ANSWERS TO SKEPTICS

There are all manner of excuses by which people deny that the Mark is already here. I've heard them all.

In order to have an ear to hear, we must explore the wide range of possibilities that agree with Scripture. In order for something to be the Mark of the Beast, it must agree with Scriptures. Too many of you are stuck on preconceptions that blind you to the truth.

The number one most frequent excuse that a Social Security Card cannot be the Mark, is that the Mark is an actual physical non-symbolic Mark in the right hand or forehead, such as a tattoo or implant. Revelation 13:16 does indeed say that the Mark of the Beast is to be in the right hand or forehead, but in all other instances throughout the Bible, marks in hands and foreheads do not refer to physical marks. We will study all these in another Chapter. But first, let's examine some other preconceptions.

The #2 most popular excuse is that Social Security Cards are only for Americans, and since the Mark is worldwide, it cannot be the Mark. I cannot understand this excuse. I cannot find any Scripture that would indicate that the final two horned Beast has to issue a numerical identifier in exactly the same format in all the different countries. And, IT'S ALREADY TOO LATE TO THINK OTHERWISE. Every country that has a national debt is required by their creditors to track their taxpayers' income. These multinational creditors are the same authorities who require you to be numbered. MULTINATIONAL TREATIES ALREADY REQUIRE THE US TO ISSUE SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS. Examples: There is a Treaty between Great Britain and the U.S. for the U.S. to administer Social Security. The GATT Treaty's "Uruguay Round Agreements" forced the U.S. Congress to make Social Security numbers mandatory for newborn children in order to be claimed as a dependent on a tax return (Section 742 of Public Law 103-465). Although SSNs have been issued for six decades, new federal regulations in U.S. Code, Title 20, Chapter 111, Subpart B 422.103(b)(2) now allow the Social Security Administration to enter into an agreement with the United Nations Headquarters District to establish "a procedure to assist SSA in assigning social security numbers to newborn children." In my final Chapter, I provide many other proofs that the Social Security Card is already issued by multinational foreign powers. As you will soon learn, your future labor has been "hypothecated" as collateral for the national debt. This is legal because the Application for a Social Security Number meets all the requirements of a financing statement per Uniform Commercial Code, Section 9-302. You are the one that put your labor up as collateral for the national debt. If the U.S. ever defaults, (and it will), your foreign masters will resort to forced SLAVE labor to pay off the national debt. Your fair share is now $60,000 per taxpayer.

The #3 most popular excuse that a Social Security Number cannot be the Mark, is that the Mark will be issued by a one man atheist world leader ruling from Jerusalem during a 3.5 year tribulation. These claims are based on the flimsiest of reasoning. I'll refute them all. Today's popular antichrist theory is just a prop fabricated to divert attention from Martin Luther's accusation (Luther's Works, Vol 2, page 281) that the Catholic Church gets away with blasphemy that no saint or heretic ever dared.

The #4 most popular excuse is that taking the Mark is slapping God's face to "pledge allegiance" to the ruler of this world, and taking a Social Security Card cannot be equated to this. I'll address this issue in a separate Chapter. And yes, taking a Social Security Number is slapping God's face, for many reasons.

The #5 most popular excuse is that a Social Security Number is not yet the Mark because we can still buy and sell some things without it, therefore this is absolute proof that the Mark is not yet here. They claim that prophecy requires a cashless society where absolutely ALL transactions are marked. Because they can still buy and sell some things for cash, this somehow proves that the Beast has not yet caused all, pursuant Revelation 13:16, to receive a mark to buy or sell. Let's take a closer look.

• Since some people will be rewarded for refusing the Mark, IT CANNOT MEAN THAT ALL WILL GET A MARK.

• It says all will have a cause to get a Mark. Verses 16 and 17 are one sentence. This sentence states that THE BEAST'S INTENT IS TO CAUSE ALL TO GET A MARK. Revelation 13:16,17 (KJV) "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." 

• There is a big difference between the assumption that this is an absolutely mandatory prohibition that no man will buy or sell without a mark when it really says is "no man might (NIV says 'could') buy or sell." One is absolute and one is permissive. Even in today's English language, there is confusion about mandatory sounding words. See my Appendix B.  The word "causeth" (Greek "poieo") can also be translated "to prepare" "to appoint" or "to promise."

