Revelation 14:9-12 (KJV)
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
The third angel follows the second angel. This angel speaks with a loud voice and will also be united with the fourth angel of Revelation 18:1-4 to give the last solemn warning to the world.
Revelation 18:1-4 (KJV)
18 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
The fourth angel will unite with the third angel to give the last and threefold message of warning to the world. The Three Angel's messages are to be combined. The Third Angel's message has been preached since the mid 1800's. This message is a warning to those on earth not to worship the beast nor his image nor take his mark. This mark can either be in the forehead or in the hand or both. When the fourth angel comes down from heaven to unite with the third angel, it will be the last warning to come out of Babylon. Many Christians believe that the beast is the papal system and that his image is the Church-State union which is forming now in the United States of America and it's international arm the United Nations.
The Church-State union of the last days is the image of the beast (papacy) due to it being a copy of the Church-State union of the Papal Roman Catholic Church and the Monarchy's of Europe that ruled during the dark ages.
The Papacy is identified as the beast due to it fufilling many of the marks of the antichrist (beast).
Daniel 7:25 (KJV)
25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
By allowing himself to be called "Holy Father", "Vicar of Christ" the Pope blasphemes the Father and the Son. The Papal led Roman Church has killed millions of Christians during it's 1260 year reign of terror. The Roman Church also changed times and laws by incorporating it's own pagan feast days and changing the 10 Commandments most notably the 4th commandment to keep the Seventh-day holy.
Matthew 23:9 (KJV)
9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Jesus clearly said we are not to call no man father, of course this is in a spiritual sense of the word. Jesus says we have only one Father and He is in heaven not on earth. No man has the right to call himself father in terms of a spiritual meaning. When men do this they are blaspheming God the Father.
The meaning of the Vicar of Christ is:
"The pope, with reference to his claim to stand in the place of Jesus Christ and possess His authority in the church."
The below is from the a Catholic website called New Advent:
"(Latin Vicarius Christi).
A title of the pope implying his supreme and universal primacy, both of honour and ofjurisdiction, over the Church of Christ. It is founded on the words of the Divine Shepherd toSt. Peter: "Feed my lambs. . . . Feed my sheep" (John 21:16-17), by which He constituted thePrince of the Apostles guardianof His entire flock in His own place, thus making him HisVicar and fulfilling the promise made in Matthew 16:18-19.
In the course of the ages othervicarial designations have been used for the pope, as Vicar of St. Peter and even Vicar of theApostolic See (Pope Gelasius, I, Ep. vi), but the title Vicar ofChrist is more expressive of his supreme headship of the Churchon earth, which he bears in virtue of the commission ofChrist and with vicarial power derived from Him. Thus,Innocent III appeals for his power to remove bishops to the fact that he is Vicar of Christ (cap. "Inter corporalia", 2, "De trans. ep."). He also declares that Christ has given such power only to His Vicar Peterand his successors (cap. "Quanto", 3, ibid.), and states that it is the Roman Pontiff who is "the successor of Peter and the Vicar of Jesus Christ" (cap. "Licet", 4, ibid.). The title Vicar ofGod used for the pope byNicholas III (c. "Fundamentaejus", 17, "De elect.", in 6) is employed as an equivalent for Vicar of Christ."
As you can see the Pope claims the authority of Christ on earth. He claims supremacy over the Christian Congregation. In the bible, the New testament Congregation was a plurality of leadership. It was the apostles that guided the Congregation of Israel. In the Jerusalem council, we see that James presided over the decision of circumcision. While the Catholic Church claims Peter was the first Pope even Peter was rebuked by Paul. Paul had a vision of our Jehovah Jesus Christ and was very instrumental in the spread of the gospel to the gentiles yet he submitted to the leadership of the Jerusalem council and later on in his ministry to the instruction of James.
