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The Mark of the Beast

The Mark of the BeastLesson 20

WARNING: The devil does not want you to complete this Study Guide!
A tattooed number, a computer chip under the skin, or something subtler? It’s one of the most misinterpreted prophecies in all of the Bible—yet it is vitally important to understand it. In studying the mark of the beast, we must address some sensitive issues, naming names and being specific. This is not a popular thing to do, but we must be firm because God loves His people and wants them to know the truth. This message is not from us; it comes from Jesus. And with eternal death facing those who receive the mark, it would be wrong to not help Him deliver this message. So please read Revelation 13:1–8, 16–18, and 14:9–12, and pray for the Holy Spirit to grant you an honest and understanding heart before embarking on this study adventure.

An Urgent Reminder
We learned from Study Guide 2 that a terrible conflict is in progress between God and the devil. It has raged through the centuries since Lucifer, heaven’s most powerful angel, rebelled against God. With the angels who joined him, he attempted to seize control of the universe. God and the loyal angels had no choice but to eject Lucifer and his angels from heaven. Lucifer, who became known as Satan, was infuriated. His determination to control the universe has only grown since. Amazingly, he has won the support of the majority of earth’s people in his rebellion. The Lord also asks for people’s loyalty and support, but He leaves all free to choose. Soon every person on earth will have aligned with either Satan or God. The final battle between Satan and God is just ahead, and it is described in the book of Revelation. This prophetic book points out that God has an emblem, a mark, that will identify His people. Satan also has an emblem, a mark, that will identify those who support him. As usual, Satan will work through an earthly power—symbolized in Revelation by a beast—to impose his mark. This Study Guide will reveal the beast’s mark, which every lost person of the end time will receive. Unless you know what his mark is, how will you avoid receiving it?
1. In order to know what the mark of the beast is, we must first identify the beast. How does the Bible describe it?

1. In order to know what the mark of the beast is, we must first identify the beast. How does the Bible describe it?

Answer:   
A. It rises from the sea (verse 1).

B. It is the composite of the four beasts in Daniel chapter 7 (verse 2).

C. The dragon gives it power and authority (verse 2).

D. It receives a deadly wound (verse 3).

E. Its deadly wound is healed (verse 3).

F. It is a strong political power (verses 3, 7).

G. It is a strong religious power (verses 3, 8).

H. It is guilty of blasphemy (verses 1, 5, 6).

I. It wars with and overcomes the saints (verse 7).

J. It rules for 42 months (verse 5).

K. It has a mysterious number—666 (verse 18).

Do some of these points have a familiar ring? They should! You encountered many of them earlier when we studied about the antichrist in Daniel chapter 7. The “beast” introduced in Revelation 13:1 is simply another name for the “antichrist,” which we learned from Daniel 7 is the papacy. Prophecies in the books of Daniel and Revelation are often presented multiple times, with details added each time to encourage accurate interpretation. So expect to learn some new things about the antichrist from this Study Guide. Now let’s consider, one by one, the 11 points that describe the beast...

A. It would rise from the sea (Revelation 13:1).
The sea (or water) in prophecy refers to people or a populated area (Revelation 17:15). So the beast—antichrist—would arise amid the established nations of the then known world. The papacy arose in Western Europe, so it fits this point.

A Word of Explanation

In harmony with God’s command to honor all people (1 Peter 2:17), we pause here to recognize the papacy for her many good deeds and activities. Her hospitals, orphanages, care for the poor, homes for unwed mothers, and care for the aged are appreciated universally. She can honestly be lauded for many things. But, like all other organizations, she has also made serious errors. God pinpoints some of these errors in Revelation. The Lord, who blesses and comforts, must sometimes chasten and correct. Please ask His Spirit to speak to you as you continue studying this crucial topic.


B. It would be a composite of the four beasts of Daniel chapter 7 (Revelation 13:2).
Study the comparison below to see how it all fits together:

Daniel chapter 7Revelation chapter 13
BabylonLion-like beast (vs. 4)"Mouth of a lion" (vs. 2)
Medo-PersiaBearlike beast (vs. 5)"Feet of a bear" (vs. 2)
GreeceLeopard-like beast (vs. 6)"Like unto a leopard" (vs. 2)
RomeTen-horned beast (vs. 7)"Having ... ten horns" (vs. 1)


The four beasts of Daniel 7 are depicted as part of Antichrist, or the beast, because the papacy incorporated pagan beliefs and practices from all four empires. She clothed them in spiritual garb and spread them to the world as Christian teachings. Here is one of many supporting statements from history: "In a certain respect, she [the papacy] has copied her organization from that of the Roman Empire, has preserved and made fruitful the philosophical intuitions of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, borrowed from both Barbarians and the Byzantine Roman Empire, but always remains herself, thoroughly digesting all elements drawn from external sources." 1 This point definitely fits the papacy.

C. The beast must receive its power, seat (capital), and authority from the dragon (Revelation 13:2).
To identify the dragon, we go to Revelation chapter 12, where God's end-time church is pictured as a pure woman. In prophecy, a pure woman represents God's true people or church (Jeremiah 6:2 Isaiah 51:16). (In Study Guide 23, we will present a detailed study of God's end-time church of Revelation chapter 12. Study Guide 22 explains Revelation chapters 17 and 18, where fallen churches are symbolized by a fallen mother and her fallen daughters.) The pure woman is portrayed as pregnant and about to deliver. The dragon crouches nearby, hoping to "devour" the baby at birth. However, when the baby is born He evades the dragon, fulfills His mission, and then ascends to heaven. Obviously the baby is Jesus, whom Herod tried to destroy by killing all the babies in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16). So the dragon represents pagan Rome, of which Herod was a king. The power behind Herod's plot was, of course, the devil (Revelation 12:7-9). Satan acts through various governments to accomplish his ugly work in this case, pagan Rome.

We will quote just two supportive references from history, though there are many: (1) "The Roman Church ... pushed itself into the place of the Roman World-Empire, of which it is the actual continuation. ...The Pope ... is Caesar's successor." 2 (2) "The mighty Catholic Church was little more than the Roman Empire baptised. Rome was transformed as well as converted. The very capital of the old Empire became the capital of the Christian Empire. The office of Pontifex Maximus was continued in that of Pope." 3 So this point also fits the papacy. She received her capital city and power from pagan Rome.

D. It would receive a deadly wound (Revelation 13:3).
The deadly wound was inflicted when Napoleon's general, Alexander Berthier, entered Rome and took Pope Pius VI captive in February of 1798. Napoleon decreed that at the death of the pope, the papacy would be discontinued. The pope died in France in August of 1799. "Half Europe thought ... that without the Pope the Papacy was dead." 4 So this point also fits the papacy.

E. The deadly wound would be healed, and the entire world would give homage to the beast (Revelation 13:3).
Since its healing, the strength of the papacy has grown. Today she is one of the most
powerful religious-political organizations and influence centers in the world.

ABOUT THE POPE:

He is the most well-known person in our world. People of the world see him as a strong moral leader. Thousands of Catholics and non-Catholics throng to him when he visits other countries. In 2015, he spoke before a joint session of the U.S. Congress for the first time in history.

ABOUT THE PAPACY:

An American ambassador has said the Vatican is unmatched as a “listening post.”5 Papal structure is already prepared for worldwide control.

Clearly, the wound is healing and the eyes of the nations are upon the Vatican, fitting the prophecy of the Bible.



F. It would become a strong political power (Revelation 13:3, 7).
See item E above.Vicarius Filii Dei

G. It would become a very powerful religious organization (Revelation 13:3, 8).
See item E above.

H. It would be guilty of blasphemy (Revelation 13:5, 6).
The papacy is guilty of blasphemy because her priests claim to forgive sins and her popes claim to be Christ.

I. It would war with and persecute the saints (Revelation 13:7).
The papacy did persecute and destroy millions of saints during the Dark Ages.

J. It would reign for 42 months (Revelation 13:5).
The papacy reigned for 42 prophetic months, which equals 1,260 years, from A.D. 538-1798.

Points H through J also clearly fit the papacy. We touched on them only briefly here because they were covered thoroughly in Study Guide 15, question 8.

K. It would have the mysterious number 666 (Revelation 13:18).
This verse says, “It is the number of a man,” and Revelation 15:2 refers to “the number of his name.” What man do you think of when you think of the papacy? Naturally, we think of the pope. What is his official name? Here is a Catholic quote: “The title of the pope of Rome is Vicarius Filii Dei” (English: “Vicar of the Son of God”).6 Malachi Martin, in The Keys of This Blood, uses the same title for the pope on page 114. A footnote for Revelation 13:18 in some Douay versions of the Bible says, “The numeral letters of his name shall make up this number.” Notice the chart at right, which shows what happens when we total up the Roman numeral value of the letters of the name. Again, the papacy fits the identification point. The beast with the “mark” is the papacy. No other power in history could possibly fit these 11 divine descriptive points. Now that we have positively identified the beast, we can discover her mark, or symbol of authority. But first, let’s look at God’s sign of authority.

