The final conflict to be fought on this planet, involves a whole lot more than truth against error, or good against evil. It also has to do with who is controlling who, which means that every person alive on earth when probation closes, will be either under the direct control of The Holy Ghost, or of the prince of darkness. In this final struggle, there is no such thing as middle ground, or sitting on the fence, for each person would have already made up their minds, as to who will control them.
One of the issues that should be of grave concern to us is the fact that God’s restraining power is what is ultimately responsible for the perpetuation any peace, and security we may enjoy, because, without The Holy Spirit keeping in check the powers that be, this world will soon descend into irretrievable chaos, the likes of which we have never witnessed. The fact of God’s keeping power is brought to view in the scriptures, and we should be cognizant, and be thankful for it whilst it lasts, for in the not too distant future, it will be withdrawn permanently from the earth. Let’s read:
Psalms 127:1 Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
It will be interesting to hear what the "Experts" will say, after that terrible tragedy in Las Vegas unfolded! So far, after every one of these occurrences, psychologists, and experts in behavioral sciences have been called upon to construct a psychological profile, and a motive. But so far, there is no jihadi connection, no KKK affiliation, there is no hate speech, and no apparent reason or motive. All we have so far is a successful multi-millionaire, living in a retirement community, well respected, and no significant running with the law. So maybe, it's time for us to take a second look at what the scriptures have to say about the human condition, without Christ.
Fellow citizens, brethren, and friends at home, and those in foreign countries, we beseech you in Christ’s stead to listen very carefully! The only reason why you, and I have not blown a fuse, the only reason why Kim Jong Un in the North, and our own country are not yet at war, is solely because Jesus is still in the heavenly sanctuary, and has commissioned His Holy angels to hold back the winds of strife. When human probation closes, we will be facing the prospect of every person who isn’t found in Christ, as well as every nation on the planet, going completely off their rockers, and the time of trouble, the prophet Daniel spoke of, will begin.
This is because there are invisible forces of good and evil operating on the earth, and according to the Bible, we all are under the control of either one of these forces. Thus, there is coming a time when science, and psychology will not be able to produce logical answers, for the problem is not gun control, it’s mind control. The following verses of scripture must then be read solemnly, objectively, and believed for what they clearly state. Let’s read:
Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.
26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud
voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
[D.A. pp 324] When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart. A change is wrought which man can never accomplish for himself. It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one.
We must inevitably be under the control of the one or the other of the two great powers that are contending for the supremacy of the world. It is not necessary for us deliberately to choose the kingdom of darkness in order to come under its dominion. We have only to neglect to ally ourselves with the kingdom of light. If we do not co-operate with the heavenly agencies, Satan will take possession of the heart, and will make it his abiding place.
The only defense against evil is the indwelling of Christ in the heart through faith in His righteousness. Unless we become vitally connected with God, we can never resist the temptation to sin. Without a connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end.
That’s why it was stated up front that it is God’s restraining Thst's keeping the work of evil agencies at bay, and it is by His mercies and kindness why we all have existence, and continuity. Let’s read:
Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.
Lamentations 3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Psalms 33:16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
17 A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear
him, upon them that hope in his mercy.
As it stands currently, we are in a period of extremes, by which planet earth seems to be bursting at the seams, in expectation of some cataclysmic event. We now have an amazing number of extreme politicians, extreme weather related events, such as hurricanes, and extremes in the geopolitical arena, where citizens and nations are finding it more difficult to get along, and as a result, the earth is titter-tottering on the brink of eternity, where the age- old conflicts between right and wrong, good and evil will forever be settled. There is also the recurrence of acts of extreme violence for no reason, as predicted in the Bible. 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, (Truce: an agreement between enemies or opponents to stop fighting or arguing for a certain time. Synonyms: ceasefire, armistice, suspension of hostilities)
false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.
For example, the recent occurrence of mass shooting is the worst in modern recorded U.S history, and it takes only a cursory reading of the records to discover that the trend is deteriorating, and not getting any better. When the Bible speaks of men becoming incontinent or fierce, these occurrences are some of what is being referred to. Let’s read:
The Harvest Music Festival.
At least 58 killed.
October 1, 2017 A gunman, identified as 64-year-old
Stephen Paddock, fired from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, on a crowd of 22,000 gathered on the Las Vegas Strip for the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival. At least 58 people were killed and 500 others were injured.
Pulse night club
49 killed.
June 12, 2016 - Omar Saddiqui Mateen, 29, opens fire inside Pulse, a gay nightclub, in Orlando. At least 49 people are killed and more than 50 are injured.
Virginia Tech
32 killed.
April 16, 2007 - A gunman, 23-year-old student Seung-Hui Cho, goes on a shooting spree killing 32 people in two locations and wounding an undetermined number of others on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. The shooter then commits suicide.
Sandy Hook
27 killed.
December 14, 2012 - Adam Lanza, 20, guns down 20 children, ages 6 and 7, and six adults, school staff and faculty at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. -- before turning the gun on himself. Investigating police later find Nancy Lanza, Adam's mother, dead from a gunshot wound.
