Dec 22 Ezra 8:15-36, Ezra 9:1-15 Revelation 14:1-13 Proverbs 31:1-9
Rev 14:9-10
And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
The mark of the beast has been of considerable interest to Christians for a long, long time. Why is that? Well, the penalty for taking it is certainly severe. And we want to know what it is so we don’t take it without knowing.
But with a penalty so severe, this is not something that happens by accident. To receive the mark of the beast is an act of worship. It’s defined as such on this verse. If any one worships the beast AND receives this mark then they will drink from God’s wrath.
It’s an act of worship. Yes, you will not be able to buy or sell without it, but that’s because all mankind will be given the choice whether to worship the beast or not.
But really, that’s not different to the choice presented to all mankind today. We have a choice. We worship Jesus or we worship the things of this world. True, in the case of the beast it’s a very final decision – but we don’t know how long our lives are. The choice you make today about who you will worship matters.
Don’t worry about the things that haven’t happened yet – instead make sure Jesus is the object of your worship today, tomorrow and every day.
