Understanding the mark, name, and number of the man/beast

[InSpiritInTruth]

I am going to spend some time explaining by scripture what the mark, name, and number of the man/beast truly is.
It is important that one use scripture to confirm all these truths, as I will do in my following posts. First lets explore what the mark of the man/beast is by looking at the color red shown in scripture.


In Revelation 12:3 we read “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” The great red dragon in this verse is a symbolism of Satan, the Devil, or the Serpent as he has many names. But you ever wonder why he is shown as red? I believe it because it is clue for us to understand the nature of the man/beast, which by the way is also shown as red (scarlet).

Revelation 17:3; “So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.” Again the color is a clue to figure out the nature and mark of the beast, which is also the nature of the firstborn man.

Adam being the first man to have iniquity found in him is also a sign of this very thing; just as the name of Adam means earthly, red. To confirm this sign we are also given a clue in Esau, who was also the firstborn. Genesis 25:25; “And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.” Who also by the way sold his birthright over some red pottage, which is symbolic of sin Genesis 25:30; “And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.” ( Edom means red, earthly, of blood.)

More insight into the sign of the firstborn Esau is also shown here in Romans 9:13; “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Why was this statement made by the Lord? If you back up to verse 8 we see the meaning in Romans 9:8; “That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.”

So now we begin to see the firstborn nature of man is flesh, or carnally minded like natural brute beasts. Jesus confirms this truth here in John 3:6; “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” And is also shown here 1 Corinthians 15:46; “Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.”

The difference between the flesh (carnally minded man) and the Spirit (spiritually minded man) also shows the difference between the serpents seed and the womans seed; and is also why the firstborn man, like shown in Ismael, persecutes those who are born again of God’s Holy Spirit. Galatians 4:29; “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” Even as Cain the firstborn of Adam killed his righteous brother Abel and then received a “mark.”

In this we also see the firstborn nature of man has a different spirit working in him than that of God’s heavenly Spirit. Just as the Lord said in Genesis 6:3 “My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh:”

This spirit in the firstborn carnally minded man is earthly, lustful and is also of this world; which is also the same spirit of the Red Dragon, or prince of this world. We see the red dragon empowers the scarlet beast which comes up out of the sea. Revelation 13:2; “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Revelation 13:4; “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?”

If we worship our heavenly Father and His Lamb in the Spirit of Truth and in righteousness; how do you suppose the firstborn man worships the red dragon and the scarlet beast?

And perhaps in better understanding these spiritual things, it will also help one to understand the mark of the beast, and also the image of the beast they truly worship through the lusts of their own flesh.

So you still might be wondering what is that red mark shown in the firstborn man of sin, and the red dragon, and the scarlet colored beast?

The answer is found right here in Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

It is written in Job 7:20 “I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?”

Job 10:14 “If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.”

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

We can come to understand that the mark of the beast is inward and spiritual (in heart and mind) by comparing spiritual things with spiritual as this is how the Holy Spirit teaches us, as is also written.
Notice the description of the mark of the beast is described in the same manner as God's mark, or seal of the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 13:16
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:

Now compare the wording above to God's mark, or seal, which is of His Holy Spirit....

Descriptions of God's seal (or mark) by the Spirit.....

Ezekiel 9:4
And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

Revelation 7:3
Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

Revelation 9:4
And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

Revelation 14:1
And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

Revelation 22:4
And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

Proof that God's seal (mark) and name written in the forehead is spiritual.....

2 Corinthians 1:22
Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Ephesians 1:13
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

So by comparing God's seal (mark) we should know and understand that the beasts mark is also spiritual, which is the spirit of the god of this world, their father the Devil working in the hearts and minds of the children of disobedience.

