But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18
MARK OF THE BEAST EXPLAINED
(Post-Tribulational Rapture = Christians will go through the Tribulation)
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31) (Emphasis mine)
Some teach that the rapture (gathering together of his elect) will occur before the Great Tribulation (Pre-Tribulational Rapture). But the Lord said it would be after the tribulation of those days (Matthew 24:29).
He was not just speaking to Jews. He was speaking to Jewish Christians (his Apostles--members of His first Baptist Church). Therefore, the gathering of His elect (rapture) that our Lord mentions in Matthew 24:31 occurs (in context) after the tribulation of those days of Matthew 24:29.
Other passages of Scripture support this Post-Tribulational Rapture view, such as a careful reading of John 16:33, Acts 14:22 and especially Second Thessalonians 2:1-4 where we are told that our gathering together unto him (rapture) cannot occur until after the man of sin is revealed.
The Holy Spirit need not remove Christians in order to remove his restraining influence on sinful rulers, according to Proverbs 21:1. God can turn the ruler's heart in any direction he wishes, without any help from Christians at all.
Finally, the Holy Spirit is necessary to the new birth -- so He will still be here during the Great Tribulation. How else could some be saved during the Great Tribulation, but by the Spirit of God in the new birth? See John 3:3-8 for proof.
The Post-Tribulational view is Scriptural. And like all Scripture truth, it is not very popular. So let's get right to the point. Christians will go through the Tribulation and will be faced with the Mark of the Beast (666).
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. (Rev. 13:15-18)
Here is the Mark of the Beast. It is an identifying mark. It indicates that the one who bears it worships the resurrected end-time world leader. To be without the mark will label one as a traitor.
Such a person will either be killed (if found) or probably starve to death (if hiding). A few may survive in remote regions by living off the land. But survival won't be easy.
Revelation 13 does not tell us the Name of the Beast. But God, through the Apostle John, does tell us the Number of the Beast (666). And He tell us what it will be used for: buying and selling.
There is no need to allegorize this text of Scripture. It is true that all evil men, in all periods of history, have the mark of the beast in their foreheads (their thoughts) and in their hands (their deeds). But this text is talking about the end-time One World Economy.
ONE WORLD ECONOMY
The super-rich Vatican knows that whoever controls the world economy controls the world. In this computer age of Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT) the stage is set for the Mark of the Beast.
Like a debit card, all transactions will be immediate and traceable with the Mark. But unlike a debit card, the Mark of the Beast will not be subject to theft. It cannot be lost. It will on the hand or forehead of the bearer.
It may be an implanted microchip that can hold a person's bank accounts, medical records, etc. These can be updated electronically. Microchips are already being routinely implanted in cattle and dogs as an identifying mark.
SMART Cards use imbedded chips (particularly in Europe) for financial transactions. They can be implanted in humans. WorldNetDaily.com recently published the following:
A NASDAQ-traded company has finally unveiled its long-touted and highly controversial Digital Angel -- a sub dermal microchip implant designed not merely for keeping tabs on pets, but for widespread, worldwide use in tracking human beings.
The high-tech device, engineered by Applied Digital Solutions, Inc. had its debut Monday before an overflow crowd of more than 300 invited guests at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. The audience included U.S. Secretary of Commerce Norman Mineta....[1]
Another proposed method is a laser tattoo. It is already being used to track salmon by the Washington State Fisheries Dept.[2] Laser tattoos are painless and invisible to the naked eye. But they are readable under a hand-held laser gun.
Senior Scholastics says, ... people would receive a numbered TATTOO IN THEIR WRIST OR FOREHEAD ... All items of consumer goods will be marked with a computer mark.
The check stand will pick up the NUMBER IN THE PERSONS BODY and automatically total the price and deduct the amount from the person's 'special Drawing Rights'
account....[3]
The Universal Product Code (UPC) contains the number 666 -- in its three main bars. A Personal Identification Number (PIN) such as one's Social Security Number could be added as prefix (or suffix) to such a 666 bar code tattoo.
Whether a microchip implant or a laser tattoo -- a cashless society is coming. God told the Apostle John this over 1900 years ago in the Book of Revelation. For the first time in world history, it is now possible.
NO BUYING OR SELLING
This cashless society will be linked to a One World Religion and Government. None will be able to buy or sell without the Mark. No Mark of the Beast means no salary, no way to pay house payments or utility bills, no shopping for food, clothing or medicine.
Look at the back of an American One Dollar Bill. In the circle on the left you'll notice a Pyramid with an EYE above it. Below the Pyramid are the Latin words NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM (New World Order).
This has always been the dream of Satanists. The all-seeing EYE on top of a Pyramid will come true. A cashless, Electronic Fund Transfer economy will mean TOTAL CONTROL of the world's population.
Electronically recorded transactions will be open to instant access by the Government. All will be naked and opened to the EYE of the World Dictator. No more privacy for anyone. Big Brother will be watching from atop his revived Tower of Babel.
CALLS FOR A MARK TODAY
Even now, calls from major banks for a cashless society can be heard. Think of all the savings from not having to process billions of checks. Think of all the savings in paper alone.
