This past week was filled with some very disturbing developments which every thinking person will be wise to carefully consider, for the implications are much more far-reaching than the state of Kentucky, and point us unmistakably to the institution of the mark of the beast. The very concept of the mark is embodied in the experiences and decisions which took place, and therefore, what we have before our faces in miniature form, is what the implementation of the mark of the beast will look like in the very near future. We will like to take this opportunity to advise and caution our Sunday-keeping brethren and friends, and also those who keep the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, that the many fanciful interpretations of the mark of the beast, which are proposed by the overwhelming majority of Christian theologians, is not what the Bible defines it as.
As a matter of fact, the issue is centered around obedience to either God, or the laws of the state, whenever there is a conflict between the two, and thus the issue of worship figures prominently in the mark of the beast, being an integral part of serving God or man. As Christians, the Bible tells us that we have a moral obligation to obey the laws of state, if they do not force us to violate the higher, and much more important commandments of God, whenever and wherever this is possible, for all Christians are to be found faithful as citizens of earth and heaven. But when man-made laws presume to overreach into the arena of our sacred duty to obey God, then we are counseled in the Bible to obey God rather than men, for this very issue will decide the eternal destiny of millions across the globe.
It is imperative therefore that we have a very clear understanding of the issues at stake, so that we may be prepared preemptively to withstand the forces of evil that are arrayed against our souls.
There is no precedent, command, or instruction in the word of God which authorizes any mortal man or woman to unite two people of the same gender in unholy matrimony, for not only does the Lord forbid such brazen actions, but He also commanded in ancient times, that whoever presumes to indulge in such activities, as well as other specific sexual prohibitions, should be put to death. Therefore the attempt to characterize this current, diabolical conflict between truth and error, as a person’s civil rights, is not in harmony with sound doctrine. God ordained in His word that all men and women be treated equally, once it is done in accordance with that which He has commanded, but to try to include same-sex marriage under the same umbrella, is an act of rebellion against the King of Kings. Let’s read:
Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Romans 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Now while it is true that we are not living under a theocracy anymore as a nation, yet our individual accountability to God still stands, and whereas we are not to prevent any person from making their own individual choices, yet we must be aware that no one is authorized to force us to subscribe to a course of action that is clearly forbidden in the Bible. If the Kentucky clerk was just required to put the state’s stamp of approval on the gay marriage licenses, then the onus would be on the state, but to require her to put her personal signature on such documents, will make her a participant in the evil, and under no circumstances should she comply. The problem is what does she do next? Should she able to continue working under such conditions, where a conscientious violation of God’s law, and her own conscience is a part of her job description? Or does she relinquish her position, and thereby risk the possibility financial difficulties. These choices are what will be included in the mark of the beast when it bursts upon the stage of action. Let’s read:
Kim Davis stands firm on same-sex marriage; the Kentucky clerk stays in jail.
By Eliott C. McLaughlin and Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN
(CNN) Rowan County, Kentucky, clerk Kim Davis was given a second chance: She didn't have to issue same-sex marriage licenses herself; she merely had to agree not to interfere with five deputy clerks who had told the federal judge they'd issue them in her stead. Staver later told CNN's "The Lead with Jake Tapper" that Davis would issue licenses if her name and title were not on them. "Because that in her understanding and mind, is authorizing something that is contrary to her Christian values and convictions," he said. "That's where the conscience rub is."
To put one’s own signature on a document will be to essentially endorse what that document says, and therefore the Kentucky clerk is absolutely right in refusing to bow to the powers that be. If a man was to put his signature on a stolen check, he will be found guilty of endorsing fraudulent activity, even if he did not want to sign it. And we are not to be deceived into thinking that this issue will go away anytime soon, for according to the book of Revelation, the issue of whom we obey and whom we worship will metastasize from the public arena to the private sector, to include pastors, laity, public and private organizations, atheists and Christians, families and individuals, and every person who will be living on the planet when the apocalyptic beast rears its head. Absolutely no one will be exempt, and therefore, what is taking place in Kentucky is what will soon be coming our way in the very near future. Let’s read:
Revelation 13:11 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.