1Andre Retif, The Catholic Spirit, trans. by Dom Aldhelm Dean, Vol. 88 of The Twentieth Century Encyclopedia of Catholicism (New York, Hawthorne Books, 1959), p. 85.

2Adolf Harnack, What is Christianity? trans. by Thomas Bailey Saunders (New York: Putnam, 2nd ed., rev., 1901), p. 270.

3Alexander Clarence Flick, The Rise of the Mediaeval Church (reprint: New York, Burt Franklin, 1959), pp. 148, 149.

4Joseph Rickaby, "The Modern Papacy," Lectures on the History of Religion, Lecture 24, (London: Catholic Truth Society, 1910), p. 1.

5Malachi Martin, The Keys of This Blood (New York, Simon & Schuster, 1990)

6"Answers to Readers' Questions," Our Sunday Visitor, Nov. 15, 1914.


2. What is God’s mark, or symbol, of authority?

“I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them” (Ezekiel 20:12).
“It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth” (Exodus 31:17).
“He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also” (Romans 4:11).

Answer:    In these texts, God is saying that He gave us His Sabbath as a sign of His power to create and His power to sanctify (convert and save) us. In the Bible, the words seal, sign, mark, and token are used interchangeably.7 God’s sign, the Sabbath, represents His holy power to rule as Creator and Savior. Revelation 7:1–3 says it will be written upon the foreheads (minds—Hebrews 10:16) of His people. It will signify that they are owned by Him and have His character. Hebrews 4:4–10 confirms this by saying that when we enter His rest (receive salvation), we should keep His seventh-day Sabbath holy as a symbol, or mark, of salvation. True Sabbath keeping signifies that a person has surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and is willing to follow wherever Jesus leads. Since the symbol, mark, of God’s authority and power is His holy Sabbath day, it seems likely that the symbol, or mark, of God’s challenger—the beast—might also involve a holy day. Let’s see if it does.

7Compare Genesis 17:11 with Romans 4:11 and Revelation 7:3 with Ezekiel 9:4

3. What does the papacy say is her symbol, or mark, of authority?

3. What does the papacy say is her symbol, or mark, of authority?

Answer:   Notice the following section from a Catholic catechism:

“Question: Have you any other way of proving that the Church has power to institute festivals of precept?

Answer: Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her—she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority.”8

The papacy is here saying that it “changed” Sabbath to Sunday and that virtually all churches accepted the new holy day. Thus, the papacy claims that Sunday as a holy day is the mark, or symbol, of her power and authority.

8Stephen Keenan, A Doctrinal Catechism [FRS No. 7.], (3rd American ed., rev.: New York, Edward Dunigan & Bro., 1876), p. 174.


4. Did God predict such an attempted change?

Answer
Answer:   Yes. In describing the antichrist in Daniel 7:25, God said it would “intend to change times and law.”

A. How has the papacy tried to change God’s law? In three ways: In her catechisms she has (1) omitted the second commandment against veneration of images, and (2) shortened the
fourth (Sabbath) commandment from 94 words to just eight. The Sabbath commandment
(Exodus 20:8–11) clearly specifies Sabbath as the seventh day of the week. As changed by the papacy in its catechism, the commandment reads, “Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.” Written thus, it can refer to any day. And, finally, she (3) divided the tenth commandment
into two commandments.

B. How has the papacy attempted to change God’s times? In two ways: (1) She attempted to change the time of the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first day. (2) She also attempted to change God’s “timing” for the beginning and closing hours of the Sabbath. Instead of counting the Sabbath day from sundown Friday night to sundown Saturday night as God mandates (Leviticus 23:32), she adopted the pagan Roman custom of counting the day from midnight Saturday night to midnight Sunday night. God predicted these “changes” would be attempted by the beast, or antichrist.

Notice the following section from a Catholic catechism:

"Question: Which is the Sabbath day?

Answer: Saturday is the Sabbath day.

Question: Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday?

Answer: We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday." 9

Here is another Catholic statement: "The Church is above the Bible and this transference of Sabbath observance from Saturday to Sunday is proof positive of that fact." 10

The papacy is saying in these references that its successful change of Sabbath observance to Sunday worship is proof that its authority is greater, or "above," Scripture.

9Peter Geiermann, The Convert's Catechism of Catholic Doctrine (St. Louis, B. Herder Book Co., 1957 ed.), p. 50.

10The Catholic Record (London, Ontario, Canada, Sept. 1, 1923).


5. How could anyone in good conscience attempt to change God’s holy day?

Answer:   We ask the papacy, “Did you really change Sabbath to Sunday?” She replies, “Yes, we did. It is our symbol, or mark, of authority and power.” We ask, “How could you even think of doing that?” While it’s a pertinent question, the question the papacy officially asks Protestants is even more pertinent. Please read it carefully:

“You will tell me that Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath, but that the Christian Sabbath has been changed to Sunday. Changed! But by whom? Who has authority to change an express commandment of Almighty God? When God has spoken and said, Thou shalt keep holy the seventh day, who shall dare to say, Nay, thou mayest work and do all manner of worldly business on the seventh day; but thou shalt keep holy the first day in its stead? This is a most important question, which I know not how you can answer. You are a Protestant, and you profess to go by the Bible and the Bible only; and yet in so important a matter as the observance of one day in seven as a holy day, you go against the plain letter of the Bible, and put another day in the place of that day which the Bible has commanded. The command to keep holy the seventh day is one of the Ten Commandments; you believe that the other nine are still binding; who gave you authority to tamper with the fourth? If you are consistent with your own principles, if you really follow the Bible and the Bible only, you ought to be able to produce some portion of the New Testament in which this fourth commandment is expressly altered.”11

Tragically, both Catholicism and Protestantism stand in error for rejecting God’s Sabbath—His sign of identification.

11Library of Christian Doctrine: Why Don't You Keep Holy the Sabbath-Day? (London: Burns and Oates, Ltd.), pp. 3, 4.

Religious leaders who ignore God's holy Sabbath will face His indignation.
Religious leaders who ignore God's holy Sabbath will face His indignation.

6. What solemn warnings has God given regarding His law and His sign, or mark?

Answer:   A. God warns religious leaders against causing people to stumble by saying that some commandments do not matter (Malachi 2:7–9). For example, some ministers teach, “It doesn’t matter what day you keep holy.”

B. God warns people who want their ministers to preach smooth fables rather than the truth about His law (Isaiah 30:9, 10).

C. God warns people about hardening their hearts against the truth of His law (Zechariah 7:12).

D. God states that the upheaval, tragedy, problems, and woes of earth come because people refuse to follow His law—and have even tried to change it (Isaiah 24:4–6).

E. God warns religious leaders who refuse to preach the prophecies of the end time (Isaiah 29:10, 11).

F. God warns that leaders who teach there is really no difference between sacred things (such as God’s holy Sabbath) and common things (such as Sunday) will face His indignation (Ezekiel 22:26, 31).

7. Revelation 13:16 says people will receive the mark of the beast in the forehead or in the hand. What does this mean?

7. Revelation 13:16 says people will receive the mark of the beast in the forehead or in the hand. What does this mean?

Answer:   The forehead represents the mind (Hebrews 10:16). A person will be marked in the forehead by a decision to keep Sunday as a holy day. The hand is a symbol of work (Ecclesiastes 9:10). A person will be marked in the hand by working on God’s holy Sabbath or by going along with Sunday laws for practical reasons (job, family, etc.). The sign, or mark, for either God or the beast will be invisible to people. You will, in essence, mark yourself by accepting either God’s mark—the Sabbath—or the beast’s mark—Sunday. Though invisible to men, God will know who has which mark (2 Timothy 2:19).

8. According to Isaiah 58:1, 13, 14, what decisive message does God deliver to His people in the last days?

8. According to Isaiah 58:1, 13, 14, what decisive message does God deliver to His people in the last days?

“Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet; tell My people their transgression. ... If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight ... then you shall delight yourself in the Lord” (Isaiah 58:1, 13, 14).

Answer:   He says to tell His people that they are sinning because they are trampling on His holy day, and He asks them to quit breaking the Sabbath so He can bless them. He wants His messenger to speak loudly so the people will hear. Notice that the third angel of Revelation 14:9–12, who brings the message about the mark of the beast, speaks with a loud voice also (verse 9). The message is too important to treat as ordinary. It’s a life-or-death issue! Jesus says His sheep, or people, will follow Him when He calls them (John 10:16, 27).