John's choice of the words "no man" must mean something less absolute because he did not use the usual oudeis (translated 94 times as "no man," 27 times "none," and 6 times "any man") nor did he use medeis (32 times "no man"). My paraphrase: "Least certain man might buy or sell ..."  The word for "buy" means to do commerce in the marketplace.  It says that no man might [Greek "dunamai"] buy or sell without a mark, name or number. "Dunamai" is used over 200 times but translated as "might" only 6 times.  My Greek Interlinear Bible translates this as "no one should be able to buy or to sell ..." [the Greek word "dunamai," Strong's Concordance, G1410 is the "should be able" which can also be translated as "can," "could," "may," "be possible," "have power," or "by permission of law"].  My paraphrase: "Certain men without a badge of servitude will not have permission of law to enter the marketplace."

• As I stated above, since some people will be rewarded for refusing the Mark, it is clear that Scripture doesn't say that all will be forced to get a mark.

• Even a cashless society can not prevent bartering under the table. If you know the right people, you can always barter labor for food. Even in Nazi occupied Europe, people who had to hide in attics could barter with those who risked the death penalty to do so. 

(2) Perhaps verse 17 refers to a time when buying, selling, or even bartering are illegal without a mark, name, or number. 

• Guess what? Buying, selling and bartering without a mark are already illegal. Such crimes prove intent to commit tax evasion, and bartering is also the crime of "structuring" transactions to evade the reporting of money laundering. Under the structuring laws, U.S. Code, Title 31, Sections 5322-5324, money-laundering crime doesn't have to be drug money. Christian cash transactions to avoid monitored buying and selling is treated the same as if it were drug money.

•  Unless the Beast can control illegal bartering under the table, some people will barter outside the mark-name-number system to avoid government monitored transactions (such as cashing a check, receiving wages, buying a car, getting a job, paying taxes, buying medical care, buying airline travel, or even getting a phone.) Today, A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER AUTHORIZES THESE TRANSACTIONS.

(3) There is yet another possibility. Slaves don't have a right to buy or sell. Suppose that as a slave, all your income belongs to your master. Since owners must provide for their slaves, the after-tax income that you are allowed to keep is really your living allowance. Perhaps you became a slave in 1933 when the U.S. declared bankruptcy and your new owners made ALL domestic buying and selling illegal. More about this later. 

The #6 most popular excuse that a Social Security Number cannot be the Mark is because Christians must obey authority and SSNs are required by authority. They insist that Social Security Numbers cannot be the Mark because everyone is forced to get them. (Their logic has something to do with the Mark being voluntary worship of the Beast, and since they were forced to get a SSN, it cannot be the Mark). They are wrong. There is no law that requires you to get a Social Security Number. No one in the government told you to get a number. ONLY THE BEAST REQUIRES A NUMBER. THE U.S. GOVERNMENT DOES NOT REQUIRE YOU TO GET A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

The "Red Dragon" has a counterfeit authority for you to obey. It is a very close counterfeit to the legitimate authority. This "obey authority" excuse is used so often that I need to address it in more detail. It does not refer to obeying false authority. If you obey false authority you are rebelling against legitimate authority. My Appendix A contains my comments about obedience to false authority.

Some people insist that Solomon's Temple must be rebuilt before the Mark is issued. As I said before, carelessly repeating anti-Protestant fables will not help you understand prophecy that is unfolding right in front of you. When Martin Luther accused the Pope of being the Son of Perdition, he added his understanding of the Temple: "What is the temple of God? Is it stones and wood? Did not Paul say, 'The Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are?'" (Luther's Works, Vol 2, page 281).

Some people want proof that the Saints were overcome (per Rev 13:7, Dan 7:21&25). This is a power of the ten-horned first Beast - NOT the two-horned second Beast that issues the Mark. One answer is that Saints without a mark must refrain from commerce. Another answer is that Saints are overcome when they are forced to participate in the theft of Socialism and swear Perjury Oaths to the state God. Another answer is that obeying the Commandments was punishable by death for 42 months.

Before I introduce the 42-month topic, let's take a closer look at the Catholic attempt to dismiss the Protestant claim that the Pope is the Antichrist.

The Dark Ages ended when millions of people read the Bible for themselves. All over Europe, the Pope was called the Antichrist. The historical Protestant position is that the 42-month period of Revelation 13:5 was a period of year long days, and that it had already been fulfilled. Year long days are used in Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6.

Martin Luther called the Pope "the Son of Perdition." 2nd Thessalonians 2.