Government and community leaders are calling for the same. Think of the billions in lost tax revenues due to an underground economy where cash is used. Think of the drug lords and Mafia figures put out of business if we went cashless.
Think of the problem of identifying illegal aliens, escaped criminals, roving terrorists, paroled prisoners. Think of the problem of missing children, Alzheimer-afflicted elderly, and runaway teenagers.
All could be solved by an identifying mark on the hand or forehead. A mark which one must have to buy or sell. A mark that can be traced electronically -- anytime, anywhere.
HEAVEN AND HELL
Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will not worship the Image of the Beast, nor take his Mark. Those who do take the Mark of the Beast are promised eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire. Those who die in the Lord for not taking the Mark are promised rest from their labors.
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.
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may REST from their labours; and their works do follow them. (Revelation 14:9-13) (Emphasis mine)
[1] WorldNetDaily.com, Nov. 1, 2000 Article: Digital Angel Unveiled
[2] Oklahoma City Times, Nov. 6, 1975 Issue, quoted by Jim McKeever, Christians Will Go Through the Tribulation: And How to Prepare for It (Omega Publications: Medford, Oregon, 1978) p. 183.
[3] Senior Scholastics, Sept. 20, 1973 Edition, quoted by Jim McKeever, Ibid.
CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO MARTYRDOM FOR CHRIST
Obviously, for the Christian, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. But some Christians will live and may have to deal with radiation, a disrupted food chain, scarce medical care and supplies, possible anarchy and martial law. Does the Bible give us any light on how a Christian should prepare?
SPIRITUAL PREPARATION
Our Lord Jesus said, Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36)
We prayed to Christ, asking Him to save us from our sins, to forgive us, and to grant us the gift of eternal life. Now we need to pray also for physical deliverance from things like nuclear attack and its aftermath (which could include a one world government, complete with a 666 world economy from which Christians are excluded and persecuted due to their loyalty to Christ).
Ecclesiastes 11:4 says, He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.
We need to be faithful in sowing (planting) the Word of God (through tracts and our personal testimony) that we my reap a harvest of souls won to Christ, even as the storm clouds of tribulation gather. Some of God's elect (who are not yet saved) may be made aware of their need of Christ in a time of great trouble.
We need to be prepared to die for Christ. Our Lord Jesus said, . . . If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (Luke 9:23-24)
If we truly love our Lord Jesus, then we need not fear death. He said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. The wicked may kill our bodies, but they CANNOT touch our souls. Your soul is the real you who sees through your eyes, hears through your ears, speaks through your mouth.
We need to keep in mind that though they kill us, not a hair of our head will perish. We will be raised from the dead, whole, and complete, never to die again. Jesus said unto her (Martha) I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:25-26)
Our answer should be the same as Martha's, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. (John 11:27)
PHYSICAL PREPARATION
When Noah faced a time of unprecedented judgment on the world's wickedness, God told him, And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them. (Genesis 6:21)
Noah had to gather and stockpile a full year's worth of food for himself, his family, and the animals that were with him in the Ark. Joseph made a similar recommendation to Pharaoh when faced with seven years of famine (Gen. 41).
It is, therefore, an act of faith to store food when faced with a warning from God about impending disaster. Noah did. Joseph did. And we should, too, as God enables us. We have a warning from God to Sodom America in 2 Peter 2:6.
There may be some reading this that have no money for extra food. Then God will supply. But for any who can buy extra, but won't, they have no right to expect God to supply, when He warned and they took no action.
The storage of medical supplies, drinking water, etc. is also advisable. The books listed below are well worth buying and reading. Links to these books are directly below this article.
HOME DEFENSE
Our Lord Jesus said, But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. (Matthew 24:43)
In speaking of His Second Coming, our Lord used a commonly understood and accepted example of home defense to illustrate a spiritual truth, be watchful and prepared for our Lord's Second Coming. But that does not negate the physical duty of home defense, rather it establishes it.
Our Lord always upheld the Law of God, not just until His Death on Calvary, but to the end of the world (Matthew 5:17-18). His example of home defense is based on Exodus 22:2, If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him.
Our Lord also taught, The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. (John 10:10) Therefore the homeowner (goodman of the house) is guiltless if he kills the thief in the process of trying to stop him.
Defense of family, relatives and other defenseless innocents is clearly taught in the Word of God (Genesis 14:14-20; Nehemiah 4:14; Psalm 82:3; Proverbs 24:10-12, Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:39; Hebrews 11:32-34).
Nor is it wrong to arm your household with weapons and train to use them (Genesis 14:14-20). This is why our Lord Jesus, at the end of His earthly ministry, said, . . . and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. (Luke 22:36b)
For further reading on this subject, from a Biblical perspective, we highly recommend When is it Right to Fight?
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. (Proverbs 3:25-26)
Books that support the Post-Tribulational Rapture:
Books to help you prepare:
Other Links of Interest:
Other Web Sites of Interest:
George Theiss is a combat veteran of Vietnam who now follows the Lamb of God. He and his wife, Christy, have been married 42 years (in 2019). They have 8 grown children. You can contact George at support@tulipgems.com
Copyright © 2002 through 2019 by George Theiss
