posted
Regarding the mob, I used to think it was a literal mark for many years. However, it dawned on me the last few years that everyone everywhere started asking for our social security numbers in regard to many transactions unrelated to work and taxes. I thought about it and though the number says on it not for ID purposes, everyone wants it. In theory since we must have a social security number in order to work for money with which to buy, isn’t this the same thing? I’ve had that number issued by the government long before I became a Christian. Thus was I given the mark before I had a chance to refuse it? I started thinking about buying and selling and is that really literal. After all the beast isn’t a literal animal but symbolic of a government system. Here’s my study and what I found.
quote:Rev. 13:17 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.
I wondered if it was physical or spiritual. I knew that God seals or marks his people with the Holy Spirit. I knew that it is really a mind set. Who do you give you heart and mind to? I could see those who loved the Lord had his spirit. Those who did not love the Lord had a false spirit or seemed indifferent or worldly minded. Remember the mark is on the head or right hand, which could represent thoughts, belief, mindset and actions.
Since the book of Rev. has so many symbols, is the reference to buying and selling literal or symbolic? I looked up all the verses I could find on buying and selling. Many instances the disciples went to town to buy food, etc. very literal.
However, these passages stood out as symbolic and relating to the subject of Rev., what happens to those following God or following the devil and his workers of iniquity.
quote:Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.[/b]
Matthew 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. [2] And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. [3] They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: [4] But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. [5] While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. [6] And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. [7] Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. [8] And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. [9] But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. [10] And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. [11] Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. [12] But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. [13] Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Rev. 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
How can one literally buy the truth and wisdom, which are given of God? How can one literally buy the spiritual oil of the Holy Spirit? Surely we aren't to buy literal gold from God so we may have white raiment fit for a wedding feast?
I think the mark is spiritual. However, Satan tries to copy God; but never as good as the original. Satan and his system, however much they want to be all knowing and all seeing, can't be like God. So Satan often uses physical things to achieve his godhood. I see the new chips and such as his method to watch all people.
They may very well force people to have these. By force I mean hold you down and chip you against your will. If so, it is not going to keep you from the Lord. It is a mindset. Who do you give your allegiance to? Nor am I'm saying it is OK to take the chips and ID's with chips, etc. You may have to declare allegiance to the new system in order to receive one of these things in order to buy and sell. Remember Bush's statement, If your not for us, your against us. I do know that the Lord promises to be with us until the end. He doesn't tempt us beyond what we are able; but makes a way of escape. (Sometimes that is death and we must be faithful to him and love not our own lives.)
The main thing is to get our hearts right. Be sure our lamps are trimmed and full of oil. Be watching, be ready, for our Lord is returning soon! Keep your eyes on him and he will guide you through whatever tribulations you must endure.
What do you think? Faith
-------------------- 1 Thes. 5:21 (KJV) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
I share a lot of your same beliefs about the MOB. (Never heard it put that way --> MOB = Mark of Beast). You made some interesting and valid points that we should cover in more detail later. I would like to explore this topic with you further but other threads are taking a lot of my time. Maybe when we finish looking at the beast of Rev 13 we can get into this topic more deeply--at least I will be able to. Hopefully, we can move right along with the beast topic. Not too much more to cover before we get to the mark.
posted
Sorry to jump ahead. However, felt this ties into the identity of those saints who reign with Christ during the 1,000 year time. I see all those martyered from Christ time to now as included in those who refused to worship or take the mark of beast. Well, we'll get back to this later.
-------------------- 1 Thes. 5:21 (KJV) Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
posted
No problem with you jumping ahead. I just cannot keep up. I am crawling! There is a lot of background research to find web-accessible reference material so that people don't have to visit their local library. However, I would encourage everyone to locate these old history books and cast your own eyes on the facts recorded there.
As we study this more we will see that no one has received the mark of the beast yet! However, the time will come when all living during that testing time will be tried. Once we identify the beast and then move on to make a case for the mark, you will understand that the image has not yet been setup nor the mark.
I think you mentioned something earlier about SSN numbers and smart chips. I agree with you. These are not the mark but will certainly help enforce the economic sanctions.
Email this page to someone.
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I am crawling! There is a lot of background research to find web-accessible reference material so that people don't have to visit their local library. However, I would encourage everyone to locate these old history books and cast your own eyes on the facts recorded there.
