“The Mark”
About Our Minds, Not a Chip
When we look to the entire Word of God and not just one verse, the mark of the beast appears to be the one who has left their imprint or mark on our beliefs.
Corinthians 1:21-22 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
I was meditating on the above verses. What is sealing? How does it relate to the mark? This is what I’ve been exploring . . .
It seems receiving a mark is being sealed and sealing is related to our beliefs. First, the mark can be for good or evil.
Good:
Revelation 7:3 saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.
Ezekiel 9:3-4 Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub, where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer’s inkhorn at his side; 4 and the Lord said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it.”
Evil:
Revelation 13:16-17 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
How we are marked depends on what/who we trust in. Our faith is either built on man’s ways or God’s. If we trust in Jesus Christ, if He is Lord of our lives and our only hope for salvation and sanctification then we are sealed in Him. Along with the illustration of having the seal of a king, I was thinking that being sealed is also like sealing up a jar of preserves (I know, but stay with me), the freshness is maintained so it isn’t ruined. When we are sealed in the truth we are preserved in Christ and can’t be corrupted. We are shut in, preserved and maintained by our faith alone. Sealing or having His mark means God’s truth is written on our minds (foreheads) and hearts. It is the truth we live by, therefore what we trust.
The guarantee that we have been sealed is the Holy Spirit abiding within us. When we have His Spirit, our desires become His desires. We long to know and follow His will and that desire testifies that we are His. 1 John 3:24
If we receive the mark of the beast, name or number, then we are sealed for corruption in its truth. The beast’s number is 666, the number of man. Rev. 13:18 Those bearing this mark are simply those who trust in man’s ways.
Ezekiel 9:6 Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple.
Those in His sanctuary bearing His name, yet having a foundation of trust in the religious systems and religious men don’t have the mark of God and as the next verses tell will enter into judgment for following man’s wisdom instead of God’s. Ezekiel 9
This life is all about what we believe, what and who we truly trust in. That faith is the foundation of the Christian walk, not works or anything else. Without faith in God we have nothing. He is our first love, our source of truth, and our life, we either live by His truth or this worlds. Whichever truth we trust is the one we are marked with.
Living Light 
July 7, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Amen Rachel a very good post indeed. You clarified some very good points in scripture. I totally agree..
God bless 🙂
July 8, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Tamela – thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. It is fun diving in isn’t it?
July 8, 2009 at 3:50 am
Hi Rachel
Very insightful…Great perspective… I thoroughly enjoyed your article. Scripture has at least 5 perspectives or interpretive approaches.. Literal,historical,typical,prophetical and personal application. You made an awesome application to a prophetic passage of Scripture, while staying true to the word of God… Bravo (clap, clap) I also see that you took with you, your 6 best friends when meditating on God’s word… Who, what, where, why, how and so what! These are the only friends that keep us honest when sincerely wanting to know what the Lord’s truth is… You have done a wonderful job!!! As a minister of nearly 30 years, I find it truly a breath of fresh air when I see people rightly dividing the word of God.. Thank you for that wonderful blessing:) And keep up the great study…
Many blessings
Rev Deb
July 8, 2009 at 8:17 pm
God’s Word is fascinating isn’t it?! Thanks so much for your encouraging words!
July 9, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Good morning. I should really think on this some more before commenting as it brings forth some really important considerations. Regardless of whether or not there is a physical; mark of the beast, the truth remains the same. One receives such a mark by choice; preferring to love their lives in this world and not having a heart that’s right with God.
I was just thinking; if it is indeed not a physical mark, how dangerous this could be. Many who are looking for an observable manifestation could conceivably become so set in their theology that they could unwittingly “receive a mark” without realizing that they had submitted to the thing they were watching out for. They would find themselves “receiving it,” but rationalizing how this “couldn’t possibly be it” due the absence of something observable. (Sorry; I’m thinking out loud) In either case, however, the root cause is the same; that being a love for this world. If our hearts are steadfastly upon Jesus, we’ll not entertain contrary thoughts and subsequently, we’ll not open a portal for compromise.
The most recognizable attribute of the son of perdition will be his expressed hatred toward God. The name of blasphemy is written on the seven heads (Rev 13:1) he routinely speaks out against God (Rev 13:6) and it’s given to him to make war with the saints and overcome them in the physical realm. (Rev 13:7) A true saint will not submit to the beast system.
Matthew 16:25 just came to mind.
A couple of years ago, a saint on shortwave mentioned a letter that he received from a lady with young children. She was wondering if she could be forgiven for receiving a mark of the beast if she took it in order to provide for her children. The retelling of this story was eerie in a way that I cannot explain. Such a contemplation seemed to suggest that the groundwork for falling away had already been established under the disguise of providing for the household.
This post has already caused pondering and I’m planning to pursue this matter further. How imperative it is to abide cloe to the Lord in these perilous times.
