Post by tomdurst on Mar 29, 2006 14:29:18 GMT -5
THE MARK OF THE BEAST VS THE MARK OF THE LAMB
Revelation 13:16-18 (New King James Version)
16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.
[Over the centuries there have been many interpretations concerning the mark of the beast. I would like to quote some wonderful words of wisdom on this topic written by Madame Guyon over 300 years ago. When I read them recently they really touched my heart and so I wanted to share them with you and hope that you will also be blessed and encouraged. This is a spiritual application of this topic and not the historical teaching. I believe the prophecies of Revelation applied to the era or generation in which they were written but that there are spiritual principles being taught that are timeless. TD]
Self-interest is stirring everyone to act in our day. All on the earth are led by it. This is “the mark” all receive from the beast…they only think of themselves and for themselves; they will act for themselves and by themselves! All men act thus! (Except those who have the mark of the Lamb…they have no other interest besides that of God alone. This is their mark.)
The characteristic and mark of the servants of God is this: God alone in everything, God and His cross. No more thought for self but God alone, His glory only, His interest alone! Speak to this soul of anything you like, wealth, honors, life, friends, children, salvation, eternity, perfection—he does not know any other language but: God alone. He consults only God in all undertakings. This is the seal and characteristic of the Lamb. Others have to consult their own interest or the interest of honor, glory, reputation, family, money, promotion. Self-interest is then the mark and language of the beast.
It is said that those who love Him only and passionately are not adapted to their environment; they are not qualified for business, because it is said they do not know how to lie or deceive. But oh God, the truth is they are hated by the world because they are not of it and do not have the mark of it. They are not like other men, for they are marked with the mark of Jesus Christ. Although they are the meekest and kindest of men, they are avoided, feared, hated as if they were scoundrels. Oh, hostile condemnation!
Wherever souls are marked with the characteristics of Jesus Christ, they will be speaking the same language, acting in the same way; likewise those who bear the characteristics of the beast speak and act like the beast. Here is wisdom…to know how to discern the characteristics of the beast and those of Jesus Christ.
Christ Our Revelation by Madame Guyon (1985 edition), p. 94.
About Madam Guyon: In the history of the world, few individuals have attained that high degree of spirituality reached by Jeanne Guyon. However lofty this may seem, when we admire Madame Guyon (1648-1717), we're in good company, for John Wesley said of her, "How few such instances do we find of exalted love to God, and our neighbor; of genuine humility; of invincible meekness and unbounded resignation." Born in a corrupt age, in a nation marked for its degeneracy; nursed and reared in a church, as decadent as the world in which it was embedded; persecuted at every step of her career; groping as she did in spiritual desolation and ignorance, nevertheless, she arose to the highest pinnacle of pre-eminence in spirituality and Christian devotion.
I invite you to read WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST? which is on the link below. Again, this is a spiritual application of antichrist. TD
WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST?
