MARK OF THE BEAST V

In this post I will address Leroy's vocal concern: "In your next post, answer why YOU can still BUY & SELL without receiving this mark." I would request the readership take note that though I now answer this question Leroy's mind will most likely remain as implacable as ever. Thus, Leroy's question is not asked for the purpose of seeking the truth of the matter, helping his unbelief. Rather it is for the purpose of 'tripping me up.' In fact, that is the general tenor of most of those I have encountered on this board.

Nevertheless, I will once more meet your objections head-on with this post. But first I must establish, with verifiable proof, that the Roman Catholic Church has, in her official documents, decreed that unless one receives the Mark, that person cannot buy or sell. In so doing, I need first lay a foundation.

In deciphering prophecy, or any of the other biblical mysteries, it always helps to broaden one's perspective through knowledge of language and history. We will need both to solve the mystery of "buying and selling." Had we not compared the Latin Vulgate text, (Rev. 13:16-17, THE CHARACTEREM/MARK of the Beast), with the Latin Council of Trent text, (the CHARACTEREM/MARK given in the sacraments of holy Baptism, Confirmation and Orders), we would not have had such a startling verbatim direct connection between the two.

In analyzing the fundamental precept behind "buying and selling," we soon discover that it pertains to COMMERCE. Webster defines 'commerce' as "(1) the buying and selling of goods……." The reader is asked to note that this secular dictionary uses the exact phraseology of the Bible in its primary definition of 'commerce.'

Rev. 13:17 states, "no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark," etc. This then begs the question, why would such a penalty be enacted in the first place? It is clearly apparent that it is a disciplinary measure intended to punish  those who refuse to take/accept/receive the Mark of the Beast. The persons who refuse to take the Mark are refused the right/privilege of conducting commercial trade with the persons who do take the Mark, resulting in the financial hardship of the disobedient.

In our present day we have a prime example of the enacting of a decree NOT to allow the buying and selling of goods. In this case it is between America and Iraq. This is called a 'sanction,' meaning "a coercive measure, as a blockade of shipping, usually taken between several nations together, for forcing a nation considered to have violated international law to end the violation." Western nations have banded together agreeing to not engage in commerce with Iraq due to Iraq's obstinate refusal to obey international law pertaining to nuclear weapons and their inspections. This punitive measure is one which is causing considerable hardship to the people of Iraq. The elite leadership are not affected because they place themselves first in the distribution of food, medical supplies and other necessities, while the common people starve, become ill and die, making do with the meager leftovers. The Iraqi government is able to justify their evil actions by declaring to their starving citizens that the U. S. is the Great Satan. As such they must not obey and worship this Beast.

Through this contemporary example, we are better able to understand the grave implications of not being able to buy and sell with others. Refusal to meet the demands of the more powerful authorities, (in this case the powerful Western nations who have an abundance of goods to sell, as well as much money with which they can purchase others' goods), will, in time, result in the overspreading of disease, poverty, starvation and death.

Using this model, let us now focus on the family unit rather than a nation. If the caregiver, who is the head of the family, the bread winner, loses his job, the resulting effects can be disastrous. As money runs out, with no new income, the family's ability to buy goods is destroyed. This may result, in the worst scenario, of being placed on welfare, which means they will be under the care of the state. There are many reasons why a person may lose his job. Today the Hi-Tech Industry is experiencing a slowdown, resulting in the loss of thousands upon thousands of jobs. In this case, the workers who lost their jobs have done nothing wrong to deserve the layoff, nor have they broken any laws. They are simply experiencing the negative effects of an economic slowdown, which is the cause. The technology corporations simply needed to effect measures which would insure their continued existence. The layoffs are not disciplinary in nature, nor are they religious in scope.

But this is not the case of those who refuse to take the Mark of the Beast. Underlying this punishment is something much more sinister. Those who refuse the Mark of the Beast refuse to worship the Beast and his image. Those who receive the Mark of the Beast agree to worship the Beast and his image. They are able to conduct business, and may gain much wealth in the process. Thus, buying and selling, conducting commerce and trade, is directly linked to worship of the Beast. Without the approval of and compliance to the Beast's demands one does not do business in the Beast's kingdom.

            "And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast, and they worshipped the beast…" (Rev. 13:4).

            "…and he [the two-horned beast] caused that as many as would not worship the image [Greek: ICON] of the beast [from the sea] should be killed…..and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark……" (Rev. 13:15-17).

In these verses we are to understand that compliance to religious laws of worship are directly connected to living safely in the Beast's kingdom, free from harm to oneself or one's family. By worshipping the Beast and his icons [idols], by receiving his Mark, CHARACTEREM, which is given in the forehead and/or right hand to all his subjects, one escapes harm and punishment. Those who refuse to comply are subject to starvation and death.

If we can first rightly identify those who refuse the Mark, we may then deduce the identity of the mysterious Beast who gives the Mark. The one leads to the other. Remember, our ultimate search has been to discover the identity of the Beast. It is from the power, laws and worship of this Beast that God's people are warned to flee. No true child of God will want to obey and worship this arch-enemy of God. Those who remain in communion with the Beast are doomed to eternal damnation, (Rev. 18:4-6; Rev. 13:8; Rev. 17:8; Rev. 14:6-11). It is for this paramount reason that we seek to correctly identify the Beast. The salvation of our eternal souls depends on it.

THE SAINTS ARE THE ONES WHO REFUSE THE MARK

By comparing Scripture with Scripture, we discover that it is the saints of God who refuse the Mark of the Beast.

            "And it was given unto him [the first Beast] to make war with the SAINTS, and to overcome them…..He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the SAINTS." (Rev. 13:7,10).

            "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which DIE IN THE LORD from henceforth…." (Rev. 14:13).

            "And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the SAINTS and with the blood of the MARTYRS OF JESUS…." (Rev. 17:6).

            "For they have shed the blood of the SAINTS and PROPHETS, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy." (Rev.16:6).

            "And in her was found the blood of the PROPHETS and SAINTS…." (Rev. 18:24).

THE SAINTS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE KILLED

I realize that this may seem to be an obvious statement to many, but I cannot emphasize enough the importance of equating death with the saints of God. Scripture tells us in numerous passages in the Revelation that it is the saints of God, NOT the Beast and his agents, who die. The Beast is more powerful than the saints. He has the power to kill them, and willingly exercises that power.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS A VERIFIABLE HISTORY OF KILLING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO TAKE THE MARK OR OBEY THE BEASTLY PONTIFF.

THEREFORE, THE PONTIFF, HIS BISHOPS, AND FAITHFUL LAITY CANNOT, BY DEFINITION, BE THE SAINTS OF GOD

In my next post, Lord willing, I will support this historical fact with verifiable authorities recognized by the Roman Catholic Magisterium.

Until I do, I encourage all of you to seek the Lord regarding the truth of the matter. Please continue to read the Scriptures.

To aid in your understanding of this entire complex and mysterious subject, our ministry has just completed a new two-part HYPOCRITES ON PARADE Flash film entitled, CATHOLIC ATROCITIES: OF MONKEYS & MEN. Simply go to our Home Page and click on the link to the PARADE. I warn you that it is not designed for the faint of heart or the fearful.

May God bless Leroy and those others on this board who seek truthful answers to the BIG questions.

P. S. Leroy is to be commended for his perseverance and relentless pursuit of an answer to a question which deals directly with the topic at hand. Others have attempted to misdirect the focus of this discussion with innumerable side issues which, though there are answers to these side issues, do not deal directly with the prophecy written in the book of Revelation, the central theme of our discussion.

Rand Winburn

Director

Protestant Reformation Publications

http://www.iconbusters.com