HELL’S GATE PASS
Revelation 13:16-18 (KJV)
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.
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. – (666)
Intro:
This passage of scripture has, without doubt, caused more speculation and fear than any other piece of Biblical prophecy. It seems that everyone is afraid of the Mark of the Beast. There have been may foolish attempts to make it mean some individual.
(Ill. Reagan, Kissinger, Pope, Nero, Political and Religious leaders etc.), or some world system. (Ill. Computer in Belgium, Social Security).
The truth of the matter is that no Christian believers need worry about having to receive the Mark of the Beast. However, those who are lost and survive until the middle of the Tribulation period will have to make a choice.
Let’s try to dispel some of the mystery surrounding the Mark of the Beast. I don’t have every answer, but the Scriptures and society do
provide some of the answers we seek.
Let’s look into the Mark of the Beast.
I. v.16 AN ECUMENICAL MARK
(Ecumenical means – Worldwide scope or applicability)
A. All will be required to receive the mark. It will accompany the worship of the beast and his image. v. 15, 13:4 (Ill. Ex. 34:14)
B. Ill. Ceasar worship of the time Revelation was written.
C. The world is being programmed today – (Ill. Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Computer chips etc )
D. The word mark is the Greek word “Charagma” = A physical mark, an etching. Used 8 times in NT, 7 refer to the Mark of the Beast, all refer to idolatry!
1. It may or may not be visible to the naked eye.
2. Some possibilities:
a. Laser Tattoos – Visible under ultra-violet light
b. A literal number – Too easily forged.
c. Scannable computer chips – Already used in animals.
d. Fingerprint scan, retina scan, heat scan (Very possible!)
e. Genetic code – Too costly and complicated but possible!
f. Voice patterns – easily faked.
II. v.17 AN ECONOMIC MARK
A. It will be required for buying and selling.
B. It has happened before – (Ill. WWII and rationing)
C. Probably implies a totally cashless system.
1. Headed there right now – ATM cards, Credit Cards; Debit Cards
(Ill. Debit cards for welfare and food stamps.)
2. Proliferation of computers makes it possible. (Ill. Wal Mart)
3. A cashless economic system implies: (No tax fraud, No illegal cash transactions, Saving of billions by banks and businesses and governments, convenience, No robberies, No cash drug transactions, total governmental control of the population.)
D. The message is simple, “No mark, no food!”. People will either bow to the Antichrist or they will starve! Given the choice in this dire situation, what would you do?
III. v.18 AN ENUMERATED MARK
A. Ill. 666 – 6 is the number of man (Ill. Nebuchadnezzar’s idol – Dan. 3:1; Ill. Goliath – 6 cubits tall, spear weighed 600 shekels) – created on the sixth day, works 6 days, 666 represents the utmost of man’s intelligence and achievement, yet it is still short of God!)
God is represented by the number “7”, it denotes completion, and perfection. 777 denotes complete Godhead; 666 denotes complete evil – complete or not, it is still short of God!
B. 666 is a man’s number. Why would anyione choose that number? 2 reasons:
1.) To stand in total defiance to God;
2.) To show the world that he doesn’t care about God – 2 Thes. 2:4) (Ill. The spirit of Antichrist is already at work, God is already being kicked out of life in the US – public and private!)
C. 666 Might be incorporated into the system for everyone – as a prefix or suffix.
D. Headed there now, we cannot make it without numbers.
IV. AN ETERNAL MARK
A. Many will refuse the mark – 15:3; 20:4 (Ill Those who refused Ceasar worship will be put to death!)
B. Anyone who accepts the Mark, has received a one way ticket to Hell. They cannot be saved by God. Doomed eternally! Rev. 14:9-12.
C. They will suffer eternally and physically in this life – Rev. 16:2.
D. They who receive the mark are doomed. (Ill. It won’t be easy to say no!)
Conc:
People need to be educated about what this mark is real all about.
They need to know that they don’t even have to be here for that time that is coming.
We must live out and speak out the truth. This system will not even come until the church is gone.
It is also an absolute deception for everyone involved in it – Rev. 19:20
###
Flaming the Revival Fire In Christ 