9. Do people who worship on Sunday as a holy day have the mark of the beast now?

9. Do people who worship on Sunday as a holy day have the mark of the beast now?

Answer:   Absolutely not! No one will have the mark of the beast until Sunday worship becomes an issue forced by law. At that time, those who decide to follow the false teachings of the beast and worship on Sunday—the beast’s counterfeit holy day—will receive his mark. Those who follow Jesus and obey His truth will keep His Sabbath day holy and receive His mark. Those who expect to refuse the beast’s mark in the future must step under Jesus’ Sabbath banner now. His power is available to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). Without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5).
With Him, all things are possible (Mark 10:27).

10. According to the book of Revelation, who did John see in God’s eternal kingdom?

10. According to the book of Revelation, who did John see in God’s eternal kingdom?

Answer:   The answer is threefold and very clear:

A. Those who have God’s mark—sign (His Sabbath)—in their foreheads (Revelation 7:3, 4).

B. Those who refused to identify with the beast or his image and who refused to have his mark or name in their foreheads (Revelation 15:2).

C. The people who—today and for eternity—follow where Jesus leads, trusting Him fully in everything (Revelation 14:4).


11. What is Jesus saying to people today?

“He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Answer:   What a fantastic promise! If we follow Him, we will not end up in darkness but will, instead, have glorious truth. Further, following Him and keeping His Sabbath will put God’s mark on our foreheads and protect us from the dreadful plagues (Psalm 91:10) that will fall upon the disobedient (Revelation 16). It also marks us as ready for translation at Jesus’ second coming. What blessed protection and assurance God has offered us!

An Urgent Alert
You will discover more astounding information as you study the final three Study Guides of the nine that deal with the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6–14. These Study Guides will explain (1) the role of the United States in earth’s final conflict, (2) how churches and religions of the world will be involved, (3) what world conditions will precipitate earth’s final battle, and (4) Satan’s amazing strategy for deceiving billions. If you are wondering what Protestant churches have to say about the papal claim for changing Sabbath to Sunday, quotes appearing on the next two pages will provide the shocking answers.


12. God is asking you to keep His holy seventh-day Sabbath as a sign that you have accepted His salvation and will follow Him wherever He leads. Will you decide now to begin keeping His Sabbath holy?

Answer:   


Thought Questions


Comments from Churches and Other Authorities About the Sabbath


Answer:

Baptist: “There was and is a commandment to keep holy the Sabbath day, but that Sabbath day was not Sunday. ... It will be said, however, and with some show of triumph, that the Sabbath was transferred from the seventh to the first day of the week. ... Where can the record of such a transaction be found? Not in the New Testament—absolutely not. There is no scriptural evidence of the change of the Sabbath institution from the seventh to the first day of the week.” Dr. Edward T. Hiscox, author of The Baptist Manual, in a paper read before a New York ministers' conference held Nov. 13, 1893.

Catholic: “You may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which [Catholics] never sanctify.” James Cardinal Gibbons, The Faith of Our Fathers, 93rd edition, 1917, p. 58.

Church of Christ: “Finally, we have the testimony of Christ on this subject. In Mark 2:27, he says: ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.’ From this passage it is evident that the Sabbath was made not merely for the Israelites, as Paley and Hengstenberg would have us believe, but for man ... that is, for the race. Hence we conclude that the Sabbath was sanctified from the beginning, and that it was given to Adam, even in Eden, as one of those primeval institutions that God ordained for the happiness of all men.” Robert Milligan, Scheme of Redemption, (St. Louis, The Bethany Press, 1962), p. 165.

Congregationalist: “The Christian Sabbath [Sunday] is not in the Scriptures, and was not by the primitive church called the Sabbath.” Dwight's Theology, Vol. 4, p. 401.

Episcopal: “Sunday (Dies Solis, of the Roman calendar, ‘day of the sun,’ because dedicated to the sun), the first day of the week, was adopted by the early Christians as a day of worship. ... No regulations for its observance are laid down in the New Testament, nor, indeed, is its observance even enjoined.” "Sunday," A Religious Encyclopedia, Vol. 3, (New York, Funk and Wagnalls, 1883) p. 2259.

Lutheran: “The observance of the Lord’s day [Sunday] is founded not on any command of God, but on the authority of the church.” Augsburg Confession of Faith, quoted in Catholic Sabbath Manual, Part 2, Chapter 1, Section 10.

Methodist: “Take the matter of Sunday. There are indications in the New Testament as to how the church came to keep the first day of the week as its day of worship, but there is no passage telling Christians to keep that day, or to transfer the Jewish Sabbath to that day.” Harris Franklin Rall, Christian Advocate, July 2, 1942.

Moody Bible Institute: “The Sabbath was binding in Eden, and it has been in force ever since. This fourth commandment begins with the word ‘remember,’ showing that the Sabbath already existed when God wrote the law on the tables of stone at Sinai. How can men claim that this one commandment has been done away with when they will admit that the other nine are still binding?” D. L. Moody, Weighed and Wanting, p. 47.

Presbyterian: “Until, therefore, it can be shown that the whole moral law has been repealed, the Sabbath will stand. ... The teaching of Christ confirms the perpetuity of the Sabbath.” T. C. Blake, D.D., Theology Condensed, pp. 474, 475.

Pentecostal: “ ‘Why do we worship on Sunday? Doesn’t the Bible teach us that Saturday should be the Lord’s Day?’ ... Apparently we will have to seek the answer from some other source than the New Testament” David A. Womack, "Is Sunday the Lord's Day?" The Pentecostal Evangel, Aug. 9, 1959, No. 2361, p. 3.

Encyclopedia: “Sunday was a name given by the heathens to the first day of the week, because it was the day on which they worshipped the sun. ... The seventh day was blessed and hallowed by God himself, and ... he requires His creatures to keep it holy to Him. This commandment is of universal and perpetual obligation.”Eadie's Biblical Cyclopedia, 1890 ed., p. 561.

Quiz Questions



1. Many people have already received the mark of the beast. (1)

_____   Yes.
_____   No.

2. The mark of the beast is (1)

_____   Your Social Security number.
_____   Sunday as a holy day.
_____   The bar codes for grocery pricing.

3. The beast organization that has the mark is the (1)

_____   United Nations.
_____   Papacy.
_____   European Union.
_____   Trilateral Commission.

4. The mark is literal and will be seen by all. (1)

_____   Yes.
_____   No.

5. God also has a mark, or symbol, of His power and authority. (1)

_____   Yes.
_____   No.

6. God's mark of authority is (1)

_____   A secret number that is given to each faithful Christian.
_____   Speaking in tongues.
_____   Sabbath-keeping in commemoration of Creation and sanctification.
_____   Baptism.

7. How did the "beast" attempt to change God's law? (2)

_____   Changing Sabbath (of the fourth commandment) to Sunday.
_____   Teaching that it is not a sin to commit adultery.
_____   Removing the commandment against the veneration of images.

8. In Bible prophecy, how long is 42 months? (1)

_____   420 literal years.
_____   Three and one-half literal years.
_____   1,260 literal days.
_____   1,260 literal years.

9. Where will the beast's mark be placed? (2)

_____   In the hand.
_____   On the mouth.
_____   On the cheek.
_____   In the forehead.

10. Where will God's mark be placed? (1)

_____   On the hand.
_____   In the forehead.
_____   On the person's tongue.

11. Which of the three angels' messages is the warning against the mark of the beast? (1)

_____   First angel's message.
_____   Second angel's message.
_____   Third angel's message.

12. The beast attempted to change God's times by (2)

_____   Celebrating New Year's as a holiday.
_____   Changing God's holy day from the seventh to the first day of the week.
_____   Setting the hours for God's holy day as midnight-to-midnight instead of sundown-to-sundown.

13. Jesus gave us the warning message regarding the mark of the beast. (1)

_____   Yes.
_____   No.

14. Sign, mark, seal, and token are used interchangeably in Scripture. (1)

_____   Yes.
_____   No.

15. There is no scriptural authorization for observing Sunday as a holy day. (1)

_____   True.
_____   False.

16. I believe I should begin keeping God’s seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday) as His holy day.

_____   Yes.
_____   No.
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Progressor Of Truth
As I stated in post 80, I believe we as Adventist misunderstand the first beast of Rev. 13, when we claim it to be the papacy, as it is taught in the “Mark of the Beast” study guide. Nor is the second beast which comes up out of the earth, the United States. The study is very convincing and leads to the conclusion that the “Mark” is Sunday worship. The truth is Daniel, and Revelations prophecies does not support this teaching when certain events are understood in their chronological order.