Even James is nowhere in the bible said to the be the ultimate leader of the Congregation. It is clear from the bible that the leadership of the Christian Congregation is a plurality and not a one man dictatorship like we see in Rome.
The bible teaches that all Christians are preists:
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
We see that rather than a one man supreme leader of the Church, all believers are of the priesthood. Of course, there is still leadership positions in the Church but the emphasis is not to be on one man.
Despite the delegation of authority to the apostles and so forth, Jesus is still the head of the Christian Congregation. No one single person can claim to have His authority on earth. We all have the authority of Christ on earth as believers. The ministerial offices given to men are ones of stewardship not autocratic rulership positions. Again, the authority given to ministers is spread out to different men throughout the Christian Congregation. Not one man is to be the ultimate leader of the Congregation on earth. Jesus still holds the position of being the head of the Congregation on earth. His representative the Holy Spirit guides the Congregation while He is in the most holy place as our High Preist.
Colossians 1:18 (KJV)
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Jesus is the head of the Christian Congregation. On earth, the Holy Spirit of Christ calls men to positions of leadership to feed the sheep. The Holy Spirit calls many men to do this. There is not one ultimate human authority of the Christian Congregation on earth but rather a multitude of men. Even any the apostles who had way more right than the Pope to claim ultimate authority over the Church, governed the Church through plurality of leadership. The Jerusalem council is one example (Acts 15). Also, later in Paul's ministry it will be noticed that James didn't lord his authority over Paul but gave him instruction to quiet the accusations of the Jews. Paul also called out Peter for hypocrisy. The point is that none of these Godly men were above being called out by each other. It was a healthy distribution of authority.
Matthew 20:25 (KJV)
25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
1 Peter 5:1-4 (KJV)
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
As you can see the biblical model of leadership is not one of a dictatorial one man show, but rather a servant style leadership where there are manly earthly Shepherds but only one Chief Shepherd Jesus Christ. Not one person can make a rightful claim to be the head of the Christian Congregation on earth. Jesus is the only head of the Christian Congregation and His representative, the Holy Spirit, guides the Congregation on earth as our Messiah is physically in the sanctuary blotting out our sins.
Ephesians 2:19-22 (KJV)
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Jesus is the Chief cornerstone of the Christian Congregation. Putting a mere man in this position is blasphemous. Even saying that the Pope is the earthly representative of Christ, insofar as saying he has Christ authority as the head of the Christian Congregation is outright unbiblical. We all as Christians have Christ authority, however none of us can claim rulership over the whole Congregation on earth placing ourselves in the position that is only reserved for the Son of God. This of course is antichrist which means "in place of Christ". By the Pope claiming he possesses Christ authority over the whole Christian Congregation on earth, he sets himself "in place of Christ".
We see that the Pope fits being the antichrist (sea beast). It's really the whole papal system since it's inception. Worshipping the Pope in any way by giving him reverence, honour or prostrating yourself to give the man of sin homage is considered worship (Proskuneo Greek Strongs 4352). Worship is not just bowing down and proclaiming someone to be God but could be as simple as reverencing them or honouring them according to the biblical definition of worship. It's very important that we remember this, because many Christians will think that just because they are not literally bowing down to the Pope and proclaiming him to be God that they are not worshipping him.
However, just simply admiring him as a man of God or even a good man and as a religious leader will constitute worshipping this papal beast. Working with him in any way as a part of this ecumenical movement will constitute worshipping the beast. Joining with him or with his Church (RCC) in any humanitarian efforts or unity efforts will constitute worship. This is how serious it is friends. Don't be decieved, have nothing to do with this antichrist in any way, see him for who he is, the man of sin.
Now we have the image of the beast. Image signifies a copy of the original. The Beast during the dark ages was a Religious-State power and of course the beast has regained much of that power back and will gain more as we head to towards the end. The image then will be a Religious-State power that will be a copy of the Papal Religious-State power during the 1260 years of papal rule. This image will be headquartered in the United States and also the United Nations will be a prominent part of this as the U.N. is the international arm of the U.S.A. Also, the Vatican and specifically the Papacy has heavy influence in the U.N.
