MARK OF THE BEAST
AND 666

All Bible texts are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.

The Beast

The description of a beast is given in the New Testament book of Revelation chapter 13:14-18. "And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto 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 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."

Identifying the Beast

Now that we have read the quote we need to identify the beast, but before we talk about the Beast we need to understand the back-ground and history preceding the Beast. The best place to begin is in the book of Daniel, which deals greatly with prophecy, from the 6th century B.C. down to the end of time.

The interpretation of the symbols used in Bible prophecy has not been left to human guesswork. Prophecy is history written in advance, and the book of Daniel provides the key to understanding it. A beast in prophecy symbolizes a king or kingdom. "These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth." Daniel 7:17 and "The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth," Daniel 7:23 indicate this. Note that 'king' and 'kingdom' are used interchangeably. Daniel 7:3 states that these four kings "came up from the sea", and sea or waters in prophecy represents "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." Revelation 17:15. In chapter 7 of Daniel we have the then current, and future kingdoms of the world presented to the prophet. "The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man's heart was given to it." Daniel 7:4. This refers to the Babylonian Empire, which reigned supreme in Daniel's time.

The Bear

"And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh." Daniel 7:5. This symbol too is the same as the one found in Daniel 2:39. The kingdom which followed Babylon was Medo-Persia. This was a dual monarchy with the Medes ruling first, the later the Persians. The prophecy indicates this aspect by noting that the bear 'raised up itself on one side'. The three ribs represented other powers overthrown in its rise to dominance, namely Lydia, Babylon and Egypt.

The Leopard

"After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it." Daniel 7:6. This symbol also represents the same power as the one presented in Daniel 2:39. It was the Grecian empire under Alexander the Great which overthrew the Persians, and when he died his kingdom was divided into four parts, as symbolized by the four heads.

The Fourth Beast

"After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns." Daniel 7:7. This symbol is again the same power as the one represented in Daniel 2:40. The fourth universal power to rule the world after Daniel's day was pagan Rome. It was so different from any beast Daniel knew that he was unable to name it. It was indescribable. The ten horns are noted in Daniel 7:24 as "ten kings that shall arise". It is in fact that the Roman Empire was split up into ten smaller kingdoms between the years 351 and 476 A.D.

Their ancient and modern names are:

1. Alemanni - Germany
2. Franks - France
3. Anglo-Saxons - England
4. Burgundians - Switzerland
5. Visigoths - Spain
6. Suevi - Portugal
7. Lombards - Italy
8. Heruli
9. Vandals
10. Ostrogoths

The Little Horn

"I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things." Daniel 7:8. This verse gives two identifying marks to locate the 'little horn' in history. It came up 'among' the ten horns (kingdoms) and 'three' of the original ten were overthrown in its rise to power. Later, in Daniel 7:24, another identifying mark is given. The little horn would come up 'after' the ten horns. There is only ONE power in all history that fits this description. In Rome itself in the very centre of the fractured empire there arose after 476 A.D. the PAPACY, the one-man government of the Catholic church. In its rise to power three of the Gothic tribes, the Heruli, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths, were overthrown and disappeared from history. The reigning power of these kings passed to the Pope. The power of the Papacy was established by the decree of Justinian in 533 A.D. and was carried out by force of arms in 538 A.D. with the overthrow of the Ostrogoths by Justinian's general, Belisarius.

Conclusive Evidence

More identifying marks are given in Daniel 7:25. It says that he "shall wear out the saints of the most High", indicating great persecution. No reader of history will deny the role of the Papacy in this. The dreadful persecution of the Dark Ages have indeed blackened the pages of history.

Then he shall "think to change times and laws". This the Papacy has done by disposing of the second commandment (forbidding the worship of idols) and changing the fourth (the only one dealing with time). A false day of worship has been set up in place of the original seventh-day Sabbath kept by Christ and the apostles.

1,260 Years

The next identification leaves no doubts, as no other power on earth could fit the prediction. That is, he shall reign for 1260 years. This is mentioned twice in Daniel and five times in Revelation, as follows: "time, times, and an half" (Time = 1 Bible year of 360 days, times = 2 Bible years, an half = 1/2 Bible year; totalling 1,260) in Daniel 7:25, 12:7 and Revelation 12:14; "forty and two months" in Revelation 11:2 and 13:5; and "a thousand two hundred and threescore days" in Revelation 11:3 and 12:6 (A prophetic calendar year of 360 days, or 12 months of 30 days each, is used in Bible chronology).

