Mark of the Beast

The article titled “Part 2 The Mark and Number of the Beast” by Tom Robinson contains a statement that could possibly  lead a person who reads it to an eternal destruction. The following is the quote that could promote that dire consequence.

“Do you want to live and reign with Christ?  Then don’t receive this mark. That doesn’t mean you can’t receive it and then repent. That’s part of the message of this book too. Revelation 18:4 tells people to come out of the false Babylonian system to avoid suffering her plagues of divine judgment. That means people who are part of this system can and must leave it behind.”

We need to know what Revelation 18:4 actually sais! First the KJV and then Young’s Literal Translation.

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice out of the heaven, saying, `Come forth out of her, My people, that ye may not partake with her sins and that ye may not receive of her plagues,

First, and of great importance, this verse is directed to MY PEOPLE and not to “people” in general as Tom states in his article. This difference is of utmost importance. Secondly, it is warning His people not to be partakers of her sins. In other words they haven’t yet sinned by taking the “mark” and warned not to do it. I think it would be good to include 2 Corinthians that can relate to Rev 18:4.

2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

I was directed to Jer 51:6, by commentaries, seeing that it relates Rev 18:4.

Jer 51:6  Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD’S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.

I would like to now provide verses that clearly speak to the consequences of taking the mark of the beast.

Rev 13:17  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.
Rev 19:20  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw 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, 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.
Rev 14:9  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,
Rev 14:10  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:
Rev 14:11  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.

It is my understanding that when one worships the beast that person is entitled to have his mark. That person will also be entitled to buy and sell. I see no opportunity for a person to repent of that decision. The churches of God should be doing their utmost to warn everyone who they may have access to — NOT TO EVER, EVER, EVER TAKE THE MARK OF THE BEAST!