The Adventist Way of Life

In Revelation chapter 14 we read about three angels all with very important messages. When we get to the 3rd angel we receive a warning in regards to the "mark of the Beast". What is this "mark"? Should this verse not have our utmost attention? I mean, is it not about eternal life or death? Indeed it is!

When we read the Bible we need to take carefull note about how things are worded. God will use the same phrase or word in one passage and we will find this same usage in other passages. This helps us understand context and meanings. We develope a Christian "language" if you will.

Now, we note in Revelation ch.13 that the "mark of the Beast" is put "in" the forehead or hand of an individual. Once this is done it seems that their fate is sealed. As a Christian I certainly do not want to ever receive the "mark of the Beast". What about you? How do you know that you do not already have this fatel mark?

What is this mark? Do you know? Many say that it is an obvious mark, like a tatoo or computer chip implanted in the head or hand. Wouldn't this be a "no dah" thing? Doesn't Jesus say in one of the gospels that we need to be careful and that if it is posible even one of the "elect" [Christians] could be decieved? So perhaps it is not some material or physical mark. Perhaps it's more sinister.

So what is the "mark of the Beast"? Let's look at some Scriptures to help identify what God is trying to teach us all regarding this "marking" buisness in the "hand" and "forehead".

In Deuteronomy ch.6 verse 8 God instructs His people regarding His law:

"And thou shalt bind them [God's laws] for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes."

Here we see God "binding" or "sealing" His law in His peoples MIND and ACTIONS ["hand" & "forehead" ..."between thine eyes"]. This means that our thoughts and actions should be manifesting the character of Christ. Paul the apostle informs us as Christians:

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ." [Philippians 2:5]

So God wants His character manifest in His saints. This happens only through progressive sanctification, the Christian growing process. We begin to give up habits and practices that go against God's law. We begin to obey God's law through the sealing power of the Holy Spirit.

We are to be "sealed" or "marked" with God's "present truth".  "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in THE PRESENT TRUTH." [2 Peter 1:12]

God has always had a "present truth". In Abrahams day the truth was to follow Abraham. In Noah's day the truth was, "a flood is coming so get into the ark!". In the time of John the baptist the truth was, "Jesus is coming get ready to follow Him!". Todays truth is, "be sealed with the character of Christ Jesus or receive the mark of the beast!". So do you want to be sealed with, PRESENT TRUTH?

"Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples." [Isaiah 8:16]

In the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation, we see God's last day remnant people with a seal in their foreheads. [Rev. 7:3,4]. This last day remnant is described as those: "which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." [Rev. 12:17 & Rev.14:12]

They have the character of Jesus Christ manifest in their lives and are willing to die for the truth. Now, what about those who do not wish to be sealed with God's truth? They must have a different seal, a counterfeit.

Let's look at the following information for help on this subject:

Everyday in the news we see Satan trying to lower the standard. Sad
that many professed Christians have followed the “wide road”. We see
many laughing at us when we say that one should “remember the Sabbath
day to keep it holy”, or when we remark “you really shouldn’t lie”.

When the anti-christ comes in full power he will alow only those who
worship him on his day [most likely the pagan sun-day] to buy and
sell. “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.” [Revelation
13:17]

God instructs His people through the prophet Nehemiah regarding the
holy Sabbath; “And if the people of the land bring ware or any
victuals on the sabbath day to SELL, that we would not BUY it of them
on the sabbath.” [Nehemiah 10:31] Yet, the Beast will tell us to buy
and sell on God’s holy sabbath.

The prophet Daniel informs us that the Beast will try and “change
God’s times and laws.” [Daniel 7:25] Jesus, when speaking of
the “great tribulation” which was yet to come said; “But pray that
your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day. For
then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning
of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” [Matthew 24:21]
Clearly Jesus expected His followers to be keeping the seventh day
sabbath in the last days!

We are told that the Beast has a “mark” that he wishes to give
people. This mark is clearly the Beasts character in your “head”
[mind] and in your “right hand” [your actions]. God’s mark will be in
his saints. What is God’s mark? God tells His people; “And it shall
be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between
thine eyes [forehead], that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth:”
[Exodus 13:9]

Clearly this verse regarding God’s law in our “hand” and “forehead”
means that we will have put on the “righteousness of Christ”. We will
be lights shinning in a very dark place. Revelation chapter seven
informs us that only those who have God’s mark will be protected and
they will refuse the “mark of the Beast”.

