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Question
What is the mark of the beast, the now world famous 666?
Answer
There is more controversy flying around this loaded question than I care to address, but for the sake of those who have no knowledge at all on this subject I will try to break it down in terms that are understandable. What can be known about it for certain is that it is the mark that represents the antichrist’s economic system. Those who don’t have this mark will not be able to buy or sell anything. Whose name it actually represents, is too soon to say. It does seem to be a representation of the trinity of Satan, Satan, the antichrist, and the false prophet being the three constituents of that trinity.
An interesting development of late has been something called, Recommendation 666. This is one among many recommendations being adopted by the emerging government of the EU. This particular recommendation was introduced by the European Union’s security minister, Mr. Javier Solana. It is a matter of concern for many people for two reasons. The first is that the final vote on the European constitution is only about a year away. The second reason is because recommendation 666 seems to be worded in such a way that it gives emergency war powers to the leader of the EU if he has been sufficiently apprised of a terrorist threat or the country has actually undergone an actual terror attack. I have thoroughly read every word in this document and while I’m not sure that it something to worry about, it certainly is something to keep an eye on.
My strongest sense of conviction is to go with what we know about this dreaded number and keep a watchful eye on what develops hereafter. Using biblical numerology to point to some particular person is highly questionable and has only failed so many times before. A cautious and thoughtful approach is highly advisable, and a large application of watchful patience will win the day on this subject.
Question
If the pre-tribulationists are mistaken, and some of us are called upon to die at the hand of the antichrist, how will we he able to face this terrible and fearful matter.
Answer
Years ago I showed the movie that is now part of Billy Graham Ministries, called The Hiding Place. The movie is about Corrie Ten Boom who was delivered to tell her story to the world after spending time in the notorious Nazi prison camp named Ravensbruck. Besides seeing her parents and her siblings die under the Nazis, over ninety thousand women met their death in that dreaded camp. In one of Corrie’s books she tells a story about a question she asked her father when she was just a little girl. Her question to him was. How will I be able to find the strength or courage to die if I should be asked to die for my faith in Jesus Christ? Her father answered her question with a question of his own. He said, Corrie, when you go to see your aunt in the country every summer on the train, when do I give you the ticket to board the train? She replied, you give me the ticket the day I’m boarding the train. Her father said, that is correct, and Jesus will give you the strength and the courage to die for him if you have to on the day you are asked to die. I have never heard a better answer anywhere over the years. Gods grace for living will shift to Gods grace for dying as it is needed and not until then.
Rev Bresciani is the author of two popular Christian books, one on the second coming of Christ. He has hundreds of articles published both online and in print.
Visit the website at www.americanprophet.org
People who say that Jesus never claimed to be the Lord have not
ever studied the Bible seriously. Today we are going to look at
one scripture, out of many in the New Testament, where Jesus
claimed to be just that. We pick up the story where some men are
lowering a paralytic friend into a crowded home where Jesus is
so that Jesus will heal him.
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said “Friend, your sins are
forgiven.”
The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to
themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can
forgive sins but God alone?”
Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you
thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say
“Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up and walk”? But that
you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to
forgive sins…” He said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get
up, take your mat and go home.”" (Luke 5:20-24) (NIV)
The Pharisees were right, only the Lord can forgive sins and by
Jesus telling that man his sins were forgiven He was claiming to
be God.
Now there are only three possibilities here:
1. Jesus thought He was not God but was not, in which case He is
a lunatic. This can’t be the truth because of all the miracles
He did during His three years of ministry. Our mental hospitals
are full of people who think they are God, but it is safe to say
not one has healed a leper or given a blind man sight.
2. Another possibility is Jesus knew He was not God but said He
was anyway, in which case He was a liar. Liars are driven by
self-promotion or self-protection. If Jesus was simply a liar
wouldn’t He have tried to avoid the crucifiction? There is
certainly no personal gain in dying a painful death on a cross.
When you add in the fact that He did many miracles, this option
just does not make sense.
3. The only other possibility is that Jesus knew He was God and
He indeed was God. Even if you don’t want to admit it, this is
the only option that is logical.
The Pharisees knew Jesus claimed to be God, that is why they
were so upset, but they refused to look at the facts. The thing
about facts is that they are facts whether you believe in them
or not. You can say “I don’t believe in gravity” but if you jump
off a building you will fall just the same. The facts point to
Jesus being the Lord.
Have you every thought to yourself, what is it you can give to God, for all the good and great things He has done for you? Is there anything in this world that we as a created people, created in God’s image, can offer back to Him, to thank Him for His Gracious, loving gift to us.
There are many words we try to conjure up in our minds to say to Him, just to show how grateful and thankful we are, for all the things He does for us. Is it not enough, that He sent His son Jesus Christ to die for us, and yet He still come to our aide in all time of needs and destitute.
The simple fact is; God is Good! God is Just! God is Merciful! And God has a heart, a heart that looks down on His people, regardless of their status, finance, health, deeds, good or bad. The bible says; God bless the just as well as the unjust.
There has to be something that we as a people can give back to God, it does not matter if you are a religious person or not, a Christian or not. It simply does not matter! If you Love God and would like to offer your best gift to Him, then why not. Why not become part of a Great Mission for a Great God?
God deserves all that we can give to Him, all that we are willing to give. In a time such as these, we need God more now, then we could ever image we do. The times we are living in now is a time of hatred, a time of destitute, a time of pain for many, and a time that security is being heighten in most countries, there’s simply no Peace!