 

[for_his_glory]

The great red dragon, Rev 12:3, has always been the father of lies and seeking those to devour, John 8:44; 1Peter 5:8, as he is the prince from the power of the air, Ephesians 2:1-3. He gives power to the beast out of the sea and the beast out of the earth who will cause a great falling away before the return of Christ, 2Thessalonians 2:1-12, as he will deceive many into taking his mark of sin as many will bow down and give him glory, but are yet set on the course of being thrown into the lake of fire as they loved their own lives and the lust of their flesh. The beast out of the sea is the Luciferian one world economic, political and religious system who gives power to the beast out of the earth that is the son of perdition being the final false prophet who will show signs and lying wonders that could even deceive the very elect of God if possible, Rev Chapter 13.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Alright, now I am going to move on to the meaning of the number as it relates to the man / beast.

In Genesis 1:24-31 the Lord brought forth from the earth both man and beast on the sixth day. Hebrew letters have a numerical value, and in Hebrew gematria the sixth day has a numerical value of 666….. שִׁשִּׁי = sixth= 610 יוֹם= day=56 total= 666

Also the Lord said in Genesis 6:3 “And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.” The number of a man’s days in that verse, or hundred twenty years in Hebrew gematria also = 666

מֵאָה = hundred=46 and עֶשְׂרִים =twenty = 620 for a total of 666

What is also interesting in that verse is that Moses was 120 years old when he died. Deuteronomy 34:7 “And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.”

Now what is also interesting about this is the Devil disputed about the body of Moses, shown in Jude 1:9 “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

And now listen to Paul’s words concerning death reigning from Adam to Moses….Romans 5:14 “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.”

We know Adam was a type for Jesus who was to come, but I believe Paul mentioned Moses in there as well as a type because of how the Devil was disputing about the body of Moses, just as Jesus’ body did not see corruption. This is a great mystery concerning the body of Moses, as we do not have much to go on other than the testimony from Jude, but the phrase death reigning will give us the clue we need to understand the name we are to get victory over by faith in Jesus Christ.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

In other studies I have shared with you what I believe the Lord has revealed to me concerning the mark and number of the man/beast. The red mark being sin, or sin nature working in the world and in our first man nature via Adam; and the number being that of both man and beast who were both created on the “sixth day” The words “sixth day” in Hebrew Gematria= 666.

Now I would like to share with you what I believe the Lord has revealed to me by His Spirit concerning the name we are also to get victory over. Notice in Revelation 15:2 “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.”

Keep in mind there is an opposite reflection shown in the unholy triune as opposed to the Holy. Just as it is written the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord. And if we are given victory over sin by faith in Jesus Christ, we also are given victory over death. The word victory in the above was the clue that confirmed to me the name that we are to get victory over, which is Death.

It is written in Isaiah 25:8 “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.” We are shown Death and Destruction as personified in Job 28:22 “Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.” Strong's Number H11 Destruction matches the Hebrew אֲבַדּוֹן ('abaddown), Abaddon

And even Destruction is shown as having a name in Revelation 9:11 “And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.”

And Death is shown as having a name here in Revelation 6:8 “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him…..”

Paul referred to our first corruptible bodies as the bodies of this death….Romans 7:24 “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? And also our bodies as being dead because of sin in Romans 8:10

And that is what Jesus came to deliver us from, the bondage of sin and the captivity by which we were held by the power of death. Hebrews 2:14 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;” And Jesus was also to destroy the body of sin Romans 6:6 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”

It is written in Hosea 13:14 “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.”

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Sin and death have been reigning in this world…..

Romans 5:17 “For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Romans 5:21 “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 6:12 “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.”

And in the beginning we see how the Old Serpent began the power of his reign (rule) over mankind.

Genesis 4:7 “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”

Continue next....

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

So all men are determined to die once…Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” But we who overcome by faith in Jesus Christ will be given victory over Death, and will not taste of the second death being of the first resurrection as shown in Luke 20:36 “Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.”

Revelation 2:11 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

Revelation 20:14 “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”

So you either have a name written in the book of Life that you are “Alive” forevermore in Christ and in righteousness, or you have a name that you are still dead in your sins.