Revelation 14:9-11 (KJV)
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
We see that worshipping the image of the beast in way will cause one to receive the mark of the beast and forfeit eternal life. This image will enforce the Papacy's agenda which will be religious laws of the whore (Catholicism) and her daughters churches (Protestantism). Of course, the other false religions of the world are harlot daughters of the whore and will be part of this image of the beast. The United Nations is a key organization to watch as they are working with several denominations of Christendom and other religions of the world to promote their Millennium Sustainable Development Goals.
When you see a denomination that is working with the U.N., then you know they have formed an image to the beast and are a part of fallen Babylon. The U.N is the buffer between the U.S. and the international community. The denominations of Christendom are taking the lead here in the U.S. to bring about the religious part of the New World Order and the U.N. is working heavily with all religions of the world to bring about the religious part of the New World Order.
Just about every notable denomination of Christendom is part of this ecumenical movement. In order to be a part of this ecumenism, Churches have to water down doctrine and become more inclusive. This is why you have so called Christians saying that "Allah" is just another name for God. Also, in most denominations, the acceptance of homosexuality has increased. You will rarely hear Romans 1 preached anymore. Most of these denominations are giving honour to the Pope as a man of God and some even outright calling him "our Pope".
The image of the beast will be a confederacy of State and Church. It will not just be the Churches of Christendom that will constitute the image but all false religion. This huge confederacy will persecute the small flock of bible believing Christians who refuse to give any honour (worship) whatsoever to this Religious-State system. Expect Romans 13 to be used as a tool of manipulative control to get bible believing Christians to submit to this abominable system.
The end game of this Church-State Union will be to enforce the mark of the Papal beast.
Revelation 13:15-16 (KJV)
15 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.
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:
The false prophet (Protestant America) will be the driving force that seeks to enforce the mark with the power of the State behind them (U.S./U.N.). The other false religions of the world will be right alongside the apostate Churches of Christendom.
Many erroneously conclude the mark of the beast to be a rfid chip or a tattoo or a national I.D. Those are merely unbiblical speculations. In order to determine if the mark of the beast is a spiritual mark or a physical mark, we need to see its counterpart "the seal of God" and see if it's spiritual or physical. From verse 16 in Revelation 13, we see that the mark of the beast is placed within the hand or forehead. Did you know that the seal of God is also placed in the hand or the forehead. What is this seal of God that we get in our hand and forehead. Let's go to Deuteronomy 6:4-8 for the answer.
Deuteronomy 6:4-8 (ASV)
4 Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah:5 and thou shalt love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; 7 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes.
This passage comes shortly after the giving of Jehovah's commandments at Sinai which are not only the ten commandments but the law of Moses as well. Notice verse 8, we are supposed to have Jehovah's law bound on our on hands signifying our actions and bound on our frontlets between our eyes (forehead). This is the seal of God with the Sabbath commandment as the heart of that seal but nonetheless the seal is more than the Sabbath, as it constitutes all the commandments that are still applicable in the new covenant. The only change to the law was the Levitical preisthood, sacrifical system and Temple service. The moral law still applies and this includes the Seventh-day Sabbath. The health laws also still apply. The legal sentence of death was nailed to the cross. The political governance of the law was fufilled as long as Israel was a theocratic nation. Today we rely on secular governments to institute moral laws for society and some even use the law of Moses as a guide although this is waning.
Another example of Jehovah's law being bound to our hand and foreheads is found in Exodus 13:9,16.
Exodus 13:9 (ASV)
9 And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thy hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the law of Jehovah may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath Jehovah brought thee out of Egypt.
The passage above is in reference to the passover and feast of unleavened bread. Again, these are not physical signs (seals, marks) but rather spiritual as one keeps this in his/her heart (mind, agreeing with the law) and hand which represents actions (actually keeping the law).