In 1590, Jesuit Francisco Ribera published an opposing view, titled "In Sacrum Beati Ioannis Apostoli, & Evangelistiae Apocalypsin Commentarij." Then in 1593, Cardinal Robert Bellarmine published "Polemic Lectures Concerning the Disputed Points of the Christian Belief Against the Heretics of This Time." These became the official Catholic position on the Antichrist. They claim: 

1) that the Antichrist was to be one man, not a dynasty, 

2) he would be an atheist 

3) he would not be revealed until 7 years before the end of time and does not exist in the present 

4) he will rule for 3 and one half literal years 

5) he would sit in a rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem and make a covenant with Jews 

6) he would call himself "God" 

7) he will deny Jesus and be received by the Jews

Later, in the 1830's, they added the thought that Christians were to be secretly raptured to Heaven before his appearance.

There is plenty of information available on the Internet to show that the Catholic Antichrist position is contrary to historical Protestant thought. Just search the Internet for combinations of the words "antichrist" or "futurism" with the name "Ribera."

Those who carelessly repeat these Catholic fables insist that a Social Security Card cannot be the Mark because the Mark must be issued by an Anti-Christ Atheist world leader during a 42-month Tribulation. My Bible says that the two-horned second Beast issues the Mark, whereas the 10 horned brutal first Beast is the one that continues in power for forty-two months.

Some people claim that 42 months of Revelation 13:5 is the very same 1260 days of Revelation 12:6, (which must somehow also be the 1260 days of Revelation 11:3). Although it is not an important issue, I have a problem with this. Forty two months does not equal 1260 days. Not in the Roman Calendar, not in the Jewish Calendar, and not in God's Solar system. Those who equate these two time spans say that a 30-day month is a "prophetic month," but their only proof is that these two time spans must somehow be equal. Only a great deceiver would think to change times and laws (Dan 7:25). If "months" are determined by the phases of the moon, as in Numbers 28, (also see 2 Kings 4:23, Psalm 81:3, Colossians 2:16, etc) then forty-two Jewish lunar months is equal to 1240 days, not 1260.

Some people claim that the 42 months of Revelation 13:5 is the very same 3.5 year time span in both Revelation 12:14 and in Daniel 7:25. In Revelation 12:14, the persecuted Church is in hiding for a time, and times and half a time. In Daniel 7:25 the ten horned Beast, continues for a time, times and the dividing (fraction) of time. Those who use the "prophetic months" say that these are 1260-day periods of three and a half years. But God put 365.256 days in a year, not 360. Three and a half years are 1278 days, not 1260. Three and a half years are 43 lunar months, not 42.

The time span is not an important issue; I mention this only to show the extent to which people will equate things. To avoid jumping to conclusions, we should accept any 42 month period on any Calendar, either literal days or symbolic year long days, of any reign of terror of any confederation of Beast powers with worldwide military influence, that speaks blasphemy, at anytime past, present or future. We need not insist that the 42 months equate to the Catholic position.

In addition the historical Protestant position, there are three other theories that can explain how this 42 months has been already fulfilled. These theories are honest enough to keep the Daniel 9:24 final week intact.

The first theory is something like this, but it seems to support the 3½ year hiding of the persecuted Church in Revelation 12:14 more than the 42 months of Revelation 13:5: 

• The God of the Bible is an unchanging God. (Mal 3:6, Heb 13:8, Heb 6:17-18, Num 23:19, 1Sam 15:29, Titus1:2). Even the Bereans examined the Old Testament daily to see if the New Testament was true. Acts 17:11.

• Those who love the lord will obey the Ten Commandments. (Matthew 19:17, John 14:15 & 15:10, 1st John 2:3-5, & 3:22-24 & 5:2-3, 1st Samuel 12:14, etc.) 

• The Ten Commandments were written in stone by the finger of an unchanging God. (Deuteronomy 9:10, Ex 31:18). Jesus himself said that not one jot or tittle shall fall from the law. God established his law to last forever, Psalm 119:152.

• It is blasphemy for any man to change God's Commandments. Not Emperor, nor Pope. 

• The Dark Ages was a period where a Confederation of Beast powers overcame Saints. Between the time it was punishable by death to obey the Ten Commandments until Christians again had freedom to worship their God.

• Year long days are used in Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6.

• Sun worshiper, Constantine, (while exercising power as a confederation of religious and political Beasts, in the year 327) made it punishable by death to obey the 4th Commandment. Illegal in year 321, punishable by death in year 327. I'm not sure if earlier overcoming of saints figure into the 42 months, but Emperor Decius briefly (from year 249 to year 251) made it punishable by death to refuse to worship his pagan Gods. 

• (Aside: Jesus said, in Mark 7:9 "And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.")

