Mark of the Beast

“And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.  And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying:

‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty!  Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!  Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?  For You alone are holy.  For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.” (Rev. 15:2-4)

It is good to know the apostle John saw the prophetic vision in which there are saints “who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name.” The “sea of glass mingled with fire” symbolizes the realm of spiritual tranquility as well as the judgment of God (Rev. 4:6; Heb. 12:29). God has promised to be with the saints when they are on the “sea of glass mingled with fire.” "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you." (Isa. 43:2) Remember the saints are not the objects of God’s wrath but they are subjected to His test.  During the Great Tribulation which is the time when the Beast and the Antichrist are creating havoc in the world the faith of the saints will be severely tested like the three friends of Daniel who went through the fiery furnace, but the Fourth Man who is like the“Son of God” was also there with them (Dan. 3:19-30).   “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.  Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls. (1 Pet. 1:6-9)  Here is our Lord Jesus Christ’s promise to protect and preserve the saints during the Great Tribulation. “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” (Rev. 3:10)  Praise and thank God for those “who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.”

One of the major activities of the Devil and Satan is accusing God's children before God and bringing accusations and slandering God before men. (Rev. 12:10)    He actively looks for people to attack. (1 Pet. 5:8)  Satan likes to pursue believers who are vulnerable in the faith, who are spiritually weak, or who are isolated from other believers.

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." (Rev. 12:11)

There are three powerful weapons that saints can use to defeat the devil.

1.              The Blood of the Lamb was the only solution to the tenth plague during the first Passover that delivered the Israelites from the Egyptian bondage. (Ex. 12:13)  It is the shed blood of Jesus Christ that ultimately satisfied the requirements of God's justice.  "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the richness of His grace. (Eph. 1:7)  . The Bible reveals three ways in which the blood of Jesus Christ may be applied. for the Web Site on "Application of the Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Saints"

2.              The word of the testimony is the open confession and declaration of the believer's faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Some of those declaring Christ's ultimate victory with their own lips face the fury of Satan's most vicious and personal attacks against them.  Yet their faith is unwavering, the result of an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ.  This is the heart of faith's confession, based in God's Word and the blood of the Lamb, whose victory has provided the eternal conquest of Satan.  We must declare our abiding faith in the accomplished work of the Cross, and constantly participate in Jesus' ultimate victory, overcoming the devil by the power of God's Word. for the "Testimony of Victory after the Restoration of Prayer in Texas Schools"

3.              When saints reach a high degree of spirituality they are no longer afraid to die for their faith.  The apostle Paul told the brethren: ". . . For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." (Acts 21:13)  Jesus said: "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life." (Jn. 12:25)  "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Mt. 10:28) On September 11, 2001 when the Beast Osama bin Laden and his bestial terrorists attacked America many Christians gave their lives to save others. Their testimonies are briefly described in this web site. "They did not die in vain"

"Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them!  Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea!  For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time." (Rev. 12:12)

The devil begins to step up his persecution of the saints because he knows that his time is short.  We are living in the End Time, and Satan's work has become more intense.  Even though the devil is very powerful, as we can see the condition of our world, he is always under God's control.  One of the reasons God allows Satan to work evil and bring temptation is so that those who pretend to be Christ's followers will be weeded out from Christ's true believers.  Knowing that the last great confrontation with Jesus is near, Satan is desperately trying to recruit as great an enemy force as possible for this final battle.

There is only one outcome.  Victory for the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse.  And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war."

(Rev. 19:11)

"And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:  KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. . . .

And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.  Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.  These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone." (Rev. 19:16, 19-20)