Exodus 13:16 (ASV)
16 And it shall be for a sign upon thy hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand Jehovah brought us forth out of Egypt.
Verse 16 restates that the passover was to be bound on the hand and frontlets (forehead) of the Congregation of Israel. Again, this must be a spiritual sign not a literal physical sign on the hand and forehead. This passover remembrance is to be in our minds (forehead, law written on our hearts) and on our hands (actions of worship).
Deuteronomy 11:18-28 (ASV)
18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul; and ye shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. 19 And ye shall teach them your children, talking of them, when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 20 And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates; 21 that your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which Jehovah sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of the heavens above the earth.22 For if ye shall diligently keep all this commandment which I command you, to do it, to love Jehovah your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him; 23 then will Jehovah drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourselves. 24 Every place whereon the sole of your foot shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness, and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the [a]hinder sea shall be your border.25 There shall no man be able to stand before you: Jehovah your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath spoken unto you.
26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if ye shall hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah your God, which I command you this day; 28 and the curse, if ye shall not hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
Another example of Jehovah's law being bound on our hand and on our frontlets (foreheads). We are to have his law bound on our hand and forehead. We are to have His law in our hearts (mind) and our hand (actions). We are to teach our children Jehovah's law and we are to constantly meditate on His Royal Law.
Obedience to Jehovah's law yields a blessing and actually prolongs one's life. We are to diligently (verse 22) keep his commandments.
The hebrew word for diligently is "shamar" (Hebrew Strongs 8104) and means "to hedge about, guard, generally to protect, attend to, etc.: be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep, mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man)."
We are to guard, protect and attend to Jehovah's law. Verse 22 says we are to walk in all His ways. His ways are found in His law. We are to cleave unto Jehovah which is done through His Son Jesus which gives us the new life that allows us to obey to the law.
Jehovah's promise to the Israelites was conditional hinging on their obedience to the law.
Verse 26 and 27, Jehovah sets before us a blessing and a curse. A blessing if we obey Jehovah's commandments. A curse if we disobey the law of Jehovah which is most notably manifested in following other gods. Most of Christendom is following after a strange god called the Trinity. This was the natural result of doing away and changing Jehovah's Royal Law. The apostasy of the early Church led to the council of Nicea which introduced the strange Trinity god. Once we do away with or change Jehovah's law, the end result is the worship of strange gods.
Verse 32, Jehovah commands the Congregation to observe His statutes and judgments. The same command is for the Congregation today.
1 John 5:2-3 (KJV)
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Now let's look at the Sabbath commandment, we will see that this commandment has Jehovah's seal within it. Remember, a seal of an authority figure has the name of that figure, the title and the territory of that authority figure. We will see that the Sabbath commandment has those elements in it in relation to God.
Exodus 20:8-11 (ASV)
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: in itthou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:11 for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Verse 8, Jehovah makes the declaration that the Sabbath day is to be remembered and to kept holy (consecrated, set apart). Jehovah must have known that in the future most people would forget it or in the case of Christendom totally disregard it.
Verse 9, many people use the excuse that they need to work on the Sabbath due to tight financial circumstances, however Jehovah gave us 6 full days to work in order to sustain ourselves. People choose pleasure and work over communing with Jehovah and His Son Jesus. Jehovah knows their hearts and knows that their excuses are basically that, excuses! They have no problem resting other days but when it comes to the Sabbath to have their rest, all of a sudden they need to work.
Verse 10, Jehovah makes it clear that it is the Seventh-day (Saturday) that is to be kept holy. There has never been a provision for a Sunday Sabbath (first day).
Verse 11, now we will see the seal of God. It says that "Jehovah made heaven and earth, and the sea and all that in them is."
There it is the seal of God as found in the 4th commandment of the decalogue.