12 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.
The beasts here referred to are not those cryptic looking creatures that are often depicted in places where the prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation are investigated. These beasts represent specific world powers and nations of the earth, which are the focus of the prophecies dealing with their varied activities. Thus the “First beast” whose deadly wound was healed represents papal Rome, which received a deadly wound in A.D 1798, when the then ruling pope was taken prisoner by the French, and died in captivity. Since that time, there has been a revival of the same dogmatic principles by which the papacy had ruled by fiat during the dark ages, and these same policies and practices have been gradually adopted by the lamb-like beast in the passage.
Thus, in accordance with the principle of coercion, the lamb-like beast is scheduled to use any means to try to force all Christians and secular folk to do its bidding, on pain of financial persecution and other economic sanctions, and finally death, for all who resolutely refuse to comply. This is the essence of what we are now witnessing in a nutshell with the Kentucky clerk who was jailed for non-compliance with the laws of state, which are in opposition to the law of God. And even though at present, it may seem as if the issue is relegated to the issue of marriage, yet the lamb-like beast is scheduled to spread its tentacles to the area of worship, where a specific, man-made day of worship, together with a set of religious dogmas will be enforced, with all dissenters having their economic privileges being denied and finally permanently cut off, to the point where literal starvation, or trust in God will be the only two remaining options on the table. Let’s read:
Revelation 13:14 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.
15 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.
The separation of church and state is critical to the maintenance of our religious liberty, and thus, our freedom to disagree on matters of conscience and the law of God, should never be tied to a person’s credit cards or bank accounts. But according to the prophecies in Revelation, and in harmony with what is now taking place with the Kentucky clerk, the lamb-like beast of Revelation 13 is scheduled to change what many have taken for granted for so long, and the issues of worship and obedience will be inseparably linked to one’s economic activities, so that non-compliance will result in material loss, and finally life itself, in some cases. This is the issue before our faces, and this is the reason why all Christians everywhere, together with all secular folk should now understand the ramifications of the decisions and current actions of the courts. Let’s read:
Revelation 13:16 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:
17 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.
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.
In the third book of John is outlined the three fundamental aspects of our existence as human beings, as it pertains to God’s good will for us, for we are multifaceted in our being, and it is the will of God that all three aspects of our existence be well balanced and fine-tuned, in harmony with His will and purposes for us. The passage in question deals with prosperity, health, and spiritual well-being, all which contribute to our happiness in the here and now, and pertain directly to our destiny in the great hereafter. These three aspects of our existence are thus represented in the mark of the beast, whose numerical value is 666. But one by one, we are seeing each aspect being brought under the direct control of the state, to the point where many Christians are now being forced to adopt principles, practices, and guidelines that can all have adverse effects in the temporal and spiritual realm. Let’s read:
3rd John 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Prosperity, which is the first aspect mentioned, is already being governed and mandated to a large extent by the states, so that if corporations, and firms do not adhere to state guidelines in certain matters of conscience, they are prevented from doing any business, and are thus forced out of the market, or are otherwise squeezed into buckling under severe pressure from news media and social groups, who have adopted the popular opinion. A case in point is the incident in which a bakery was forced to make a wedding cake for a gay couple expecting to tie the knot shortly. Just as with the Kentucky clerk, the state used the principle of coercion mentioned in Revelation, in order to get the bakery to comply with its wishes, even though they conflicted with the owner’s religious beliefs. Thus their economic privileges would be cut off, just as Revelation states, if they refused, and the dire prospect of jail time would loom large. Let’s read:
Court Rules Baker Can’t Refuse to Make Wedding Cake for Gay Couple.
