The Pandemic and The Mark of the Beast
By
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
PRAYER:
OPENING: - I felt a burden to teach on this subject especially in light of recent events. I work for the Veterans Administration and earlier this week the mandate for VA Employees, mainly title 38 employees, the Doctors, Nurses, and providers; however, eventually it will eventually included all VA employees because we all have contact with Veterans, mandate for everyone to take the Covid Vaccine. I had my share of questions about this because people felt as though they were being forced to take the Mark of the Beast unwillingly or were at least being prepared for the Mark of the Beast and they felt this mandate was forcing them to sin and go against God.
The mark of the beast is something that many people are curious about but have great reservations in trying to fully understand. Superstitions, sensationalism, uncertainty, and fear have gripped the minds of people and have caused society to live a life of total speculation and in fear of that mysterious mark.
Oftentimes people associate the number of the beast, which according to Revelation 13:18 is 666 as the mark of the beast. “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” This is the numerical value of the beast’s name NOT THE MARK ITSELF.
Sadly, some people many of which are sincere Christians find themselves terrified feeling that they will be forced to take the mark of the beast in the near future. They fear sensationalized theories like could the virus be getting us ready for the Mark of the Beast, is the vaccine injecting us with chips causing us to unwillingly be taking the Mark of the Beast? I refuse to get the vaccine because I am not going to be tricked in taking the mark of the Beast.
Let me first state that the Mark of the Beast is not something you can accidentally take. If in the future some mark is imposed on people by some nefarious person and you take that mark you will know without a shadow of a doubt exactly what you are doing namely, cursing and totally rejecting Christ and pledging devotion to his enemy.
WATCH THIS: - Some public policy ideas are good like mask mandates; some are terrible like no background checks in order to buy a gun. But either way, unless they require you to forsake your faith in Jesus as the exclusive object of your worship, they have no relation to the mark of the beast.
Here is the clincher to this lesson – The Mark of the Beast must be tied to worship if it is to be applied properly and a vaccine is not tied to your worship. Unless if you plan to treat the vaccine as a sort of symbolic expression of your willful and public rejection of Jesus Christ. If that’s you and if that’s your plan, then it’s not the vaccine that’s the problem.
DEFINITION: - The Mark of the Beast is loyalty to and worship of something and someone other than God Himself and is not, therefore, something you could accidentally accept. So, with just that being said the Pandemic, Covid-19, or the Vaccine cannot be the Mark of the Beast.
Now let me establish some very important principles before we go any further. I am going to establish 4 key principles to understanding the Bible. Whenever you read the Bible if you remember these 4 principles you will have a better understanding of the Word of God.
1. Revelation: - Revelation is pure because Revelation is what God reveals of Himself to you through His Word. It is not contaminated with the opinion of man but is revealed by the Spirit of God. Example: Matthew 16:13-17 “Jesus asked whom do men say I am, Peter answered Thou art Christ the Son of the Living God Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven”. That is revelation – what God revealed.
2. Interpretation: - Interpretation is less pure but it is vitally important because it is how we perceive something to be. Interpretation, however, is influenced by outside stimuli this is what causes it to be impure. Popular interpretation is often based on sensationalism and sensationalism not only reveals ignorance about the biblical text it helps to spread needless and literally ridiculous fear among God’s people. Unfortunately, many sincere and God-fearing Christians are terrified because of the evangelical sensationalism that has been passed down through generations.
3. Application: - Application is how can this be applied to me or this situation. Also what is extremely important we need to understand historical application how was I applied to the situation that I am reading. We must never completely disregard historical application and never just totally accept modern application because in doing so will run the risk of misapplying scripture and at times in totally embarrassing ways.
4. Timing: Timing is very important because we need to understand the time when it was written and the time it was meant to happen.
STATEMENT: - My assignment through this lesson is to destroy your preconceived ideas, convert sensationalism, straighten out misunderstandings and to cause you to question yourself to the point that you make sure your soul is anchored in the Lord.
UNDERSTAND: - the Bible like most things has 2 sides or aspects if you will, it has a Spiritual aspect and a natural aspect. Just as we have a spiritual nature and a natural nature a coin has head and tails. So, the Bible deals with both at the same time because what is spiritual will affect the natural and what is natural will affect the spiritual. The Mark of the Beast is both a Spiritual and a Natural Mark.