And if you feel that there are, then you are very deceived. We as a great people should never cease from loving, praising and giving all that we have to God. While it is true that the United States of America is a Great Country, the foundation and belief solely hinges on freedom. There are many people within our country that simply do not believe in God or Jesus Christ, and that of course is their right. No one will ever challenge or lock them up for that. But for the rest of us, we cannot exist without him. We pray to Him daily, seeking advice, counsel, answers, healings, miracles, and financial blessing. You name it, we pray for it. Is that not true?
This letter is coming not from me, but from what I feel, is inspired by God. If we as a people and a nation are going to get to the next level of life with God so that He will increase further our knowledge, our hopes, our dreams, if we are going to want help from God to put at bay all of our enemies, if we are going to want security at a green level and not at the red or orange level, then we had better get off our seats of do nothing, and do something.
Jesus Christ came through a virgin; a 14 year’s old virgin girl. Tell me, who can put a price on a little girl’s virginity? No one can! Because if attempted, would be to lessen our savior arrival.
What have any of us every offered up to God? Beside our sins, our tithes, our worship, our fasting and prayers? And what do we generally want in return for our service or offering to Him? Healings and miracles; blessings for finances, homes, cars; safety, security for families and friends. God wants to give us our heart desires and in most cases for some of us, he does just that, gives us our heart desires.
Therefore, what priceless gift would you want to offer to God, for all the good deeds He has given too you and others in your life. As you read this, what are some of the things that come cross your mind right now that He has done for you, besides waking you up this morning or giving you eyes to read, a mouth to speak or ears to hear?
There is something that we as a people, as a nation, as a church, a community, that would be priceless, and of great value to offer up to our Lord and Savior, to our God that would make him stand at his throne in tears as he look down on His people with tears running down His face and thoughts in His mind of how we must love Him.
God deserves our best, He does not deserve less then our best; Matthew 10:37 states, “He that love father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that love son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. We’re told that we are not to love others more then we love God, particularly, mother, father, sons and daughters, therefore, what gift would be of more value to God? We are told to love others as we love ourselves, and if we love ourselves then certainly we would want only the very best for those we love.
Let me ask you a question at this point; is it not true that when man gives to God, God gives back to man? I sincerely need for you not to lose view of this question and of your answer to this question. Because there is nothing in this world from the beginning of time to now that we have given to God, or offer to God, other then what he has requested of us to give or sacrifice as an offering to Him.
What offering of Abraham did God asked of him? God spoke these words in Genesis 22 verses 1-13; “And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will
go yonder and worship, and come again to you. And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?
And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.”
We all know that back then, God did require a sin offering from his people, but the offering Abraham gave, were purely a love offering. If Abraham were wise enough to kill his son in offering him up to God, how much more wiser were God in offering His son up for us, in payment of our sins and the love He has in His heart for us.
I desperately need for you to see the big picture here! If we, as a great people, as a great nature, who serves a Great God will offer our love offering to God, not just a love offering but a significant special love offering to God, would he not do for us what he did for Abraham? Read what he said to Abraham in Genesis 15-18, “And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time and said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Need I say more? When we show God just how much we love him by offering to Him, that, that is most dear to our heart, God would do for us what he did for Abraham. I believe He would do much more for us, in addition, I believe God would take us to another level with him, one in which we have not even image in this amazing mind of ours to even adventure as of yet.
There is another level to God, there is another level to us being here on earth, in the universe, and I believe God is going to take us there. But before he does, God has to see a love from us that would be worth him taking us there. Surely, we cannot continue on the course we are now on, surely some where down the road, man has to become content with himself. The bible says, “be ye therefore content as your father in Heaven is content”.
But man is not content, and we never will be until we give back to God what he has given to us. Our ability to think and reason comes from God; our ability to feel and care comes from God; our ability to love and bring forth peace comes from God; but our ability to hate and bring forth strife does not come from God, but instead comes from satan.
If we were to allow satan, he would and could destroy the very fabric of this world, but God will not allow or let him do this. There is a reason he will not allow him to do this, because we the people, created in God’s image, have a mission to do, The Great Mission. Just as Abraham offered up his offering to God, so shall we.
Unless of course you wish to continue on the path we are on now, where violence is rampage, security is heighten, prices is higher then most standard of living, diseases is contagious, natural disasters in diver places, men killing themselves and their families, babies and little children being raped and molested, fathers and mothers in prison, broken homes, broken school systems, broken government, thieves breaking and entering, crooks lying and deceiving.
I do not know about you, but all of these things are very painful to me. What about you? Would you join me in offering the best sacrifice to our all and Mighty God, that sits on His Throne and look down on His people to care for them and give to them? What sacrifice do you think is worthy enough for God? Would you offer it to Him, regardless of what it is and what it means to you? Would it be something that is more priceless and of value to you? Is there such a gift? A gift that we can offer to God for that next level, for that continue blessings of peace, love and growth for us all.
Yes there is, and I know what it is!
Holy Beautiful Spirited Black Female 47, Born South Florida, raised traveling the world with father in military. Been with husband for 30 years, 4 sons and 4 grandchildren, work 18 years with Fortune 500 company. Love The Lord Jesus Christ with all my heart mind and soul and love all people of all races with sincere love.