THE TRUE MARK OF THE BEAST

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What is the mark of the beast? I had always thought that it is a literal number 666 (as mentioned in Revelation 13:18)—either embedded in a micro-chip or any other form that the beast will force people to receive it in their right hand or forehead. However, after an in-depth study of the Bible, the mark of the beast is far from what I had thought initially. So many people don’t correctly know who the beast is. If you cannot correctly identify the beast, how can you correctly identify its mark?  It is essential to understand who or what the beast is before one can properly understand its mark.

In this exhaustive article, we will show you what the true mark of the beast is but first we will identify who the beast is. This article will be based on the Holy Scriptures and not the opinions of men; references to other trusted historical sources will be made as well.

Most people, as I had thought in the past, think that the mark of the beast is always physical but that’s not true. Mark doesn’t always mean a physical mark; a mark is a means of identification. Anything that identifies something—not necessarily a physical mark, is regarded as a mark.

In this in-depth Bible study, we will illustrate to you that the mark of the beast is not so much of a physical mark but it is the teachings of the beast; it is the teachings that come from this beast that constitute the mark of the beast. Let us begin by identifying who or what the beast is.

THE BEAST—WHO OR WHAT IS IT?

In Daniel chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and was troubled because he did not understand what the meaning of the dream was; and neither did his wise men. When none among his council could understand the meaning of the dream, he called for Daniel. Daniel stated that the power to interpret dreams comes from God—God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and not from man. The dream that Nebuchadnezzar dreamt had to do with world-ruling kingdoms or governments—gentile dynasties. These dynasties, from the commencement, will last up to the second coming of Christ and setting up His kingdom on this earth. It should be understood that the beast (Revelation 13:18) will be one of these gentile ruling dynasties that Nebuchadnezzar dreamt about. Let us start from ground zero and build the picture so that we get the correct understanding of the evolution of these kingdoms. Let us dive into the second chapter of Daniel to understand in detail the dream.

From the above passage, through a dream, God made known to Nebuchadnezzar what was to come—future kingdoms. In the dream that he had, the statute was divided into several sections and each section is composed of either metal, alloy, or a mixture of metal and clay.  These distinguished compositions represent different world-ruling gentile dynasties.  The rulership of Nebuchadnezzar, it was God that gave him the Babylonian kingdom—not a man. The summary of the statue that Nebuchadnezzar saw is given below:

1. Head of gold: Represents the Babylonian empire
2. Chest and arms of silver: Represents the empire of the Medes and the Persians (much more inferior to the Babylonian empire)
3. Belly and thighs of bronze: The ancient Greek empire
4. Legs of iron: The Roman empire—strong as iron
5. Feet of iron and clay: Kingdom of restored Rome
6. The crushing rock: The kingdom of God to be set up at the second coming of Christ.

In verse 44, in the days of the last empire shall God set up a kingdom which shall not be destroyed; this kingdom which shall not be destroyed is the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ that He will set up at His second coming (see Daniel 7:18 and Revelation 11:15).

Let us read further in the book of Daniel to understanding more about these empires:

From the above passage, when the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, all the precious vessels of gold and silver in the temple were carried away to Babylon. Belshazzar, his wives, and the concubines drank wine in those vessels which were carried from Jerusalem; and while they drank wine in those wares that belong to the temple at Jerusalem, and praise other gods, God saw it. At the same hour, suddenly, a hand appears and writes on the wall.

The king was troubled and he called for his astrologers and wise men to help interpret what the writing on the wall was but none could read talk less of interpreting it. He called for Daniel to help him interpret the dream.

The writing means that God has numbered the kingdom of Belshazzar and finished it—this was the end of the Babylonian empire. His kingdom was given to the Medes and the Persians.

• Mene: God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
• Tekel: Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
• Peres: Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

Now we have seen the Babylonian empire came and gone; the Medo-Persian empire came also. let us go to Daniel 8 to add more understanding to what we have seen so far.

From the above passage, the Medes and the Persians were in rulership; the ram mentioned in Daniel 8:3 represents the Medes and Persians. 

Verse 3 “and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.”

The first horn was the Medes and the last horn was the Persians.  In verse 5 “an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground:” The he-goat in verse 5 represents the Greek empire and the notable horn between the eyes of the he-goat represents Alexander the Great. In verse 8 “Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.” When the notable horn was broken i.e., when Alexander the Great died, four generals emerged to take his place. The Grecian empire was divided into four kingdoms when Alexander the Great died and out of these four hones came forth another little horn—and this is the Roman empire. Verse 9 “And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.” This little horn brought in the Roman empire.