What is the Mark of the Beast? Contrary to sensationalism and misinterpretations 666 is not the Mark of the Beast that is the number of the Beast. Revelation 13:18 says “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” See the Bible will reveal itself if you pay attention – Revelation the 1st key principle to understanding scripture properly. WHY BISHOP do you say Sensationalism because I have seen people especially when I was a guard in the prison that had the number 666 tattooed on their forehead or on the right hand and it was a form of intimidation and made people say yep they are truly evil. It is this type of sensationalism that causes people fear of getting $6.66 change or a bill that has 3 6s in a row in it like $86.66 but I will get more into that when I deal with the number of the beast right now I need to deal with the Mark and the Covid-19 Pandemic and this Vaccine.
The actual Natural design of the mark of the beast, that I truly believe will be a visible Mark is currently not known but just like the mark placed upon Cain in Genesis 4:14-15 says “Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. And the LORD said unto him, Therefore, whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him”. This mark it is not known what it looks like, but it was indeed visible because they would not kill him because they would see the Mark. Therefore, it will be a distinguishable mark that will be recognizable by all. Also, there will be no buying and selling without the Mark Revelation 13:17 says “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name”, buying and selling has to do with natural things so just a spiritual mark wouldn’t have much weight when it comes to the natural aspects.
The spirit of the mark, which is the spirit of the anti-Christ, is now in existence. We understand that disobedience is sin against God, the Bible speaks tremendously about obedience and disobedience. Obedience is better than sacrifice 1 Samuel 15:22, Children obey you parent Ephesians 6:1, Colossians 3:20, Obey those that have rule over you Hebrews 13:17 and many others. The Bible says in Colossians 3:6 “For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.”
The spirit of the mark and the mark itself are disobedience to God. The Bible says in Exodus 20:3 “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Disobedience is the spirit of the anti-Christ; it goes contrary to what God desires of His people. To say that the Vaccine, ATM cards, Social Security Number, or some micro-computer chip is the mark of the beast is an sensationalized interpretation and misunderstanding of what it could be, but if we study the Word of God we see that disobedience is in fact the spirit of the mark. During the tribulation period when the mark of the beast is taken, those that have taken it have disobeyed God’s commandment and must suffer the wrath of God. Those that refuse to take the mark of the beast will be killed, why because it proves that that will be obedient to God. The mark of the beast proves that a person has made the conscious decision to worship the beast instead of God. They have placed the beast before God, which is disobedience to the commandment given back in Exodus 20:3 says “Thou shalt have no other god before me”. So, you see the vaccine is not in any way connected to worship – worship requires full cognitive and heart-felt awareness of what you are doing otherwise it’s not worship.
THE MARK OF THE BEAST. Revelation 13:1-18.
Let me explain this:- A mark or sign identifies who someone is or what something is such as a logo or trademark. When we read about the mark of the beast nothing is ever mentioned about some high technological devise or some vaccine and since it is not mentioned to interpret scripture to include such things is religious sensationalism and fear tactics at best; therefore, the vaccine, that computer, micro-chip, ATM card or any technology can never be the mark of the beast. It may be used to track, account for, or used in other ways but can never be the mark itself.
The real mark of the beast is a sign of false worship and obedience to the anti-Christ. It’s a way of identifying who someone is and who they belong and pledge their allegiance to.
The Greek word for mark is “Charagma” (khar-ag-ma) it’s the term used for the Roman imperial stamp. The Charagma was seal stamped with the name and date of the emperor. It also stood for the emperor’s head stamped on coins, thus the Charagma represents the likeness or name of the emperor – Remember That.
The Charagma is a type of brand, slaves were branded with marks of ownership much like cattle and is an identification of who something belongs to.
Ezekiel 9:4 says, “And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof”. This scripture is talking about how the Lord told a man with the inkhorn to go and mark on the forehead of those that sigh and cry as a symbol of protection. The word mark here in this scripture is the Hebrew Tav. The Tav is the 23 letter of the Hebrew alphabet, it is symbolized in the pictograph by the crossing of 2 sticks in the form of a cross. There are two very important letters in the Hebrew alphabet Aleph and Tav, it would be like our A & Z or Alpha & Omega. Whenever the Aleph Tav is found in scripture it is Jesus Christ personal signature or Mark, when the man with the inkhorn is told to mark them or Tav them he his telling him to put my initial on them showing that they belong to me, a seal of protection.
