The Mark of the Beast

He was given power to cause all who refuse to worship the image to be killed, forcing inhabitants, diminutive and extensive, affluent and indigenous, liberated and bondage, to receive a mark on the hand or forehead excluding them from purchasing and selling unless they worship the beast." (Revelation 13) This prophecy must be fulfilled in our last days. Are Christians prepared to endure persecution of God's saints? The mark of the beast is no secret to mankind. Its number is 666 and many advocates of Satan will deliberately welcome this mark, while others who are terrified will submit out of fear of losing their capital, family, and worse, persecution and execution of their children. God warns that Christians must not faint. His son Jesus will rescue His faithful Christians who've kept His Ten Commandments and resisted the beast even if your life is at stake. Jesus died for us, but will we die for Him? Will we betray Jesus for our jobs? Will we risk salvation in exchange for starvation and even our loved ones? Are we teaching and preparing our children and grand children for this calamity, because they're the souls who will hopefully outlive us, and may be alive during this detrimental phase of the last days.

As I sat in service this week, our minister in training (Steve) stated something so profound. He said, "If we can't persevere through our trials and tribulations, how can we persevere during the perilous times of the beast?" I left service with a different attitude toward suffering because if these times seem unbearable right now, what will become of those who are feeble when the beast's plan is activated? Do we truly understand what patience and perseverance means? We must put on the armor of God because these days, and days to come, are truly evil, and if we're not equipped with the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness, we will perish in the second resurrection because the first resurrection is for the saved, those who persevered under detrimental persecution. We must take up the shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. God's Word is our sword of the spirit and don't forget the helmet of salvation. The beast's symbol is a ticket to hellfire. So choose now, repent and be saved by God, not lost through Satan because time is not on our side but Jesus is. Stand strong to Satan's schemes because the only satanic plan he has is destroying your soul. So resist the devil and do not accept the mark of the beast, Amen.

All scriptures paraphrased from the Holy Bible.