Verses 20-25 gives further interpretations of these four kingdoms:

1. The ram with two horns is the Medes and the Persians (second empire).
2. The rough he-goat is the Greek empire and the notable horn was Alexander the Great. When Alexander the Great died, his kingdom was divided into four kingdoms and his four generals took over, and out of one of them came forth a little horn.
3. During the Roman Empire: verse 23-24 “And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.”  At the very latter stage of the Roman Empire—the little horn, king of fierce countenance and understanding of dark sentences shall emerge. This king of fierce countenance will be around at the time of the second coming of Christ. The rulership of the Roman empire will be climaxed by the ruthless king who will speak great things against the Most High God.

Let’s summarise what we have learned so far about these kingdoms in form of a diagram: Figure 1.

Now we can see that the little horn that emerged out of the Grecian empire is the Roman empire. Out of this little horn—the Roman empire—which waxed with great strength, shall come forth a king of fierce countenance and understanding of dark sentences (Daniel 8:23). Now, let us pause and ask a question: Who is this ruthless king referred to as the king of fierce countenance? Remember, this little horn—the Roman empire, will be around at the second coming of Jesus Christ; this king shall emerge out of the Roman empire and will be a key player in directing the affairs of the Roman empire; the empire will be fully resurrected.

This king of fierce countenance is referred to in several parts of the Bible with different titles (Daniel 11:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:3).

Verse 25 gives striking qualities of this king: “and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.”

This will be at the very end of the Roman empire when Jesus comes the second time.

Prophet Daniel also saw these four kingdoms but represented by ferocious animals—beasts. Let us see Daniel 7:

Don’t lose track of what we are trying to do; we are identifying the beast. There will be a succession of kingdoms and the beast, which we want to identify its mark correctly, will be one of these kingdoms (empires).

The four kingdoms that Nebuchadnezzar saw, Daniel saw the same but this time represented by ferocious animals—beasts—different from one another. Let us summarise these beasts:

1. The first was like a lion and had an eagle’s wing—the Babylonian empire: One Head
2. The second is like a bear: The Medes and The Persians: One Head
3. The third beast is like a leopard—the Greek empire: Four Heads
4. The Fourth beast, very terrible—the Roman empire—It had ten horns (when Nebuchadnezzar saw it, he saw it with ten toes).

In the Roman empire, the ten horns represent kingdoms and rulership—they represent secular governments that were parts of the Roman empire. The ten horns represent 10 rulers who try to rule the Roman empire: they each came in their own time. The Roman empire fell around 476 AD and there were attempts to revive the Roman Empire to its former glory.

There are very striking qualities mentioned in Daniel 7:24-25 that are very important; we will use these qualities in identifying the beast; what are the qualities?

• And he shall speak great words against the Most High God.
• And shall wear out the saints of the Most High God.
• And think to change times and laws.
• and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Don’t lose track; we are still building precepts to identify the beast. Let’s see Revelation 13:1-7.

What Daniel saw in Daniel chapter 7, the dream where different kingdoms were represented by animals, each of these empires came and left at their own time: he saw the rise and fall of the Babylonian empire, the Medo-Persian empire, the Greek empire, and then the Roman empire. Although the Roman empire died in 476AD, it will be revived again and will be very much alive at the time of the second coming of Jesus Christ. What John saw in Revelation is after all the three empires had gone (the Babylonian empire, the Medo-Persian empire, the Greek empire); he saw the Roman empire.

When Daniel saw the dream, there was no mention of 7 heads but in Revelation John saw 7 heads. The Roman empire assimilated all the strength and qualities of the previous empires.  So, where did the beast (the Roman empire) get the 7 heads from? Let us see further:

The qualities of beasts before the Roman empire:

1. Like a leopard (qualities of the Greek empire).
2. Feet like that of a bear (qualities of the Medo-Persian empire).
3. Mouth like that of a lion (qualities of the Babylonian empire).

The 7 Heads:

1. The Babylonian empire (1 Head).
2. The Medo-Persian empire (1 Head).
3. The Greek empire (4 Heads).
4. The Roman empire (1 Head).

All totalled 7 heads.

The Roman empire possesses all the qualities of the three previous empires and thus has seven heads. The head that was wounded unto death was when the Roman empire died in 476 AD. This wound will be fully healed when the Roman empire is fully back to power.

It should be understood that the Roman empire is a system and has two arms: the secular government and the religious arm—both of these two are used interchangeably and are both referred to as the beast.