At this point you may think I am a not case, which is ok, so I pray you will continue to read just for your amusement.

God made know according to His timing in the mid 1980’s, that all apocalyptic prophecies have a beginning and ending point in time and that all the events within each prophecy are given in their chronological order. This then makes earlier interpretations prior to this natural law being followed invalid. Which means our historical interpretations which began to form early in the second century, are invalid.

Please consider the following: Historicist place the throne room event of Rev., 4 & 5, at the ascension of Christ. “To what point in the great controversy do the symbolic scenes portrayed in ch. 4 and 5 [Rev.] refer? According to DA 834 the song was sung by angels when Christ was installed at the right hand of God after His ascension. (SDA Bible Commentary, vol., 7, pg. 774)

Although this is a true statement, it is also unintentionally misleading, due too the lack of understanding, because when one reads it they naturally think in A.D. 33, which in reality was A.D. 1798. This is what prophecy reveals when we understand God’s natural law of chronology. The timing of Revelation 4 & 5 is not given in either chapter, however, Daniel was shown the same event five centuries earlier and God revealed the timing to him in Daniel 7. Daniel is shown the rise of the little horn/papacy in verse 8, followed by a court room event in verse 9, the same court room event John saw in vision recorded in Revelation 4 & 5.

In just these two verse alone, prophecy chronology reveals the court was seated after the rise of the little horn/ papacy. The interpretation of this prophecy by an angel gives us more clarity on the timing. Verses 25 inform us that God would allow the papacy to test and refine the faith of His holy people for a time, times and a half of time, (1260 years). Verse 26 tells us that at the end of the 1260 years, (1798) the court would set, or convene, and the power of the papacy would be taken away. We do understand correctly that the papacy received it’s deadly wound in 1798, at the end of the 1260 years, however, we do not understand that God purposely linked these two events together in order that we can understand what God is doing literally in heaven even though we can not see into heaven. This is just one of many events within apocalyptic prophecies that are linked with heavenly events.

I have more to share if you permit.
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Progressor Of Truth
Hi, I am an Adventist, have been for forty years, studied my way into the church. Yet to this day am troubled in the way we interpret the mark. Perhaps you can help.

I see no connection between the little horn of Dan. 7, (which we correctly understand is the Papacy) and the first beast of Rev. 13. The papacy came up out of the ten horns of the forth beast, Rome. It was given 1260 day/years to rule over the saints, no more no less. That time period ended in 1798, at which time it received it's deadly wound. We as Adventist correctly teach this. On the other hand the beast having seven heads and ten horns in Rev. 13, has more features than the singular horn (papacy) of Dan.7. Too, the beast of Rev. 13 comes up out of the sea, sea, symbolizing nations, the little horn (papacy ) comes up out of the ten horns, which were ten tribal nations within the Roman empire. I see no similarity in the origin of the little horn (papacy) of Dan. 7, and the seven headed, ten horn beast of Rev. 13. Please correct me if I'm missing something.

