The Mark of the Beast; The Mark of the King

Michael Sei Davis

 

   "One day you may be commanded to wear a tattooed 666 on your wrist or forehead, or perhaps 'the mark' may resemble a UPC code.  Better yet, the 'mark of the beast' may be a micro-chip implanted under the skin!"  What do I believe the mark of the beast will be? And why? 

   I believe that the mark of the beast is the exact opposite of the 'mark of the King.'  And what pray tell is the mark of the King?  The marks of the King are love and forgiveness.  Therefore the marks of the beast are simply hate and condemnation.  How does the Scripture define Christian love and forgiveness?  Jesus commanded His disciples to forgive and never withhold forgiveness.  As many times as our brother/sister in Christ repents...that is how many times we ought to forgive.

 

"Take heed to yourselves; if your brother sins, rebuke him and if he repents, forgive him; and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, and says 'I repent,' you must forgive him."  Luke 17:3-4 (RSV)

 

How often do we disregard the importance of forgiveness?  Yet by not forgiving we are in direct violation of God's Law/Word.  Jesus didn't make light of forgiveness, neither should we...'forgive others and keep on forgiving them'...

   His teaching concerning Christian love is even more radical.  He commanded us to show love and kindness-to our friends this is easy-but how far does this command extend?

 

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I say unto you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..." Matthew 5:43-44

"But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you."  Luke 6:27-29

 

This contradicts the very essence of humanism: 'me first.'  [Note: We are never commanded to do something that we are not able to do (yes, with Christ's strength, we can do these things).]  Who hasn't been offended?  Who hasn't been reviled, mocked, or made fun of?  Who is the one person you hate most?  Be honest with yourself. Do you have even a slight grudge against someone?  Jesus Christ wants you to forgive that person.  Not only does He want you to forgive that person, but He also wants you to bless that person and be kind unto them.  Whoa!  This is hard to swallow.  I admit it won't be easy, but it wasn't easy for Jesus to go to the cross and bear sins that He did not commit.  However He showed awesome love when He forgave us (Christians) of our sins by suffering the punishment in our place.  He gave us His example to follow...

 

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  John 15:12-13

 

Love and forgiveness are the marks of King Jesus.  Then it naturally follows that hate and condemnation (or an unwillingness to forgive) are the marks of the beast/devil.  The Lord Jesus Christ makes it very plain that if we hate, we will spend eternity in a place of eternal death/judgment.

 

               "Any one who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer

             has eternal life abiding in him."  I John 3:15

 

Murderers can and have been forgiven.  The reference is to unrepentant murderers.  Think about it...God equates hate with murder.  That is serious. 

   The other mark of the beast is condemnation (an unwillingness to forgive).  To illustrate this, I will include a parable (a story with a deeper meaning).  The point Jesus was making is this, "If you cannot forgive others...How can God forgive you?"

 

"Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants.  When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents [think one million dollars]; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.  So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.'  And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same             servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii’s [think ten dollars]; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.'  So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.'  He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt.  When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that        had taken place.  Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant!  I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?'  And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt.  So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart."  Matthew 18:23-35

 

Hate and condemnation are the marks of the beast. 

   Where does your life match up?  Are you clearly wearing the mark of the beast/devil: hate and condemnation?  Or are you wearing the mark of the King: love and forgiveness?  God will forgive all who turn to him; unto them He will show charity (love).  Will you forgive all who turn to you and show them kindness/blessing (love)?