Verse 5 “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.”

As a student of the Bible, you may recognise what verse 5 is talking about; these are the very last days towards the second coming of Jesus Christ—when the self-willed King will rule for 3 ½ years.  The empire will have power over all tongues and people.

 Notice verse 11:

“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon”

Who is this beast in verse 11? He has two horns like a lamb but speaks like a dragon (the Devil). How does a dragon speak? The Devil—the dragon—speaks lies and deception. The Bible says that Satan (the dragon) deceived the whole world and he is the father of lies (John 8:44; Revelation 12:9)—that’s how a dragon speaks! The beast that John saw represents the Roman empire and the two horns represent the secular and religious arms of the Roman empire.

Now, from what we have established so far, who is the beast? THE BEAST IS THE ROMAN EMPIRE—comprising of the religious arm and the secular arm. The beast—the Roman empire, will be revived and be fully active at the second coming of the Lord. Let us dig deeper in Revelation:

Now we have identified the beast: the Roman empire and the empire is divided into two—the secular ruler and the religious ruler (the Papacy). Verse 19 mentions that the beast and the kings of the earth gathered to make war against Jesus when He comes the second time. The beast (the Roman empire) will be around, active, and fully revived when Jesus comes the second time. So, it is clear that the Roman empire (the Roman system) has two arms—the two horns—the secular government and the religious arm headed by a false prophet.

THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST—666: WHERE DID IT COME FROM?

From the passage above, it is very clear that we are dealing with the beast, and we have correctly identified that the beast is the Roman empire—comprising of religious arm and secular government, and will be fully active and in power at the time of the second coming of Christ. Verses 16-17 say: he forces people to receive the mark of the beast; this shows that the beast—the Roman empire, will have significant power to implement this. The beast got its power from the dragon—the devil.

“16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 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.”

In the above two verses, we are dealing with the beast, and the beast is the Roman empire comprising of the religious arm and the secular arm. Here is a question, what is the mark that the beast causes people to receive in their right hand or forehead?  We will soon find out. Verse 18 says: let him that has understanding count the number of the beast; can we count this number? Let us see:

“18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”

The above passage says that the number of the beast is the number of a man. Then, the question that should be asked is, who is this man whose number is 666? How did this number 666 come about?  As the Bible rightly says, it will require wisdom to count the number of this man; what wisdom? Let us see further:

Before we attempt to decode the mysteries surrounding this number, let us get more understanding concerning the title of the religious leader of the Roman empire; the wisdom to count this number will come from understanding one of the titles of this religious leader. According to World Book Encyclopaedia Vol. 15 p 587, the titles of the Pope are:

• The Bishop of Rome.  
• Vicar of Jesus Christ: which means replacement of Jesus Christ; in other words, the office of the Pope is Christ’s replacement.
• Your Holiness:  How can a man be your Holiness? This title belongs to the Lord only but this religious leader bears it.
• Servant of the servants of God:  this title belongs to Jesus but this religious leader claims and uses it.

We are going to deal with one of the titles that he uses: VICAR OF JESUS CHRIST (Vicar of the Son of God). As rightly pointed out, the official language of the Catholic Church is Latin, and this title in Latin is Vicarius Filii Dei (Vicar of the Son of God).

Using the value of Roman numerals, the sum of the letters in the title mentioned above is 666. How is the calculation done?

Let us see how this number 666 came about. Similar to Greek and Hebrew, some Latin letters are used for numbers. “I” = 1; “V” = 5; “X” = 10; “L” = 50; “C” = 100; “D” = 500; “M” = 1000. Letters that have no numerical value are to be ignored in calculating the numerical significance of a name. The letter “U” is treated as “V.” Since there is no “W” in Latin, it is rendered as “VV.”

In light of the above, the Latin title Vicarius Filii Dei would be VICARIVS FILII DEI. Note that the “U” has been replaced with “V”. When this numbering scheme is applied to it, you get these numbers: 5 (V) + 1 (I) + 100 (C) + 1 (I) + 5 (V) + 1 (I) + 50 (L) + 1 (I); + 1 (I) + 500 (D) + 1 (I). The total is 666.

While some may dispute how this number came about, we cannot deny the fact that the beast being referred to in Revelation 13:18 is referring to the Roman empire—its religious system (the Catholic Church), and the secular government. This is the beast, the empire that will be around at the second coming of Jesus Christ (Daniel 2:44). However, whichever method you may want to use to count this number, one thing you cannot dispute is the fact this number is tied to the highest office of the religious system of the Roman empire—the Papacy.