• The end of the Dark Ages is 42 months of yearlong days after it was punishable by death to obey the Commandments. We were in the 41st symbolic month after Constantine's death penalty when Martin Luther faced the death penalty as a heretic, but was allowed to live if he agreed that the "Holy" Roman church had the authority to change the "Sabbath" to Sunday. (Which obviously fits right into the 3½ years of wearing out saints by changing times and laws predicted in Daniel 7:25). We were in the 42nd month when Tyndale was executed for translating the Bible into English. The Geneva Bible was published in the 42nd month when it was still illegal to have a Bible. If this prophecy was fulfilled at the end of the symbolic 42nd month after Constantine, then we were free from persecution in the 43rd month when the "Separatists" fled to Holland (where they had religious freedom). From there, these Pilgrims sailed to Plymouth Rock where they briefly established a Nation whose Lord is God. I'll tell you more about England's role in the Beast power, later. By the way, the Pilgrims brought the Geneva Bible with them, not the King James Bible. They did not use a Bible published by the government that they fled from. 

• King James had already banned the Bible - but in 1611, published his own "sanitized version" that supported the Catholic position on the Antichrist. In 1620, the Pilgrims risked death at sea to flee from King James. It is to their valor that you owe the liberty to worship God. Again: THE PILGRIMS DID NOT USE A BIBLE PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT THEY FLED FROM.

The second plausible explanation:

• The ten horns are successive governments that came out of the Roman Empire.

• Daniel's fourth Beast is made of iron, just as is the interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's fourth kingdom (Dan2:40). This fourth Beast is the one with the 10 horns. In John's vision the final Beast has all heads and horns of the absorbed Beast kingdoms, just as the Roman Empire had absorbed all land and authority of the conquered Nations.

• The seventh head was wounded to death when the barbarians overran the Roman Empire in AD 476. It was healed when Justinian restored the Empire in AD 554. 

• Then this healed Beast continued for 1260 years (supposedly 42 months of year long days, even though there is no Calendar system where 42 months = 1260 days) until Napoleon was defeated in 1814. This was the eighth horn. Garibaldi to Mussolini is the ninth horn kingdom. And we await the revival of the Beast, a united Europe.

The third theory is similar. I'm skeptical of this theory because it has the 42 months occurring before the deadly wound is healed. After 3 of the 10 Nations were uprooted by the Holy Roman Empire (the Heruli in AD 493, Vandals in AD 534, and Ostrogoths in AD 538), Emperor Justinian (in AD 538), declared that the Bishop of Rome was "head of all the Churches." This became part of the Justinian Code. Then there was exactly 1260 years until Napoleon's General Berthier marched into Rome and took the Pope prisoner, where he died in exile. (538 + 1260 = 1798). Mussolini, in 1929, executed the Concordat of 1929 with the Papacy, restoring their properties and power to heal the deadly wound. The whole world would wonder after this power.

Some people say that the Social Security Card cannot be the Mark because the Mark is associated with "the number of his name" in verse 17 which refers to the number of one individual man. And it is "the number of a man" in verse 18, which is the number of one individual man. This is another Catholic interpretation that was fabricated for the Counter-Reformation and is easily refuted. Let's take a closer look: 

• In the Greek Interlinear Bible, verse 17 translates the Greek word "autou" as the number of its name, not the number of his name. And indeed, nowhere in your Bible does it say that the anti-Christ issues the Mark of the Beast. It is the Mark of the Beast, just as it states in verse 17, not the mark of an anti-Christ. "Beasts" have always symbolized governments. There is nothing convoluted or enigmatic about the Beast issuing the Mark. It is exactly as the Bible predicted. The second Beast, while exercising the authority of the scarlet ten-horned first Beast, (being ridden by a Whore who is drunk with the blood of Saints) deceives people into worship of a substitute God to cause them to get a Mark symbolically in their right hand or forehead so they can buy and sell. This seems so straightforward to me.

• I repeat again: DIVINE interpretation in Dan 7:23-24 says the Beast is a government and that horns are kings. Again: Rev 13:17 says it is the Mark of the Beast, not the mark of a horn, or an anti-Christ.

• We notice that the original Greek for verse 18 is missing the indefinite Article "a" which the King James translators added to get "number of a man." And indeed, the NIV translates it as "it is man's number." (Although I hesitate to use the NIV as a good example).

