There are many things dreaded in our world today; from terrorism to hurricanes. Cancer, AIDS, nuclear holocaust, war itself, and we could continue on and on. But our concern for terrorism, and natural disasters – for the proliferation of nuclear weapons – for the spreading of dreadful diseases!
For whatever – they should all fade into insignificance compared with what we should know about what this book teaches concerning last day events - about Jesus and what He is trying to do for this shuddering planet.
For those who are searching God’s word with keen interest perhaps nothing arouses as much concern as receiving the “Mark of the Beast”.
This is justifiable in light of what we read in: Revelation 14:9, 10
Night by night we have seen universal struggle revealed in our study of Revelation.
Revelation tells us that two sides are involved in a cosmic conflict calling for our worship.
Verse 9 says: “If any man worship the beast and receive mark.”
We learned about the great Dragon Power that fights against God and His church and saw how it began in heaven with a rebellious angel.
After being cast out – then battle transferred to earth – Even in the Eden.
We discovered that the Devil is a deceiver and that he continues to do his work of deception to the end of time in his assault against Christ and those who follow Him
Revelation 12:7-9, 12, 17
Found out how this dragon power changed from pagan political power to religious political system in the form of the Roman church.
Combining pagan practices of Rome, Greece, Babylon so that it became the great beast power in Revelation 13.
Let’s read -Revelation 13:1-3
It tells us in verse 2 that the “Dragon gave power - great authority” – Revelation 13: 2.
Dragon represents Satan, also especially represented by pagan Roman Empire with its proliferation of sun worship.
Dragon gives beast power, seat, authority – The pagan Roman Empire gave this to Papacy. Fact is 330 AD - Constantine, Roman emperor gave whole city to church.
Papal Rome is the continuation of pagan Rome – as it came out of the ruins of divided Roman Empire.
This is why it is called the Holy Roman Catholic Church.
Catholic and other historical sources use almost exact Bible language to verify this – SLIDES Quotes
Revelation 13:4 - again shows worship of dragon involved.
Why? How can this be? Answer is simple - Dragon behind it all.
It was pagan Rome which gave power to church and much of it’s religion as well. Rome got it from Greece, Greece from Medo-Persia, they from Babylon.
Babylon ancient seat of sun worship - got it from dragon. Now this dragon is also the devil as well. Revelation 12:9 - Satan is behind it all. He is deceiving the whole world through Antichrist system.
He always wanted worship - Isaiah 14:14
“Will exalt throne” - “Be like Most High.”
True worship - that is what is on the line here. Revelation 13:8
Revelation 13:15-17 - those who receive “The Mark of the Beast” - worship beast and his image.
God only deserves worship. Why?
Revelation 4:11 - “You are worthy, glory, honor, power, -You have created.”
This is why God’s final call given to this Old World in Revelation 14:6, 7 - calls us to worship Him that created.
Now, Jesus said something that adds great emphasis to this that I would like to share with you tonight.
John 4:23, 24 SLIDE Texts
Must worship in spirit and truth. True worship is very important to God and is the issue tonight.
Now true worship is service - OBEDIENCE - highest form of worship.
Romans 6:16
God isn’t looking for Lip service religion – all the “praise the Lord’s” not take place of obedience and service.
All right now, through careful study we found 10 points – that identify Papal, Roman Church State system as beast power.
Now give 11th identifying point of the beast.
Found in the number of his name – The number 666.
Revelation 13:16-18
Many make a mistake here – Notice the mark and the number 666 are different.
Some tell us Mark of Beast is number 666 – on card, hand, forehead, etc...
Verse 17 says, “Number of his name.” Tells us to add the number of his name. Official name of Pope - “Vicarius Filii Dei” - man in place of God, Vicar of the Son of God.
Add the Roman numeral value of each letter get 666.
Now tonight interested in the Mark of the Beast.
But first of all, need to realize none need receive the mark of the beast.
Revelation 7:1-3
We can receive the seal of God instead.
God is holding back winds of strife, war, perhaps horrible disasters of a nuclear war with unparalleled destruction and death.
Other natural disasters – Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Terrorism, etc.
What then is the seal of God? We must know this – then we will not have to worry about the MARK.
Okay remember we discovered that the found BEAST - GREAT COUNTERFEITER
Instead of: Word of God – Tradition; True confession and repentance – Go to priest, confessional – Salvation by faith – Works of sacraments
So we have a choice - SEAL OF GOD or MARK OF BEAST.
In most instances a Seal has to do with legal affairs.
Official documents stamped - seal of government. Purpose is to show power or authority.
New law - seal - shows power, authority to back up law.
Generally there are 3 things in a seal -
1. NAME of authority
2. TITLE or office
3. TERRITORY over which rules.
Presidential seal contains Name – George W Bush, His Title – President, and the Territory over which he rules – The United States of America.
God’s Seal – has to do with law – legal matters.
Isaiah 8:16
Remember also what God wants to do with the law?
Hebrews. 8:10
Written in minds – Revelation tells us God’s SEAL placed symbolically in foreheads.
Where exactly in law is seal found?
First let’s review – What constitutes God’s power and authority?
Let’s remind ourselves tonight - Isa. 40:25, 26 SLIDES Texts
He created by greatness of His might - strong in power. None like God - Creator
Psalms 95:6 - “O come let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”
Jeremiah 10:10-12 God bases His claims of authority on power to create.
