HoHum:
What is the mark of the beast? Social Security card or number; smart cards or credit cards; bar code on body; Micro chip implanted; literal tattoo; Apple and/or smart phones
WBTU:
Read Revelation 1:9
Covered preaching the Word, Kingdom, and suffering, now patient endurance
Steadfastness and patient endurance are synonymous. Breaking down the Greek word into parts: first part means “under,” second part means “to remain.” Literally this term means “to remain under” the load placed upon one’s shoulders. No follower of Jesus Christ should step out from under the burden of responsibility to share with others the story that has so blessed his or her own life. We dare not let tribulation sidetrack us from our mission. No matter how we understand the “millennium” or other topics in Revelation or other prophetic books, stick-to-itiveness that never lets go should mark every Christian as he brings the Savior to this lost world.
The book of Revelation is intended to encourage faithful endurance. Let us beware of growing weary (2:3) or forsaking our first love (2:4). Let us avoid denying either our faith (2:13) or Christ’s name (3:8). Let us watch out for the danger of becoming lukewarm or useless (3:16). Rather than faltering, let us overcome (2:7, 11, 17; 3:5, 12, 21). Let us hold on (2:25) and remain true (2:13). Let us be earnest (3:19), keeping what is written (1:3; 2:26; 3:8; 22:9) and doing what is commanded. Being “true” is a description of Jesus (3:14; 19:11) and His words (22:6). May it be said of Christ’s followers that they, too, are faithful (2:10)
John did not give this counsel from the easy chair of some comfortable office. He was their “brother and companion in the suffering” (Revelation 1:9) from the isle of Patmos.
It is exciting to hear a lecture on the end times and pinpoint things to look for. However, to endure through whatever may come is more essential. Throughout the book of Revelation there rings the cry, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 2:7. This is repeated to every church addressed (2:11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13,22). In reality the Spirit is speaking to the churches of every age. Many have these churches representing each stage of church history, with most believing that they are now in Laodicea. No, these are local churches represented and each of these kinds of churches are represented today. Jesus is speaking to each of these local churches and telling them how to survive. But they are not listening. Are we listening? The words were not meant for just Ephesus or Thyatira. They come to “churches.” Note the plural. The warnings are for congregations in all times and places. The sad history of these 7 local churches is that they did not overcome in the present and lost their future.
To “overcome” or to have “victory” is God’s will for His church. Our resources are inadequate, but God’s resources will give victory if we are but faithful.
In Revelation we have the mark of the beast and the mark of the best. The mark of the beast is described in Revelation 13:16-18- Read it. The mark of the best is described in Revelation 14:1
How can we avoid having the mark of the beast on us and make sure that we have the mark of the Lamb on us? To do this 3 things are demanded.
Thesis: Rely on the Savior’s vow, recognize the serpent’s voice, and receive the saint’s victory
For instances:
I. Rely on the Savior’s vow- 3 vows or promises from Revelation
1. Vow to support His Word
Revelation 1:5
The promises of people often fail us, for sometimes people lie intentionally. Most of the time people do not lie intentionally but they are unable to carry through on their promises.
We are not talking about people but God. “It is impossible for God to lie” Hebrews 6:18. Since God knows the beginning from the end and nothing is impossible with God, we know that he will always be faithful to his vows, promises. “The Scripture cannot be broken--” John 10:35, NIV. The word of mortal man is frail and breakable. Not so with the word of Almighty God.
The 7 letters in Revelation 2 and 3 concludes with a promise from Christ, who supports His Word. These 7 letters follow a structure. After an introduction, there follows what is right with that church, what is wrong with that church, what is needed by that church, and then what is promised to that church. After identifying their needs, He gave a word of promise.
Every individual, like every congregation, having pledged allegiance to the Lamb, ought to respond to the promises of Christ in faithfulness. In doing so, there will be blessings untold (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21)
2. Vow to shepherd His flock
God’s flock, the New Israel, He will guide from their Egyptian bondage of sin, across the deserts of adversity, and into their promised land of glory.
Notice this: Revelation 7:17. The Lamb, offered in sacrifice for the world’s sins, is the kind Shepherd who leads those He has bought all the way to His eternal home.
John’s imagery of Christ as shepherd in Revelation should be viewed considering similar imagery in his Gospel. John 10 contrasts “the good shepherd” with “hired hands.” “The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” John 10:12, 13. They lack steadfastness and patience that God sees in His Son and seeks in His followers. When “wolves” or “dragons” threaten, let each Christian remember how reliable is our example. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27, 28.
3. Vow to subdue His enemies
The world is filled with kings that: Revelation 17:14. John’s carefully designed picture of world history pictures the rise and fall of God’s enemies. Chapters 12-17 describe the rise, and chapters 18-20, the fall.
The first to fall is the prostitute. “Babylon,” as the prostitute is named (17:5), falls in total ruin in chapter 18. This leads to a hallelujah chorus of chapter 19. Next are the beast (from the sea) and the “false prophet” (the beast from the earth). Both enemies are condemned to the lake of fire (19:20). Chapter 20 find the dragon meeting the same fate (20:10).