Another issue: We correctly understand that this seven headed, ten horn beast has both religious and civil powers. I understand the religious power is represented in the seven heads since they have blasphemous names, and scripture states one of those heads "seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed." I understand this head to be the papacy. Therefore, the seven heads represent the seven primary religions of the world. This makes perfect sense since this beast rises from many nations. The timing in which this beast rises is an important part to it's identity. According to scripture, speaking of one of it's heads it states, " it seemed to have had [past tense] a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had [again past tense] been healed. Bear in mind this is prior to the rising of this beast from the sea. We correctly teach the papacy received it's deadly wound in 1798. So the beast of Rev. 13, rises some time after the head (papacy) with the fatal wound was inflicted in 1798. With just these few facts correctly presented, I hope you begin to see my concern, the timing in which the papacy came to be, during the fall of the Roman empire, and the rise of the seven headed, ten horn beast, sometime after one of it's heads (papacy)received a deadly wound in 1798, cannot be the same. These facts destroy the foundation on which we understand the " Mark of the Beast" to be. Any thoughts from your end?
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Earl3278
“Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬-‭7‬ ‭
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Earl3278
“For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.””
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭
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Earl3278
“For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭
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JamaDRV
The Lord may correct people with His hands yes, but no where in His word does the Bible teach that another fellow believer can inflict harm as a form of correction or to chasten. I can actually back this right now with 8 different verses not word for word or by book or verse. These are just off the top of my head I’m sure I can provide a lot more reasons harming me in this house Is wrong and against the Lord. All I said can be looked up and is accurate to the word of Almighty God. #1 the woman at the well no man or woman could throw a stone because not one was without sin. #2 the plank will never be taken completely out of our own eyes because the only one sin free who walked this earth in human form was Jesus Christ who God sent himself as the form of his son to not condemn the world but to save it by dying on the cross for all sins of this world. #3 Thou shalt not judge, God calls some of us to places people judge others for being. Knock at the door sit at the table accept what they offer to eat and I was self managing pain that causes me to harm the temple of the Lord not to treat it and #4 my body the temple is harmed by people putting bugs and worms in this home for real. #5 do unto others as you would have done #5 love thy neighbor. #6 Luke 7 & As long as we aren’t drunken and have no other Gods before God nothing I’ve done to manage pain is cause for harm to come to me period. #8My medication is limited by the law of the land and does harm me in every way. I want to follow the law of the land but I have to follow GOD first it’s the way the structure was created from the beginning with free will for all people to chose the path they want to take and no man should have any say other than a judge when found guilty in a court of law before a judge.
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SaveusLord
YouTube censored this study guide whenever I attached this link. The same with the links to Daniel 7 and USA in the prophecy, YouTube took it down.
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Kyangwa Paul.ugandan.
good end time message.God guard you with His Angels.but we have challanges in Africa,uganda in particular,we want also to preach this special end time message as youths from,SDA Church but we donot have people to support us so you people may you help us if possible.I will be very greatful if iam considered positively.
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Kyangwa Paul.ugandan.
Thank you brethren in Christ.You know the world has gone digital,so even us,we need to change the mode of preaching.e.g we need to use visual mode in order to capture the attentions of the multitude like power point using projectors,laptops etc.so may you continue connecting me dear brethren on behalf of evangelism department SDA mayuge,uganda.May God bless your ministry and your families.Kfamilies. Kyangwa paul
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Hi, we have forwarded your contact info to our AFCOE Africa team (Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism). You can also visit their website for more information as they will be better able to help you: https://www.afcoeafrica.com/
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kiiza HELMAR\\\\
i want to download these lessons but am failing
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Amazing Facts
We don't offer these lessons for download. But you can "print" them and just before you click on the final print button, there should be an option to save as a pdf.
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cedrick
this study is excellently and powerfully detailed. its up to individuals to consume the truth or not as for me and the people around me will know the truth and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. thanks to amazing facts the leadership at large.
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T
I grew up Pentecostal. The way I was taught is that the Beast will come from the EU, Middle East etc. I was taught that the Mark was a visible mark. Throughout my life I ran from God, until the beginning of 2020 when I rededicated my life back to God, rebaptized, prayer, and studying scripture that I came upon the truth. The Holy Spirit led me, and the more I was learning the more I started to dig, and the more was revealed. It was not by accident that the truth was revealed regarding the beast, the Mark and the seal of God. It was like everything made since and I felt at peace. I have been sharing with others but this teaching is being rejected because it’s not POPULAR. I’m telling you this truth has been hidden and Satan does not like truth. However, I realize that people has hardened their heart to the truth. I’m thankful for your teachings. I have noticed there is only a very small percentage of Churches that teach this truth. Now I understand how truth has been cast down for so long.
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Janet D
The Bible states in order to buy and sell you will need a mark. So is God going to be the cashier at all the stores world wide? Since you say it is not a literal mark.
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Lion
A cashier? That’s a very weird thing to say. Did you not read the study guide… if you seriously need a better understanding of something— simply ask without a sardonic attitude.. 🙄
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sakorson
For those that are living and the Sunday law goes into effect, has probation for all closed at that time ??
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Blessing kamei
Thank you so much pastor Doug.
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Mark
Hello. Pastor Doug. This topic has been an informative for me, however, i want to clarify something through this query. How can a mark that is not visible (Sunday worship) can buy food or sell as mentioned in Rev. 13:17. Thank you for responding.
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sgeorgia
Actually, the mark is visible. The profession of your faith and beliefs will be noticed by others. There will be a sharp contrast between a believer and a non-believer. The Sabbath keeping churches, for example, will be open on the Sabbath. They will be rejected by the vast majority of the Sunday keepers. That may very well be one way we will be noticed. Especially, if there is Sunday legislation prohibiting worship on the Sabbath.
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Iam4real
A point I also spent years in study of was " The unforgivable sin" What exactly was it and how does it apply to us today. The result of this study is as follows: Early in scripture we see where Esau sold his birthright. In Rom. 9:13 We see God hated Esau. In Heb. 12: 15-17 we see why it was so evil.. In Heb. 6: 4-6 as well as Heb. 10: 26-31 we see a point in our lives, where there are choices we can willfully do that will remove us from grace.. In Rev. 14:11 we see that whoever received the mark mentioned in the 13th chapter was also destroyed, forgiveness was not possible.. So what do all of these unforgivable texts have in common? There is only one sin that shall not be forgiven.. Selling our birthright" We must NEVER sell out our faith in the Almighty Creator God. It is our birthright paid for by His Son, Christ Jesus.. Amen.
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BuckoFive
If you want to know what the unforgiveable or unpardonable sin is, read this:
https://www.amazingfacts.org/media-library/book/e/22133/t/beyond-mercy
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Iam4real
In your facts stated concerning the Sabbath and how it has been changed was very educational. I thank you for the lesson. I would like to hear you understanding on Rom. 14: 1-12 and Col. 2: 16-18. I used to be a Mormon, I come out of that cult by deep studies.. Coming out of that I wondered through many different so called Christian organizations only to find paganism in most of them, such as Santa Clause, Easter bunny and Easter eggs. All forms of paganism in our culture. It the study of the 7 churches in Rev. I see these problems in our churches today. I teach on the importance of persona study, not allowing someone to deceive you in your faith, as in Prov. 25:2 and Prov. 2: 1-7. I would like very much to hear your input on the two text above. I have spent years in the study of this subject and would like to hear your input.. In respect of God's Holly Word in all things. Dale
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Thank you for your question! We just want you to know that we're unable to answer Bible questions here. So if you'd like to get an answer directly from the team at Amazing Facts, please fill out this form here: https://www.amazingfacts.org/about-us/bible-questions
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Anonymous
The mark of the beast is
derived from computers and is robotic technology. The number is man made not a number of a man it's a bad idea for this technology. Many will worship this technology and think they can make spaceships and human like robots the fact of the matter is they are trying to synthetically replace real life! It doesn't seem to have a good future. You do the math. Look at terminator for instance.
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Anonymous
You’ve probably heard of the infamous “mark of the beast” and the ominous number 666. Where did it come from? Why is it so dangerous? And how do you avoid getting it? In fact, how do you know you don’t have it now?
The Bible says, that in the end of time, everybody would be required to receive the mark of the beast. And if you won’t receive this mark, at first you won’t be able to buy or sell, and ultimately, you’ll be killed.
“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭13:16-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬
In fact verse 15 says, those who don’t worship the image of the beast should be killed. The Bible is clear, that death would be preferable to the curses that fall to the one that receives the mark of the beast. But how can you avoid receiving this mark if you don’t know what it is?
There are a lot of misconceptions about what the mark of the beast is. Some for example, believe that the mark of the beast is a barcode or tattoo that is branded on the forehead or the hand. Others believe that the mark is some form of computerized ID chip inserted under the skin. And yet there’s still others that think that everybody is going to line up, and receive their 666 credit card. While the number 666 is associated with the name of the beast, the number itself is not the mark. You don’t get the mark of the beast by driving a car with 666 on your license plate and you’ll probably not get struck by lightning if you sit in some arena at seat #666.
The truth is, that the mark of the beast is not a physical or external mark at all. What’s even more surprising is that most people don’t even realize the Bible teaches that everybody in the last days would have one of two marks. One group has the seal of God on their foreheads, the other group has the mark of the beast. The seal of God is having the law of God in our hearts.
We can read from these examples about what having a mark on the forehead and on the hands really mean:
“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.”
Deuteronomy‬ ‭6:6-8‬ ‭KJV‬‬
“And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought thee out of Egypt.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭13:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬
We can see in these examples that in the hand and in the forehead is symbolic of having the law of God in our actions and in our thoughts. That would mean, that the mark of the beast in the hand and the forehead, is also NOT a physical external mark, but rather it represents some distinguishing difference in the thoughts and the actions of the lost.
