Revelation 13:16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.
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.
If after doing this Bible study, persons still decide to follow Jesus, you most likely would not fall when the shaking peaks in intensity. That is because we must come to grips with the ramifications of that which is written in our first passage, and if after doing so, we decide to stay the course with Christ, then we most likely will be saved in God’s kingdom.
Whatever might be our positions in life, we should always keep in mind that we are pilgrims, passing through this world, and headed for the new earth in which dwells righteousness. And as such, the pilgrim mindset should pervade everything we do, with all of our choices, and decisions being guided by that perspective, that we’re just passing through.
As we all know, the mark of the beast, 666, the issue of buying and selling that is mentioned in our first passage, is directly tied to the institution of the false system of worship that is scheduled to be enforced through increasingly severer economic sanctions on those who will refuse to bow down.
And because no one knows what will unfold during the next election, it is of critical importance that we examine very closely, the nuts and bolts of what is being prophesied in Revelation 13, just in case the final movements become be rapid ones in our day.
This ain’t no joke, for according to the Scriptures, it will draw a distinct dividing line between those who serve and worship God, and those who don’t. As of yet the line of demarcation is blurred, but as trouble develops upon the face of the earth, and we may be faced with an ultimatum very strange developments will take place.
Later on, as the heat of the furnace would be turned up several notches, it will move from enforcements of economic sanctions, to an all-out assault on folks who will refuse to succumb to the beast’s system of worship and governance, and then, it will culminate finally in a death decree, for anyone, and everyone who refuses to comply or subscribe.
This will plunge the people of God into that time of Jacob’s trouble, mentioned in the Bible, and which is also described by the prophet Daniel, as being the time of trouble, such as never was, since there was a nation. Everyone living on the planet will be in for some type of trouble, but we’ll focus on the people of God, who should refuse to bow.
The disciples in Christ’s day had questions for Jesus concerning the signs pertaining to the destruction of Jerusalem, and the end of the world, because the two issues needed some clarification in their minds.
Thus, as Jesus responded to the disciples’ questions pertaining to the destruction of Jerusalem anciently, and the end of the world, Jesus addressed the two events at the same time, elaborating on that which will take place just prior to His second coming, and that which was to befall the city of Jerusalem, when Cestius and Titus would invade it. Let’s read:
Matthew 24:3 And as Jesus sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world?
4 And Jesus answered and said unto them take heed that no man deceives you.
The reason why Christ began His response with the warning against deception, is because, not only will secular persons be deceived, but the very remnant of God’s people would also be in serious danger of misunderstanding the grave nature of events which are scheduled to take place just before the close of human probation, and thereafter. Let’s read:
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
A failure to fully come to grips with the magnitude of the ordeal that is prophesied could cause folks to be lulled into a false sense of security and therefore, when the gravity of the situation unfolds many of us may not expect things to go downhill so quickly, and others would be forced into serious reckoning as we grapple with the only two options on the table.
These two options are made clear in Revelation 13:
[1] Serve God at the cost of being cut off from every earthly support, with the possibility of forfeiting life and all material possessions.
[2] Subscribe to the beast’s system of worship, and have your economic privileges preserved or in some cases, reinstated, as the case will sadly turn out to be.
Even though Jesus has given us great, and precious promises to live by during that awful time, yet it will be a period of severe anguish and turmoil, for those who choose stay the course with Christ. And there’s serious preparation, as far as us cultivating the right perspectives, as well as character building, to take place.
Hence the reason why persons are encouraged, and warned not to become entangled and overwhelmed with the things of this world so that the time spoken of would come upon us unawares. Let’s read:
Luke 21: 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
The warning given in the previous passage raises the prospect that some persons could, and will become trapped in 666, the beast’s system of worship, since in many instances, folks would have failed to count the cost.
The fundamentals of the beast system spoken of are already in place and it is just a matter of time before God would permit the prophecies to come to pass. In fact, when the sealing of God’s servants in their foreheads will have finished, God’s restraining order, which has so far allowed the inhabitants of earth to have some semblance of sanity, will be permanently removed. Let’s read:
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.
