The Christ in Prophecy Journal

Stop Panicking Over the Mark of the Beast

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When in time the Rapture of the Church takes place as it relates to the Tribulation really affects how folks react to what they read in Revelation.

Take for instance the 20’s-something guy who showed up a few years back at an Adult Bible Fellowship my wife and I were members of. In the middle of the lesson he just exploded in panicky excitement, fervently exhorting us that when the time came to be beheaded by the Antichrist, to just put our heads in the guillotine and proudly have them chopped off for Christ. Or, during another lesson, in the same fervor but with an opposite exhortation, a visiting gentleman from India implored that Christians play along and even deny Christ to protect themselves, erroneously adding that Jesus would forgive the denial.

Or, how about this story from WorldNetDaily.com entitled “Fear mark of the beast? State OKs special license.” A group in West Virginia actually fought and won an exemption from the state’s requirement that driver’s license photos be stored in a government digital database because they would then be participating in getting the Mark of the Beast. One of the members of the group, a physics teacher, even refuses to wear barcodes on name badges or allow his kid’s pictures in their school yearbooks because of fears the pictures will end up in the Amber Alert database.

I’m pretty sure that if I believed that Jesus would let the Antichrist wail on His Bride for 3 1/2 to 7 years, that I’d be living differently, too. For one, I’d be combing the news daily wondering which charismatic leader is the Antichrist (maybe the Pope, Obama?). Secondly, I’d be stockpiling food, water, precious metals and survival gear in some backyard bomb shelter. And thirdly, I’d lose a lot of sleep fearing I had accidentally taken the Mark of the Beast.

Bear in mind, accepting the Mark of the Beast is not something to be taken lightly. It’s as bad as that atheist group online who is collecting initiation videos from people blaspheming the Holy Spirit. The end result of doing either of these is eternal separation from God and banishment to the Lake of Fire (Rev. 14:9-10).

But, Revelation 13:16-18 gives us enough information for a person to know when they have taken the Mark. For one, the Antichrist would have to be ruling the world. Since he’s not at the time of this writing, you’re good. Secondly, since the Mark is the Antichrist’s key to controlling world economy, and Christians are currently buying and selling, you’re good. Thirdly, the Mark is very visible on (not in) either the right hand or forehead, and is easily recognized as either the name or number of the Beast. Since the Apostle John couldn’t read barcodes (who can?), don’t fear them. Since earthquakes and meteors aren’t leveling the planet and rivers and oceans aren’t turning red, then the time is not right for the Mark, so you’re good.

When it comes time to decide to accept the Mark, you would know more clearly than was ever known which side you were choosing — God or Satan. The Mark pure and simple is allegiance to Satan. Nobody will be tricked into taking it. You would know.

Now, if you are reading this after the Church has been taken up to Heaven to be with Jesus, then yes, heed Revelation 13’s description and DO NOT take the Mark, for it will mean great physical suffering while on earth and eternal damnation to the Lake of Fire. But, if you’re a Christian and waiting on the Rapture, then brush up on the verses and read this article that shows the Bible supports a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church. Relax, and trust in God.

God: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5)

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Dr. Nathan E. Jones

As the Internet Evangelist at Lamb & Lion Ministries, Nathan reaches out to the over 4.5 billion people accessible over the Internet with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He also co-hosts the ministry's television program Christ in Prophecy and podcast The Truth Will Set You Free.

9 CommentsLeave a Comment

  • Thank you Nathan Jones for your article. We all must understand that we will not be here to see the mark of the beast. There is lots you can find out about the Mark of the Beast. Just type in New World Order into youtube. You will find videos on micro chips etc. The the chip is here right now. It’s been tested on humans and there is not question of it is ready to go. But when I see or hear of things like this I JUST GET SO EXCITED.
    This just show’s me that the RAPTURE getting closer.
    I once was worried about the mark of the beast etc. But I then realized that my feeling was normal but it also showed me to seek Jesus even more. Hey I do not want to be around on this earth after the rapture I want to be with our Lord.

    So please do not get worried about the beast or the antichrist just get close to your heavenly father. As all earthly fathers our Father in heaven will protect his children.

    May our Lord richly bless you all. It is going to be so great to meet you all one day as we stand together and praise the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. HOW FANTASTIC IS THAT….

    John D
    South Australia

  • I think the key point to worrying about the mark of the beast and who is the anti-christ, etc. is that such worry should not be your focus. Your focus should be on the return of Jesus to save us from the wrath to come in the tribulation. Stay focused on Jesus and you will be filled with hope, not worry. God bless you all.
    Billy W.
    Prophecy Partner

  • the resurrection of the just is a gift of God based only on the the blood of Jesus heb 13:20 we cant earn it..rapture however is based on prayer and obedience see luke 21:36
    and rev 3:10 enoch and elijah were raptured not resurrected their resurrection awaits in the future. Gods people need to pray the prayer in luke 21:36 in order to escape the great tribulation and to keep the word of his patience we need to be overcomers.rev 3:10

  • Hi, James. I think you're way off here. First, the Lord was referring to the tribulation period in Luke 21:36, not the Rapture. He was talking to Jews, not the Church.

    Second, believers are included in the Rapture because we are believers, not because of anything we do. Romans 5:9&10 are two of many verses that teach us that, "Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!" 1 Thessalonians 5:9&10 is in the context of the Rapture and states clearly, "For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him."

    Third, I'm afraid I missed your connection to Enoch and Elijah. Regardless of that, John clearly defines who an overcomer is in 1 John 5:4&5, "For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overccomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

    To say that believers who don't pray Luke 21:36 will be left here impunes God's character, his promises, and the complete work of Christ. Logically it makes no sense either. What about believers who don't KNOW they have to pray Luke 21:36 to be included in the Rapture? They'd be left behind. What a dirty trick on God's part that would be.

    In this period of amazing grace in which we have been blessed to live, it is all about being saved and kept through grace by faith in Jesus. Ephesians 2:8, "For it is by grace you hve been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast." God, (who by his grace even gave us the faith that saves us) will not leave any of his children behind because of a work they didn't do. Praise God.

    Maranatha.

    Karole

  • Spot on with Luke 21:36, Karole. Jesus was, indeed, speaking to Jews/Israel in context to the tribulation. I’m afraid pretribbers often misuse that verse and prewrathers and posties rightly pull them up on it.

    One thing it does reinforce to me is that the Lord does NOT want His people to experience that which will come upon the world.

  • The Bible describes the Tribulation as the worst time in human history. Most of the world is devestated, famine is rampant, people are dying by the billions. A multitude stand before God after being martyred.

    And if the Church was to live during the Tribulation, how would they avoid all of that???

  • Nathan, I agree with you despite believing Luke 21:36 is not a promise of the rapture. That verse, along with Rev 3:10, clearly lets us know that God does not want us, and that we don’t need to, suffer the tribulation. God’s wrath occurs long before mid-week.

  • I have two issues concerning a Pre-Trib rapture. One is the Beast is said in Revelation to make war with and conquer the Saints. Another is that all both small and great will take the mark, except those that are written in The Lambs Book Of Life and they will be martyred for such an act.

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