In Exodus 12:21-23 Israel was marked by the Lamb’s blood and escaped the death angel in Egypt. It is said that the mark made with the blood was Aleph Tav, the cross. It was a seal of protection.
In Revelation 7:2-3 144,000 Jews are sealed (marked – sfrag-ece) with a seal of God for protection, I believe this seal is a cross the Aleph Tav.
WATCH THIS: - When you compare those passages where the mark of the beast is discussed with passages like Revelation 7 and 14, we can make the informed decision that the mark of the beast is a sign that identifies you as something you already are and that is a wicked and evil person of the Devil. Bishop how can you say that Revelation 7:1-8 and 14:1 (this is where the mark of the Lamb is discussed), now WATCH THIS the mark of the Lamb is given to God’s people, God’s servants, in order to identify them as such and, of course, to protect them. They get the mark of the Lamb because they are already united with the Lamb.
So, since the Anti-Christ is the counter opposite of God, he tries to copy everything that God has done. Since God marked his people for protection, the mark of the beast is supposed to protect the people from harm against the wrath of God, but it’s a deception and it is given to those who have already committed themselves and pledged loyalty to the beast and that is not seething that is done by accident or by getting the vaccine, that is a willing cognitive decision that a person will make to disobey God.
Now the mark will be seen spiritually and physically. If you say you worship the beast you are lost for all eternity in hell and will experience the full wrath of God. If you say you worship God you will no doubt be captured, tortured, and put to death. You will however spend eternity with God Matthew 10:39 says “He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it”.
The true mark of the beast is disobedience and a mark that is tied to the worship of the beast Revelation 13:12, 15; 19:20; 20:4. The mark of the beast is a mark of loyalty and devotion to the beast, not a vaccine, a computer chip, or a SSN.
So, you don’t need to fear getting the Mark of the Beast by taking a vaccine unless, of course, you plan to treat the vaccine as a sort of symbolic expression of your willful and public rejection of the Christ and f that’s you and if that’s your plan, then it’s not the vaccine that’s the problem.
You don’t have to fear the government forcing some kind of micro-chip on you as the mark of the beast, you don’t have to fear receiving change back in the amount of $6.66 or anything else that has the number of 666 because that is not the mark of the beast – that simply is religious sensationalism and misinterpretation of scripture.
The problem with sensationalism is not only does it reveal spiritual ignorance about the Bible but how such ignorance serves to spread needless fear among God’s people.
The placement of the mark is significant.
Deuteronomy 6:6-8 says “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes”.
Deuteronomy 11: 18 says “Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes”.
What does it mean to bind Gods Words, His laws upon our hands and forehead? God wasn’t asking them to literally write them on their hands and heads, He wanted them to keep His commandments in their mind to stop them from sinning.
WATCH THIS: - The front of your brain is where our thoughts and decisions are made! The right hand means power and represents our actions. Therefore, if people had the mark of God’s law in their hands and foreheads, then it meant they were keeping their minds spiritual, and their actions did the same. So, the mark on the forehead and on the right-hand deals with our thoughts and our actions. People should know you are a Christian not because you say you are but because they can see your actions and thoughts are different than others. You don’t look like, talk like, act like everyone else. People should look at you and see a difference because you carry the mark of God, they should notice a difference in you.
Vs17 says “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”. Now if the mark of the beast was just a physical mark, man being intelligent could come up with a counterfeit mark that would deceive people. They do it with money all the time that’s why they change the appearance of money so often. So, it would be possible to counterfeit a physical mark. However, your action and thoughts you would not be able to fake. That is why I believe the Mark will be both physical and spiritual.
Remember I gave you 4 key principles in the beginning, and we have hit on 3 of them so far in this lesson Revelation, Interpretation, Application and now the final principle - timing. Timing is extremely important to understanding the Mark of the Beast.