As Jesus was going through some of the gory details of that time with His disciples, He suddenly made an interjection that seemed to come out of the blue, by inserting these words: “Remember Lot’s wife”.
And since they were given in the context of the last great struggle to take place upon the earth, we owe it to ourselves to investigate what Christ meant why He uttered those words. As we peruse the following passages, pay attention to the sudden placement of the statement in question. Let’s read:
Luke 17: 30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
32 Remember Lot's wife.
Some persons hurriedly write off Lot’s wife as being too materialistic without giving her a fair shake as to why she had reacted the way she did, albeit a wrong reaction. But to dismiss her summarily, would be to make a grave mistake, not considering the reasons why Jesus says to “Remember Lot’s wife”
Think about it for a moment folks, of all the faithful people mentioned in the Bible, Jesus bypasses them all, and reaches back into sacred history and focuses on one person only. There are faithful persons who went through great tribulation, such as Job, Daniel, and the three Hebrew boys.
Yet none of these are not mentioned in the context of the last great conflict upon planet earth. It’s Lot’s wife alone who is singled out by Christ, and because of this, we owe it to ourselves to understand why, in the context of being trapped in 666.
If we were to put ourselves in her shoes, many of us might come up short too, because, if Christ saw it fit to make the insertion in the middle of the prophecy, it means then that the prospect is before us of Lot’s wife’s experience being repeated or even duplicated if 666 becomes goes from prophecy to reality in our day.
Lot, and his wife were basically good people, who were practicing the benevolence that is encouraged and endorsed in the Bible. When Lot brought those two strangers to his home, it is stated in the Bible that he prepared a hearty meal for them.
And no doubt, his wife most likely also participated in the kindness thus shown, just like when Abraham asked Sarah to help in the preparing of food for the three strangers, whom he also invited in. Thus, it is a reasonable conclusion to make that both Lot and his wife were good people, actively practicing Christian virtues on a continuum. Let’s read:
Genesis 19: 2 And he said, behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, No; but we will abide in the street all night.
3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
This shows good character on the part of both Lot, and his wife, and they are to be commended for it, but the fact is that habitual kindness is not sufficient to deal with what is being spoken of in Revelation 13. You will need more than just good character, for there are serious, deliberate decisions to be made, prior to that time.
As the narrative goes, Lot only realized afterwards, that the two guests whom he had entertained were angels, and then, in mercy to his family, the angels of God gave them all a golden opportunity to make their escape, whilst they could.
Thus, Lot went out to his family who lived in Sodom, to bring them the breaking news, that they should leave immediately, as per the dire warning given by the angels.
The record tells us that he was met with failure, and scorn, and so, Lot was left no choice, but to turn his back on his daughters together with their husbands, and possibly his sons and grandchildren, for the very last time. It was a very sad day indeed. Let’s read:
Genesis 19: 12 And the men said unto Lot, have you here any besides? sons in law and your sons and thy daughters and whatsoever you have in the city bring them out of this place.
14 And Lot went out, and spoke unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
As Lot returns home on that lonely road, he ponders their fate, he sheds many bitter tears, but finally, he is able to regroup and catch himself as he takes little comfort in the fact that at least he had tried his best to warn them so that although their situation would be greatly regrettable, he did say something.
And now, he approaches his own front door, and as he enters, he relates to the angels the sad story of his abject failure, as his kids were not convinced of his last sermon. The angels also manifest sadness too, but then they utter what was to be a startling command, coming from God, that now it was Lot’s turn to do as he preached.
A bland look of dismay, and shock now envelops the countenances of both Lot and his wife, as they listen in utter disbelief, and try to digest the implication of that command. They now go into a full-blown panic mode, as they try to make sense of what the angels are saying.
They most likely suggested first to the angels that, at the very least they should be allowed to take their basic essentials and personal important documents with them, such as passports, birth certificates and credit cards, and their GPS so that they could then navigate where they were going. But the request is refuted in a passage of Scripture, that we too would do well to ponder. Let’s read:
Mark 13: 14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him who reads understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains.
