"Can U Hear Me Now?" Youth Conference
Removing Barriers So We Can Hear Him!
MESSAGES FOR "U" BIBLE STUDY. (THREE LESSONS)
LESSON THREE: Message Three
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:9-12
This third angel symbolizes God’s people who will warn the world of the issues to come. This warning will enlighten men and women of the challenges that involve the development of struggle and it will enable people to make intelligent choices. This message demands a decision that involves worship. There is the worship that God originally established in His word at the time of creation and then there is the worship that is man-made without any biblical command from God. There is no other day that God blessed, made holy, and sanctified other than the one established at creation.
To understand the symbolism of Revelation 14:9-12, we must allow the Bible to interpret itself by reviewing Revelation 13. Verse one states that the beast will rise up out of the sea and it is made up of the four beasts of Daniel 7:2. The dragon gives the beast its power and authority according to verse two of Revelation 13. But by the next verse, verse three we find the beast receiving a deadly wound but then the wound heals. Found in verse three and verse seven it reads that the beast is a strong political power. Verse three reveals that this beast power is known by the whole world while verse seven shows that this beast has great authority. Usually, political officials are known by the whole world especially if they have great authority. Verse seven states that this beast has power over all nations, kindreds, and people.
Revelation 13:8 states that all the world will worship this beast so this beast is evidently a religious power. Verses one, five, and six speak of blasphemy in relation to this beast. We find Jesus speaking to the disciples and a multitude of people in Matthew 23:9 where He says, “Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” Dictionary.com gives this definition of blasphemy, “the crime of assuming to oneself the rights or qualities of God.”
Referring back to Revelation 13:1, where John the Revelator says that he saw a beast rise up out of the sea, we find in Revelation 17:15, “water or sea” means peoples, multitudes, nations or populated areas. So this beast would arise amid the established nations of the then known world. We find that the papacy arose in Western Europe in 1420. There is no denying it for we can see that to many, the Pope is considered the spiritual leader of the world.
I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon” (Revelation 13:11). Let’s look at history again. The United States declared its independence in 1776 and voted the Constitution in 1787. The Bill of Rights was adopted in 1791 and recognized as a world power by 1798. This all took place right on time to fit the prophetic message and vision of John the Revelator. It’s the United States here making an image to the beast by legislating religious practice. The image represents a form of apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches begin to seek the assistance of the civil power for the enforcement of their official system of principles or tenets concerning religion. "The United States and the Holy See enjoy a positive relationship that serves to amplify a global message of peace, freedom, and justice."(U.S. Department of State, 2019)
We see all of the turmoil, pandemics, deaths, senseless violence, and uncertainty in our world and country today. The image to the first beast would be an organization functioning on much the same principles as the first beast’s organization. What two entities are greater world-wide than the government of the papacy and the government of the United States? Please note, that while the symbolism is "first beast" and "second beast," these are just symbols for it was necessary to use symbolism in Bible times to protect the scribes and prophets. There are good people in the Catholic church and there are good people in the United States. The Bible is simply revealing what is to come through the most powerful entities of our world today.
The “mark” that John sees is a badge of loyalty to the beast. This is a special feature that denotes that the one displaying such a mark worships the first beast. The mark is not a literal brand but some sign of allegiance that identifies the bearer as loyal to the power represented by the beast. The controversy at that time will center on the law of God, and particularly on the fourth commandment. (See Revelation 14:12) We already find many sincere Christians worshipping on a day other than the original Bible Sabbath. The Papacy is also beginning to discuss the need for all the world to worship on the changed, traditional however non-biblical day, to say that this will bring peace to the world.
The mark in the “forehead or hand” means “mind or action.” According to Revelation 7:1-3 specifically verse three states people will be sealed in their foreheads. They will either make a “mental” decision to accept God’s way or man’s traditional way. Revelation 13:17 states that no one will be able to buy or sell unless they have the mark of the beast. When people are marked in the hand, this means that people will go along with man’s traditional way to keep the peace in his life and live’s of his or her family and be able to provide for them.
What did John the Revelation see when he wrote that “he(the one receiving the mark) himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation?” To review “wine” again from verse eight, we recall that “wine” in Bible prophecy means false doctrine. This is saying then, that those that accept the false doctrines, the false worship, the false traditional day of worship; which is called Babylon’s fornication, will face judgment from God. But, “He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life”
(John 8:12).
At the conclusion of these three messages, Jesus gives John these last words. “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12 This section calls attention to the fearful struggle with the beast (the papacy) and his image. Every attempt will be made to force God’s true and last followers to join the movement promoted by the second beast (U.S.A.). At the same time, Satan will work with all “deceivableness of unrighteousness.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10 making it appear that the power of God is manifest in the movement. Through all this, God’s faithful people steadfastly endure and maintain their integrity. Their steadfastness merits special commendation.
Saints are God”s holy ones as we find in Romans 1:7.
The statement, “keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus,” is particularly significant in its context. Left captive by Satan’s delusions, the world will bow to the beast and its image, and carry out its dictates and decrees as it verifies this in Revelation 13:8. The saints will refuse to comply with the demands. They keep the commandments of God including the fourth commandment. The faith of Jesus and the keeping of the commandments represent two important aspects of Christian living. The commandments of God are a transcript of the character of God. They set forth the divine standard of righteousness that God would have man attain but which in his unregenerate state he cannot attain to. “ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:7. Despite his best attempts, man continually comes short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) But Jesus came to enable men to be restored to the divine image. He came to show men and women what the Father is like, and in this sense amplified the moral law. Through His power, men and women are enabled to keep the divine requirements according to Romans 8:3-4 and thus reflect the divine image. God’s true followers honor all ten commandments of God, not in any legalistic sense but a revelation of the character of God and of Christ, who dwells in the heart of the true believer according to Galatians 2:20.
Satan is the author of false doctrine. He is a liar and the father of it. His purpose is to deceive us through religious deceit and to capture the minds of thousands.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Jesus was referring to His law. Psalm 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10
Many today stumble on that one point; the fourth commandment. The only one that God says to remember (Exodus 20:8).
One day, all of mankind will have to choose between God’s day or man’s traditional day. Which side will you choose? Man’s traditional day will appear to be a very good and noble activity to follow especially as many become tired of the world’s devastation. But now you see from God’s word, His will for your life. “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
It's not just about a day. It's about worship and allegiance. If you clearly find in God's word directives leading you to the truth of the Seventh-day Sabbath such as Genesis 2:1-3 (Creation before the Jews existed) , Exodus 20:8-11 (Reminder not to forget), Luke 4:16 (Jesus acknowledging the Sabbath), Luke 23:54-Luke 24:1 (Jesus resting in death on the Sabbath), and you don't find anywhere in the God's word where it was changed, then friend, today, ask Jesus to touch your heart and mind to understand and accept what is true. He will do just that for you. It's not just about a day. It's about learning and making a determination of what of the two sides you will be on. The side of God and what His word says in every aspect or the side of tradition.
There will come a time when we will all have to choose.
Pray for wisdom, truth, and peace. In Jesus name.
