October 21: THE THIRD ANGEL’S MESSAGE (part 2)

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand . . .  Revelation 14:9

We are in the midst of a very potent set of instructions and warnings (vv 6-12) that pertain to the closing days of earth’s history. The message of the three angels begins with the everlasting gospel, which is the message of salvation that has never changed. It directs our focus to the Creator: the One who made heaven and earth, the sea, and springs of water. This is the message going out to the world while it is day; [for] the night cometh when no man can work (John 9:4 KJV, see also Revelation 22:11).

The counterpart to the everlasting gospel is an altered gospel with various, confusing teachings accompanied by an ecumenical message suggesting that all differences must be set aside for the common good. The banner under which all these different groups are to unite is the beast’s mark. It is a single, universally agreed upon, day of worship: Sunday.

The same country that started out protecting the choice of men to worship according to the dictates of their conscience (described as having two horns like a lamb in 13:11) is soon to back the altered (false) gospel with legislation (speaking like a dragon) in accordance with the papacy. From that point forward, the beast’s mark will be commanded around the world. Its enforcement will begin by blocking business transactions for those who do not go along with it (13:17). The enforcement will eventually progress to a death decree (v.15, see also 14:13). It may sound far-fetched to many, but prophecy points us directly back to the fourth commandment. Compare 14:7 to Exodus 20:11 and notice that the phrase springs of water brings to mind all the fountains of the great deep in Genesis 7:11, pointing to judgment on a worldwide scale. Jesus compared His return to the flood of Noah’s day (Matthew 24:37).

Revelation 13:11-17 is showing us that in demanding earth’s inhabitants to receive the mark of the beast, Babylon . . . that great city . . . has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication (14:8).

The beast’s mark on one’s forehead signifies that he actually believes Sunday to be the true day of worship. The mark on his hand identifies him as one who ‘goes along to get along’ even though he  knows better. Neither of these is acceptable to the Lord, who said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

Worship of the beast and the reception of his mark stands as the antithesis to obedience to God’s commandments.* It substitutes obedience to the satanic trinity (the devil and his two allies) for obedience to the Holy Trinity: God, His Son who died to pay the penalty of breaking His law, and the Holy Spirit who leads, comforts, and counsels all who will listen in perfect accordance with the written word.

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Romans 6:16

*Ranko Stefanovic