15 And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter therein, to take anything out of his house.
Next, they probably asked that they should take at least one change of clothes since the warm weather in that climate will cause them to sweat profusely. But again, that request is refuted by a passage of Scripture, that we too would do well to ponder. Let’s read:
Mark 13: 16 And let him that is in the field not turn back again to take up his garment.
Thus far, the first two very probable requests, being refuted by the scripture, had caused them to scratch their heads in disbelief and had caused Lot to stroke his beard nervously, but after a while, it seems as if both of them reluctantly acquiesce.
But now, Lot, and his wife bring forth the title deed to their home which they had worked so hard to pay for all of their lives and they make what they believe is the final and most reasonable request that should not be denied.
They suggest that they should at least be able to sell their luxurious home first, even if it has to be sold at a deeply discounted price, so that they would have the wherewithal to survive, wherever they might be headed.
The fact that there was very great hesitation on the part of both Lot and his wife, leads us to the logical conclusion, because after husbands and wives have worked hard all their lives to pay off their mortgage, it obviously would be a great struggle to walk away from a home that is owned free and clear.
Furthermore, to remove to a place where there’s no home, not even for rent, will present a conundrum that few persons are prepared to confront and thus, according to Christ’s warning about Lot’s wife, many persons could, and would become trapped in 666.
Think about their conundrum for a moment, for if you have to leave in a hurry, at the bare minimum, you would like to sell your home, even if it is sold at a loss, but again the two angels refuse their request, referring them to a passage of Scripture that we will do well to ponder. That passage is actually the first opening verses to our study for today. Let’s read:
Revelation 13:17 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.
And now, a deep frown develops on the faces of Lot and his wife, for they feel that they should not have to leave their beautiful paid off mansion, to some stranger in Sodom, for they had worked hard all of their lives to pay for it and now it’s theirs.
A feeling of resentment begins to pervade the living room, where there are comfy couches, and chairs, with expensive furniture all around, the fruits of a lifetime’s worth of labor.
And Lot’s wife, in particular is fuming mad, because she believes that the angels are being unreasonable, and giving them a raw deal. In her innermost soul, she complains, and murmurs of them being given the short end of the stick.
And they hate the thought, that they cannot even put up their belongings on Offer-up or on Craigslist. Thus, they hesitate and hesitate, and they dilly dally, and dilly dally, until in desperation, the angels grab them by their arms and start to run, and the rest is history. Let’s read:
Genesis 19: 16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain escape to the mountain lest you be consumed.
18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord.
Many individuals who might face a similar scenario would most likely put up a serious fight, for in their minds, no man, or government is going to trample their rights and take their home sweet home, which was paid for with blood, sweat and tears. And, for this reason, some will be in grave danger of being trapped in 666.
It is one thing not to be able to buy, but not to be able to sell, raises the stakes significantly. And thus, when it comes crunch time, when persons will have to face the cold hard facts in the matter, they would be facing the grim prospect of having to walk away from their homes, after having struggled to pay off their mortgage. It is a very grim prospect indeed. Let’s read:
Revelation 13:16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.
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.
Many persons who have read these two verses over and over again, probably don’t have a clue as to the terrible ordeal that may be just before us, for many who read these passages often focus on the buying part of the law that would be enforced.
But the selling part, which Lot and his wife had a big problem with, many individuals may not have even considered, and for this reason, some persons are in danger of being trapped in 666, having not counted, or considered the cost. Let’s read:
[Testimonies Vol. 5 pp 712] There is a prospect before us of a continued struggle, at the risk of imprisonment, loss of property, and even of life itself, to defend the law of God, which is made void by the laws of men.
In this situation worldly policy will urge an outward compliance with the laws of the land, for the sake of peace and harmony. And there are some who will even urge such a course from the Scripture: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.... The powers that be are ordained of God.”
There are at least three stark similarities between Lot and his wife, and the remnant people of God, living in Laodicea today. Here they are:
[1] Like Lot and his wife had worked hard to pay off their home, just so many Christians in our day have also worked hard, and some have indeed struggled to pay off their mortgage. And like Lot, many folks now own their homes, free and clear. Let’s read:
Luke 17: 28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built.