• The verse 18 word for "man" is the Greek "anthropos," from which we get our English anthro - words, such as "anthropology" and "anthropomorphic," meaning "all of mankind." It is not the Greek word "aner" which would be used for an individual man. Again, we see that it is not the number of one individual man for it is the number of mankind. The "Man of Sin" in 2nd Thessalonians, Chapter 2 is also "anthropos."

• If you are a Greek scholar, please write to me and tell me if "autou" (Strong's G847) in verse 17 refers to a regional name of the Beast. Strong's says "autou" is a possessive used as an adverb of location.

Some claim that the number "666" must be one man's number, and is only the number "666," and since everyone's Social Security Number is different, it cannot be the Mark.

• Those of the implant or tattoo crowd will usually agree that a transponder implant or a tattoo will have a unique identifying number for each person, not just one man's number. They point out that UPC bar code synchronization bars form the number "666." 

• Verse 18 calls for wisdom and understanding that I don't yet have. More literally translated: "Here is wisdom. He who has understanding let him calculate the number (Greek "arithmos", from which we get the word arithmetic) of the beast, for it is man's number (arithmos), and its [not his] number (arithmos) equals 666 (chi-xi-stigma)."

• I don't know of any connection, but "666" is in the Bible in 1st Kings 10:14 and 2nd Chronicles 9:13, as the total of Solomon's annual salary. If there is a connection, perhaps a calculation of man's annual salary will have something to do with the Mark. 

• I have read where Biblical numerologists say that "666" is the number meaning "fullness of the works of man." Perhaps the works of mankind's covetousness will reach its fullness when he resorts to plundering (taxing) his neighbors' buying and selling, which will require a number to track the transactions.

• Or perhaps this is a test for mankind. After all, Christ has been delegated all authority in heaven and on earth, and He assures us that we will have persecution, and that only those who endure until the end shall be saved (Matt 24:13 and Mark 13:13 and Matt 10:22). There is still time to "endure until the end" so that you don't flunk Christ's final exam. 

• Some people insist that the "666" must be an actual number of (of = created by) the Beast and cannot be symbolic. If you think this, then here is something for you to consider. The new national ID law (Title 42, U.S. Code, Section 666) reflects the Amendments made by "The Welfare Reform Act of 1996" (Public Law 104-193) and "The Balanced Budget Act of 1997" (Public Law: 105-33). Additionally, a sister law, Public Law 104-208, contains information for National ID cards using State driver's licenses. Here it is: 

"666(a) - In order to satisfy section 654(20)(A) of this title, each State must have in effect laws requiring the use of the following ..."

"(13) Procedures requiring that the social security number of - "

"(A) any applicant for a professional license, driver's license, occupational license, or marriage license be recorded on the application ..." etc., etc., etc. ... 

If these AntiChrist equivalents are essential doctrines of your faith, then study them and make your own conclusions. If you need to be deprogrammed from these theories, I recommend the books "Forcing God's Hand" by Grace Halsell and "The Incredible Scofield and His Book" by Joseph Canfield, and Hal Lindsey's "Prophetic Jigsaw Puzzle" by Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi.

Here are some things to consider:

• The "son of perdition" must be revealed prior to Christ's coming, not necessarily prior to the Mark's coming.

• Some people equate the two-horned Beast with the false Prophet. Rev 16:14 says that the false Prophet will issue a demon to influence the kings of the earth and Rev 20:10 says he is immortal. These are not the attributes of a man. Another possibility is that the two-horned Beast is an agent of the false Prophet.

• Revelation 17:8-11 supposedly shows that an individual world leader, the eighth King, not a government confederation, issues the Mark. (Even though verse 12 says there are 10 Kings, and even though the two horned Beast issues the mark). There is no proof that Revelation 17:12 "receive power as kings one hour with the beast." is somehow the 42 Months.

• Some people claimed to have traced Paul's 2nd Thessalonians 2's "man of sin" to the false Prophet of Revelation 13. Their logic involves "parallels which cannot be discounted" which link the little horn with the man of sin and with the false Prophet. The only parallel between them is that they all speak blasphemy.

• Some equate the 2nd Thessalonians 2:8 "Wicked" with the Son of Perdition and with the false Prophet. The 2nd Thessalonians 2:8 "Wicked" (or "lawless one" NIV) whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and DESTROY with the brightness of his coming cannot be the Rev 20:10 false Prophet that is never destroyed. Also consider that the word for "man" in "man of sin" is the Greek "anthropos," from which we get our English anthro- words, meaning "all of mankind." It is not the Greek word "aner" which would be used for an individual man. If this is an essential doctrine to you, then study it and make your own conclusions.