From the Last Two Million Years, Pope Innocent the III was the first to use the title Vicar of Christ. Vs 18 says: the number of the beast is the number of a man, what is the number? The number that we calculated.

Now we can see the man whose number is 666, it comes from the title Vicarious Filli Dei and sums up to 666. So, what is the mark of the beast? Is it just 666? Is it a vaccine? Is it a microchip that will be planted in people’s bodies? Before we delve into understanding what the mark of the beast is, it will be essential to understand what are the marks of God. If we can understand the marks of God, it will be easy to understand the marks of the beast, as its marks oppose that of God. The marks of the beast are opposite the marks of God. Bear in mind, marks are a means of identification and God has His marks. If we can establish what the marks of God are, we can establish what the mark of the beast is. The mark of the beast is its teachings—when people obey these teachings, they have things that identify them as children of the beast. Even in a situation where physical marks are used, they are used to indicate that one has complied with a set of rules and regulations.

MARKS OF GOD: HOW GOD USE THEM FOR IDENTIFICATION

It should be realised that God started marking people long before Satan came along and started marking his people as well. Satan is a copycat—always attempting to replicate what God has done. Let us see:

From the above passage, we can see that the Lord started marking people in the beginning—Genesis; he marked Cain. Now, the mark that the Lord put on Cain—whether it was physical or otherwise, was used as a means of identification. However, we will see as we go further that a mark does not always mean a physical mark.

Let us see further:

The above passage shows when God made a covenant with Abraham; verses 9-14 show that Abraham and his household were to be circumcised, and the circumcision was to be a sign of an everlasting covenant with God. It is very clear here that God is using circumcision as a means to identify Abraham and his descendants— that there is a covenant between God and Abraham (and of course all his descendants). Although the sign used here is a physical one, marks are not always physical as we will see later in this article.

Let us explore Exodus 12:1-13 to see another situation where God used a mark to distinguish His people:

As already pointed out, marks don’t always mean literal marks. Mark is a means of identification—whether used by the beast or by God. From the above passage, God instructed the Israelites to do something to escape the judgement of death that was to come upon the Egyptians. The Israelites were to put a sign of blood on their doorpost; this was to be used by angels to identify the true children of God. The blood was a mere sign but it shows whether one has obeyed God or not—and that’s what distinguishes the true children of God—obedience! This is a mark of God—it sets you apart and keeps you from judgement—it shows you have obeyed God and carried out His instructions. Are there more situations where God used a mark to identify His children? Yes, there are, let us explore more: 

From the above passage, God used a mark as a means of identification. Israel did what was terrible in the sight of the Lord and God issued an instruction for marks to be set on the foreheads of those that repented before the angels of destruction destroy the city. The mark was to distinguish those that cry and repented, and this sets them apart from the rebellious ones. Again, here we can see the mark of God. God has a mark that he puts on his servants, and who is the servant of God? The servant of God is the one that obeys God. The mark—whether physical or otherwise, means that you have obeyed God and carried out His instructions accordingly. Let us see more examples:

The Lord is about to pour judgment on the earth but He restrained the judgement until his servants are sealed. Now, here is another question: Who are the servants of God?  They are going to be sealed within their foreheads—what kind of seal? Is it a literal mark that will be marked on their foreheads? These servants of God are those that have obeyed God and kept His commandments, and the seal is the word of God. To be sealed in their forehead means they have the word of God sealed in their minds. The mark referred to here is not a physical mark.

Again, we can see from the above passage that the servants of God have the name of God written on their forehead; what does this mean? It means they have the word of God written in their minds. It is not a literal mark; it is all about having the word of God in your mind and obeying it.  These are servants that were not defiled with women but are virgins; it is talking about spiritual fornication here and not a physical one. Apostle Paul talks about being a virgin unto Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2). These servants have followed and obeyed the word of God, and are without blemish—there was found no guile or deceit in them. Bear in mind what we are trying to establish: a mark is a means of identification, it identifies people who have complied with certain rules and regulations, and those who have not.

Similarly, in the above passage, it is very clear the seal of God is about keeping the commandments of God. Verse 12 simply sums it as keeping the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus; having the word of God in your mind and obeying it seals and separates you from those that have not—that’s what the mark is all about. Don’t lose sight of what we are putting together; a mark is simply a means of identifying something, and God has a way of marking his people—people who listen to the word of God and obey it. Let us see more situations where God used a sign to distinguish His people.