Blessings always in Jesus name.
timbob
July 10, 2009 at 3:50 pm
timbob . . . you shared some good thoughts here . . . it is dangerous if people are expecting a physical manifestation of the mark because they can be easily taken off guard and deceived. When we expect one thing we stop looking for something else – we stop seeking and that is extremely dangerous. I find it interesting how many times Jesus and the other apostles told us to watch and not be deceived. They told us over and over. To me this suggests that the deception will not be what most think. It can be frightening, but for those who truly put their trust in God we have nothing to fear. He is our fortress and a mighty one at that. But I do feel we need to take heed to God’s Word and keep on eyes and heart on His truth and seeking His wisdom and not just the words or thoughts of religious leaders.
This is indeed a thought provoking subject and it should be with all the many warnings God gives us in His Word. You are right it all comes down to trust. I feel for that poor woman because when we are bound by fear then sometimes we get focused on the wrong thing – fear instead of seeking intimacy with God that will lead us to a trusting relationship where we become dependent on Him alone. I’ve seen it many times. Preachers can scare people to death and instead of seeking and focusing on cultivating intimacy with God that will lead to trust which protects and guards us they are focused on the fear.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Rachel
July 11, 2009 at 3:59 am
Hello again. This has been in somewhat on my mind all day; a couple of things in particular. When I first heard about the lady who inquired about the possability of forgiveness for one who received the mark, I couldn’t help wonder how strong I am. Our kids have never wanted for basic necessities and it’s easy (almost too easy) to make proclamations in the arena of words. It’s a completely different story when one is called upon to “prove” that their beliefs match their rhetoric. This is something that I think on much because the day may be just around the corner when such a test is at hand. (A test that may well appear with little or no warning.)
One more thought that’s unnearving. Have you ever known a person who routinely did things to identify with the number 666? For example, I knew a guy in the navy who had it written on his hat. One could argue that he was just playing around and this was, most likely, how he viewed it as well. But it was “really eerie” and one was led to wonder if perhaps it was an indicator of something far more serious than just “acting out ignorantly in unbelief.”
A very sobering topic that should cause us all to abide ever closer to the Lord. The warning in Matthew 24:24 reveals just how dangerous these times are. Thanks again for some thought provoking observations.
Blessings always in Jesus name.
timbob
July 14, 2009 at 12:51 am
these are crazy times indeed . . . and never has it been more important to be in God’s Word seeking His face and His truth. There is a lot of confusion out there about end times, and a lot of evil protrayed as evil and good. But if we seek God in His Word, He promises His wisdom, discernment and protection – necessities in days like these.
January 13, 2010 at 6:45 pm
This is so funny/odd, that Timbob should mention the 666 thing, and you guys talking about this today. Cheri (my daughter) and I were talking about tattoos and I mentioned I’d never seen anyone do a 666 tattoo. I’m sure someone has done it, but you see all sorts of gross tattoos all the time, and I’ve never seen this one. (We live near a biker mecca, so we have a lot of “manly” tattoos around. 😉 ) Maybe 666 is just a little TOO scary for even the drunkest blasphemer. 😉
I agree with you, Rachel. Only the scriptures are usually interpretable on so many levels. For example, before Israel became a nation again, the standard interpretation was to spiritualize that part of the Revelations story. And here they are in the flesh! Not that the spiritual interpretations were necessarily wrong, or wrong in every way, but God has literally brought Israel back as well.
The snag for me in the mark not being also some kind of material thing is the buying and selling bit. Doubtless, it’s primarily a spiritual mark–no question in my mind. But I can’t figure out how people could use this to buy and sell. Just wondering what you’d say about this question?
Love, Cindy
January 14, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Hi Cindy – I love hearing your thoughts on this . . . I agree there is a physical layer and a spiritual one – but too often people get hyped on the physical layer and neglect and totally misread what is happening on the spiritual level, which really matters because it affects the state of their soul – this is true on so many accounts. Its the inside, the heart, that matters as well as determines the outward action. You raise a good question about the buying and selling – short answer I’m not sure but I definitely feel from the Spirit it is more than just buying and selling. I have some thoughts on it but I feel I still need more instruction on it. I feel it is related to Matthew 25:9-12 and Matthew 7:22-23.
January 14, 2010 at 2:31 am
It’s a perennial question, what the mark is. I’ve never felt certain as to what it is. I think that the more suggestions that people, such as yourself, pose, the more likely we are to be open to seeing it for what it is when it arrives.
I wrote a lengthy response, but I deleted it, because it was just too long. What I would suggest, though, now that you’ve posted your idea, is that you attempt to defeat your own argument reasonably. This is not necessarily to dissuade yourself, but to test the idea for weaknesses, and see if there might be room for improvement of the idea.
January 14, 2010 at 5:37 pm
M. Patterson – how right you are – I think it is wonderful for saints to talk about these things – and thanks for the suggestion!