December 2, 2015 - Married couple Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik open fire on an employee gathering taking place at Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, killing 14 people.
Fort Hood
13 killed.
November 5, 2009 - Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan kills 13 people and injures 32 at Fort Hood, Texas, during a shooting rampage.
April 3, 2009 - In Binghamton, New York, Jiverly Wong kills 13 people and injures four during a shooting at an
immigrant community center. He then kills himself.
And nature also seems to be reflecting the deteriorating state of society, because extremes in weather-behavioral patterns can also be observed. The reason for this is that the spiritual, and the physical world are uniquely, and inseparably intertwined, so that violations in one affects the other, and vice-versa. Thus, we observe that some of the most dangerous, and costliest hurricanes in recent U.S history have occurred during the past thirty years, coinciding with the uptick of violations in the spiritual realm. Let’s read:
The Costliest U.S. Hurricanes:
Rank: Name: Year: Category: Damage (U.S.)*:
1. Katrina (LA/MS/AL/SE FL) 2005 3 $105,840,000,000
2. Andrew (SE FL/SE LA) 1992 5 $45,561,000,000
3. Ike (TX/LA/MS) 2008 2 $27,790,000,000
4. Wilma (FL) 2005 3 $20,587,000,000
5. Ivan (FL/AL) 2004 3 $19,832,000,000
6. Charley (FL) 2004 4 $15,820,000,000
7. Irene (NC/VA/MD/DE/NJ/NY/CT/VT/NH/ME) 2011 1 $15,800,000,000
However, the carnage doesn’t stop with the weather, or with mass shootings, for the apostle distinctly declares that one of the characteristics of the last days is that men would be traitors, referring to the various types of fraud, and schemes, by which the unwary will be defrauded of their belongings.
When asked by a television Anchor about the scope of the problem, one Federal security official, and analyst declares, that as it stands currently, there are only two types of businesses which exist here in the U.S.A, those who know there are being hacked, and those who don’t know they are being hacked. The following report done by CNN’s Sarah Ashley, on the issue of stolen identity, affects one and all in some way shape or form, and bears out the severity of the situation, as it is.
Giant Equifax data breach: 143 million people could be
affected; by Sara Ashley O'Brien.
September 8, 2017: 9:23 AM ET.
If you live in the U.S. and breathe oxygen, there's a good chance you may be impacted by the latest security breach. Equifax revealed Thursday that the personal information of as many as 143 million Americans -- or nearly half the country -- has been compromised. Beyond the number of people potentially impacted, the credit reporting firm's cybersecurity breach is significant because of the sensitive information at risk: social security numbers, addresses and the numbers of some driver's licenses.
For that alone, the breach ranks among the worst on record. But Equifax is just the latest in an unfortunately long list of massive security breaches online and offline. Yahoo gets the top two spots on any list of security breaches. Last September, Yahoo announced that data associated with at least 500 million accounts had been stolen. Three months later, it disclosed a second breach affecting more than one billion accounts.
To put it bluntly, anyone can now purchase your personal information, and mine on the dark web, and there’s no guarantee that the impostors will be recognized for who they are. This raises an issue of very grave concern for all, for it’s obvious that the current methods of identification are insufficient for verifying who persons really are. Thus, there is only one other relatively failsafe method we can turn to, in order to arrest the constant security breaches.
We are speaking of “BIOMETRICS” the only way in which all human beings can be identified with almost 100% accuracy. Take for instance, one branch of the system of biometric identification, Iris scans. Iris recognition is an automated method of biometric identification that uses mathematical pattern-recognition techniques on video images of one or both of the irises of an individual's eyes, whose complex patterns are unique, stable, and can be seen from some distance.
This takes us into the core of our study, in which we will investigate the physical aspects of the mark of the beast. The scriptures teach us that the issue will center around worship, but that there will also be a physical counter-part, representing the decisions made by each person. It is very similar to the seal of righteousness by faith, which Abraham received in his flesh, representing a spiritual decision, and commitment he had already made. But, in order for us to better understand the ins and outs of the mark of the beast, as it pertains to the final conflict, we must first study the methods and principles employed by the prince of darkness, for they are repetitive in nature. Let’s read:
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then
your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
There are four main principles at work here:
[1] Disguise! Satan never ever shows his true colors, for even when he is scheduled to appear on the earth in the near future, he will be imposing as Christ, but never as himself.
[2] He infers that disobedience produces great benefit.
[3] He makes it easy, and convenient to sin.
[4] Anyone who falls for his devices, then becomes and active agent in causing the downfall of others.
So, let’s begin with principle # [1] Disguise.
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 53] In order to accomplish his work unperceived, Satan chose to employ as his medium the serpent—a disguise well adapted for his purpose of deception. The serpent was then one of the wisest and most beautiful creatures on the earth. It had wings, and while flying through the air presented an appearance of dazzling brightness, having the color and brilliancy of burnished gold. Resting in the rich-laden branches of the forbidden tree and regaling itself with the delicious fruit, it was an object to arrest the attention, and delight the eye of the beholder. Thus, in the garden of peace lurked the destroyer, watching for his prey.