Furthermore, in the above passages, God issued the instruction to keep the weekly Sabbath; God hallowed, sanctified, and blessed the Sabbath day and issued a decree that it should be kept. Here is a question, why is God setting this day aside? Why did God sanctify this day? To answer these questions, let us read further.

The answers to the questions we raised are found in verses 13 and 17; the sabbaths—weekly sabbaths and high day sabbaths, are a sign between God and His people. The reason for enacting these signs is that they may know He is the God that sets them apart (or sanctify them). God is setting Israel apart, and keeping the sabbaths is a sign that they are different and separate from other nations. It is a sign for a perpetual covenant and it should be kept forever—through their generations. Let us pause and ask a further question: people who keep the sabbaths, is it ever written on their foreheads or any parts of their body that they keep the sabbath? Of course, the answer is no but it is a sign. Keeping the sabbaths sets you apart—it shows obedience to the instructions of God. Sabbath-keeping is a sign; it is a mark of God—it separates people who are children of God and those who are not. Again, the Lord established a sign with His people—the sabbath—it is a means of identification.

If you are under the new covenant, you have got the laws of God written in your heart (Hebrews 10:16-26; Jeremiah 31:31-34). Let us pause and ask a further question, do you have all words of God inscribed on your body? Of course, no; you have it in your mind and your heart, and you obey it—that’s what it means to have it written in your heart—it is a sign between you and God. Whatever sign is given to the children of Israel, it is also for all people who want to serve the God of Israel.

Sufficiently, we can see that God uses the sabbaths and other commandments as a sign between God and the children of Israel (and of course all who have accepted and serving the God of Israel faithfully); He uses this to set them apart (sanctify them). Bear in mind that in the new covenant, the law is not done away with but written on your heart.

From all the precepts that we have presented, a sign/mark of God shows you have obeyed and carried out the instructions of God. The above passage is no different from what we have seen earlier. People are to learn the word of God, teach them to their children, and obey them.  Verse 8 says: you are to bind them upon thine hand and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes (Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:11). This is simply saying that you put the word of God in your mind and your heart, and they are to guide you; they are to serve as a sign between God and His children.  These are not literal words written and bound to your hand or forehead—they are not physical (Psalm 119:105; Psalm 119:11).

The seal/mark of God, what is it? it is the word of God and obeying it. The sign of God, what is it? it is having the word of God in your heart and mind, and obeying it. Marks, not necessarily physical, are a means of identification.

Now that we have seen the marks and signs of God, let us see the mark of the beast. The beast has its teachings, and its teachings are in opposition to that of God.

THE MARK OF THE BEAST—THE TEACHINGS OF THE BEAST

Now we are very clear about the beast we are dealing with; we are dealing with the Roman empire—the Roman Church and the secular arm of the Roman empire. As already mentioned, the mark of the beast is not just a literal 666, it is the teachings of the beast. The beast, like the  Most High God, will also want to distinguish those that have obeyed its teaching and those that have not. Before we enumerate the teachings of the beast, let us see what prophet Daniel prophesied concerning this beast:

One of the striking things that the beast has done and will continue to do is: think to change times and laws (Daniel 7:25). What times and laws did the beast change? There are numerous laws of the Most that the beast has changed already.What are they? Let us see:

CHANGING THE DAY OF WORSHIP FROM THE SEVENTH DAY TO THE FIRST DAY

Throughout the Scriptures, it is clear that the Lord never changed the Sabbath day from Saturday to Sunday—the Lord never did! Who changed it? It was the beast who changed the day of worship from the Sabbath day to Sunday; this was against the commandment of the Most High God. The Lord never stamped His approval on this change, and all who obey this change are doing so in compliance to the beast—as harsh as it may sound—it is the truth! While this would require another article to expound on this, in nutshell, Emperor Constantine and the Council of Nicaea changed Saturday to Sunday as day worship and rest. See our articles on: When Did People Start Keeping the Sabbath? The Lies Behind Sunday Worship Exposed. Christ Resurrection Was Not on Sunday.

According to Catholic Information concerning The Sunday Question:

“The divine institution of a day of rest from ordinary occupation and religious worship transferred by the authority of the Church from the last day to the first day.”

The beast changed it supposedly claiming that it has the authority to do so. Authority was not been granted to anyone or any church body to change the laws and times of the Most High God.

Sunday worship goes against the laws of the Most High God and it is NOT from God but the beast.