So – WHAT IS THE SIGN – The Great MEMORIAL to His creative power?
Genesis 2:1, 2, 3 says -
“On 7th day God rested from His work He had made.” Blessed, sanctified it because He rested on it after creating everything.
Now see what SEAL really is. Remember must contain name, office, territory.
Exodus 20: 8-11 Only in 4th Commandment are all 3 ingredients of a Seal revealed.
Lord made heaven and earth – those worlds contain seal of who and what God is.
Seal of God there in the heart of His Law.
Very first words of the Bible – “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
No wonder God asks us to remember. God knew that Satan would attack the Sabbath because it is His Seal.
You ask, “Is Sabbath really His seal?
Ezekiah 20:12, 20
Sabbath called a sign that we would know He is our God.
A Sign same as a Seal.
Rom. 4:11 established this fact. Romans 4:11
Sign and Seal used interchangeably in Scripture.
The Sabbath was always a special sign to Israel.
Exodus 31:13, 16, 17
Keep Sabbath’s for a sign - verse 17 - forever.
Who is Israel? We are - Galatians 3: 7, 2
It’s a sign - stands for something – always will.
How does God feel about His sign?
Church Bulletin Illustration – Is God’s Sign on You?
God has not changed His law either.
What if changed signs in the world? Confusion – God is not the author of confusion.
Remind you again - SEAL AND MARK – OPPOSED.
One is the true seal or sign of God – The other is a great counterfeit.
They are contrasted in Revelation.
Revelation 14:9, 10, 12
Some have Mark of Beast - some keep commandments.
If SEAL OF GOD IS SABBATH – WHAT IS MARK?
Remember what beast does?
Daniel 7:25 “Think change times and laws.”
Found - changed 2nd Commandment.
Not only 2nd but 4th – Sabbath – The only Commandment which has to do with time.
Did papacy change that?
We proved early Christians kept the Sabbath.
Sunday has its origins from paganism and sun worship.
Roman Emperor Constantine – 325 AD became “Christian”. He kept Sunday - so changed.
Let’s read historical facts - not my word.
Read History and Catholic statements -
Faith of Millions and Cath. Church Bulletin
Sunday not in the Bible. Sunday - “Mark of Authority”
My friends, you must answer that challenge! Who are you going to obey? God says “Remember the Sabbath”
Listen to these words by Cardinal Gibbons
“Of course the Catholic Church claims her act. . . And the act is a “mark” of her ecclesiastical power and authority.”
Sunday keeping is homage paying to Rome.
Revelation 13:3, 11, 17
“Deadly Wound Healed” and “all the world follows the Beast”
Healed in 1929
Notice – Another beast – talk about later – verse 11
Causes all to worship first beast - verse 15
- Mark becomes law.
Here in Christian America - show you how this is going to happen and is already happening before we are through.
All to receive mark - verse 16
And whole Christian world keeps Sunday.
Fact is the whole world today was wooed by the charisma of the recent globe trotting pope.
Here you have it – Its not east for me to tell you this.
But we must preach the Word 2 Timothy 4:1-4
“Turned unto Fables”
Sunday keeping is the biggest Fable in the world.
It is also the Mark of the Beast.
Not always pleasant speak full truth of word of God.
Often criticized in age of compromise and conformity.
Not popular to say anything negative about another religion. Most believe that all religions have some good in them.
But, I have discovered that the Devil never serves poison without his Kool-Aid.
I believe there must be no toning down of the truth. These are not ordinary times.
Truth needs to be spoken and obeyed with urgency.
It was old Augustine who said, “He who conceals a useful truth is equally guilty with the propagator of an injurious falsehood.”
Now, maybe someone is wondering - Does anyone have the Mark today?
I want to make it clear. None have mark today!
Must be enforced first by powers in Revelation 13.
Also scripture says, James 4:17, “Him that knows to do right - not to him it is sin.”
Also Acts 17:30 says Must repent and do what’s right when we know.
This means we must make a decision doesn’t it!
Jesus emphatically states these gripping words of Matthew 15:9
Worship is vain if keep traditions.
We began to receive the Mark when clear and choose to obey tradition.
This means we must make a decision!
The world is now realizing the sure results of disobedience to the law of God.
The day which God set aside and told us to remember as a sign of our allegiance has been substituted by another day –
The mark of the beast’s power and rule today.
Tonight who will you serve and worship? This is the Central Issue!
The Coming Crises is similar to the days of Daniel the Prophet.
God’s people are soon to be precipitated into unprecedented perils, and extraordinary preparations have to be made to meet the extremely hazardous times.
We are no doubt on the threshold of great and solemn events.
The final prophecy about the enforcement of the mark of the Beast is about to be fulfilled.
Soon a battle will be waged between those who serve God and those who serve Him not.
The persecutions of the past will be repeated here in America and abroad.
We must begin now to choose the seal of the Creator God.
Is this clear to you? Do you hear the voice of God calling you to keep the 10 Commandments – Including the Sabbath? – The seal of God.
This is the sign of your love and loyalty to your Creator and Redeemer?
Tonight – I want to invite you to say yes by indicating on card.
Stand for Jesus - Come forward - I want to pray for you.