[2] Disobedience produces great benefit:
Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 54] By partaking of this tree, he declared, they would attain to a more exalted sphere of existence and enter a broader field of knowledge. He himself had eaten of the forbidden fruit, and as a result had acquired the power of speech. And he insinuated that the Lord jealously desired to withhold it from them, lest they should be exalted to equality with Himself. It was because of its wonderful properties, imparting wisdom and power, that He had prohibited them from tasting or even touching it. The tempter intimated that the divine warning was not to be actually fulfilled; it was designed merely to intimidate them.
Opioids, and marijuana were introduced for legislation on the premise that great benefits would be derived from their use. However, today we have a never-ending, and deepening opioid crisis, with marijuana addiction following close on its heels. Isn’t it quite ironic that the symbol for healing, and medicine is a serpent? Quite ironic!
[3] He makes it easy and convenient to sin.
2nd Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 56] The serpent plucked the fruit of the forbidden tree and placed it in the hands of the half-reluctant Eve. Then he reminded her of her own words, that God had forbidden them to touch it, lest they die. She would receive no more harm from eating the fruit, he declared, than from touching it.
[4] Anyone who falls for his devices, then becomes an active agent in causing the downfall of others.
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 56] Perceiving no evil results from what she had done, Eve grew bolder. Without a fear she plucked and ate. And now, having transgressed, she became the agent of Satan in working the ruin of her husband. In a state of strange, unnatural excitement, with her hands filled with the forbidden fruit, she sought his presence, and related all that had occurred.
Now, let’s take these four same principles and apply them to the final conflict, as it pertains to the physical aspect of the mark of the beast.
[1] Disguise.
The first principle is that of disguise, for the mark of the beast will never be marketed as such. We can literally guarantee that what Revelation chapter 13 &14 speaks of will be given an appealing veneer, so as to conceal its real nature, and because of this, very many individuals, indeed the overwhelming majority of earth’s population will be taken in the snare. However, The God of heaven will intervene to expose it for what it is, so that no one needs to make an uninformed choice. Let’s read:
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
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.
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.
[G.C pp 605] Not one is made to suffer the wrath of God until the truth has been brought home to his mind and conscience, and has been rejected. He who reads every heart and tries every motive will leave none who desire a knowledge of the truth, to be deceived as to the issues of the controversy. The decree is not to be urged upon the people blindly. Everyone is to have sufficient light to make his decision intelligently.
[2] It apparently produces great benefit:
The mark of the beast will be advertised as necessary, and producing great benefit. Because of the almost daily security breaches, biometric technology may be sought after, to address the problem. And many people will tout the tangible benefits to be derived from the use of such a system. For starters, it can almost wipe out the problem of identity theft. It’s extremely difficult, if not impossible, for one to forge another’s D.N.A, fingerprints, or iris scan.
Voter fraud, and scamming of the I.R.S could be a thing of the past, and the many thousands of dead citizens in Florida, who often show up on election day to cast their ballot, only to disappear into the shadows of night, can be permanently debarred from disturbing their repose. There’s a whole lot of “Benefits” to be derived.
[3] He makes it easy, and convenient to sin.
We should never believe that the mark of the beast will be painful, or a hassle, for the enemy of righteousness always makes sin easily accessible, and worry free. Just as he placed the forbidden fruit in Eve’s hand, with little effort on her part, just so the mark of the beast will be easy to accept, with very little effort on the part of the receiver, and will be made appealing in every possible way. For example, those who in times past may have loathe smoking marijuana, can now get the same product in lollipops, candies, ice-cream, and milk-shakes!
[4] Anyone who falls for his devices, then becomes the most efficient, active agent in causing the downfall of others. That is one reason why we are cautioned by the pen of inspiration, that we have more to fear from within than from without. Those who were once proponents of present truth, but who may have never been thoroughly converted, will join ranks with the enemy, and will prove to be of immense value, in encouraging others to follow suit. Let’s read:
[G.C. pp 608] As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position, and join ranks of the opposition. By uniting with the world and partaking of its spirit, they have come to view matters in nearly the same light; and when the test is brought, they are prepared to choose the easy, popular side.
Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren. When Sabbath-keepers are brought before the courts to answer for their faith, these apostates are the most efficient agents of Satan to misrepresent and accuse them, and by false reports and insinuations to stir up the rulers against them.
Many folks are making the critical mistake of postponing their salvation for another day or for a more convenient season. But sacred history teaches us that it takes time to develop a sturdy faith in God, one that cannot be moved, when the rains descend, and the floods come, and the winds blow. Thus, it is with urgent pathos that we close with an appeal from Christ, beseeching us to accept Him as Lord and Savior of our lives, before the storm breaks upon our world. Let’s read:
2nd Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
God bless!