"If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God." Rev. 14:9-10.
This is one of the most important warnings and messages in the entire Bible! This third angel warns all about the "mark of the Beast".
We learned in the first angels message of this chapter that God's law, including the Sabbath commandment, is important and that true Christians will keep these laws of God.
The first angel says;.… “and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea…” Notice that this phrase is a copy of what we find in the fourth commandment:
“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy… for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hollowed it.” Exodus 20:8-11
We are told that the Beast has a “mark” that he wishes to give people. This mark is clearly the Beasts character or "law" in your “head”[mind] and in your “right hand” [your actions]. God’s mark will be in his saints. What is God’s mark? God's "mark" is His true Law! God tells His people;
“And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes [forehead], that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth:”[Exodus 13:9]
Clearly this verse regarding God’s law in our “hand” and “forehead” means that we will have put on the “righteousness of Christ”. We will have developed a Christian character. We will be lights shinning in a very dark place. Revelation chapter seven informs us that only those who have God’s final seal will be protected and they will refuse the “mark of the Beast”.
Clearly we must understand that the "third angels message" exposes the mark of the Beast and offers Christ's Righteousness in place of it!
The third and final angel of Revelation ch.14 asks us to return to primitive worship, that which Adam and Eve experienced before the fall!
This means that keeping all of the commandments and recognizing them in contrast to those of Satan's false commandments is extremely important for the true saints of God. Remember, all three angels messages conclude with;
"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus Christ." [Rev.14:12]
The saints prove that the "righteousness of Christ" is made manifest in our obedience to the Commandments of God. We thus refuse the "mark of the Beast".
True saints will strive to keep their bodies a "temple of the Holy Spirit" by obeying the original diet of Adam and Eve that they may think clearly and remain healthy. The "mark of the Beast" involves damaging or destroying our bodies and mind by bad eating habits and or putting drugs into our systems while at the same time honoring false commandments, laws which say it is "okay" to break the moral law of God.
When the mind is clouded, when the spiritual, physical, and mental health is weakend then Satan will have you in his grip.
"The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The mark of the beast will be urged upon us. Those who have step by step yielded to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will not find it a hard matter to yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death. The contest is between the commandments of God and the commandments of men." - Ellen G. White 5 Testimonies 81.
These three angels messages are given to the last day church and to the entire world. The church is warned not to "fall asleep" and become that as the condition was in ancient Laodicea. [see Revelation 3:14-22]
These three angels messages of Revelation chapter fourteen are to awaken all to the climax that is just upon this world."I saw a company who stood well guarded and firm, giving no countenance to those who would unsettle the established faith of the body. God looked upon them with approbation. I was shown three steps - the first, second, and third angel's messages. Said my accompanying angel, "woe to him who shall move a block or stir a pin of these messages. The true understanding of these messages is of vital importance. The destiny of souls hangs upon the manner in which they are recieved." [Ellen G. White, Early Writings,pp.258,259]
When the final anti-christ comes in full power he will alow only those who worship him on his day [the pagan sun-day] to buy and sell. “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.” [Revelation13:17]
God instructs His people through the prophet Nehemiah regarding the holy Sabbath; “And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the sabbath day to SELL, that we would not BUY it of them on the sabbath.” [Nehemiah 10:31] Yet, the Beast will tell us to buy and sell on God’s holy sabbath.
The prophet Daniel informs us that the Beast will try and “change God’s times and laws.” [Daniel 7:25] Jesus, when speaking of the “great tribulation” which was yet to come said; “But pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day. For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” [Matthew 24:21] Clearly Jesus expected His followers to be keeping the seventh day sabbath after He returned to heaven!
The choice is yours. Will you not heed the three angels messages of Revelation ch.14 and be saved? Or will you continue to break God's commandments and receive the "mark of the beast"?
Written by Eric W. King [December 6,2007]
Further study:
The First Angel's Message
The Second Angel's Message
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