“Their webs shall not become garments, neither shall they cover themselves with their works: their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.”
Isaiah‬ ‭59:6-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬
In the hand = in the actions, in the head = in the thoughts. It’s a symbol.
The Bible says in the end of time, everybody would receive some form of mark. It’s not going to be a tattoo or a computer chip or a credit card, that’s just what the devil wants people to think. Satan has managed to get just about everybody to focus looking in the wrong direction while the real mark of the beast is creeping up right behind them. So what does the mark of the beast symbolize? Nobody has it yet. But soon, many will. You need to make sure that it’s not you. There are a few subjects that are more misunderstood, and very few subjects that need to be understood more.
Transcribed from one of Pastor Doug’s videos on https://666truth.org
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Anonymous
Is the third eye or pineal gland the mark in the forehead or mark of the beast cause I did it because I was misinformed and now I’m scared
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Permafrost
Repent and you will be saved. God is not looking to catch you in a sin so He can destroy you. He is looking for any obedient piece of your heart so He can save you and bring you into the Home He has prepared for you. If you gave your life over to the devil, ask God to deliver you and He will! God bless you!
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ServerHacker
The beast will be Islamic - the mahdi. It won't be the papacy.
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TruthBT0ld
Scripture please?
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Anonymous
Am looking again into 7th day Adventist beliefs 40 years after leaving the denomination! I don't agree that Lev 23:32 is proving where Sabbath starts and ends. This passage is referring to appointed festivals which we don't follow any more. Also v24 states....On the 1st day of the 7th month you are to have a day of Sabbath rest....Wasn't Paul talking about these festivals when he mentions not to let people judge you by a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day in Col 2:16 also another ref which I can't find now about one person observes a day another person doesn't - don't judge them. Why would we need to keep Sabbath overnight when we're asleep? Wouldn't it be more sensible to keep it from sunrise Saturday to sunset Saturday. It also doesn't specify in the commandment we are to go to a place of worship. Need some clarification please.
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vladsretenovic
Hi Julie,
Just in answer to one of your of your questions (that's all I have time for at the moment, if you'd like more, just reply to this post).
Q: When does the Sabbath start?
A: The Sabbath is a defined as a "day", just like the other six days of creation week.
The first "day" consisted of an "evening" and a "morning" (Gen 1:5).
Next, to help us know when a "day" starts and finishes, God created "markers", to show us when a "day" starts and finishes:
Gen 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
(emphasis added)
So a "day of the week" is simply an "evening" and then a "morning", and the moon and the sun are simply the indicators of when those segments of a "day" start and finish. The whole description is found in the fourth day of creation, Gen 1:14-19.
Note that an "evening" is specifically a sunset, and a "morning" is specifically a sunrise. So a day must have both, and in the order stated in the verse: sunset then sunrise.
A "day of the week" starts when the previous "day of the week" stops, and since the order in which a day occurs is "evening" then "morning", that means that when the "light" governing the "morning" (or "daytime") is no longer "governing", and that the "darkness" or "night" has started, that means that the next "day" has started.
In other words, the next "day" will not start until the next sunset (or "evening"), and thus we have a day consisting of sunset to sunset, or "even to even". The Bible directly states that "at even" is when the sun sets (Mar 1:32).
The sun governs the "daytime", or as Genesis calls it the "light" part of a "day of the week", and the moon governs the "night" part of a "day of the week" (Gen 1:14-18).
Therefore, as soon as the sun goes down, a "day of the week" has ceased, and then next "day of the week", starting with the "evening", has begun; each "evening" starts a new "day of the week".
In other words, the first "day" (in creation week) started at "even"-ing, therefore the next "day of the week" would start at the following "even"-ing.
So the Sabbath of the fourth Commandment is a "day of the week", just like every other "day of the week", and starts and finishes just like every other "day of the week".
This means that whenever God said to have a "day" of something, whether it be new moon, or festival Sabbath, or weekly Sabbath, it therefore starts when the "day of the week" starts, which is (according to creation week) at "evening". Thus Lev 23:32 holds fast, not only for the definition of a Sabbath day, but because it conforms to the absolution definition of a "day of the week".
So then, let us test this definition throughout Scripture (Isa 8:20), to see if the Sabbath "day of the week" starts at sunset.
Neh 13:19 And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath,
So to Nehemiah, it was getting dark before the Sabbath, which is consistent with our creation definition.
What about in Jesus day?
Notice the interesting account of the healing of Simon Peter's mother in law.
On the Sabbath day, Jesus went to the synagogue (Mar 1:21), and then immediately went to Peter's house (Mar 1:29).
Now the Pharisees had placed all sorts of false rules and regulations on the Sabbath, and were teaching the people that healing on the Sabbath is considered doing work (Luk 13:14), even though that teaching was in direct opposition to the Scriptures they already had (Isa 58:6-7). So the people, having heard that Jesus could heal the sick, waited until the end of the Sabbath day to bring Jesus all their sick.
Mar 1:32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
Notice the impropriety of their action contrasted against their eagerness to be healed! It was after sunset, after the recognised hours of a working day (see Mat 20:1-14), yet that didn't stop them coming to Jesus. Yet they esteemed the Law of God higher than their own infirmities, and would rather suffer than break the Sabbath day in seeking relief. Thus they kept the Sabbath day (as they understood it), refraining from working, until the Sabbath hours had finished, and then brought their sick to Jesus (Mar 1:32). Thankfully Jesus corrected their incorrect teaching (Mat 12:9-13), and restored the Sabbath's correct principles of observance, teaching His disciples how to keep the Sabbath. And it is worth remembering, that Jesus taught His disciples not only to keep the Sabbath, but how to keep the Sabbath, and instructed His followers to teach to others what He had taught them (Mat 28:20). Thus all Christians are under direct instruction from Jesus Himself to teach true observance of the Sabbath day.
Another example we find is at Jesus death, which gives us even more information.
Jesus taught His disciples, both by His example and verbal teaching, how to keep the Sabbath. When did His disciples understand that it started?
Jesus died at / after the 9th hour, being the 9th hour since sunrise:
Luk 23:44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
Luk 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Luk 23:46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Now, Jesus Himself had said that there are twelve hours in the part of a "day of the week" which is governed by the "light of this world" (the sun) (Joh 11:9, Mat 20:1-12). Similarly, the "night" had twelve hours, and was broken up into three hour segments (see Act 23:23, Mar 13:35).
So we have to ask the question: did the "day of the week" finish for the disciples, when the "daylight" (or "greater-light governed) hours finished?
Notice that the Bible describes that they only had enough time to do the basic embalming of Jesus body before the Sabbath started (Luk 23:53), prepare the spices and ointments (Luk 23:56), and then came back early Sunday morning to finish the process (Luk 24:1):
Luk 23:52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
Luk 23:53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
Luk 23:54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
Luk 23:56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
Luk 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
The words there "drew on" are translated from a single greek word "epiphosko" which means to "begin to dawn", in other words, began to start.
Notice that they ceased their work, rested on the Sabbath according to the Commandment (Luk 23:56) and then didn't begin their work again until the first "day of the week" (Joh 20:1). It was still dark (Joh 20:1), but already they called it the first day of the week, and the rest of the events which happened that day were also classified as the "first day of the week", all the way until "evening" (Joh 20:19).
Note that Jesus rose early on the first day of the week (Mat 16:9), which was while it was still dark before sunrise (Joh 20:1). It is also somewhat amusing that the lie of the Roman guards and the Pharisees tell us when Jesus rose:
Mat 28:13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
The Scriptures clearly state that Jesus would rise the third day (Mat 20:19).
Therefore the "third day" was composed of the night-portion when Jesus rose, which preceeded the day-portion, when He appeared to His disciples. In other words, the definition of a "day of the week" is composed of a night-portion and a day portion, and the Bible states that the night portion (when Jesus rose) was the "first day of the week" (Mar 16:9) and then the following daylight-portion was also the "first day of the week" (Joh 20:19,Luk 24:13).
Thus a "day of the week" is:
a) an "evening" / lesser-light governed time, of twelve hours. The "evening" ends when the lesser light sets,
b) followed by
c) a "morning" / greater-light governed time of twelve hours. The "morning" ends when the greater light sets, which ends the "day of the week".
A week comprises of seven of the "day of the week", described above.
Leviticus 23:32 is simply a quick summary of the above, which is why it is often used.
Lev 23:32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.
Hope this helps :)
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Anonymous
Genesis chpt. 1:5,8,13,19,23,31. All these texts stated a day begins from Evening after the sun goes down and when the moon begins not at midnight 12:00 AM. At creation God is clear, so is the Quote earlier. Let the spirit leads. thanks
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Anonymous
Genesis chpt. 1:5,8,13,19,23,31. All these texts stated a day begins from Evening after the sun goes down and when the moon begins not at midnight 12:00 AM. At creation God is clear, so is the Quote earlier. Let the spirit leads. thanks
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MJBrabantNZ
Censorship is the realm of the evil one. Don't think nobody is watching.
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racheldpadilla
From Study Guide Lesson 20, Question 4, Answer A, it's stated that the papacy shortened the 4th commandment from 94 words to 8. I can't find evidence for that. Am I looking in the wrong places? Can you clarify? The KJV has the 4th commandment as only 8 words. Is the papacy responsible for the translation of the KJV? Please help me understand! I don't want to miss anything!!
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Anonymous
The 4th commandment is Exodus 20:8-11. Verse eight is often recited and the other three versus are omitted.
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tamaraquesadablankenship
The mark in the forehead or hand is to think to buy and sell, (in which you use your mind and hand) on the Sabbath. Like someone said "Here are those that keep my commandments."
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Anonymous
I actually thought this was going to be a good article until you claim my God is going to send people to hell for worshipping on Sunday. lol. Every day is a battle and every day we should trust and worship God. It doesn't matter what day that is. And we go to church on Sunday because Jesus arose on Sunday. Before, in the old testament, there was no Jesus. We worship the Son on Sunday because he defeated death and gave us victory. God is about knowing your heart, not a particular day.
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d1international
Aaron...Please read the book of Galatians everyday for 30 days...Paul is your #1 advocate for what you speak. While I do believe Rome will one day decree the observance of Sunday for the whole world to follow (because the Pope will have the power to do so - and command each and everyone of us to worship him with full support of goverment), I also believe the symbolism is the true discussion here. For any man of God to profess knowledge and distinctive premise of the future...My sincere hope is it's based on Matthew 25:31-47 in which there is no reference to Saturday or Sunday. That being said, we must remain aware and have a love for the truth in respect to teaching the unbeliever in a way that creates a bond and indisputable attraction to seek Jesus as Lord and Savior. We are all blessed to be here discussing this premise...the outcome we can control...is our love for Jesus and actions to support it.
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grantwalton
Aron its not that God is going