Avoid receiving the mark of a defeated foe. Make every effort to bear the seal of approval by the victor, Christ. To do that we must rely on the Savior’s vow that He will support His Word, shepherd His sheep, and subdue His opponents. Let’s go to the second essential
II. Recognize the serpent’s voice- Satan appears in 3 forms in 3 arenas
1. Politics that is antichrist
Two beasts are introduced in Revelation 13. One comes out of the land and the other out of the sea. Satan works through both. Let’s turn to the beast out of the sea. Revelation 13:1
John lived in an hour when the Roman government that had been “God’s servant to do good” (Romans 13:4) had become a destructive force against what was good. Government is a good thing. “Everyone,” according to Romand 13, is to “submit himself to the governing authorities.” According to Revelation 13, an earthly power meant to be a terror to evil and a promoter of good can become corrupt. Only anarchy and riot prevail when every man does what is right in his own eyes, caring nothing for others. So government is there to prevent this. But government, ignoring God and suppressing the truth, becomes a beast in nature. Any government who throws out God and the good, becomes inhuman.
In Luke’s day the Roman government was tolerant of the Christian message. In the Emperor Domitian’s day that government was an instrument of oppression. Revelation 13:1-10 describes the beastly character of politics devoid of goodness. Revelation 13:7-8.
2. Preaching that is antichrist
Let’s turn to the beast out of the earth. Revelation 13:11-14.
Christ found it commendable that the saints at Ephesus could not tolerate wicked men and had tested those who claimed to be apostles, but were not (Revelation 2:2). Luke commended the Bereans because they “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11). To accept any teaching without putting it to the test of Scripture, is fatal to God’s flock. “Test everything. Hold on to the good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21, NIV.
Go to 1 John. 1 John 4:1. How can this test be made? Hear John as he speaks for all the inspired writers: 1 John 4:6
3. Principles that are antichrist
Revelation 13 introduces us to 2 allies of the dragon, Revelation 17 shows us another.
When corrupt governments and corrupt religions fail, Satan turns to a 3rd ally, corrupt philosophy. In reality, the whore of Babylon is the “playboy philosophy” of modern day. It is painted by John under the imagery of a woman who causes men to fall: Revelation 17:2
The church of the Lord is “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet” (Revelation 12:1). Yet, many fall for the attractions of another woman: Revelation 17:4
May we hear the angelic voice who warns us: Revelation 18:4
Should we follow the advice, “If it feels good, do it”? What a cesspool is the moral atmosphere of the world! Satan wants to redefine what is good. However, Christ’s sheep her his voice and follow it “But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”” John 10:5, NIV.
III. Receive the Saint’s Victory
What is this number? Some say it is the pope as he wears his tiara. Others say it is the number of Nero now personified through Domitian. Maybe but none of the commentators of Scripture in the early church after the apostles saw it this way.
Think of it this way. In the Greek text of Revelation 13:18 there is no article. It is translated as man’s number, not a man’s number, or the number of a man. Humanity may consider itself perfect but it never quite reaches it. Throughout Revelation 7 is the number of perfection, or completeness. Humanism at its best falls short of perfection. 6 is not 7 but it tries to be. God’s trinity of perfection would be 777. Satan’s substitute is 666, or not quite there. Trying but always failing. The human number, like the human effort to build a tower of Babel that will reach to Heaven, will fall short again and again and again.
What does it mean to bear the mark? This refers to the official seal used on commercial documents. In John’s day, devotees to some pagan god wore the name of their god tattooed on their foreheads. 3 places to receive marks:
1. Mark in the head
Possible that John using much of OT imagery was thinking of Deuteronomy. “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” Deuteronomy 6:6-8, NIV. We can tell a Christian from a man of the world, not by some electronic invention, but the fact that he thinks differently. He has “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).
While those who belong to the beast have a “mark,” showing ownership, the child of God has a “seal”, indicating not only ownership, but protection. The seal of the HS is evident here.
Revelation shows how important right thinking is. We are to “hear it and take to heart what is written in it” (Revelation 1:3). We are to distinguish between the doctrine of Christ and the “teaching of Balaam” (Revelation 2:14) or the teaching of the Nicolaitains (Revelation 2:15). Satan wants to turn us from the simple gospel to offer us, “Satan’s so called deep secrets” (Revelation 2:24). No one can read Revelation or any NT book and say that doctrine does not matter. Christians from century one to century 21 need to have the same mind.
2. Mark in the hand
Who we are will be shown in our practice and profession, in our works and our words. Revelation says several times, “I know your deeds.” Revelation 14:13.
In Revelation Jesus condemns theft, idolatry, falsehood, and uncleanness.
3. Mark on the heart
Even though not referred to in Revelation, we can envision this. He who continues in wrong teachings, wrong lifestyles, and wrong attitudes is marked for condemnation. Deliverance requires moral redemption, as well as political and religious deliverance. It starts within, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man ‘unclean’” Matthew 15:19, 20, NIV.
Revelation 14:12-13