And the last enemy to be destroyed is Death. 1 Corinthians 15:26 “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”

 

[for_his_glory]

The mark of the beast is to those who have no understanding of the word of God as they reject the teachings of Christ as they are lovers of self, 2 Timothy 3:1-7 and will allow themselves to be deceived in their mind as they reach out with their hands and bow down to this Luciferians false religion that promises them provision, peace and safety during the time of Gods great wrath as they have no faith in Jesus who supplies all our needs, Philippians 4:19.

 

[Endtime_Survivors]

The Mark will almost certainly end up being a microchip implant in the hand (or forehead) to control buying and selling. If you want to pay the bills you must take the Mark. It's a clever bit of manipulation for a species which believes it will die without buying and selling.

That's the physical side of it. The spiritual comes in when we put our faith in the material as opposed to the spiritual. That's why Jesus referred to God and money as two masters, saying, "you can't work for God and money at the same time; you'll love one and hate the other".

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Now let’s move on to the image of the man/beast that is worshipped by the whole world. This worshipping the image of the first beast (serpent) is done by doing the will, or lusts of the Devil by way of his spirit working in them. As the true worshippers of God worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, and by doing the will of our Father in heaven. It is written, those who commit sin are of the Devil, just as we are servants to whom we obey, whether you serve sin unto death or righteousness unto Life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul said of mankind in Romans 1:22-23 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”

To understand how man stopped worshipping God’s invisible image in himself, and started worshipping the Devils image we must first go back again to the beginning of creation.

In the very beginning man was created in Gods own image, as it is also written. But understanding what that image means, and how man defiled that perfect image of God in himself is all important. It is written that no man has ever seen the face of God, as it is also written God is invisible and that God is Spirit. But Jesus Christ is the express inward image of the invisible God. Colossians 1:15; “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”


So was God's invisible image a visible outward image, or was it the invisible inward image of God, which God created in man, which is after God’s own heart? Hopefully you will come to see it is the invisible inward image of God that man was first created in, but was also later corrupted because of sin. And so when sin entered into man he took on the image of the earthly, and put to death in himself the image of the heavenly made in the likeness of the Lamb of God. I believe this also explains the meaning of the scripture that says “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

Jesus said be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. And as the scriptures show man was first created perfect (in Gods own image) in the day God created man. Ezekiel 28:15; “Thou was perfect in thy ways from the day that thou was created, till iniquity was found in thee.” Just as God’s works and ways are perfect.

In this we see Adam was first created in the Gods own inward image (in His ways); that was until sin entered into Adam. And so at that point in time man began to take on the image of the man of sin, fashioned after the Prince of this world, who is like a natural brute beast, and who also does the lusts of his father the devil. Keep in mind the serpent was the most cunning beast God had made.

So if mankind has fallen from the image of our heavenly Father, and taken on the image of the earthly father, how can we then return back to that perfect Godly image? It is only possible by being born again of Gods Holy Spirit, and be renewed and transformed from our old man of sin image back into the image of God’s blessed Son Jesus Christ (who is the express inward image of God) as is shown in Hebrews 1:3.

And here are some verses on that inward transformation by the Spirit of Christ…..

Colossians 3:10; “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Ephesians 4:23-24 “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” And here in Romans 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

So when we are made a new man in Christ, does our outward visible image change, or is our invisible inward image renewed into the image of our God through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ? Of course it is our inward image (heart and mind) that is changed. But even still the gospel of Jesus Christ is still hid from most of the world who worship the Red Dragon and scarlet colored beast because of the covering spirit of the Devil has blinded them.

2 Corinthians 4:4; “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

 

[Jim Parker]

I am going to spend some time explaining by scripture what the mark, name, and number of the man/beast truly is.