God's name: Jehovah
Title: Creator (Jehovah made heaven, sea and earth)
Territory: Heaven, Earth and Sea and all that in them is.
Verse 6 of Revelation 14 uses the same language as verse 11 of Exodus 20 in regards to Jehovah being the God of creation.
Revelation 14:7 (KJV)
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
The first angels message is a call to fear the God of creation. It seems as though this warning is due to the fact most worship another god and not Jehovah who created everything through His Son. Even much of Christendom has forgotten to honour God's creation and is instead worshipping another god which is honoured by Sunday sacredness. So, what god is associated with Sunday sacredness? The Catholic Church gives us the answer:
"Q. What is Sunday, or the Lord's Day in general?
A. It is a day dedicated by the Apostles to the honour of the most holy Trinity, and in memory that Christ our Lord arose from the dead upon Sunday, sent down the holy Ghost on a Sunday, &c. and therefore is called the Lord's Day. It is also called Sunday from the old Roman denomination of Dies Solis, the day of the sun, to which it was sacred.
Source:
The Douay Catechism, (An Abridgment of the Christian Doctrine) of 1649, by Henry Tuberville, D.D., published by P. J. Kenedy, Excelsior Catholic Publishing House, 5 Barclay Street, New York, approved and recommended for his diocese by the Right Rev. Benedict, Bishop of Boston, April 24th, 1833, page 143.
There it is folks, Sunday worship is kept by Catholics and Protestants in honour of The trinity god. The Trinity god is the god of Sun worship and is the god of the false Sunday Sabbath.
Let's go to other scriptures that speak ofthe Sabbath as being a sign between Jehovah and His people.
Exodus 31:12-18 (ASV)
12 And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, 13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily ye shall keep my sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am Jehovah who sanctifieth you.14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that profaneth it shall surely be put to death; for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.15 Six days shall work be done; but on the seventh day is a sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Jehovah; whosoever doeth any work on the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, the two tables of the testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Verse 12, Jehovah is speaking to Moses, so these are Jehovah's very own words. Remember, Jehovah speaks through His Word (Jesus Christ).
Verse 13, Jehovah has chosen the Sabbath as the only sign between Himself and those who follow Him.
The word "sign" is derived from the Hebrew word "owth" (Hebrew Strongs 226) and means "a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, .: mark, miracle, (en-)sign, token, a distinguishing mark."
The Sabbath is the evidence (owth) that we are Jehovah's children. It is the distinguishing mark that we are part of Jehovah's Christian Congregation. The Sabbath was to be kept throughout the generations of the Congregation of Israel. We as Christians, whether Jew or Gentile, are the Congregation of Israel. Gentiles are now grafted into Israel, they are not a seperate entity. It is by keeping the Sabbath that Jehovah sanctifies us.
The hebrew word for "sanctify" is "qadash" (Hebrew Strongs 6942) and means "(causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally):- appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hollow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self), wholly".
When we keep Jehovah's Sabbath day He consecrates us, makes us pure and hollows us. He makes us ceremonially and morally clean. The Seventh-day Sabbath is a moral law not just a ceremonial law. It is both. It is moral because it shows our loyalty and fidelity to Jehovah God and His Son Jesus Christ. It shows that we have them as our priority and that we want to spend quality time with them. It shows our love to theFather and Son. It shows our acknowledgement that the Father created everything through His Son. It is a memorial to the Father and Son's creation.
Verse 14 and 15, the keeping of the Seventh-day Sabbath was a serious thing in the old covenant. The penalty for breaking the 4th commandment was death. Keeping Jehovah's Holy day is every bit the serious matter now as it was then however we no longer put people to death who break it as the Christian Congregation in the new covenant is not a theocracy the way the Congregation was in the old covenant when they had rule over their own land and people. The politic of the law has been fufilled already through National Israel of the old testament. Either way Jesus nailed the debt/penalty of sin, which is breaking the law of Jehovah, to the cross. Instead of the death penalty in this life for the commandment breaker they will get the ultimate death penalty in the Lake of Fire (second death).