[Patriarchs & Prophets 160] It was hard to forsake his luxurious home and all the wealth acquired by the labors of his whole life, to go forth a destitute wanderer. Stupefied with sorrow, he lingered, loath to depart.
[2] Lot either did not believe or understand what he was preaching. And in some cases, we ourselves, as the remnant people of God, may not really believe, or understand what we are preaching. Let’s read:
Matthew 24:15 When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whosoever reads, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains.
17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house.
18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
[3] It was the crisis, of having to suddenly separate from material things, that laid bare where the heart of Lot and his wife was, and it is in the crisis that is, portrayed in Revelation 13 that the truth about our own selves would be made manifest.
There is nowhere written in the Scriptures where it says that the institution of 666 would be something that is gradual in nature. In all of the passages which pertain to this matter there’s an issue of suddenness just as lot and his wife were suddenly faced with the prospect of separating themselves from loved ones and possessions immediately.
And recent history in the likes of Covid has shown us how quickly things can deteriorate across the earth. In that episode, which it is quite possible, was a dry run, normal everyday living was upended on short notice, and we went to zero in a matter of days. So, the sudden aspect of the institution of 666 cannot be overlooked. Let’s read:
Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Mark 13: 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight or at the cockcrowing or in the morning
36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
1st Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
As it stands currently, it costs us virtually nothing to follow Jesus, for after singing His praises, we return to our comfy homes, just like Lot and his wife. But if, and when the tables were to turn, and persons are suddenly facing the prospect of leaving it all behind, some may be singing a very different tune.
The issues before us are so great that Peter had to ask Christ about the commitment to put God first in our affections, and the temporal, material things of earth after. As we read Christ’s response to Peter’s direct question, we’ll observe that Christ pinpoints houses, before He mentions people.
Lot surrendered his family first, albeit he was very sad, but when it came to his home sweet home, he and his wife had a major problem with letting it go. It is worthy of note that the tenth commandment, which deals with covetousness, also has houses at the head of the list of the things that should not be coveted, and it then moves on to people. Let’s read:
Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox nor his ass nor anything that is thy neighbor's.
Matthew 19: 27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
What God is teaching us through the experiences of Lot and his wife is that while time still lingers we can go ahead and enjoy, and share with others, the gifts God bestows upon us, in the material things of this life.
But, be very, very careful of becoming too attached to them, so that we cannot separate ourselves from them, whenever the time comes, and the time may be coming, sooner rather than later.
The Lord is also teaching us to be totally dependent on Him, for the final conflict, which will usher in the beast’s system of 666, will entirely sever from us the material things of this life, and the support systems that we have all become so accustomed to, over the years.
Trusting in God for everything that pertains to life is not something that comes to us overnight like those packages from Amazon. It takes time, and real living experiences to learn how to let go, and let God. this is an integral part of the Elijah experience, and the message we preach.
At the brook Cherith, Elijah trusted in God for all of his needs, and God supplied whatever he needed to survive. It was not only food and water that Elijah had to depend on God for. He also trusted God for his security, his well-being, any medical emergency that may have arisen, and the clothes on his back. All without exception were provided by God.
Thus, the instances in our experiences when we are led to trust in God alone, without any human aid, or material props, should be greatly treasured, and not looked upon as a negative, because we would need a living, breathing experience with The Lord to avoid being trapped in 666.
God understands that the home is in most cases our largest investment, and material asset, and He also understands in most cases, that the effort to pay for it could truly be a great struggle, even though doing so should not be our highest aim in life.
Yet when the time comes for us to leave it all behind He would have us understand that we would be in a transitioning phase, from this world to the next, and as such, the material possessions of this life will no longer be needed.
More than this, our love for God should at all times take priority over our love for the gifts He bestows, and thus, when we cultivate this perspective, it will become much easier to surrender all, in the most literal sense, rather than becoming being trapped in 666.
In harmony with this truth, we’ll end with a passage of scripture that should help us to hold all material possessions, including our homes, in a subordinate manner, keeping the fact that we are just pilgrims, always in view, while we are learning to trust in God for everything. Let’s read:
1st John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abides forever.
God Bless!