GOOD FRIDAY AND EASTER SUNDAY RESURRECTION—ANOTHER TEACHING OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Again, this teaching that Jesus died on Good Friday and rose on Easter Sunday is not from God and does not agree with the Bible. Where did these teachings come from? It came from the Catholic Church—the religious arm of the Roman empire. Let us see the Bible so we can verify when Jesus died and was resurrected. 

MATHEW 26:1-2

“1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples, 2 Ye know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.”

According to Jesus’ words, He was going to be crucified on Passover day. So, when was the Passover day the year when Jesus was Crucified? The answer is in Daniel 9:26-27

The above passage, contrary to the popular belief that it is referring to the antichrist, is referring to the Messiah (Jesus Christ). Jesus will confirm a covenant with many and bring an end to animal sacrifice in the middle of the week.  The one week referred to in the above passage has dual prophecy meaning:

One week means seven-week years but it also means a literal week.

• Christ’s ministry was intended to last for seven years but in the middle of His ministry (3 and half years), He shall be offered as a sacrifice for the sins of many.
• Also, in the middle of the week is talking about when Jesus was to die; He was to die in the middle of a literal week.

So, according to Daniel, Christ was going to die in the middle of the week; Christ died on Wednesday and was resurrected on Saturday just before sundown. So, who changed the day of Christ’s death and resurrection? The religious arm of the Roman empire did—changed the times and laws (Daniel 7:25) of the Most High God without the approval of God. See our article on Christ Resurrection Was Not on Sunday.

WHO CHANGED THE FEAST DAYS TO CHRISTMAS, EASTER, LENT, ASH WEDNESDAY, ETC?

God is very clear regarding the feast days that should be kept and observed. Which passage of the Bible talks about the feast days true Christians are to keep? Let us see:

LEVITICUS 23:1-2

“1 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the Lord, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.”

The entire chapter contains the feasts Christians are to keep. So, here is a question, why are the majority of people not keeping the feasts of the Most High God? Why are people keeping Christmas, Easter, Lent, Ash Wednesday, Halloween, and other holidays not mentioned in the Bible instead? The answer is not far-fetched; the beast—the religious arm of the Roman empire changed the times and laws of the most High (Daniel 7:25) and tricked people into keeping feasts that God never instructed people to do. Keeping Christmas, Easter, Lent, Ash Wednesday, etc. go against the commandments of the Most High God—it is not from God.

WHO CHANGED WHEN THE DAY & YEAR START?

If you look around, there are numerous “new year” and calendars—which one is right? God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). Chinese New Year; Muslim New Year; the Gregorian New Year: why this confusion? The Gregorian calendar and time system that almost the entire world is using does not come from God and go against the times and laws of the Most High. The Gregorian calendar was instituted by Pope Gregory XIII in October 1582 and this was not from God—the beast changing the times and laws of the most High. The beginning of the new year was changed to begin in January (the winter) to honour the god Janus—the god of beginnings, as the case of other holidays of the Roman empire.

According to the Bible, the new year begins in the Spring and a day does not start at midnight but sunset. How do we know this? Let us see:

The time system in the Bible is different from the Gregorian calendar. According to the Bible, a day begins at sunset. When sunsets, a day has ended and another has begun—how do we know this?

GENESIS 1:8 “And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.”

“13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.”

“19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.”

It can be seen that a day starts at sundown; and this is the time cycle which God created for days, years and seasons to work. How do we know this? Read this:

GENESIS 1:14

“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:”

The sun rules the day, the moon and stars rule the night; how can a day be composed of both light and darkness? Things don’t add up here; some people changed the laws and times of the Most High.

Were people following this time cycle? Yes, people were using it—it was used throughout the Bible. How do we know this? Watch this:

It can be seen from the above passage that the time system that God sets in place, that is what was being used. As the sun was setting, the Sabbath was approaching. This means the Sabbath (and any other day) starts from sunset and ends at sunset—and that is what Nehemiah and all the children of Israel were using.

The Gregorian calendar is contrary to what God has established and goes against the word of God. During the 1000 years of Christ’s Millennial reign, Jesus will restore things properly and there will be no confusion. A day does not start at midnight and the new year does not start in the Winter but the Spring.

