“A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.” Revelation 14:9-10
In his vision John sees some angels who cry out some warnings. God is starting to pour out His wrath upon those who have chosen not to follow Him. The third angel points out that anyone who worships the beast or takes its mark on the forehead will also receive God’s wrath.
There are many debates as to who the who the beast could be and what the mark is. There are also many debates as to when this beast could arrive on the earth. I do not want to debate all that.
One thing that is certain is that Satan has been called a beast. He is out to get every person to follow him and will use whatever is necessary to accomplish that goal.
Satan is active today. He is willing to put his stamp on anyone who wants to serve him. That stamp is one of sin. The list of ways a person can sin is too numerous to count. The world is always coming up with a new way to sin against God.
The focus of Satan and the world is to get you to not follow God. They want to get your eyes off of Jesus. If they can succeed in that, they have won.
Most people will say that they would never accept the mark of the beast. Yet, they live their lives as though Jesus had done nothing for them.
When you go through your day, how many times are you doing something for Jesus?
And how many times are you just doing it for yourself? Doing it for yourself is what Satan wants you to do. It got your focus off of Jesus. In essence you have accepted the mark of the beast in your life.
Whose image are you representing today? That of Jesus or that of the world?
I pray today that you will know what Jesus has done for you; that you will turn away from the lies of the devil and this world; that you will do everything for Jesus; and that you will represent Jesus to this world.
Great reminder, Tom. Motivation is everything to God. We can be full of good works. Even doing miracles. Yet Christ could still send us away, saying he never knew us. How sad that would be! Why do we think it’s easy to do heroic acts, like refusing the mark. Yet find it hard to live out every moment, every hour walking in Christ’s steps. Great point!
We often do it for show. In reality most of us probably would accept the mark if we give in to little things now. Thanks for the comment.
Exactly my thoughts. We need to pray daily for strength. We are weak, but he IS our strength!
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Thank you. May God guide and bless you in your walk with Jesus.