Mark of the Beast

[CarolineS]

The number is 666. . . .

Is this the best you guys could come up with?

Lighten up Caroline!

Just joking about the whole debate.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nebula,

No offense taken. I guess I can be pretty serious at times.

I don't want to get into a debate about the number 666. It's not something I go around looking for. It's just something to be aware of.

In Christ,

CarolineS

[stevehut]

I think it is important to know who the beast represents, what the number respresents, and what the mark is.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, how 'bout this radical idea?

Live a righteous life serve God, and help other people to find him.

Then, no matter who the Beast is, and no matter how or when the end comes, you'll be covered.

Nah, that would never work.

[nebula]

I don't want to get into a debate about the number 666. 

That;s why I was joking around - the debate and identifying and all gets so .

OK, how 'bout this radical idea?

Live a righteous life serve God, and help other people to find him.

Then, no matter who the Beast is, and no matter how or when the end comes, you'll be covered. 

I like your thinking!

[Remnantrob]

you can be sincere about something and still be lost is what i believe. if the Mark of the beast is something that is gonna bring on God's wrath and we take it for granted sincerely, then we could be sincerely lost.

rob

[CarolineS]

I think it is important to know who the beast represents, what the number respresents, and what the mark is.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

OK, how 'bout this radical idea?

Live a righteous life serve God, and help other people to find him.

Then, no matter who the Beast is, and no matter how or when the end comes, you'll be covered.

Nah, that would never work.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's all fine. But God made us a watchman. (Ezekiel 3:17-19)

Besides, some of us like putting puzzles together. I love digging in the Bible and finding precious jewels. It also helps to know some history, you have to be aware of the current news, trying to piece things together is really challenging.

God put the books of Daniel and Revelation in the Bible for us. He wants us to be aware. He wants us to know these things. We have to be aware so we do not get caught up in the coming religious-political system (Babylon).

And I heard another voice from heaven saying,"Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has rmemebered her iniquities." (Rev. 18:4-5).

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." (John 10:27).

In Christ,

CarolineS

[stevehut]

Besides, some of us like putting puzzles together.

[Dad Ernie]

By all accounts, the early church did not have a fixed dogma in this matter.  Each Christian followed his own conscience, and was not stigmatized if he should hold the

[stevehut]

I don't understand your question, Ernie. Maybe I'm just not that smart. Please make it simple for me.

[stevehut]

OK, let me take a stab at it.

2 Thes. 2 seems to say that we shouldn't be troubled about the return of the Lord.

2 Peter 3 says that unbelievers will mock the believers who anticipate his return.

How'd I do?

[CarolineS]

Steve,

"There is no point in speculating about the end, because it will come like a thief."

I believe you are referring to 1 Thessalonians 5:2.

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2.

You are taking this verse out of context. You have to read the rest of what Paul is saying here.

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-6

You are correct in saying the Lord will come as a thief. He will come as a thief to unbelievers; not to those who follow Christ. Of course, we will not know the hour or the day. But God's Word states that we should know the season and we should be watching for Him.

There are many prophecies that could only be fulfilled in our time, and not in earlier periods of history. For example, the Gospel must be taken to the whole world. That could not be done before television and satellite became available.

Maybe you need to look at Daniel and Revelation again with a new perspective.

In Christ,

CarolineS