to send people to hell because they worship on sunday . Its not as simple as you made it sound . Now ,you go on Sunday because you said Jesus rose on Sunday , who told you to do that? According to the bible Jesus institute the communion service in remembrance of his death and resurrection (not sunday worship) We go on Saturday because God told us to. And believe it or not you can do a research ,because it Historical facts ,you dont go to church on Sunday because Jesus rose on that day! You go to church on Sunday because Constantine (with the Roman Catholic church behind it all ) changed the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday to accommodate the pagans who was turning to Christianity and because they worship their idol Sun gods he place the day of worship on sunday . Dont take my word just go study history . So back to what you said about going to hell , God will not send you to hell for not going to church on sabbath, it way deeper than that , when the mark of the beast test comes you will get a choice to choose the day that man choose to worship (sunday) or Gods designated day to worship (saturday) now, if you willing know the truth (and you will know the truth because it will be made plan as day when the test comes) and you still decide to follow man and worship on the day that they appointed , where do you think you stand with God? now people who are already dead and who will die before the test comes , if they were true Christians who love the Lord and didnt know about the sabbath truth.They will still go to heaven because God doesnt hold you accountable for things that you do not know, the bible says that God winks at your time of ignorance. Look at how sin begins God say to Adam and Eve dont eat that fruit from that tree! What could go so wrong in just eating a piece of fruit ? Well look at how that turn out. Well God said worship me on the seventh day, he choose that day for whatever reason he does. But man (who is working for the devil) said , No! worship on the first day. Well we or to obey God rather than man. If my boss at work say to me you dont work on Monday , you work on Tuesday , do you think im going to show up on Monday and say i come to work on Monday because what should a day matters, work is work ? The bottom line is this God has appointed a day in which he wants us to come together and rest and worship him as the creator of the world . Satan counterfeit everything God does because he wants to be God , thats why he rebels in the first place . The day that Satan chooes as the day of Worship is sunday and he use Contantine to make the change so that he can be like God to create a day of worship and actually have followers who do it.. That why i say to u this Saturday vs Sunday worship is very deep its deeper than you think! Way deeper than what meet the eyes on the surface, and when the test comes people will chose who they worship. God or Man (the devil use the man)to gain worship so it really boils down to God or the Devil .
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d1international
All this time I was thinking... Jesus rose on the 3rd day....Hmmmm lets see...crucified on Friday afternoon(can we agree on that???)...Saturday (1st day) Sunday (2nd day) and Monday (3rd day)...Hmmmm...a few days to consider here. Unless you believe Jesus was born on the 25 of December, Easter is a celebration of the Ressurection, Advent is a time of waiting and preperation, And of course the Catholic Holy Days of Obligation of which there are 10. Perhaps we can all celebrate "All Saints day"? or we can read Galatians 5:18
Or as I have suggested, read the book of Galatians for 30 days in a row...and see what the holy spirit reveals.
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Anonymous
The sixth day, seventh day, first day ...
According to Scripture, Christ died on Friday, the sixth day of the week, and rose on Sunday, the first day of the week. Practically all churches acknowledge this fact when they observe Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Here is the Bible evidence:
“This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near” (Luke 23:52–54). This is strong evidence that Jesus died the day directly before the Sabbath. It was called “the preparation day” because it was the time to get ready for the Sabbath.
Let’s now look at the next few verses: “And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment” (vv. 55, 56). Please notice that the women rested over the Sabbath “according to the commandment.” The commandment says, “The seventh day is the Sabbath” (Exodus 20:10), so we know they were observing the seventh day (Saturday).
The very next verse says, “Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb” (Luke 24:1, 2).
How clearly these three consecutive days are described for us! Jesus died on Friday, the preparation day, the sixth day of the week. He rested in the tomb, “according to the commandment,” on Saturday, the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week. And then Jesus rose from the grave on Sunday, Easter Sunday, the first day of the week.
Anyone who can locate Good Friday or Easter Sunday will have absolutely no difficulty finding the true Sabbath "resting" right between them.
Quoted from the Article Can The Seventh Day Be Located by Amazing Facts
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Anonymous
I always wanted to say what day is the sabbath really? Do you have proof? The days of the week first came about by Egyptians (which was later passed to the Romans). God does not say that Saturday is the 7th day anywhere. He just says keep the sabbath holy. Just a thought. :)
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Anonymous
The sixth day, seventh day, first day ...
According to Scripture, Christ died on Friday, the sixth day of the week, and rose on Sunday, the first day of the week. Practically all churches acknowledge this fact when they observe Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Here is the Bible evidence:
“This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near” (Luke 23:52–54). This is strong evidence that Jesus died the day directly before the Sabbath. It was called “the preparation day” because it was the time to get ready for the Sabbath.
Let’s now look at the next few verses: “And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment” (vv. 55, 56). Please notice that the women rested over the Sabbath “according to the commandment.” The commandment says, “The seventh day is the Sabbath” (Exodus 20:10), so we know they were observing the seventh day (Saturday).
The very next verse says, “Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb” (Luke 24:1, 2).
How clearly these three consecutive days are described for us! Jesus died on Friday, the preparation day, the sixth day of the week. He rested in the tomb, “according to the commandment,” on Saturday, the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week. And then Jesus rose from the grave on Sunday, Easter Sunday, the first day of the week.
Anyone who can locate Good Friday or Easter Sunday will have absolutely no difficulty finding the true Sabbath "resting" right between them.
2. Calendar changes haven't changed the seventh day.
Some suggest that a calendar change made by Pope Gregory XIII means the days of the week have been confused and, therefore, we can’t know the true seventh day today. It’s true that, in 1582, Pope Gregory made a change to the calendar. (Our calendar today is called the Gregorian calendar because of this change.) However, this change did not interfere with the weekly cycle.
What exactly did Pope Gregory do to the calendar? Before 1582 the Julian calendar had been in effect, instituted by Julius Caesar around 46 BC. But the Julian calendar had calculated the length of the year as 365-1/4 days, but the year is actually eleven minutes fewer than 365-1/4 days. Those eleven minutes accumulated, and by 1582, the numbering of the calendar was ten days out of harmony with the solar system. Gregory simply dropped those ten days out of the numbering of the calendar. It was Thursday, October 4, 1582, and the next day, Friday, should have been October 5. But Gregory made it October 15 instead, dropping exactly ten days to bring the calendar back into harmony with the heavenly bodies.
Did Pope Gregory’s calendar change really confuse the days of the week? No. Friday still followed Thursday, and Saturday still followed Friday. The same seventh day remained, and the weekly cycle was not disturbed. So when we keep the Sabbath on Saturday, we can be positive that our seventh day of the week is the same seventh day of the week that Jesus observed—which He did every week, according to Luke 4:16.
3. The seventh day is named as a "rest day" in many languages.
The word for “Sabbath” in many languages spoken around the world is the very word used to name the seventh-day of the week—known as Saturday by English-speaking nations like the United States. For example, the Spanish word for “Saturday” is “Sábado,” which means “Sabbath.” When these languages originated long, long ago, the seventh day of the week—Saturday—was recognized as the Sabbath day, and Sabbath was incorporated into the very name of the day.
4. Jews have kept the seventh day as Sabbath for millennia.
Another fascinating evidence is the long history and practice of the oldest ethnic and religious group on earth helps us to accurately identify the seventh day. The Jewish people have been observing the Sabbath on the seventh day from the time of Abraham, and they still keep it today. Here is a whole nation—millions of individuals—who have been counting off time meticulously, week after week, for thousands of years. Could they have lost track? Not likely! The only way they could have lost a whole day of the week would have been for the entire nation to have slept an extra 24 hours and for no one to tell them about it afterward!
There has been no change or loss of the Sabbath day since God created it in Genesis. The origin of the week is found in the creation story, and there is no astronomical reason for measuring time in cycles of seven days. The seventh-day Sabbath is the purposeful design of God and has been miraculously preserved throughout time—and it will be preserved and observed throughout all eternity:
“ ‘For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make shall remain before Me, says the LORD, so shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,’ says the LORD” (Isaiah 66:22, 23).
Quoted from the Article Can The Seventh Day Be Located by Amazing Facts
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Neil
Very interesting thanks
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erichassuno
Hi Aaron, the Bible does say in Exodus 20:10 says "the seventh day is the Sabbath", and the 7th day in the Jewish calendar today is the same from back then and the same as our Saturday.
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Anonymous
Exactly. A calendar made by the Jews. Not God's calendar.
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tamaraquesadablankenship
Yes in the last days when God lets the beast reveal the true Sabbath then the mark of the beast, Sunday( mans Sabbath), and the seal of God (Saturday Sabbath) will be told. Jesus says not to hold mans precepts as fact.
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Anonymous
Please share the scripture from where you are getting this. Thanks
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rayzo
If you look at your calendar you will see Sunday is the first day of the week and if you read your bible right at the beginning God rested on the seventh Day Sabbath Shabat aka Saturday what the romans called it open your eyes!
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Anonymous
Ryan, you still have not looked into it deeper than that. Days of the week goes back to the Egyptians, Mayans, etc. Jews established the calendar from romans, which got it form the egyptians. God never said what day the sabbath is on. He said it was the 7th day in the old testament, but that day is never clarified as to what day an it doesn't really matter now anyway, because in the new testament many old laws were done away with. In Colossians it affirms this "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by
what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New
Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that
were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ” Colossians 2: 16-17
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Anonymous
  1. What does Jesus say about keeping His commandments?
    “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
    ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:37-40‬ ‭KJV‬‬
  2. So, through loving God, we keep the rest of the commandments, right? What does Jesus say?
    “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
    John‬ ‭14:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬
    What commandments does Jesus emphasize throughout His life? Weren’t there tons of “commandments” given to the Israelites?
    “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
    ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:16-19‬ ‭KJV‬‬
    “And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.”
    ‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:17-19‬ ‭KJV‬‬
    “And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.”
    ‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:18-20‬ ‭KJV‬‬
    What commandments was Jesus quoting? Aren’t those the 10 commandments? We can conclude He’s pretty serious about this. He wrote it in stone after all, signifying that it doesn’t change.
  3. But Paul said that we are no longer under the law but under grace! Does that mean we can forego the Ten Commandments?
