Many true and false teachers don’t really want to tackle this subject, even those who proclaim that they adhere completely to Sola Scriptura. But, what do you do with this mark? Can you take the mark in order to survive and buy and sell? Some say you can, but what does God say? First, what is the eternal destiny for those who did not take this mark?
Revelation 20:1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 20:2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 20:3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.
This passage, among many others, confirms the reality of the millennial reign of Jesus Christ. Secondly, it also confirms the limited power of Satan, even though he had enough power to deceive the world.
20:4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
True Christians were killed during the reign of the beast. They had been persecuted and beheaded for not taking his mark. This could only be true if Christians are still on earth during his reign. This lends doubt to any pre-millennial rapture.
20:5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
This also confirms that we will reign with Jesus Christ during His thousand year earthly reign. Those who died during this period, will join the rest of the redeemed and will reign on earth with Christ because they did not receive the mark of the beast.
Revelation 5:6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
5:7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 5:8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
5:9 And they *sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
5:10 "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."
What a glorious promise and reality!
1 Peter 2:6 For this is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." 2:7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, "THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE VERY CORNER stone," 2:8 and, "A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE"; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.
2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 2:10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
More on this magnificent reality next time.