Disciples Digital Library

L'humanité est divisée en deux et seulement deux groupes – les disciples de l'Agneau et les sujets de la Bête . Dans le Livre de l'Apocalypse, chaque homme est soit un “ Tabernacle dans le Ciel ”, soit un “ Habitant de la Terre ”. Les termes ne sont ni géographiques ni spatiaux. Ils identifient quel Maître nous servons. Les hommes appartiennent soit au “ Ciel ”, soit à la “ Terre ”. Ceux qui suivent l'Agneau, “ Tabernacle dans le Ciel .” “ Les Habitants de la Terre ” se soumettent au “ Dragon ” et à sa “ Bête ”, et sont donc destinés à un sort horrible.

Humanity is divided into two and only two groups – the followers of the Lamb and the subjects of the Beast . In the  Book of Revelation , every man either “ Tabernacles in Heaven ” or is an “ Inhabitant of the Earth .” The terms are not geographical or spatial. They identify which Master we serve. Men either belong to “ Heaven ” or the “ Earth .” Those who follow the Lamb, “ Tabernacle in Heaven .” The “ Inhabitants of the Earth ” submit to the “ Dragon ” and his “ Beast ,” and therefore await a grim fate.

Le Faux Prophète emploie la pression économique pour contraindre les hommes et les femmes à prêter allégeance à la Bête de la Mer . “ Le Faux Prophète ”, “ la Bête de la Terre ”, utilise la force économique contre les hommes qui refusent de jurer fidélité à  l'Empire Mondial , et “ la marque de la Bête ” est son mécanisme de traque et d'application. La capacité d'imposer des sanctions pécuniaires et des sanctions aux nations et aux individus est la clé du pouvoir politique de la Première Bête.

Disciples of Jesus and others who give their allegiance and devotion to the State are at risk of taking the Mark of the Beast . Humanity is divided into two and only two groups: Those who follow the “ Lamb wherever he goes ,” and those who submit to the “ Beast .” Members of the first group will not experience the “ Second Death ,” but everyone who takes the Beast’s “ mark ” and otherwise swears fealty to it will be cast into the “ Lake of Fire .” There is no third option, no neutral ground.

In Revelation , John saw the “ Beast ascending from the Earth ,” the “ False Prophet ,” who was intent on deceiving the “ Inhabitants of the Earth ” on behalf of the First Beast and the “ Dragon .” The “ False Prophet ” uses religious propaganda to deceive men, and economic might to suppress anyone who does not conform to the dictates of the World Empire.

Les discussions sur la “ Marque de la Bête ” se concentrent sur la signification de son Nombre, 666. Nous souhaitons le comprendre et ainsi éviter de le prendre. Mais pour mieux apprécier les ramifications de la prise de sa “ Marque ”, nous devons percevoir que l'Apocalypse oppose la “ Marque de la Bête ”au” Sceau de Dieu ”. Chaque homme doit choisir entre deux alternatives inconciliables, et l'un ou l'autre choix a des conséquences.

John saw the “ Beast ascending from the Earth ” intent on deceiving the “ Inhabitants of the Earth .” The “ Beast from the Sea ” is characterized by its political power. In contrast, the “ Beast from the Earth ,” the “ False Prophet ,” uses religious performance and propaganda to deceive men, and economic sanctions to suppress all those who do not submit to its demands.

Discussions on the “ Mark of the Beast ” concentrate on deciphering the significance of its number, ‘ 666 .’ Understandably, we wish to discover its meaning and thereby avoid taking it. However, to understand it we must first recognize the scriptural background behind the number, the relationship of the “ Mark ” to the “ Seal of God ,” the consequences of taking or refusing the “ Mark ” or the “ Number of the Beast ,” and the identities of the two groups that result from deciding whether to take it.

The Inhabitants of the Earth willingly venerate the Beast and take its mark, although believers also are not immune from its allurements . Discussions on the “ Mark of the Beast ” invariably focus on questions about what it is - a medical implant, barcode, or a tattoo – as well as the significance of its “ number ,” ‘ 666 .’ As important as these questions are, far more critical is the issue of how we as believers can avoid taking the Beast’s mark or its  “number.”

Discussions on the “ Mark of the Beast ” focus on the significance of its Number, ‘ 666 .’ We wish to understand it, and thereby avoid taking it. But to better appreciate the ramifications of taking its “ Mark ,” we must perceive that the  Book of Revelation  contrasts the “ Mark of the Beast ” with the “ Seal of God .” Every man must choose between two irreconcilable alternatives, and either choice has consequences.

The “ Beast from the Earth ,” the “ False Prophet ,” uses economic coercion and religious deception to induce men to “ render homage to the Beast ,” and to erect an image to honor it. All those who give allegiance to the “ Beast ” will take its “ Mark ” and “ Number .” In the  Book of Revelation , the descriptions of this “ Number ” and the “ image of the Beast ” use language and imagery from the third chapter of Daniel.

Having “overcome” the Beast and its “mark,” the saints stand on the Sea of Glass and sing the song of the Lamb – Revelation 15:1-4.  The fifteenth chapter introduces the seven angels who were poised to pour out the contents of the “ seven bowls of wrath .” Before they did so, John saw the “ overcoming ” saints standing on the “ sea of glass mingled with fire ,” where they “ sang the song of Moses and of the Lamb .” They had successfully overcome the “ beast and its number .”

The False Prophet employs economic pressure to coerce men and women to swear allegiance to the Beast from the Sea . The “ False Prophet ,” the “ Beast from the Earth ,” uses economic force against men who refuse to swear fealty to the  World Empire , and the “ mark of the Beast ” is his tracking and enforcement mechanism. The ability to impose monetary penalties and sanctions on nations and individuals is key to the political power of the First Beast.

The Beast of Revelation embodies the ancient imperial power that has stalked the saints since the Tower of Babel incident . History is littered with the remains of past attempts by tyrants and empires to dominate peoples and territories. Each new imperial power may experience initial success. However, all past empires have floundered, declined, and collapsed in the end. The Babylonian kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar and Caesar’s imperial realm, for example, ceased to exist thousands of years ago .

All men who refuse to follow the Lamb will render homage to the Beast and take its mark  – Revelation 13:16-18.  The “ False Prophet ” uses the power of the first “ Beast ” against anyone who refuses to give full allegiance to it. Its “ mark ” is an economic tool. Commerce is the lifeblood of the  World Empire , and leveling sanctions against nations and peoples is its enforcement mechanism. Economic restrictions mean deprivation and suffering for their victims.

SYNOPSIS: Humanity is divided into two groups – men who have the mark of the Beast, and those who bear the name of the Lamb’s Father – Revelation 13:16-14:5.  The “ mark of the Beast ” is the Dragon’s counterfeit of the “ seal of God ” that is placed on the foreheads of the followers of the Lamb. The “ inhabitants of the earth ” that take this mark are contrasted with the saints who stand on “ Zion ” with the Lamb and have his Father’s “ name written on their foreheads ” ( Revelation 7:1-3, 14:1-4, 19:2-5, 22:3-6 ).

The “ great voice in heaven ” pronounced “ woe ” on the “ Inhabitants of the Earth and the Sea because the Devil has descended to you, having great wrath .” The “ Dragon ” then began his war against the “ Seed of the Woman ” by summoning his own “seed,” the “ Beast from the Sea ” and the “ Beast from the Earth .”

The King invested great effort to make his dream into reality. First, he “set up” an enormous image covered in gold to represent his majesty and the irresistible power of the Empire. Then, he commanded all the “peoples and nations and tongues” of his realm to pay homage to his image or face a horrific and certain death in the “burning fiery furnace.”