beast. It will be the ultimate act of trying to become godlike through physical control of the natural realm. It will be worshipping creation, not the creator.
Tragically, those who worship the antichrist and take the mark will be damned to eternal punishment. Revelation 14:9-12 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and 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 up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
This is a tough subject, we know that. But in taking a stand for Jesus Christ, we will be rewarded church! We hope that you appreciate how real we are being with you here. Not too many ministries would stick their necks out in this manner and deliver something quite this heavy! Right?! But this is in the Bible and therefore worthy of our attention. This is the Word of God and we need to be diligent and prepared so that we won’t be deceived.
Remember, however hard it might get, heaven lasts for a long time! It will be more than worth it. Taking a stand for Jesus, even the face of great persecution, will be more than worth it. So, take heart and stand strong.
Until next time,
Upstream Ministries
WATCH PASTOR RICHARD'S TEACHING
IN THIS SPECIAL 10-MINUTE EDITION