Decision is latest to limit the rights of religious business owners involved in wedding services
DENVER (AP) — A discrimination complaint over a Colorado bakery's refusal to make a wedding cake for a gay couple is being heard in a Denver court. At issue in the complaint from David Mullins and Charlie Craig against Masterpiece Cakeshop in suburban Denver is whether religious freedom can protect a business from discrimination allegations from gay couples. The bakery owner faces up to a year in prison if the court rules against him and he continues to refuse to make wedding cakes for gay couples.
Appeals court rules Colorado bakery can't refuse service to gay couple.
By Nick Gass. 08/13/15, 12:27 PM EDT
The Colorado Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that a dessert shop could not refuse service to a same-sex couple that wanted to order a wedding cake, affirming previous rulings. “Masterpiece remains free to continue espousing its religious beliefs, including its opposition to same-sex marriage. However, if it wishes to operate as a public accommodation and conduct business within the State of Colorado, CADA prohibits it from picking and choosing customers based on their sexual orientation,” Judge Daniel Taubman wrote.
The next aspect of our being mentioned by John is that of health, for he specifically says that God’s will for us is that we “Prosper and be in health”. But in this second “6”, here again too, the lamb-like beast is observed to be enforcing healthcare, to the point where our mandatory subscription is now the law of the land, and those who choose to differ on those standards, methods, and practices prescribed, are now penalized with heavy fines. In addition to these coercive policies, all who adopt the new law will be the subjects of man-made methods of healing and maintaining good health, systems that are known to be riddled with drugs, which in some cases do more harm than good. And thus, God’s methods of using natural remedies as a first resource, is now being exchanged for a system based on pharmaceuticals, and the effects are there before our faces, so that we can reason from cause to effect. Let’s observe the following samples of recalled drugs that have been taken off the shelves in recent months.
Accutane Actos Celexa
Chantix Clomid
Crestor Darvocet Darvon Depakote
Lamisil Levaquin Levitra
Lexapro
Pradaxa Prevacid
Prilosec Yasmin. Etc, etc.
Then according to Revelation 13, there is only one more shoe to drop, and that’s the institution of the national Sunday law, which is already on the books, just waiting to be enforced when the same lamb-like beast follows in the footsteps of the papacy. We are already experiencing the headwinds of such an action, which will also be addressed by the judiciary, just as the two previous aspects, prosperity and health care, were mandated. And similarly, just as the principle of coercion against one’s conscience was adopted in the cases of the baker and the now jailed Kentucky clerk, just so will a national form of worship be made the law of the land.
The mark of the beast, represented by the number 666, is just a man-made system of enforcing laws, which are fundamentally flawed, and that are in direct opposition to the revealed will of God. Man was created on the sixth day of the week, hence the triple sixes are representative of man-made efforts and alternatives to God’s perfect will for the human family.
In his visit to the United states later this month, pope Francais is scheduled to push for the adoption of Sunday, not only as the official day of rest, but also as a general family day, when the working classes, who have labored, and suffered extreme fear and stress from the recent upheavals in the stock market, can find peace and rest for one day out of the week. The concept is not bad in and of itself, the only problem is that Jehovah has already stipulated which day it should be, and therefore, to coerce one’s conscience to the contrary, with the threats of jail time, pecuniary fines, and cancelled economic privileges, will be akin to what we are now seeing in embryo form with the clerk from Kentucky.
It is therefore of critical importance for all of us as Christians, whether we be Sabbath-keeping or Sunday worshipers, to now fully understand the important issues that are at stake, so that we may be enabled to make informed decisions and choices as we move forward. The example of Peter and the other apostles are set forth in the scriptures as a template we should follow, when we are faced with similar circumstances, for obedience to the God of heaven is our foremost and highest duty, and after that, the laws of men, if they do not conflict with what God has specifically stated in His word. We therefore end with two passages of scripture which confirm both the certainty of the predictions made in God’s word, and the course of action prescribed, so that we may stand firmly for righteousness, amidst the storm that is about to envelope the entire globe. Let’s read:
2nd Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof”…..
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of”…..
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Acts 5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council”….
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? ….
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what The Spirit saith unto the churches.
God bless!