This power, then, would reign supreme for 1260 days, each day standing for a year, or 1260 years (Ezekiel 4:6, Numbers 14:34); from 538 A.D., when the last of the opposing 'horns' was uprooted, till 1798. In that year Berthier, one of Napoleon's generals, took the French army to Rome, made the Bishop of Rome, Pope Pius VI prisoner, and carried him to France where he died. The civil power of the Papacy finally ceased and a republic was set up in Rome.

But the prophecy regarding the Papacy didn't end there.

Look at a few references regarding the Papacy's 1260 years of supremacy, in the book of Revelation. Starting at chapter 13 we find verses 1 to 10 talking again about the Papacy's rise to power out of the fallen Roman Empire, its great power during the 1260 years, and the deadly wound it received at the end of that period. Verse 3 says, "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast." We see from Daniel 7:21, 22 that this power would exist right up until Christ's second coming.

We have now positively identified the Beast of Revelation 13:14 - 18 as the Papacy or the Roman Catholic Church, but who is the image of the beast that is mentioned?

The Beast With Lamb-like Horns Makes The Image To The Beast

In between its deadly wound and its rise back to power another beast is brought to view in Revelation 13:11, 12. "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed."

'Then I saw another BEAST . . .'
The Symbols		The Meaning
Arises out of the earth. Rev.13:11		Arises in some new vacant or sparsely populated land.
Arises about the time the sea beast is falling. Rev. 13:10		Grows into a nation about the time the Papal overthrow - (1798)
Has two lamb-like horns - verse 11		Two Christ-like principles give it strength (civil and religious liberty)
Has no crowns on the horns - verse 11		Not a monarchy - some form of republic.
Exercises power equal to the first beast. Rev. 13:12		Becomes a formidable if not supreme world power.

This "beast coming up out of the earth" is a nation that comes up in a wilderness area. It is a country discovered, not conquered. It has "two horns like a lamb" indicating youth, gentleness and represents civil and religious freedom. But "he spake as a dragon," "exerciseth all the power of the first beast" and "causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast."

Only one power in history meets these five prophetic specifications, namely the United States of America. We see from verse 14 that it began with a humble nature but turns arbitrary towards the end of time. We see that it makes an Image to the Beast - an exact copy of what the Papacy was during its 1260 year rule. When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result.

Prophecy reveals that America will exalt Sunday sacredness, which is the Mark of the Papacy's authority to make up its own laws; and that the whole world will follow! It is the boast of the Papacy that it can change the Law of God, the ten commandments. This will become the deciding issue in the future, even to the point of death (Revelation 13:14, 15.). The LAW of GOD or the laws of men?

Note that at this time "he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men" "insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Revelation 13:13 and Matthew 24:24).

The Papacy claims the change of the Sabbath to the first day of the week was her act and is the mark of her authority in religious things.

'Question: Have you any other way of proving that the Church has power to institute festivals of precept?'

'Answer: Had she not such power she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her; she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday the seventh day, a change for which there is no scriptural authority.'

('A Doctrinal Catechism', by the Rev. Stephen Kennan, p.174)

 

'Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act . . . and the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical authority in religious things.'

'If Protestants would follow the Bible, they should worship God on the Sabbath Day. In keeping Sunday they are following a law of the Catholic Church.'

(Albert Smith, Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore, replying for the Cardinal in a letter of February 10, 1920.)

The Mark of the Beast

IT IS NOT MERELY AN OUTWARD SYMBOL. If so, it could be forced on those opposed to it. Those who refuse the mark keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus (Revelation 14:12); therefore those who have the mark do not keep them. Those who receive the seal of God are victorious over the mark of the Beast (Revelation 9:4, 15:2); thus the mark involves breaking the ten commandments, because the seal of God is found within His moral law (see below).

