This is the most solemn end time message, and we must make every effort to search and seek the truth on this matter. But we cannot look to man for understanding. We must look to God. Fall on your knees before God and pray that He will guide you to His truth and open your eyes on this matter.
It is amazing that so many people have been deceived into thinking that the mark of the beast is simply some sort of microchip or ID card. This is more Hollywood fiction than Bible truth! Yes, technology will be used to help enforce the mark. But this issue is much, much deeper than just some material thing. The third angels' message above actually gives us the clue as to what the mark of the beast will be. First the angel describes what will happen to those who take the mark and end up "spiritually" worshipping the beast. Then he says something of great importance and truth. He says that the "saints", the ones who DON'T take the mark, are the ones KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD AND THE FAITH OF JESUS" (Revelation 14:12).
So what is the answer to the mark of the beast deception according to Revelation 14:12? Keeping the commandments of God - all 10, not just 9 exactly as God stated - also having the faith OF Jesus Christ.
"Oh but we can't keep the commandments of God!" - No one IN THEMSELVES can keep the commandments of God, because we all the fallen sinful nature. But this is where the "faith of Jesus Christ" comes in. Justification by faith is NOT simply 'BELIEVING' in Jesus Christ and then continuing to live a sinful worldly life. No, Justification by faith is believing that Jesus Himself, through the indwelling of His Spirit, will transform us into conformity to the commandments and character of Jehovah. In Ezekiel 36:26-27 and Jeremiah 31:33, God told us that He would 'CAUSE US' to walk in His ways and keep His commandments. So what is the root issue of the third angel's message? FAITH!
Did you notice Revelation 14:12 didn't say the saints are those who simply have faith 'IN' Jesus, they HAVE the faith OF Jesus. In other words, the life they are living is THE LIFE OF CHRIST - Galatians 2:20.
The third angel's message is ALL about WHO WE LOOK TO. Those who look to man for understanding, help and power and give their allegiance to man, will be deceived by man and end up receiving the beast's mark. Whereas those who LOOK TO CHRIST AND CHRIST ALONE, for teaching, understanding, help and power and give their allegiance to Christ as their leader will not be deceived and will not receive the beast's mark. This is Vital to understand.
"Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of Justification by faith is the third angel's message, and I have answered, it is the third angel's message in verity ... God has light for His people, and all who will accept it will see the sinfulness of remaining in a lukewarm condition; they will heed the counsel of the True Witness when he says, 'Be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I WILL COME INTO HIM, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Review and Herald, April 1, 1890)
Look at who the various churches are looking to regarding the Sabbath day. If they were truly looking to God and trusting in His ways, they would be keeping the 7th day Sabbath (our Saturday), just as God instituted at creation before any sin came into the world, and just as God confirmed in His moral law of love, the ten commandments. But instead, the churches are looking to man! The Protestant reformation was set up on the principle of 'sola scriptura' - the Bible and Bible alone. Sadly, instead of continuing to reform, the churches settled into their various creeds and they pretty much all follow the Roman Catholic Church in keeping Sunday instead of God's truly holy 7th day Sabbath (our Saturday). And what is the Vatican looking to get enforced around the world? Their Sunday rest LAW in honor of their false trinity god. THIS will be the mark of the beast deception and final test for the world!
Make no mistake, Satan is seeking to get his Sunday law enforced around the world, and he is using clever tactics like this climate change movement and 'family time' to persuade the world into 'keeping Sunday as a day of rest'. The arch deceiver has deceived the Christian world into believing that the Sabbath has been changed, when in reality the seventh day Sabbath is as important today and is the SAME day as it was when God instituted it at creation week - the 7th day of the week. But it doesn't end there. Satan also has deceived the majority of churches into worshipping a false god - the trinity - and it is through the trinity god that all the churches are coming together in this ecumenical movement with Rome!
The truth is, THE POPE CHANGED THE SABBATH TO SUNDAY, NOT GOD.
The time is at the hand friends, and we can no longer put our trust in man, or ourselves. We MUST put our complete trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. We MUST look to Jesus alone for teaching, understanding, help and power. We MUST surrender all to Him and give our allegiance to Him alone. Then our heavenly Father can work with us through His Son and give us His Spirit to help and guide us in the truth. THEN we will not be deceived by man or the beast, and not receive it's mark.
