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Mark of the Beast |
Dear Brethren,
What is the "Mark of the Beast?"
It is not a computer chip that can be placed under the skin for tracking and identification
purposes. The Mark of the Beast has to do with violations of God's law, and desecration
of the Sabbath.
"And he causes 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." (Revelation 13:16-17)
How will this new beast system come about? Realize this first of
all. The new system will not respect God's rules prohibiting usury.
The new system will not recognize God's instruction for seven year land
rests or a seven year release of debts. The new system will ignore the
forty-nine year jubilee year cycle. The new system will debunk God's
instruction for first, second and third tithing. But how will the new
system come into being? We are a foolish nation when we do not heed
God's advice. Isn't it obvious that the sun is setting on the unprecedented
prestige that America has enjoyed?
America's financial institutions are going to fail. How will the economic
crisis begin? Will the terrorists blow up Fort Knox making all the
gold radioactive and useless like the James Bond movie Goldfinger?
They won't have to. Again, we must realize that America is bringing
the economic catastrophe on herself through her sins - and the catastrophe
will be global in scope - it will encompass the entire earth.
A young adult recently said of the American economy, "We can't have another
disastrous financial crash because we learned our lessons with the Great
Depression of the 1930's - we live in a new world, the past is irrelevant."
Many believe that today we are so sophisticated in the manipulation of
economic market forces that we need not be concerned about a collapse of the
economy.
Brethren, times have indeed changed - but not toward a more secure economic
future. Don't forget, this world is still the same Babylonian system
it has always been. The economy of the United States crashed horribly
some 70 years ago. But now, with international investments
inextricably linked to one another, the next economic crash will be of
global proportions.
Few realize how precarious the world's financial structure is. It is
much like a child's balloon that gets larger and larger -- and then, "POP!"
No one is able to help. True, here in America, the Federal Reserve
System has been able to manage the money flow and regulate the economy to a
large extent. But there is no World Monetary Regulating System that
can do the same for the global economy. The International Monetary
Fund has recently proven to be woefully inadequate in preventing major
defaults of international proportion. Society's capitalists are
saying, "We don't have an appropriate international mechanism for regulating
the global financial markets. That's a problem."
In the same way that the stock market crash of 1929 brought down the entire
American economy during the 30's - a coming financial crash will envelop the
whole world.
Don't be lulled into complacency, brethren, - saying, "All things continue
as before." Yes the tell tale signs are nothing new: Corporate bonds
are slumping, the consumer and business bankruptcy rate is up, and banks are
having to write-off record high bad commercial and consumer loans. In spite
of all this, we keep hearing forecasts of an improving economy.
What is the real story?
It's very hard right now to convince people that there is something really
wrong, because they don't feel it themselves. The Bible tells us what
will shortly come to pass. Lets remember the spirit of prophecy that tells
us what Jesus Christ has said will soon happen. Things are shaping up
fast!
Right now, there is a new world economic system being established. Men
are taking steps, at this time, to establish a global monetary control
system. It will eventually have more control over men's lives than
even their religious beliefs! For centuries, the Vatican in Rome has
been the seat of the Babylonian religious system. That religious
Babylonian system is going to be replaced by another - the final Babylonian
system that controls the wealth of the entire world.
"Neither shall he regard the god of his fathers, nor the desire of women
[false religion], nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above
all. But in his estate shall he honour the god of forces: and a god
whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with
precious stones, and pleasant things." (Daniel 11:37-38)
Because of international trading and investment, America no longer lives
in an economic vacuum. America's economy is tied closely to foreign
economies. Asia, South America, Central America, etc., are in
financial straights. Their failures could start a "domino effect" that
through, depression or run away inflation, would pull America completely
down, too. The movers and shakers in Europe are determined to be in a
position to take over world dominance financially and militarily when that
scenario presents itself. They in turn will relinquish all their
control to the Beast.
"And the ten horns which thou saw are ten kings, which have received
no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These
have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast."
(Revelation 17:12-13)
What will happen to America when we have economic collapse? An old
timer, who lived through the 1930's depression recalled, "My family relied
on themselves to sew their own clothes, grow their own vegetables, and raise
their own chickens." Today however, very few will be able to provide
for their own basic needs when they lose their jobs, refrigeration,
transportation, water and light. This time it will be catastrophic for the
vast population.
"Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not
enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there
is none warm; and he that earns wages earns wages to put it into a bag with
holes." (Haggai 1:6 KJV)
With all this in mind, we need to stay aware of the fact that the economy
will soon collapse. Only God knows the timing. The economy at
the end will be like that balloon that bursts. Tough times may be just
ahead. We need to make sure we are growing closer to God so that we
can be protected when the society collapses like a house of cards.
When we actually put God first in our lives, we won't have to worry about
the mark of the beast in our foreheads. Notice a description of those
who stand with Jesus Christ at His return.
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| Sermon: |
"Kingdom of God" |
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