The fourth commandment (the seventh day Sabbath), which Rome has endeavoured to set aside, is the only precept of the Decalogue that points to God as the Creator of the heavens and the earth, and thus distinguishes the true God from all false gods. The Sabbath was instituted to commemorate the work of creation, and thus to direct the minds of men to the true and living God. The fact of His creative power is cited throughout the Scriptures as proof that the God of Israel is superior to heathen deities. Had the Sabbath always been kept, man's thoughts and affections would have been led to his Maker as the object of reverence and worship, and there would never have been an idolater, an atheist, or an infidel.

That institution which points to God as the Creator, is a sign of His rightful authority over the beings He has made. The change of the Sabbath is the sign, or mark, of the authority of the Roman Catholic Church. Those who, understanding the claims of the fourth commandment, choose to observe the false in place of the true Sabbath, are thereby paying homage to that power by which alone it is commanded, namely the Roman Catholic Church.

The mark of the beast will be received on the forehead or in the hand - the forehead symbolizing belief, the hand co-operation with the authority.

No one has the mark today. It will be received only when national or international Sunday law is enforced by legislation, to restrict the consciences of men, women and children in regard to their freedom of worship.

But when Sunday observance shall be enforced by law, and the world shall be enlightened concerning the obligation of the true Sabbath, then whoever shall transgress the command of God, to obey a precept which has no higher authority than that of Rome, will thereby honour popery above God. He is paying homage to Rome and to the power which enforces the institution ordained by Rome. He is worshipping the beast and his image. As men then reject the institution which God has declared to be the sign of His authority, and honour in its stead that which Rome has chosen as the token of her supremacy, they will thereby accept the sign of allegiance to Rome - "the mark of the beast." And it is not until the issue is thus plainly set before the people, and they are brought to choose between the commandments of God and the commandments of men, that those who continue in transgression will receive "the mark of the beast."

The Seal of God

A SIGN OR SEAL IS USED WITH THE SAME MEANING IN THE BIBLE IN CONNECTION WITH LAWS OR LEGAL DOCUMENTS.

Note: An official seal must show three things:-

1. The name of the lawgiver.
2. His official position or right to rule.
3. The kingdom or territory over which he rules.

For instance:-

1. Person's name - Abraham Lincoln.
2. Official position - President.
3. Domain - United States of America.

THE SEAL OF GOD IS CONNECTED WITH HIS LAW AND IS FOUND IN THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT.

Exodus 20:8-11 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."

Read through all the ten commandments. Only in the fourth do we find:-

1. God's name - 'Lord thy God'.
2. His official position - 'Creator'.
3. His domain - 'heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is'.

Ezekiel speaks of the Sabbath as being God's sign (seal). "Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them." Ezekiel 20:12. "Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples." Isaiah 8:16.

JESUS SAID "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:17, 18.

There was one who came to Jesus, asking, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. . . Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal . . ." Matthew 19:16-19.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth." John 1:1-3, 14. The seventh day sabbath is an integral part of God's law, a weekly reminder of Christ our Creator and Redeemer.

The remnant church in the last days upholds all God's law: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 12:17. (A woman in prophecy represents a church.)

666

The Number Of His Name

As the Beast has already been identified, the number, whatever significance it may have, must have a relationship to this power. The number, says the prophecy, is the number of a man, and if it is to be derived from a name or title, the natural conclusion would be that is must be the name or title of some particular man. Vicarious Filii Dei, meaning "Vicar of the Son of God," is one of the titles for the Pope of Rome, who is also the Antichrist. The numerical value of the component letter of this title totals 666 as shown in the image below.

Here we have indeed the number of a man, even the "man of sin;" and it is a little singular, perhaps providential, that he should select a title which shows the blasphemous character of the beast, and then cause it to be inscribed upon his miter, as if to brand himself with the number 666. Not all popes might wear the title emblazoned on the miter, but this does not affect the application at all, for the popes all assume to be the "Vicar of Christ" and the Latin words given above, are the words which express that title, in the form "Vicar of the Son of God;" and their numerical value is 666.

The Three Angels' Messages

These messages are given to prepare a people to stand in the day of God, a great work of reform was to be accomplished. God saw that many of His professed people were not building for eternity, and in His mercy He was about to send a message of warning to arouse them from their stupor and lead them to make ready for the coming of the Lord.