Great!
I'm going to take a nap.
Tomorrows another day when people will need clean water to drink, food in their bellies, clothes on the back, shelter from the elements, medical care and encouragement. Those people don't give a rap about any mark or name or number.
And apparently, neither will Jesus, because, when he judges mankind, His judgment will be based on: Did you feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the stranger, visit the sick and the prisoner. (Mat 25:31-46) That's how Jesus will grade our "final exam."
And Jesus didn't say He would ask anyone if they knew what the mark, name and number was.

So, which do you think is most important? Doing mercy or getting all excited about the name, mark and number?

Oh yeah! You're taking your "final exam" right now.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

So we know by scripture that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh. Jesus came to take away the sins of the world, destroy him who had the power of death (Hebrews 2:14), and also destroy our old man of sin image in us(Romans 6:6) by us putting to death the deeds of the flesh and being raised up a new man, made in the righteous image of Jesus Christ by the power of God.

But Jesus and the apostles also told us that there would come a falling away from the faith, and that old man of sin, and that first Adam nature would be raised back up again by the preaching of many false prophets and deceivers, and this false doctrine would even be embraced by many in the world.

And this is what we see In Revelation 13:15 we read; “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

We are told in Revelation 13:8 “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” So again, all who live in ongoing sin worship the Devil, and only those who have passed from death to Life by being born again of God’s Spirit have their names written in Lambs the book of Life.

And so who is it shown in scripture that persecute and kill God’s children who are born of His Spirit? Again, if you back to the beginning we see this enmity between the children of the flesh vs. the children of the Spirit in Cain and Abel. 1 John 3:12 “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.”

Paul confirms this hatred by the firstborn man, who is born of the flesh in the allegory of the 2 sons, Ishmael and Isaac when he said in Galatians 4:29 “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.”

So basically those who are of sealed of God’s Spirit will overcome the world, and overcome that wicked one, and overcome sin and death by faith in Jesus Christ and the power of God. But like Jesus said, if the world hate you, know that it hated me first. So those who are of the world, and are of the spirit of the world, and who are firstborn of the flesh, will hate the children of God who are born of His Spirit.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Now moving on to the buying and selling aspect of the mark.

In Revelation 13:17 we read; “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.” As I’ve noted in other studies I believe the mark of the beast is a spiritual inward mark (heart and mind of the beast) which speaks of the firstborn carnally minded man. But what of the meaning of buying and selling, and just what are they buying and selling?

Many believe this buying and selling to be of food and clothing, but the Lord said we cannot serve 2 masters (God and mammon) and that we should take no thought for these things. Matthew 6:31 “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?” As the Lord also promised we would be given all these things if we seek first the Kingdom of God. So what is the buying and selling?

In Proverbs 23:23 it is written “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” Jesus said in Revelation 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.”

We know Jesus wasn’t actually selling literal gold for others to buy, but rather this verse is symbolic just as Revelation 13:17 also speaks of spiritual things like the buying and selling of wisdom and understanding. We know by scripture that Godly knowledge is given to us freely like a gift when we receive the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:32; “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 1 Corinthians 2:12; “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

Just as we also receive the knowledge of the Truth by way of the Holy Spirit. John 16:13; “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

The Holy Spirit is like the anointing oil of the Lord, which lightens our way in an evil and darkened world. Which brings us to another clue to solve this mystery of buying and selling as seen here in the 5 wise, and 5 foolish virgins in Matthew 25:9; “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.”

Notice it was the wise virgins that took oil in their vessels to lighten their lamps, but the lamps of the foolish went out because of the lack of oil. Here we see the connection between the wisdom which only comes from God by His Holy Spirit (anointing oil) and the earthly wisdom of the world (which is truly foolishness) and is sold to others as the truth.
1 Corinthians 1:20; “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?1 Corinthians 3:19; “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”

And was it not because they did not seek wisdom from the Lord of Light by faith? James 1:5; “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:6; “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

In Daniel 12:10 we are told “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

Continued next....

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Another sign of those who bought and sold was shown to us when Jesus entered the temple and found money changers, and those who made merchandise out of the sheep, oxen, and doves. Jesus replied in John 2:16 “And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

Just as we were also warned of those false prophets and teachers to come who would make merchandise out of the Lords flock. 2 Peter 2:3 “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Notice how the merchants are shown here in Revelation 18:23 “And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.”