Jehovah has already given us six days to work so there is no excuse for those that claim they need to work in orderto sustain themselves financially.
Verse 16, the Sabbath is a perpetual covenant between Israel and Jehovah. The Hebrew word for "perpetual" is "owlam" (Strongs 5769) and means "ever, everlasting, evermore, properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequenatively, always, ancient (time), any more, continuance, (for, (n))ever (-lasting, -more, of old), lasting (long time), (of) old (time), perpetual at any time, (beginning of the) world (+ without end).
So we can see that the above definition for perpetual denotes something that is everlasting. The Christian Congregation is the Israel of Jehovah and Gentile Christians have been grafted into the olive tree (Israel). The Israel of Jehovah is made up of Jews and Gentiles who accept the Son of God Jehoshua as their personal Saviour.
Verse 17, Jehovah says that the Sabbath is a sign between Him and the children of Israel which is the Christian Congregation in the new covenant times. Not replacement theology but rather inclusive theology as Jehoshua came to make twain one new man out of believing Jews and Gentiles. He has one fold only not two and this fold is the Israel of Jehovah which includes both Jews and Gentiles who were grafted into Israel.
Galatians 6:16 (KJV)
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
James 1:1 (KJV)
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
The Christian Congregation is Israel, the bible makes that clear. As the Israel of Jehovah we are to keep the Sabbath day holy as commanded by Him. Even Jehovah was refreshed by resting on the Seventh-day after His creative work was finished. How much more do we humans need that same rest. When we reject the Sabbath day we also reject Jehovah.
Verse 18, Jehovah God wrote the ten commandments with His very own fingers. The commandments include the Seventh-day Sabbath. Most Christians try to say the Sabbath has either been changed to Sunday or that it doesn't apply all together. The will have to give an account to the Most High God who admonished us to Remember the Seventh-day and keep it holy.
Ezekiel 20:12 (ASV)
12 Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am Jehovah that sanctifieth them.
Keeping the Sabbath is one of the evidences that we are Jehovah's children. It is His sign between Him and His people. When we keep Jehovah's solemn rest day He sanctifies us. Jehovah purifies and consecrates (sanctifies) us when we keep His Holy day.
So now we see the Seal/Sign of Jehovah is the keeping of His law whether it is the Shema (Jehovah God is One), the Passover (The memorial meal of our Saviour's death and remembering Jehovah's deliverance of Israel out of Egypt) or the keeping of the Seventh-day Sabbath.
So what is the Mark of the Beast? It's actually very simple know that we know what constitutes the Seal of Jehovah. In contrast to the Shema which is the truth that Jehovah God is One (Deuteronomy 6:4, Mark 12:28-34), one of the identifying marks of the beast would be to worship any other god besides Jehovah through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ. This would include the trinity god which is the god of the Papal antichrist.
One of the other marks of the beast would be to keep the counterfeit holy days that the Beast system (Papal Rome) has is instituted such as the 8 day Xmas feast (includes New years feast of circumcision), Easter feast which includes Good Friday and Palm Sunday, Lent (weeping for Tammuz), Valentines day and the weekly Catholic eucharist etc. These false holy days are part of Catholic Canon law and violation of these days brought on persecution. These pagan holidays and practices have been promoted at the expense of the real holy days of Jehovah which include the passover meal which we are to have as a sign upon our hand and forehead (Exodus 13:9, Exodus 13:16).
Another identifying mark of the beast is the Sunday Sabbath which is acknowledged by the Roman Church as the mark of their authority. This flies right in the face of the true Seventh-day Sabbath of Jehovah. Sunday is the Sabbath of the trinity god. The Seventh-day Sabbath is a sign that we are Jehovah's children. The Sunday Sabbath is a mark that you are paying homage to the Papal beast.