This warning is brought to view in Revelation 14. Here is a threefold message that contains the most serious warning of coming judgement to be found in scripture.

The First Angel's Message

The first of these warnings announces the approaching judgement.

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgement is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." Revelation 14:6, 7.

The announcement, "The hour of His judgement is come," points to the closing work of Christ's ministration for the salvation of men. It heralds a truth which must be proclaimed until the Saviour's intercession shall cease and He shall return to the earth to take His people to Himself. The work of judgement which began in 1844 must continue until the cases of all are decided, both of the living and the dead; hence it will extend to the close of human probation. That men may be prepared to stand in the judgement, the message commands them to "fear God, and give glory to Him," "and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." The result of an acceptance of these messages is given in the word: "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." In order to be prepared for the judgment, it is necessary that men should keep the law of God. That law will be the standard of character in the judgment. The apostle Paul declares: "As many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law, . . . in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ." And he says the "the doers of the law shall be justified." Romans 2:12 - 16. Faith is essential in order to the keeping of the law of God; for "without faith it is impossible to please Him." And "whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Hebrews 11:6; Romans 14:23.

By the first angel, men are called upon to "fear God and give glory to Him" and to worship Him as the Creator of the heavens and the earth. In order to do this, they must obey His law. Says the wise man: "Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." Ecclesiastes 12:13. Without obedience to His commandments no worship can be pleasing to God. "This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." 1 John 5:3, Proverbs 28:9.

The Second Angel's Message

The first angel is followed by a second proclaiming: "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." Revelation 14:8. The term "Babylon" is derived from "Babel," and signifies confusion. It is employed in Scripture to designate the various forms of false or apostate religion.

The message of Revelation 14, announcing the fall of Babylon must apply to religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt. Since this message follows the warning of the judgement, it must be given in the last days; therefore it cannot refer to the Roman Church alone, for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries. Furthermore, in the eighteenth chapter of the Revelation the people of God are called upon to come out of Babylon. According to this scripture, many of God's people must still be in Babylon. And in what religious bodies are the greater part of the followers of Christ now to be found? Without doubt, in the various churches professing the Protestant faith.

Many of the Protestant churches are following Rome's example of iniquitous connection with "the kings of the earth" - the state churches, by their relation to secular governments; and other denominations, by seeking the favour of the world. And the term "Babylon" - confusion - may be appropriately applied to these bodies, all professing to derive their doctrines from the Bible, yet divided into almost innumerable sects, with widely conflicting creeds and theories.

Besides a sinful union with the world, the churches that separated from Rome present other of her characteristics and doctrines:-

• Idolatry in relation to the saints and statutes.
  
• Anti Christian spirit and practices.
  
• Sunday sacredness.
  
• Natural immortality of the soul.
  
• Eternal hell fire.
  
• Righteous dead in heaven.
  
• Denial of the pre-existence of Christ prior to his birth in Bethlehem.

The Third Angel's Message

"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 ascendeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth 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." Revelation 14:9 - 12.

Here we read that anyone who worships the Beast - The Roman Catholic Church - and his image - Protestant churches uniting with the state to pass religious laws - and receive his mark - Sunday worship enforced by law - in his forehead - believes it to be correct - or in his hand - cooperation with authorities to avoid punishment - shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture - will be punished by God in a fire that will totally consume them so that they will be forgotten by those that are saved.

The most fearful threatening ever addressed to mortals is contained in the third angel's message. That must be a terrible sin which calls down the wrath of God unmingled with mercy. Men are not to be left in darkness concerning this important matter; the warning against this sin is to be given to the world before the visitation of God's judgments, that all may know why they are to be inflicted, and have opportunity to escape them. Prophecy declares that the first angel would make his announcement to "every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people." The warning of the third angel, which forms a part of the same threefold message, is to be no less widespread. It is represented in the prophecy as being proclaimed with a loud voice, by an angel flying in the midst of heaven; and it will command the attention of the world.

The Fourth or Another Angel

"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double." Revelation 18:1 - 6.