    “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
    ‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬
    This is a heavily misinterpreted verse by many and is often the excuse for not keeping the 10 commandments any more. This sole verse versus the harmonious consistency of the entire Bible telling you how important the 10 Commandments are and that we should follow it (with our hearts and minds)? It could only mean one thing: misinterpretation.
    We have to understand a few basics here.
    What is sin?
    “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
    ‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬
    Pretty dictionary definition there. Sin is transgression of the law.
    What is the penalty for sin?
    “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
    ‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:23‬ ‭KJV‬‬
  4. So how does grace work? How are we saved by it?
    If you study the practices of the Israelites in the old testament, they would sacrifice a lamb for burn offering to atone for their sins. But now Jesus has come to die for us, the ultimate Sacrifice has been made. We no longer have to shed blood for our sins. Thus we have received grace and are under grace. He is our Lamb. The Lamb Who died for our sins that we may live.
    “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
    John‬ ‭1:29‬ ‭KJV‬‬
  5. Does that mean we are exempted from keeping the laws now?
    NO. Paul made this clear:
    “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.”
    ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬
    “And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”
    ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬
    (Above are heavily misinterpreted passage as an excuse to not keep the laws because Jesus “redeemed us from following it” but Paul really explains further, that is why it is important to read the whole chapter to understand its context)
    “Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.”
    ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬
    In this chapter of Galatians, Paul explains that people have been following the laws of God to the letter thinking that it will save them but forget its very principle or its core purpose. He’s really explaining that you should not be bound to the law by words alone, but by its principles also. It’s easy to follow “thou shalt not kill” but still be angry with another person. This is wrong according to Jesus, and the keeping the laws should also be done in mind and spirit as expounded by Jesus in His sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6, 7). Another example, it’s easy to keep the Sabbath commandment by not doing our usual activities of going out or going to school but we still break it by thinking ungodly things or rushing that the Sabbath will end. To simply put it, people are losing the essence of following the law. They’re missing the point when they keep it “by its words alone” and by doing that, they still end up lost rather than being saved. “A curse” as the Scripture has put it.
  6. But we don’t have to keep all the ten commandements, right? We are already under grace after all.
    Again, this is wrong concept. James said:
    “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.”
    James‬ ‭2:10-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬
    That includes the Fourth Commandment, which is the Sabbath Commandment.
    “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
    Matthew‬ ‭5:17-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬
    “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
    Matthew‬ ‭5:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬
  7. How long should we be keeping the law?
    It’s like asking how long should you be loving Christ. The principles of God are everlasting, even when we get to heaven.
  8. What does prophecy tell us about keeping the law?
    “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
    ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬
    “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
    Revelation‬ ‭14:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬
    Also we read in the last chapter of the last book of the Bible:
    “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
    ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬
    By now, we ought to know what these “commandments” are. Tried to stick to the new testament alone, but that is incomplete studying of the Bible. It should be as a whole.
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Neil
Very nice explanation
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tomakali
it sound like North Korea and China to me
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maxwaggoner
"And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name" Rev. 13:17 This is all you need to know, the end goal is total control, and it is the supreme test. Everything else is secondary, if you take the mark (whatever it is) in order to save your life, you will lose your immortal soul.
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Anonymous
The soul is not immortal. Amazing Facts has a wonderful study on Death. It explains clearly that the Bible says the soul that sins, dies. Only God has immortality. The idea of an immortal soul is the work of the devil, when he first told Eve in the garden that if she ate the fruit, she "would not surely die." The Bible says death is described as a kind of sleep, and that the dead to not worship or praise God, nor do they communicate with the living. The idea of an immortal soul has its roots in paganism.
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Anonymous
Amen. Immortality only happens at the Second Coming. That is when we will put on immortality. Not before then. Ezekiel 18:20;
1 Timothy 6:15-16;
Ecclesiastes 9:5; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54
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maxwaggoner
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this
mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying
that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
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tomasznarozny
I am doing an extensive research on the identity of the antichrist and something struck me just now... "pope" Francis is the 266th pope right... First letter of his name is the 6th letter of the alphabet... regardless of the number "2" in between there is number 6 three times in relation to him... Which brings me to a conclusion... If during the rapture desperate souls turn to what the church has become for comfort and help they will accept whatever is presented to them... All this fits above reasonable doubt the FALSE FLAG METHOD (9/11; weapons of mass destruction in Iraq) that is commonly used by today's governments to receive it's populace's agreement on whatever they intend... Trojan horse at it's worst...
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Anonymous
The pope is the antichrist, but your method is not biblical. The "666" is located on the pope's crown. The pope is called "Vicarius Filii Dei which is Latin for "Vicar of God's Son". That is the official title of the pope (all of them). When assigned the equivalent Roman numeral to each letter, it adds up to 666. The letter V equals 5, I equals 1, C equals 100, and so on.
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colleendesimone
I believe that God's mark is the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit can reveal who Christ is. No human can convince another that Christ is God's Son and that He is the only way to salvation. The only way to the Father is through the Son. Without the Holy Spirit operating in and through us, Born Again Christians, we would be just like everyone else, imposing our laws on others and punishing them if they don't comply; dead, corrupt, and power-hungry. Without God's Holy Spirit, His mark, His revelation, there would be nothing to set us apart. The lifeblood of God's church is the Holy Spirit. Without His revelation we would neither see nor comprehend the Kingdom of God.
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d1international
A woman who has read Galatians...Thoroughly! Thank you!
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Anonymous
Interesting. What is your biblical reference that indicates the Holy Spirit is God's mark? As this lesson indicates, God's "mark" or "seal" is the 7th day Sabbath. As indicated by the 4th commandment, God is Creator of heaven and earth, and everything in it. That is the seal. The mark of God. Although yes the Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus at his ascension to continue to guide the disciples, no where in the Bible does it say that the Holy Spirit is God's mark. I would suggest you study again because the mark of the beast of Revelation is the opposition, or copy of God's true mark, which is Sunday observance.
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Anonymous
WRONG. The Holy Spirit is God's mark because that's God's word.
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tamaraquesadablankenship
Wrong god sent the holy sprit to guide us till his return. The Pope stepped up and says he is the vicar of God, saying he takes the place of Jesus till his return.
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Anonymous
I was just listening to audio bible where God says "I am that I am". RSV interprets that as, "I am WHO I am. To me it is very important that "I stick to KV because one cannot interpret what they cannot understand. the people of God are looking for a mark ON the forehead, but KJV speaks of the mark of the beast IN the forehead. The feminine unconscious (Carl Jung) is turned towards the outside world, whereas the masculine conscious becomes recessive. It is an imitation of the marriage of the Lamb in New Jerusalem, where the church is the bride of Christ. I live in NY, the belly of the beast - Silentsage
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Anonymous
Where did you come to the conclusion that New York is the belly of the beast? The USA was not even in existence when the Bible was written and God revealed the image of the beast to John on the Island of Patmos. The beast, as Revelation reveals, is the Great Harlot who sits on seven hills. That my friend is the 7 hills of Rome. The beast is the Vatican, not New York. The beast is a religious and political power. New York is not. It is also a civil power able to exercise its laws to the whole world. New York is in no position to do that. Maybe study again.
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Anonymous
On worshiping on Sunday or Saturday or any other day for that matter Romans 14 provides us with how we Christians should live; with mutual forbearance for each of us will give an account of himself to God. If you decide to keep the Sabbath/Saturday as holy, by all means keep it and the Lord bless you for that.
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tamaraquesadablankenship
One verse is where you draw your conclusion, really? Psalms 119:4
Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
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Anonymous
God says, if you love Me, keep My commandments. That includes the 4th commandment. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. The Bible also says that the saints of God are those that keep the commandments and have the faith of Jesus (Rev. 12:17 and 14:12)
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onelifepoint
You cannot base your understanding of the Bible on simple verses here and there. Romans 14 is being misquoted because Paul clearly states that "we do not do away with the law". The whole Bible is to be taken as it is and understood precept upon precept, line upon line.
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hatnwar
Studying more about the stories that were being said in the Bible looks great. Thus, it can give awareness to the other people regarding on the things that might happen in the future if they truly believe in all of the information being stated on it.
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Anonymous
What is the mark of the beast?
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Anonymous
The Mark of the Beast will be Sunday sacredness, or Sunday worship.
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Anonymous
Betsy Burch...The mark is in forehead or your brain, your thoughts, and knowledge,if you're lead by the Holy Spirit ...the mark in your hand represents your works if they be for your self or for Gods glory...according to this article that is the mark of man 666...may the Holy Spirit lead and guide you, blessings...would I get a chip in my hand still my answer is NO.
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duanteamorculo
The Beast refers to two beasts described in the Book of Revelation. The first beast comes "out of the sea" and is given authority and power by the dragon; the second beast comes "out of the earth". This first beast is initially mentioned in Revelation 11:7 as coming out of the abyss. His appearance is described in detail in Revelation 13:1-10, and some of the mystery behind his appearance is revealed in Revelation 17:7-18.
The second beast comes from "out of the earth" and directs all peoples
of the earth to worship the first beast. The second beast is described
in Revelation 13:11-18 and is also referred to as the false prophet.
The two beasts are aligned with the dragon in opposition to God. They
persecute the "saints" and those who do "not worship the image of the
beast [of the sea]" and influence the kings of the earth to gather for
the battle of Armageddon. The two beasts are defeated by Christ and are thrown into the lake of fire mentioned in Revelation 19:18-20