Summing this up in simplicity, the Seal of God is keeping His Law, the 10 Commandments and the Law of Moses (Revelation 22:14, Revelation 11:16-19, Malachi 4:4).
The Mark of the Beast is a false system of worship. People get this mark by disobeying Jehovah's commandments and keeping the traditions of the Catholic/Protestant Churches.
Revelation 14:10 (KJV)
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
Verse 10, Those who participate in the false system of worship of the beast (Papal Rome and her Protestant daughters) will suffer the seven last plagues which are the unmixed cup of wrath of Jehovah God. Those who have the mark of the Papal beast will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and the Son of God. This will be at the second advent of our Jehovah Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:19-21). There will be a second portion of this fire and brimstone after the second resurrection when the wicked rise to be judged and destroyed forever (Revelation 20:7-15).
Verse 11, many use this to prove eternal torment but remember scripture is to interpret scripture. Peter said that Sodom and Gomorrha was an example of what would happen to those after who should live ungodly lives.
2 Peter 2:6-9 (KJV)
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
Sodom and Gomorrha obviously is no longer burning yet it is described as suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Jude 7 (KJV)
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
It's obvious that the eternal fire described in regards to Sodom and Gomorrha is not talking about eternal torment but rather eternal consequences (destruction) resulting from the judgment of literal fire and brimstone. If Sodom and Gomorrha is the example set forth for the wicked at the day of their recompense then it stands to reason that the fire described in verses 10 and the smoke described in verse 11 is not referring to eternal torment but rather a literal judgment of fire that results in permanent destruction.
The mark of the beast is applied spiritually to anyone who not only worships the beast (papacy) but also his image which is the Church-State union based in America but also involves the whole world via the United Nations. Notice that the mark is called "the mark of his name". Any reverence or homage to this beast and any agreement with his Church's false doctrines will cause one to receive the mark of his name.
Verse 12, a very solemn verse, the Saints of Jehovah will need patience during this time of peril when the papal system exerts more and more influence. The apostate Protestants will also flex their political muscle to try the Saints. This patience has always been practiced by the Saints during the persecutions of the past. It will be needed especially in these dark times. What are two identifying signs of being a saint? Keeping Jehovah's commandments and having the faith of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ.
Keeping the commandments is a requirement to be a saint, this is especially true in these end times. The law of Jehovah is not optional but is a requirement to enter into the gates of the holy city (Revelation 22:14). The faith of Jesus has a threefold meaning. It means having faith in Jesus as the Son of God which is a requirement for salvation (1 John 4:15). The second application is having Jesus faith meaning believing the doctrines that He taught. Jesus taught the law by magnifying it. Jesus also believed in One God who is His Father (John 17:3). Jesus did not teach a trinity god as that would violate the 10 Commandments (1st Commandment) and the Law of Moses (The Shema).
Jesus was a Prophet as well as being the Divine Son of God. In order to be a true Prophet he can never teach that God is a trinity. He would have to speak according to the law and the testimony in order to be a true Prophet (Isaiah 8:20).
Jesus warned about those who would break and teach the breaking of the law.
Matthew 5:17-19 (KJV)
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
The third application is having Jesus faith and denying yourself and picking up your cross willing to suffer for the Son of God.
Matthew 16:24 (KJV)
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
"Think ye that God will receive, honor, and acknowledge a people so mixed up with the world that they differ from them only in name? Read again Titus 2:13-15. It is soon to be known who is on the Lord’s side, who will not be ashamed of Jesus. Those who have not moral courage to conscientiously take their position in the face of unbelievers, leave the fashions of the world, and imitate the self-denying life of Christ, are ashamed of Him, and do not love His example. [1T 287.1, Ellen White]
It is clear from Jesus Christ and the pen of Jehovah's messenger Ellen White that nothing less than a self denying life in imitation of the Son of God is required of the Christian. This is the faith of Jesus, righteousness by faith in the Son of God!
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