September 22: A COMING CRISIS

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 his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” Revelation 14:9-10

We have yet to enter the last great universal test to come upon the world. The crisis is brewing, but the Bible states that worship of the beast and his image cannot take place until after healing of the deadly wound and an alliance is formed with the second beast of Revelation 13 (13:3, 11-17). The healing process of that deadly wound is well underway, but the full alliance of the two beasts of Revelation 13 is still in the process of being formed.

During the Dark Ages, papal Rome used the secular armies of Europe to enforce its institutions. At the end of time, a similar partnership between the papacy and the U.S.A. will be solidified. The U.S.A. will repudiate its original principles of freedom and allow the Roman church to prevail upon the state to enforce its dogmas. In what will seem like a well-meaning plan to “get our nation back to God” and support the world’s “green agenda,” this union will bring about the loss of religious liberty followed by persecution of dissenting minorities.

The mark of the beast is not a virus that one “gets” by accident. It should be noted that acceptance of God’s seal precludes reception of the beast’s mark. God’s seal, like any typical seal applied to letters and documents, identifies Him by name, title, and territory. He placed this seal in the heart of His perfect law. His name is the LORD your God, His title is Creator, for He is the One who made… His territory is the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them. The fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8-11) is the longest and most detailed commandment, but the beast power exercised authority from the dragon (Revelation 13:2b) to whittle it down to 8 ambiguous words, while spreading the idea that the Lord’s holy day is Sunday (it is not). Other blasphemous alterations include deleting the 2nd commandment regarding idolatry, making the 4th commandment the 3rd. To raise the number of commandments back to 10, the last commandment regarding coveting was divided into two separate commands. The intended alterations to God’s times and law were long ago foreseen and shown to Daniel. These were instigated by the power behind the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze… (Daniel 7:19,25). Beloved, if you choose to walk in the Spirit of God, you have a guarantee of enablement to overcome the deceptive departures from the LORD that our wily foe has crafted (see Ephesians 1:13-14).

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God: but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: “Today if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:12-15

Is it your heart’s desire to live by God’s Word? If not, ask Him to change your heart. He stands ready to come to your aid the moment you ask. BELIEVE IT! See Psalm 37:4-7; 51:10-14; John 14:14-21,26; 16:13-15