Further, with regards to when a day and a year begin, I do fully understand that people have little or no control over these time systems—that’s understandable. However, there are numerous things that people have control over. If you don’t have the power to determine when a year starts, for example, you have the power to say no to Christmas, Easter, and all the pagan-derived feast days that God never commanded people to keep; you have the power to observe the feast days of the Most High God.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC INQUISITIONS—THE BEAST ENFORCING ITS MARK IN THE PAST

According to the Catholic Church, a heretic person is anyone who does not agree with the teachings of the Catholic Church. The Catholic Inquisition was therefore set up within the Catholic Church to root out heresy throughout Europe and the Americas. The Inquisition was well known for the persecution of non-Catholics—especially Jews and true Christians (history.com). The Spanish Inquisition, which lasted for more than 200 years, resulted in more than 32,000 executions. Pope Lucius III sent bishops to southern France to track people who did not agree with the teachings of the church—the Catharists. People were forced to renounce their genuine Christian beliefs and to embrace the teachings and doctrines of the Catholic Church. People who refused to embrace the teachings of the Catholic Church were tortured, and most of them were executed. The Inquisitions lasted for a long time and it was ended in 1826—i.e., the last person to be executed. In nutshell, the Roman Catholic Church, during the Inquisitions, made great wars and persecutions against the real Israelites (Jews and non-Jews) and non-Israelites. Please read the history of the Inquisitions from any trusted source to understand more.

As already mentioned, the mark of the beast is its teachings. We have correctly identified the beast: the Roman empire and its religious arm—the Roman Church. The beast has enforced its mark in the past. Will the beast enforce its mark in the future again? Yes, the beast will enforce its mark again, similar to that of the Inquisitions. let us see further in the Scriptures.

The above passage talks largely about the fourth beast—the Roman empire and its systems. Let us attempt to correlate history and what Daniel saw. Verse 21 says: that the same horn (the Roman empire) made war with the saints and prevailed against them: where is this in history? This happened during the Catholic Inquisitions and will happen again in the future close to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Verse 22 talks about the second coming of Christ, when Jesus will put a permanent end to the beast and establish the Kingdom of God. So, the saints have experienced war and great persecution from the beast in the past (the Inquisitions), and the saints will experience similar war and persecutions towards the tail end of the Roman empire during the great tribulation—also known as the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). Friends, don’t allow yourself to be deceived by anyone that the beast and 666 will be a random person or a random politician somewhere—it is not. Don’t be deceived! The past is a perfect preview for the future. How the beast (the Roman empire and its religious arm) forced its teachings on the saints in the past, will repeat itself towards the second coming of Jesus—during the great tribulation.

In addition, in the above passage, these are souls that were slain for the word of God. They were killed because they obeyed the word of God. The souls of those that were killed as martyrs for Jesus were told to rest a little until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were. The saints’ blood was shed by the beast, and their souls await judgement. More of the saints will be killed and will join them. The beast has shed the blood of the saints in the past and will do so again in the future during the time of the great tribulation. When Jesus comes the second time, it will be a time of fury and vengeance and the Lord will avenge the blood of the saints on them that dwell on the face of the Earth.

The great whore is the beast and its religious system; the “many waters” represent a sea of people—over a billion people are being led by the religious system of the beast. Many rulers of the earth have committed fornication with this great whore. The fornication referred to here is spiritual fornication. Why is the beast referred to as a great whore? Because the beast has perverted the truth of the word of God with its teachings—teachings that are not from God.

To be drunk with the wine of her (the great whore) fornication means to be perverted with her teachings: Christmas, Easter, Lent, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, etc. The scarlet-coloured beast with 7 heads and ten horns is the Roman empire. The woman riding the beast is the church system and it is the secular arm who carries out what the woman desires. The woman is drunk with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus. Who killed the saints (the true Israelites and people who genuinely followed the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob)? The beast—the Roman empire and all its systems—killed the saints and is drunk with the blood of the saints.

We have been talking about the Roman empire; so, the question that should come to your mind is, where is the Roman empire today? That’s a good question. The Roman empire is before our very eyes—how? The European Union operating with a common market. The European Union was enacted under the treaty of Rome. What is happening now is the old Roman Empire coming back to full glory in form of the European Union with its common market.

The ten horns represent ten kings—who are the ten kings? These are the resurrected Roman empire that we know today as the EU—the European common market. When they set it up, they had to sign The Treaty of Rome. The EU is simply the Roman empire resurrected.

According to verse 14, they shall make war with the Lamb (Jesus Christ) at His second coming but Jesus will overcome them.

According to the above passage, these are people who didn’t follow the teachings of the beast—the Roman Empire and its religious system. If you refuse to follow the teachings of the beast, God will give you eternal life; you will reign with Christ. The beast is the Roman empire—its religious system and teachings of the Roman Church. People who will stand in the last days and not give in to the beast will be saved. Let us compared the teachings of the beast and the teachings of the Most High God.

