Day 6: The Mark of the First Beast
In our fifth series we saw who the two beasts of Revelation 13 are. The second beast (America) will cause people to worship the first beast (papacy) – Rev 13:12.
Persecution to those who will not accept the mark of the first beast will follow shortly (Rev 13:15-17; Mathew 24:9,10).
If the first beast is the papacy (Roman Catholic Church) then the mark of the beast is the mark of the Roman Catholic Church – Sunday. The Roman Catholic Church admits to have changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. They say “Sunday is our mark or authority...the church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact.” — Catholic Record of London, Ontario, September 1, 1923.” Also see the attached article for other similar claims.
Many years before it happened Prophet Daniel wrote about this beast (the fourth beast in Daniel 7, who is the first beast in Revelation 13) “and he shall ... think to change times and laws” Daniel 7:25 (Refer to series 5 for full description of the first beast).
America (Second beast) will cause “all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand ...”(accepting the mark to earn living) ... “or in their foreheads” (wilfully acknowledge Sunday as Sabbath) – Revelation 13:16.
“Protestants now urge that the resurrection of Christ on Sunday made it the Christian Sabbath. But Scripture evidence is lacking. No such honor was given to the day by Christ or his apostles. It has “its origin in that "mystery of lawlessness" [2 Thes 2:7, RV] which, even in Paul's day, had begun its work”. GC 54.1. The change was made in A.D 336.
Those who, understanding the claims of the fourth commandment, choose to observe the false sabbath in the place of the true, are thereby paying homage to that power by which alone it is commanded. The mark of the beast is the papal sabbath, which has been accepted by the world in the place of the day of God's appointment. {Ev 234.1}
“No one has yet received the mark of the beast. The testing time has not yet come. There are true Christians in every church, not excepting the Roman Catholic communion. None are condemned until they have had the light and have seen the obligation of the fourth commandment. But when the decree shall go forth enforcing the counterfeit Sabbath, and the loud cry of the third angel shall warn men against the worship of the beast and his image, the line will be clearly drawn between the false and the true. Then those who still continue in transgression will receive the mark of the beast. {Ev 234.2}
Sunday Law (SL) is coming soon, in just few months to few years. It will start as a National Sunday Law in America, followed by Universal Sunday Law all-over the world. We shall see how soon as we continue with these series. Are you ready for the SL?
The great storm is coming. Oh if we knew the time! – Luke 19:41 – 44
Now is the time, let’s repent, believe the gospel and be ready.