1 John 4:1-3 says “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world”. The Spirit of the Anti-Christ is disobedience to the Will and Word of God. Although the Spirit of the Anti-Christ has been around the actual Mark of the Beast has not come yet and cannot come until after the Rapture has taken place. Understand timing, when John wrote this, he was indicating that many diverse spirits were at work in the world. Many false teachings, mystery religions, spiritual experiences, and variations of Christianity were emerging at the time just as they are today. People entertained countless views and had endless interpretations regarding truth. The spirit of the antichrist teaches against Christ. To twist the truth about Jesus Christ is to pervert the gospel. Satan works to spread lies about Christ and keep people in the dark: “Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist”.
So, let’s deal now with the timing of the Mark of the Beast. Understand almost all Christians agree on these three things: 1) there is coming a time of great tribulation such as the world has never seen, 2) after the Tribulation, Christ will return to establish His kingdom on earth, and 3) there will be a Rapture a transition from mortality to immortality for believers John 14:1-3;1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. The question is when does the Rapture occur in relation to the Tribulation and the Second Coming of Christ? This is why it is so important to understand timing because there are certain events that will happen during the Tribulation period and The Mark of the Beast happens during the Tribulation and it actually takes place in the 2nd half or the Great Tribulation Period.
DEFINITION: - The Tribulation is the period in time when Satan and his angels are cast from Heaven to earth. Once on earth, Satan will claim to be God and display miracles in the sight of men to convince them he is God. This will be so convincing, nearly the entire world will worship him partaking in the Great Apostasy, everyone, except for the Saints of Almighty God.
I am a Pre-Tribulationist this means simply I believe, teach, preach and my Theology is based on the fact that the Rapture will take place before the Tribulation period starts. At the Rapture, the church will meet Christ in the air, and then sometime after that the Antichrist is revealed and the Tribulation begins. In other words, the Rapture and Christ’s Second Coming to set up His kingdom are separated by at least seven years. There are certain events that will happen during this seven-year period that will intensify in severity. This seven years period will be divided into two periods of 3 ½ years, the first 3 ½ years is called the Tribulation and the 2nd 3 1/2years is called the Great Tribulation.
2 Thessalonians 7 & 8 says “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming”. Immediately after the Rapture, God's Spirit will remove any restraining influence on earth. Life on earth will yield to unbound evil. Once the church is Ratured once the restraining power of the Holy Ghost is taken there are events that will take place. Here all 4 principles come into play Revelation, Interpretation, Application and Timing.
I am just going to highlight these events and in showing you these events you will see there is NO WAY the Covid Vaccine is the Mark of the Beast.
1. The Rapture – the church is caught up to be with Christ and have a seven year marriage celebration.
2. Antichrist Established the 7 Year Treaty with Israel - The 7 Year Tribulation begins Daniel 9:27 “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate”.
3. The Two Eyewitnesses Begin 1260 (3 ½ years) Days of Testimony Revelation 11:3 3 “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, (1260 Days) clothed in sackcloth”.
4. The 144,000 are Sealed During the First 3 ½ Years - Revelation 7:2-4 2 “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the (bond) servants of our God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Revelation 14:4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb”.
Exactly 3 ½ years into the Tribulation period these events take place and the is now called the Great Tribulation. There are 5 very significant events that will happen and will happen in this precise order. 1)The Devil and His angels are Cast Out of the 2nd Heaven Revelation 12:7-9 says “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him”. Revelation 12:12-13 says “Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child”. Contrary to conceived interpretation the Devil is not in Hell, nor does He come from Hell but that is another lesson. 2) The Antichrist and the Devil Given Dominion for 3 ½ Years Revelation 13:2-7 says “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months -3 ½ years, Daniel 7:25-26 25 says “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time - 3 ½ years. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end”. 3) The Antichrist Commits the Abomination of Desolation - Declares Himself God Daniel 9:27 says “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and, in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate”. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 says “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God”. Matthew 24:15-16 says, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains”. 4) Israel Flees and hides from the Antichrist for 3 ½ Years Revelation 12:13-14 says, “And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time 3 ½ years, from the face of the serpent”. 5) The Two Eyewitnesses are Killed on Day 1260 - The Exact Midpoint Revelation 11:3, 7-12 says, “And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days (exactly 1260 Days = 3 ½ years), clothed in sackcloth. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them”.