THE TEACHINGS OF THE BEAST AND TRUE TEACHINGS OF JESUS COMPARED

EVERYONE IS SEALED WITH A SEAL—EITHER THE SEAL OF GOD OR THE SEAL OF THE DEVIL

If you ask an average Christian, would you like to receive the mark of the beast? The answer to this rhetorical question is plain: no one would like to receive the mark of the beast—the mark of the Devil. However, here is the irony: many ignorant Christians don’t know that the mark of the beast, largely, has to do with the teachings and doctrines of the beast. The mark of the beast is not markedly different from the past. The beast has enforced its teachings and doctrines in the past. The future, the time of the great tribulation, will be no different. So many Christians follow the teachings and doctrines of the beast not knowing they are being sealed for the beast and the dragon. So many people who profess to be Christians do things that God commands against. The question is, whose seal are you being sealed with when you go against the word of God?

When you go against the word God, as illustrated in the examples below, who is sealing you—is it the devil or God? The answer is plain:

• When you celebrate Ashtoreth in the name of Easter (1 Kings 11:5-6; Ezekiel 8:15-16).
• When you set up trees in the name of worshipping Christ (Jeremiah 10:1-5).
• When you observe Lent (Weeping for Tammuz) (Ezekiel 8:13-15).
• When you bake a cake to the queen of heaven in the name of Easter hot cross bun (Jeremiah 7:18).
• When you worship Ashtoreth in the name of Easter (Jeremiah 44:19-29).
• When you disregard the feast days outlined by God in Leviticus 23.
• When you disregard the dietary laws in Isaiah 66:15-18, Leviticus 11, Deuteronomy 14, Isaiah 65:4.
• When you disobey the fourth commandment—the Lord’s sabbath (Exodus 31:14-17, Isaiah 56:4, Isaiah 56:6, Isaiah 58:13, Nehemiah 10:31).
• When you teach people that the Law is done away with (Matthew 5:17; Romans 6:1).
• When you celebrate Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine’s day, and all other holidays God never commanded.
• The list goes on

Now we can see that those who indulge in the above (and even much more) are sealing themselves with the seal of the enemy of God—the devil. At the moment, people are voluntarily complying with the teachings and doctrines of the beast (because they have been deceived); a time will come when the beast will enforce its doctrines and teachings during the great tribulations—at that time it will be compulsory. The enforcement will not be different from the past. When the son of perdition (the Antichrist, the man of sin, the self-willed king, king of fierce countenance) is revealed, he will speak great things against the true God and declare himself to be the Most High; and he will force people to acknowledge that.

MARKS & SEALS: THEY ARE A MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION

Marks and seals are a means of identification. Apostle Paul, while writing to Timothy, strongly charges him to depart from iniquity as he has the seal of God.

2 TIMOTHY 2:19

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

To have the seal of God means one is obedient to the commandments, statutes, and laws of God. If you don’t have the spirit of God, you are not of God; watch this:

ROMANS 8:9

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

Now, the question is, who is sealing you—the devil or God? Don’t be deceived! So many people have been carried away by the idea of a physical mark in the form of a vaccine, or a microchip; however, these very people are busy breaking the commandments of God and obeying the teachings and doctrines of the beast—what an irony! 

Further, get this clearly, the mark of the beast is going to be largely not a physical mark; it will be more of its teachings and doctrines. However, even if there is going to be a physical mark, that physical mark will be like a stamp to signify that one has observed certain rules and regulations. Physical marks are used to identify something; they are not randomly used for empty reasons. Physical marks—if they are NOT used to identify something, they mean nothing. The mark of the beast is not going to be an empty physical mark; it will be all about the devil identifying people that belong to him—people that have complied with the teachings of the devil.

The choice is yours; you can choose to seal yourself with the seal of God or the seal of the beast—the devil. You have to obey the word of God to be sealed with the seal of God.

SUMMARY

We have correctly identified the beast: The Roman empire and its religious system. The Roman empire is a system comprising of secular government and a religious arm. Today, the European Union is the Roman empire that has come back to life—it was enacted under the treaty of Rome.

Marks are not always physical; they are a means of identification. God uses marks and likewise the dragon and the beast. Receiving a mark does not always mean receiving a physical mark; in this context, it largely means receiving and obeying the teachings of the beast.

The mark of the beast is the teachings of the beast. If at all there is a physical mark, that physical mark will be like a stamp to identify people who have obeyed the rules, regulations, and doctrines of the beast.

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