Also notice in Revelation 18:11 when Mystery Babylon falls “And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:” Notice in Revelation 18:13 the last item mentioned as their merchandise “and the souls of men.”

Jesus said Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? This exchanging the soul for sin was also shown in Esau and the selling of his birthright for some red pottage in Hebrews 12:16 “Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.”

Which brings us to the same sign of Simon the sorcerer who bewitched the people into believing he was some great one, who many believed the man to be the great power of God. Acts 8:9 “But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:”

Who also tried to buy the Holy Spirit from the apostles, but Peter replied in Acts 8:20 “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.”

So we have the same sign of false prophets, and false teachers making merchandise of the people, and also these merchants (who buy and sell) deceiving the nations through their false doctrine like sorcery bewitching the people.

What I also found to be interesting is the word Canaanite means merchants. And we know by scripture in Zechariah 14:21 “Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts.”

Which I believe is speaking of spiritual things, as it pertains to the great men (merchants) of this present evil world system who have sold out the Truth for greedy gain, just as Esau also sold his birthright just to satisfy his own belly with that red pottage. And as Judas, who also sold out the very Word of Truth and Life in Jesus Christ for a pocket full of silver.

Jesus told his disciples to freely give, as it was also given to them freely. Matthew 10:8 “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.”

So will you go to them that teach for doctrines the commandments doctrines of men, who will also make merchandise of you, and who buy and sell their wisdom as the truth? Or will you rather seek the knowledge and wisdom of the Truth that is freely given to you from the Father of lights Himself? James 1:17; “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

John 3:27 “John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.”

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

And there is being sold under sin....

In Romans 7:14 we read “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.” You ever wonder why Paul used that phrase “sold under sin?” Well I believe Paul used the phrase to give us a clue and insight into what the mark of the beast is in Revelation represents, and how all those who have it also buy and sell souls in a spiritual sense. Much like masters and merchants who also sold servants in the slave trade days, these were also bought and sold being under bondage.

As a matter of fact in Revelation18:13 we see the merchants of the earth were selling slaves, and souls of men.But in the spiritual sense these servants are slaves to sin, and are also in bondage to the ways of the world, much like the children of Israel were in bondage in Egypt. Paul mentions this bondage in Romans 8:23 as bringing one into captivity to the law of sin, speaking of the flesh. Just as our first man (Adam) is flesh, and is sold under sin when iniquity entered into man and into the world. (mystery of iniquity)

So those who sin, are in fact servants of sin and also in captivity, or in bondage in this wicked world. But Jesus sets us free from sin, as it is also written He led captivity captive in Psalm 68:18. Now this concept of being a servant to sin and exchanging ones soul for sin is not foreign to scripture. Even Esau sold his firstborn birthright to serve his own belly for some red pottage, which is also symbolism of sin.

Jesus also said in Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” So again you see these servants of sin are willing to sell themselves out for sin, or give up the possession of their souls for sin. Jesus said John 8:34 “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin.”

Just as it is written in 1 John 3:8 He that commits sin is of the devil;…” And by your master, according to whom you serve you are also marked, just as Cain was marked because of sin. Also in Job 7:20 “I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?” Job 10:14 “If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.”

So as Jesus said whosoever commits sin is a servant of sin, and a servant abides not in the house for ever: but the Son abides ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” There is an interesting sign given to us in Exodus chapter 21 and Deuteronomy 15 where a Hebrew servant was to be set free after serving 6 years, in the 7th year they were to be set free. But the servant that did not desire to be set free was to be “marked” at the door, even at the door post before the judges. His master would mark him in the ear, and the servant would be the masters forever.

But this sign is also shown with the blood of the Passover Lamb being placed on the door posts of ones house to keep the spirit of death, even the Destroyer from entering in. And who died in Egypt that did not have the blood of the Lamb for protection? It was the firstborn of man and beast.