• Some want proof of the identity of the Beast that came out of the Revelation 17 abyss after it was unlocked in Revelation 9. It even says it is a mystery. This "Beast was, and is not and yet is." This is the same terminology that refers to the incarnation of Jesus in Rev 1:18, and some people use this as proof that the ten-horned Beast is a reincarnated evil Eighth King that was one of the 7 earlier Kings (even though only God can resurrect). I'll let you decide whether or not this is related to the two-horned Beast issuing a Mark.

Many people say that we needn't worry about the Mark, because we will be secretly raptured before the Mark is issued. This mimics the carefully devised fable that appeared during the Counter Reformation. Here are reasons to believe that the rapture comes after the Beast's tribulation and before God's wrath:

• In Revelation 20:4, we see that Saints will be beheaded for refusing the Mark. (Hint: "Saints" will still be on earth when the Mark is issued)

• AFTER the Tribulation ... with the sound of a great trumpet, they shall gather his elect. Matt 24:29-31 · The rapture will not be secret. Lightning and a great trumpet and a shout from the Lord, which all come AFTER the Tribulation, announce the rapture. The trumpet shall sound the rapture. 1st Corinthians 15:52.  For as lightning flashes from the east to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of man be. Matt 24:27. The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and with the trump of God - and we will be caught up together in the rapture. 1st Thessalonians 4:16-18.

• Jesus promised to be with us until the end of the world. Matt 28:20

• Those who endure until the end shall be saved. Matt 24:13, Mark 13:13, Matt 10:22

• In the world, ye shall have tribulation. John 16:33

• And 1st Thess 5:9, Rev 10:7, Rev 11:15,18

I recommend the books "The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church" by Marvin Rosenthal and "The Secret Rapture: Is it Scriptural?" by Ralph Woodrow.

Some people think that the Social Security Card is not yet the "Mark of the Beast" because people are not yet executed for refusing it (as is supposedly required by verse 15). Here is my paraphrase of Revelation 13:15: "life has been given to an image of [= fabrication created by] a Beast, that the image should cause as many protesters as would not worship the Beast [to qualify for credentials to buy and sell] should be abolished [Greek apokteino = destroy, abolish or kill]." I know that without jobs, homes, and cash - that those who don't have credentials to buy and sell can die of starvation. Being cut off from (apokteino) commerce is an effective method of causing all to worship (with a Perjury Oath) Beast powers. Eventually this will involve execution according to Revelation 20:4. History is about to repeat itself. Americans have been conquered, vanquished, and subdued by a Beast power. The same Beast power that inquisitioned and massacred millions of your Protestant ancestry and thousands of their ancestors back in the fourth century. They stood. Most people today refuse to take a stand.

Concerning the counterfeit miracles, signs, and lying wonders of Rev 13:13-14 and 2nd Thess 2:9, and the sorceries that deceived Nations in Rev 18:23. I cannot prove a connection, but "Endtime" magazine (Vol 10, No. 3) reports that tour guides at the Vatican state that the word "Vatican" means "the hill of the magicians and the soothsayers."

Many Sabbath keepers insist that "Sunday Laws" are the Mark because they will prohibit buying and selling, albeit on Sundays only. One Sabbath keeper wrote to me to say "The issue is loyalty to Satan or loyalty to God and THEN buying and selling to save your life." At first, I dismissed this because it seemed to me that Revelation 13:17 has those with a mark, name or number as qualified to buy or sell. But I might be wrong. The phrase "No man might" could be a prohibition by God, rather than by the Beast. There is a possibility that the Lord, on a Sabbath day, might have tribulation per Matthew 24:20 as a test in which the unfaithful will violate the Sabbath by buying and selling on the Sabbath to save their lives. I wrote back to ask him to clarify what he meant, but he never answered. Another point to consider is that the first Angel's message in Revelation 14:7 tells us to worship him that made the heavens, earth and sea. These are the same words used in the Sabbath commandment. Verse 12 then contrasts those who keep the Commandments with those who receive the Mark.

Other excuses: Many people claim that the "Mark of the Beast" can only occur when there appears a revived Roman Empire, or a cashless society, or a new temple on the Temple Mount after the sacrifice of Red cows, or a rebuilt Babylon, or an 18 digit international number.

It seems to me that there already is a revived Roman Empire, and a world anti-Christ power (as defined by 1John4), and a rebuilt Babylon, and a cashless society (without the gold or silver cash required by your Constitution), and there already are international numbers. And there already is a red cow in Israel. It seems to me that the leaves are on the fig tree.