December 13, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Hey Rachel, you are right on with your perception. “two wittnesses” I came to this same understanding from a different angle of study. For another study that will greatly open understanding in the word, look at the fact that it was an angel doing the sealing/mark &it was an angel reading the seal/mark (seal of God — mark of beast) every living person above age of accountability has one or the other. It is not our buisness to know who has what, other than, to flee from those that enjoy having the mark. though there are different levels of maturity in God’s word, God has given us the ability to know one another. Another great eye opening study is, “the right hand”, one has to go back to Genises &super stirr the deep, but it is all recorded in scripture! PS. in my past comments I have left partials in this study as well as other studies. I suppose this may be why people have a hard time understanding my communication(it is how the Lord taught me). If you permit, I would like to give more insights.
December 14, 2011 at 10:42 am
Hi Eldon, yes the sealing is what we serve with our mind, thus our lives. For some they serve this world, its truth(lies) and wisdom, they are carnally minded … they have the mark of the beast. For those who hold God’s truth and thus serve His kingship have His mark. It’s one or the other for each one of us.
December 14, 2011 at 1:08 pm
Rachel,
do you hold any positive feeling for
the religious system, or tolerance
in your estimation for the church?
(meaning the organization)
In other words, how deep are your
feelings here?
December 15, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Hi Glenn – the church system as a whole is no different than any other worldly entity … it is governed by the king of this world, for the time, Satan. My heart breaks for the people that are trapped in the doctrines of men binding them to lies and this is why I warn them as I do of the church system, just as my heart breaks for those bound by the web of lies filling this earth, they are truly bound in hell; darkness, under the rule of Satan, pain, torment, punishment (living the consequences of their own ways.) But our God is merciful and one day bring full deliverance.
December 15, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Rachel, I don’t, at this moment want
to negate your thoughts, because I am
somewhat in agreement with you.
I think not to your level, at least yet.
But, if you don’t mind, let me run a thought
by you. — After Jesus, resurrection, the
disciples had many, faults, disagreements
and misunderstandings, between themselves
and about understanding the scope of Jesus
ascension, and how powerful that was.
Yet, to say, they were under the rule of Satan,
would be error. (Not True.) I know you are very
strong in staying with truth. These men and
women were still the Church. The Perfection
is through the Blood, only. Hope I am saying
this gracefully. So am I in line with the Word
for you here? I’m glad you said your heart breaks
for those in error, because, that’s really what I’m
after here, is your heart, understanding your heart
and the truth. You know, God looks on the heart.
December 16, 2011 at 11:01 am
Hi Glenn … there is a process we go through … purging the dross, santicifaction … in which there are areas where we are still following the world’s ways, thus Satan’s ways. The chord of slavery has been broken, but there is a process of purging all of those ways from our lives.
December 16, 2011 at 11:16 am
Hey Rachel, this “congregational” study of subject, in this post, is outstanding!!! No doubt Jesus is here with us. Rachel, you &the rest of this congregation most always use several parts in the scripture to explain how you came to your perception; exactly what the Lord said to do “hold the word in your hand” —A thought for consideration: my study tells me that “perdition” is teachings contrary to the truth of God’s word. Jesus & the apostles, both said, “perdition doth already work”. My perception in study says, no one has ever had as great of conection to God as did Jesus. And no one has ever had as great of conection to Jesus as did the apostles. Therefore, when a system of men, give a man authority to excommunicate angels in heaven from God: this man that excepts the position is the son of perdition, spond from the mother of perdition(system of men). Therefore, the system of men is the “image of the beast”(the same as Eve was begiled by the beast)(James said it is the lusts within us). From this first system(because all denominational church systems use the same format as the first system) “none are right, No not one” —“and the whole world wonders after the beast and worships his image” —in studying the teachings of Paul, he said the only good thing that can be said for denominational church is that at least some will here the name “Jesus”, however if the person does not come to understanding(as this congregation does) “those that are taught by God need no other teacher”???
December 16, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Hey Rachel, I want to leave another fact for study. In finding the position for 666, understand that, in Roman, letters have numarical value. It will be found that many names have the value of 666. However, there is only one with this value that also holds all of the other eleven prophesy points(ONLY ONE)! through study in any subject, NOTICE: satan has a counterfeit for every teaching from God.—as for the not buying or selling, as we speak, world governments are going broke, that is, all but one, which is daily sucking up the wealth of the world. —in the very near future, if one is not a member of a (any) denominational church system they will be pursecuted even unto death. we are not to be afraid, but all the more, as we see these truths, which builds faith, we are to lean on Jesus. Philippians 1:29for it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake”. —Rachel, I am seaking from experience of life; one can have the best of intentions, however when it comes to putting one’s life on the line, there has to be a power greater than one’s self!
December 18, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Hi Eldon, the king of this earth, Satan, has ruled over and in all the systems, the systems of man, you see his signature everywhere. As for the true believers who come under the reign of God … they will be powerful ones in this earth in the Day of the Lord, for the Spirit of God will be mighty upon them.