And another sign of the Lord marking his anointed priesthood was also signified in the blood of consecration upon the right ear of his anointed. So depending on whomever one served they were to be marked or sealed, just as these symbolisms above were just shadows of the true spiritual marks.

Just as the Lords seal placed on his servants is that of the Holy Spirit, but those who are in bondage to sin are also marked in the forehead by the spirit of this world, even by the spirit of that Wicked Prince of this world.
And so by your words and actions you show forth the fruits of whom you serve. As Paul said in Romans 6:16 “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

But Jesus said to those who believed on Him in John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Jesus came to set you free from the bondage of this evil world and sin, and to destroy the works of the Devil in your life. And those who the Lord has purchased with his own blood needs to keep himself from all evil, and possess his vessel in sanctification and honor. Jesus said we would be hated of all men for His names sake, and some of us shall they cause to be put to death, but in your patience you possess your souls.

But those who receive the mark of the beast by ongoing sin, have sold themselves out by playing the harlot.

Isaiah 50:1
Thus saith the Lord, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.

 

[smaller]

Well, just had time to read the first post, and CONGRATULATIONS!!! Probably one of the most spiritually insightful posts I've read here in the "end time" forum in 12 years. Absolutely Rock Solid.

I'll read the balance later for accuracy, but so far so good. And not just a little good, but awesomely TRUE. The devil is always in the details. Will look for snafu's or Amens in the balance of the posts later. Wife is commanding me to go with her somewhere.

Sooo. Read all posts to this point and not one single item to nitpick on.

I appreciated your thoughts on the 666 number and have had similar thoughts. One thing I hope you'd agree with is looking for some individual flesh man to be the Antichrist is a waste of time. As a footnote the number 666 also has interesting connotations to "covering", perhaps of the flesh man or even deeper if we want to discuss covering and related scriptural matters (first/last) etc.

I suspect that dialogs about sinning Christians (read - all) or the supposedly perfect at some point in the past devil could yield further insights to various slants that could prove cultic association (or not).

But so far. Hugs n kisses from me.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Yes, antichrist spirit is the opposite of (and opposed to) the Spirit of Christ, which is the Holy Spirit and Spirit of Truth by which the holy prophets of old and the apostles of Christ spoke by. So just as there are many who speak by the Spirit of Christ,(which is the Spirit of Truth) there are also many false prophets that were foretold to come, and that would speak by the singular spirit of a lie, which is the spirit of antichrist.

One thing to remember that might help some understand the spiritual symbolisms shown in the Red Dragon, scarlet colored beast, and false prophet spirit is to first look to the opposite reflection in the Holy Triune of the Father, Lamb (Word or Son), and the Holy Spirit (Spirit of Truth).

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

Here is a way to show how one singular spirit unites many into one body.....

What I want to show in this post is how the scarlet Beast and the Harlot in the book of Revelation are united, and not only united by one spirit, but they both speak of many people, not just a single geographic location, or city, or even individual man yet to come in the future. The best way to show this is by looking at the opposite reflection of the True, which is shown in the Church (Bride of the Lamb), and the Lamb of God, or Christ.

It is written in 1 Corinthians 12:27 “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” Here we see Paul refers to the Church as the Body of Christ, and there is a reason for this. We read in Ephesians 5:30-32 “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”

And again in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.14 For the body is not one member, but many.”

So if can grasp this, how One Spirit unites both the Church and the Lamb into one body, and is made up of many members gathered over the ages, then so also is the scarlet Beast and the Harlot united by one spirit, and also made up of many members gathered over the ages.

1 Corinthians 6:16 “What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.”

And if the Bride of the Lamb is shown as the New heavenly Jerusalem and holy city, which is made up of many living stones, then you will also understand that the earthly Jerusalem (Harlot/ false tabernacle system) is also made up of many dead stones, or many spiritually dead people; not some a brick and mortar city with a zip code.