During this time: “he that turneth away his ear from hearing the law
[of God], even his prayer shall be abomination.” [Proverbs 28:9]

So dear “born again” Christians, here is the conclusion of the
matter; “Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole
duty of man.” [Ecclesiates 12:13]

So we see that those who follow the anti-christ power and believe in his conterfeit will receive the "mark of the beast". It is documented that the false Roman Power [Catholic Church] decided to try and change God's "times and laws". This false church who "sits on seven hills" and worships images states that the change from Saturday to Sunday in sabbath observance is a MARK of her authority. Look what the false church states:

"Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change (Saturday Sabbath to Sunday) was her act... And the act is a MARK of her ecclesiastical authority in religious things.” H.F. Thomas, Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons.

"Sunday is our MARK of authority. . .the church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact" Catholic Record of London, Ontario Sept 1,1923.

Wow! What a claim! In conclusion to this study regarding "the third angel's message" let us look at an earlier article that I wrote. This will sum up our study:

"If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God." Rev. 14:9-10.

This is one of the most important warnings and messages in the entire Bible! This third angel warns all about the "mark of the Beast".

We learned in the first angels message of this chapter that God's law, including the Sabbath commandment, is important and that true Christians will keep these laws of God.

The first angel says;.… “and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea…” Notice that this phrase is a copy of what we find in the fourth commandment:

“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy… for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hollowed it.” Exodus 20:8-11

We are told that the Beast has a “mark” that he wishes to give people. This mark is clearly the Beasts character or "law" in your “head”[mind] and in your “right hand” [your actions]. God’s mark will be in his saints. What is God’s mark? God's "mark" is His true Law! God tells His people;

“And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes [forehead], that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth:”[Exodus 13:9]

Clearly this verse regarding God’s law in our “hand” and “forehead” means that we will have put on the “righteousness of Christ”. We will have developed a Christian character. We will be lights shinning in a very dark place. Revelation chapter seven informs us that only those who have God’s final seal will be protected and they will refuse the “mark of the Beast”.

Clearly we must understand that the "third angel's message" exposes the mark of the Beast and offers Christ's Righteousness in place of it!

The third and final angel of Revelation ch.14 asks us to return to primitive worship, that which Adam and Eve experienced before the fall!

This means that keeping all of the commandments and recognizing them in contrast to those of Satan's false commandmentsis extremely important for the true saints ofGod. Remember, all three angels messages conclude with;

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus Christ." [Rev.14:12]

We saints prove that the "righteousness of Christ" is made manifest in our obedience to the Commandments of God. We thus refuse the "mark of the Beast".

True saints will strive to keep their bodies a "temple of the Holy Spirit" by obeying the original diet of Adam and Eve that they may think clearly and remain healthy. The "mark of the Beast" involves damaging or destroying our bodies and mind by bad eating habits and or putting drugs into our systems while at the same time honoring false commandments, laws which say it is "okay" to break the moral law of God.

When the mind is clouded, when the spiritual, physical, and mental health is weakend then Satan will have you in his grip.

"The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men." - Ellen G. White 5 Testimonies 81.

These three angels messages are given to the last day church and to the entire world. The church is warned not to "fall asleep" and become that as the condition was in ancient Laodicea. [see Revelation 3:14-22]

These three angels messages of Revelation chapter fourteen are to awaken all to the climax that is just upon this world.

"I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps - the first, second, and third angel's messages. Said my accompanying angel, "woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are recieved." [Ellen G. White, Early Writings,pp.258,259]

When the final anti-christ comes in full power he will alow only those who worship him on his day [the pagan sun-day] to buy and sell. “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had themark,or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” [Revelation13:17]

God instructs His people through the prophet Nehemiah regarding the holy Sabbath; “And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to SELL, that we would not BUY it of them on the sabbath.” [Nehemiah 10:31] Yet, the Beast will tell us to buy and sell on God’s holy sabbath.

The prophet Daniel informs us that the Beast will try and “change God’s times and laws.” [Daniel 7:25] Jesus, when speaking of the “great tribulation” which was yet to come said; “But pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day. For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” [Matthew 24:21] Clearly Jesus expected His followers to be keeping the seventh day sabbath after He returned to heaven!

The choice is yours. Will you not heed the three angels messages of Revelation ch.14 and be saved? Or will you continue to break God's commandments and receive the "mark of the beast"?

E.W.King [Written April 19,2008  some material taken from Eric's earlier writings]

Visit "The Adventist Way of Life" homepage: www.adventist.7p.com

The only way you will ever be able to discern truth from lies is to know the truth. Truth becomes the benchmark by which everything else is measured.

Send comments or questions to Eric at: Er2Ki@aol.com

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