“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 had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man (not God); and his number is Six hundred threescore and six (666).”

Revelation 13:16-18

Since COVID-19 slammed onto the world stage in early 2020, the mask has become forever symbolic of the efforts to minimize its deadly impact on our population. Over this past year we have all heard of the similarities of the restrictions placed on the world due to COVID-19 and how they appear to coincide with the coming time of the Mark of the Beast and the global empire headed up by the anti-christ. I recently heard the phrase “Mask of the Beast” in one of my readings and while it is a bit humorous, these pandemic times do definitely allude to so many of the very same things the world will also face under the future reign of the anti-christ. The government will have total control over our lives in everything we say and do and over what we can or cannot buy.  While I am not saying wearing the required mask is The Mark, I doubt anyone would argue against the many similarities today in the world we will soon see imposed on us. I also know many say taking the vaccine is equal to taking the Mark. That is not true! But, cash will no longer be used and you will only be able to buy and/or sell by using The Mark. Today, there are a number of places that no longer even accept cash (or checks) and where you must put all transactions on a credit card. Our socializing with family and friends, going to church, sending our kids (or grandkids) to school, travelling or eating at restaurants has been severely limited due to very strict governmental regulations. Personally, I believe the governments in many places around the world now fully understand the unlimited power they have to manipulate to control their people to do whatever they want with potentially severe repercussions if their laws are not followed.

Don’t get me wrong. I do not want to minimize the tragedy so many people around the globe have faced. The death of millions is a terrible occurrence for the entire world. Yet, until COVID-19 hit, at least in the democratic world, we have never experienced these Draconian mandates we are witnessing happen today! To put this in context with the technology now existing today (Is the iPhone or Android the “Mark of the Beast”?), never before was it possible to force the Mark of the Beast on the entire world, a mark that would restrict their ability to buy or sell. I hope you agree, with this now possible, the odds have dramatically increased that we are living in the Last Days!

“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand. The same drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into a cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.”

Revelation 14:9-11

Unfortunately, when taking the Mark of the Beast is required in order to buy or sell, many, many people will believe in the promises of the anti-christ and will take it as a way to just survive. Remember, this Mark of the Beast will be required for all, “… both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:”  Your personal status (unless you are a Believer in Jesus) will have zero impact on whether you get the Mark or not. If you want to be able to buy or sell, you must take the Mark. The ultimate introduction of the Mark may be the result of another worldwide pandemic or a global economic collapse. It may be the result of a globalistic one world government established to fight off a pandemic, to recover after a major war or economic collapse. Or, maybe it will try to explain what just happened with the Rapture of the Church when tens or hundreds of millions of people have just “disappeared”. That we don’t know. What we do know from Bible Scripture is that IF you do take the Mark, there is no escape from the eternal consequence. The verse above is clear. Take the Mark and you have agreed to worship the anti-christ and you will spend eternity in hell.

“And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD (capitals mine): and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have SEALED THE SERVANTS OF OUR GOD IN THEIR FOREHEADS (capitals mine). And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand (144,000) of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”

Revelation 7:2-4

Rejoice in the fact that not everyone in the world will be deceived by the false promises of the anti-christ and his government. Remember, the Biblical timeline says the anti-christ will be revealed when he confirms the Abrahamic Covenant between the Jews and many (Not Trump’s Abraham Accord, but God’s Abrahamic Covenant is about to be Confirmed!). He will come to power as a messenger of peace to rectify the problems of the world (pandemic, war, economic collapse, etc.?) This will begin the final 7 year Tribulation period. It won’t be until midway through this seven year time period the true nature of the anti-christ is revealed at the Abomination of Desolation. That, it appears, will be when the Mark is introduced. But by reading the Scripture above we see there is something else going on. Before the Wrath of God is unleashed, He selects 144,000 Jewish “preachers” to evangelize the entire world. These are represented by 12,000 men from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. We are clearly informed in the verses above God’s Wrath will not begin UNTIL these 144,000 are “…SEALED THE SERVANTS OF OUR GOD IN THEIR FOREHEADS (capitals mine).” Once they have “…the SEAL OF THE LIVING GOD (capitals mine):” on their foreheads, then the four angels who have the power and authority to hurt the earth, sea and trees will proceed with the beginning of the Tribulation the earth will experience. God will personally protect His chosen people so they can evangelize the world in what will be the greatest evangelical movement in the history of the world. Because of the timing of their Sealing and of the ultimate rise of the anti-christ and his forcing of the Mark of the Beast, I believe they are the primary reason why so many future, non-Raptured Christian martyrs WILL NOT take the Mark when it comes out. But, you know what? It is not just the 144,000 who will be sealed!

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were SEALED (capitals mine) with that holy Spirit of promise.”

Ephesians 1:13

When men and women come to know and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, they are Sealed with the Holy Spirit. Remember the verse “He who is in me is greater than he who is in this world”? – 1 John 4:4. The Holy Spirit is greater than the anti-christ! The anti-christ will have no power over those who have been Sealed by God. Yes, many will be beheaded for their faith in Him but the end result will be them being with Jesus Christ in Heaven for Eternity! They have personally “…heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation:” They will not be with Satan, the anti-christ and the false prophet in Hell with a mark on their forehead or in their hand. No, they will be Sealed by God and will be with Jesus in Heaven. We are not to grieve this time of coming tribulation but rather recognize we simply are waiting for our day of redemption.

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are SEALED (capitals mine) unto the day of redemption.”

Ephesians 4:30

All of us as Believers, whether we have died in Christ, been Raptured or beheaded for our witness of Jesus during the Tribulation WILL eventually be in Heaven and will live and reign with Jesus during His Millennial (1,000 year) reign on earth.

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them and judgement was given unto them: and the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast (anti-christ), neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”

Revelation 20:4

As I am sure you are aware, once we are are part of His Millennial reign on earth, there will no longer be a curse on us or on this world. He will reign in Peace and Justice and we will reign with Him. We also will serve Him. Daily we will see Him and walk with Him exactly as Adam did before the Fall in the Garden of Eden. And most importantly, His name shall forever be Sealed in our forehead.

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.”

Revelation 22:3-4

Every human being has a choice as to what mark or Seal we take. Do we take the Mark of the Beast on our forehead and spend eternity in hell or do we take the Seal of God on our forehead and spend Eternity living and reigning with Jesus Christ in Heaven? Not only is that a simple question but it is one that is so comforting, knowing we have a permanent plan for eternity in Heaven based on this very simple choice. If you only accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior; acknowledge He died for your sins and accept His Gift of Salvation, you will have the true SEAL placed on your forehead. While I don’t know if there are mirrors in Heaven, I am sure others, friends and family who also accepted Christ, will complement us on the way we look with an immortal and incorruptible body AND a beautiful Seal on our forehead. If you want all your friends and family to be there with you, make sure you do as we are all instructed to do by Jesus Himself and that is to, “…therefore comfort one another with these words.” What words? “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” – John 3:16.

Don’t take the Mark; wear the mask when needed; but, first and foremost, ask God today to place His Seal in your forehead. May God Bless you!