Remember, the Holy Ghost teaches us to compare spiritual things with spiritual.

Daniel 7:11“I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.”

 

[Jim Parker]

So if can grasp this, how One Spirit unites both the Church and the Lamb into one body, and is made up of many members gathered over the ages, then so also is the scarlet Beast and the Harlot united by one spirit, and also made up of many members gathered over the ages.

That's good.
Me likie.

 

[childeye]

Thank God and thank you for this thread. I think you covered a lot of ground. I would particularly point to your application of the image of God as being an inward spiritual state of Godliness, and a false image of god as being ungodly and carnal. I see two lies being said to mankind in the garden of Eden and they both show a false image of god.

(1) That God is a liar who maintains power by keeping mankind subjugated and from becoming like gods, by forbidding them from the knowledge that would make them equals through fear of death. This lie has a cunning and subtle false premise that goes unrealized by so many. For if mankind already knew they were like God, the lie would have no power to tempt.. Therefore, the pondering of the false premise as a plausible reality, formed a desire to eat of the forbidden knowledge in the minds of the innocent and gullible.

(2) That the knowledge of good and evil would make mankind self-determined in the moral/immoral purview, just like God, by giving them the ability to choose between right and wrong, good and evil, for themselves. This lie proposes the notion that God chooses between good and evil with His free will, when in fact God is the good, and He therefore doesn't choose between two higher powers.

So I believe that the teaching of free will in the moral/immoral purview is a foundational lie, since the will either reasons according to a false image of god, or the will reasons according to the True Image that is the Christ. And whichever image is at the helm of one's reasoning will pre-determine their desires and choices. Hence, a good tree can't bear bad fruit, and a bad tree can't bear good fruit. If we are equivocating back and forth in double mindedness and calling the will free to choose, and self determined, then we are deceived.

 

[smaller]

Thank God and thank you for this thread. I think you covered a lot of ground. I would particularly point to your application of the image of God as being an inward spiritual state of Godliness, and a false image of god as being ungodly and carnal. I see two lies being said to mankind in the garden of Eden and they both show a false image of god.

(1) That God is a liar who maintains power by keeping mankind subjugated and from becoming like gods, by forbidding them from the knowledge that would make them equals through fear of death. This lie has a cunning and subtle false premise that goes unrealized by so many. For if mankind already knew they were like God, the lie would have no power to tempt.. Therefore, the pondering of the false premise as a plausible reality, formed a desire to eat of the forbidden knowledge in the minds of the innocent and gullible.
(2) That the knowledge of good and evil would make mankind self-determined in the moral/immoral purview, just like God, by giving them the ability to choose between right and wrong, good and evil, for themselves. This lie proposes the notion that God chooses between good and evil with His free will, when in fact God is the good, and He therefore doesn't choose between two higher powers.

So I believe that the teaching of free will in the moral/immoral purview is a foundational lie, since the will either reasons according to a false image of god, or the will reasons according to the True Image that is the Christ. And whichever image is at the helm of one's reasoning will pre-determine their desires and choices. Hence, a good tree can't bear bad fruit, and a bad tree can't bear good fruit. If we are equivocating back and forth in double mindedness and calling the will free to choose, and self determined, then we are deceived.

I think you have exceptionally legitimate points in the above as well CE.

When it comes to Sovereign Dominion, I might see that God is so overwhemingly Perfect that even the power of evil (including evil actions and agents) can serve His Perfection by showing it to be exactly that, lesser serving Greater, showing God to be Far More Powerful.

Paul exactly alludes to this in Romans 9 in Gods raising up of pharaoh in order to show Gods Exceedingly More Powerful Glory over same.

So evil is not quite such a big deal with a Far Superior Dominion Player on the board. And in some ways I might even see that covering up a Far Superior Dominion may be the only way we survive in our present state of affairs. If we saw God in Christ in ALL His Glory, we might not last very long in the flesh.