The 3 events that will take place at the midpoint – after the first 3 ½ years. 1) The appearance of the false prophet. The False prophet Revelation 13:11-14 says “And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live”. 2) The Mark of the Beast is introduced. Revelation 13:15-18 says, “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 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 that 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; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six”. QUESTION: When does this happen? 3 ½ years into the Tribulation! When does the Tribulation start? After the Rapture of the Church. WATCH THIS: - Let’s just say for the Mid-Tribulations believers that believe the Rapture doesn’t occur until midway through the Tribulation the Mark of the Beast still can’t happen until the church is gone. So, if the church (the body of Christ not the building) is still here you don’t have to worry about a vaccine, computer chip, SSN or any other thing being the Mark of the Beast because the timing is not correct. 3) The Commissioning of the 144,000 Eyewitnesses Revelation 14:1-11 says, “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven (AMP midair), having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 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 shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and 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 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 7:9, 13-14 says, “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 1 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb”.
Now here a little interesting information for you Jesus Christ ministered 3 ½ years and was then crucified and rose 3 days later then ascended into Heaven. The 2 witnesses are a two-fold type of Christ and will minister to the people for 3 ½ years. The 144,000 are an type of the 12 apostles. 12x12=144 a thousand-fold or 12 thousand from each tribe of Israel. The 2 witnesses died at the place Christ was crucified Revelation 11:8, will be resurrected on the 3rd day and they will ascend into Heaven. Christ prepared the apostles for 3 ½ years, then they were commissioned as eyewitnesses. 144,000 are by the 2 witnesses and sealed in the first half of the tribulation Revelation 7:3-4 and then they were commissioned as eyewitnesses in the second half of the tribulation - Revelation 14:1-11.
Closing: - Now I have explained through scripture how the vaccine nor any other man made technology or substance can ever be the Mark of the Beast! I have explained the events that must happen before the Mark of the Beast can come into existence! I have explained the timing of when the Mark of the Beast will happen after the first 3 ½ years of the Tribulation. Now in my closing I need to explain how you can be prepared and that is to make sure you are not around for it.
Matthew 24:34-36 says, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only”.
YES there are some who are listening to this message right now that will be left behind when the Rapture takes place and will be facing the Tribulation period so if you don’t want to go through the Tribulation and worry about the Mark of the Beast and all the other things that will be happening during that time you need to prepare now to ensure you will not have to face this time and the best way to prepare is to make sure you are not around for it.
If you haven't already, confessed that Jesus Christ is the Lord, asked Him to forgive you of all your sins, trust Him to be your Savior, and accept Him into your life. Then there is no better time than right now.
You need to Repent of you sins (repent means to turn around and head in the opposite direction) find yourself, wherever you are a Church that teaches the truth (many churches but not all are teaching the TRUTH). Get Baptized filled with the Holy Ghost begin to live your life according to the Word of God.
Once that is settled, you have a commission to carry out! Jesus appointed us to carry His message to the very ends of the earth Matthew 28:19 – 20 says “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen”.
Remember 1 John 4:1-3 says “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world”. We must make sure we always try the spirit because there are so many false prophets and interpretations of scripture and when any interpretation results in the beast, the antti-Christ, the false prophet, or the Mark of the Beast becoming the central focus and ultimate fear of your understanding of scripture and its timing then that literally suggests that you’ve completely misunderstood, misinterpreted, and mis-times scripture entirely.
The Devil loves the attention many are giving him, but he doesn’t deserve it.
When reading the Book of Revelation understand whose Revelation it really is! It clearly explains it in the very 1st verse of the book Revelation 1:1 says, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John”.
The point of Revelation is to reveal and uncover the victory of the Lamb and the victory the Lamb shares with his people. The Tribulation, Beast, False Prophet, Mark of the Beast, or anything else is not the focus - Jesus is the focus.
So here is my personal commentary if you will: - If you haven’t received the Covid Vaccine I hope and pray that you will take it, because lives depend upon it. However, if you haven’t or even if you refuse to get it don’t let it be because you are afraid of the Mark of the Beast there is no or could there ever be any connection.
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