Revelation 18 points to the time when, as the result of rejecting the threefold warning of Revelation 14:6 - 12, the church will have fully reached the condition foretold by the second angel, and the people of God still in Babylon will be called upon to separate from her communion. This message is the last that will ever be given to the world; and it will accomplish its work. When those that "believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2:12), shall be left to receive strong delusion and to believe a lie, than the light of truth will shine upon all whose hearts are open to receive it, and all the children of the Lord that remain in Babylon will head the call: "Come out of her, My people." (Revelation 18:4).

By reading all the above, we can see what is meant by the Three Angels' Message of Revelation 14.

1. They tell us the judgement is now taking place (verses 6, 7).
   
2. They tell us that Protestantism has fallen and in reference to this, Revelation 18:1-5 tells us it has become the habitation of devils and every foul spirit. We are called out of this false system of religion.
   
3. The most solemn warning is given to the world, that if any man worship the papacy or its Image (i.e. Protestantism united with government to enforce man-made traditions) and goes along with compulsory Sunday worship they will receive the mark of the Beast (verses 9-11).
   
4. Verse 12 show us the class who do not receive the mark of the Beast, but are declared to be keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus (including the seventh day sabbath).

Can you escape?

Knowing what the issues are, we might wonder if it is possible to obey God and escape His judgment, knowing full well that we have had a lifetime of sinning. And what is sin? "For sin is the transgression (breaking) of the law." 1 John 3:4 and "For the wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23. What hope do we have? None in ourselves. "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil." Jeremiah 13:23.

Calvary stands as a memorial of the amazing sacrifice required to atone for the transgression of the divine law. Let us not regard sin as a trivial thing.

How shall a man be just with God?

How shall the sinner be made righteous? It is only through Christ that we can be brought into harmony with God, with holiness; but how are we to come to Christ? Many are asking the same question as did the multitude on the Day of Pentecost, when, convicted of sin, they cried out, "What shall we do?" The first word of Peter's answer was "Repent". Acts 2:37, 38. At another time, shortly after, he said "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;" Acts 3:19.

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. . . For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted." Hebrews 2:14, 15, 18.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13. We can claim this strength only when we accept His Righteousness by faith and repent. Confess and turn away from sinning (that is breaking God's Law) to follow Him in obedience. But you see friend, faith and repentance are a gift of God (Romans 12:3, 2; 2 Timothy 2:25) like everything else, and it is not something you can produce of yourself. Understanding our situation, Jesus says to us "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you . . . If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" Matthew 7:7, 11. So ask NOW as David did.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit." Psalms 51:10-12. Only by total dependence on Jesus Christ our LIVING SAVIOUR may we attain a Christ-like character and be ready to meet the Lord when He returns. "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them." Hebrews 10:16.

In Conclusion

Just before Jesus Christ returns to this earth that holy law, God's righteousness, that amid thunder and flame was proclaimed from Sinai as the guide of life, is now revealed to men as the rule of judgement. The hand opens the tables, and there are seen the precepts of the Decalogue, traced as with a pen of fire. It is impossible to describe the horror and despair of those who have tramples upon God's holy requirements.

The enemies of God's law, from the ministers down to the least among them, have a new conception of truth and duty. Too late they see that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment is the seal of the living God. Too late they see the true nature of their spurious sabbath and the sandy foundation upon which they have been building. They find that they have been fighting against God. Religious teachers have led souls to perdition while profession to guide them to the gates of Paradise. Not until the day of final accounts will it be known how great is the responsibility of men in holy office and how terrible are the results of their unfaithfulness. Only in eternity can we rightly estimate the loss of a single soul. Fearful will be the doom of him to whom God shall say: Depart, thou wicked servant.

In the issue of the contest all Christendom will be divided into two great classes - those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and those who worship the beast and his image and receive his mark. Although church and state will unite their power to compel "all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond" (Revelation 13:16), to receive "the mark of the beast," yet the people of God will not receive it. The prophet of Patmos beholds "them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God" and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb. Revelation 15:2, 3.

Remember back in the Garden of Eden obedience was tested by two trees? In these very last days OBEDIENCE will be tested by whose laws we keep. THE LAW OF GOD or the laws of men. God's Sabbath or the Sunday pagan counterfeit.

 

"Here is the patience of the saints:
here are they that keep the commandments of God,
and the faith of Jesus."
Revelation 14:12.

 

© D & S Goeldner, 1999.

 

  

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