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"I don't believe "the mark of the beast" is something that will be "snuck up on you".... like someone sticking a "kick me" sign on your back...."
The Bible says that one with intelligence must figure it out. And it is not snuck up on you if others figure it out and broadcast it to the best of their ability, and are yet ignored.
"..accepting the mark of the beast is a voluntary CHOICE you make... a choice to follow and worship the beast."
I would say that bearing the mark is a choice that people are making this very minute.
"UNLESS, you are told to swear allegiance to..."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag..."
"bow down and worship the beast"
Hand on heart... Worship = fear (do Americans not fear the government) and obedience..anger when one criticizes it..
"Nobody can MAKE you worship the beast..."
No, no one can MAKE you bear the number name that the beast assigns to you, under the guise of a contract signed by newborns..you have to choose to do that and continue to do it so that your civil rights are not held hostage. Matthew Henry of centuries ago wrote:
"The second beast has carried on its designs, by methods whereby men should be deceived to worship the former beast, in the new shape, or likeness made for it. By lying wonders, pretended miracles. And by severe censures. Also by allowing none to enjoy natural or civil rights, who will not worship that beast which is the image of the pagan beast.
It is made a qualification for buying and selling, as well as for places of profit and trust, that they oblige themselves to use all their interest, power, and endeavour, to forward the dominion of the beast, which is meant by receiving his mark.
To make an image to the beast, whose deadly wound was healed, would be to give form and power to his worship, or to require obedience to his commands. To worship the image of the beast, implies being subject to those things which stamp the character of the picture, and render it the image of the beast. The number of the beast is given, so as to show the infinite wisdom of God, and to exercise the wisdom of men. The number is the number of a man, computed after the usual manner among men, and it is 666. What or who is intended by this, remains a mystery. To almost every religious dispute this number has yet been applied, and it may reasonably be doubted whether the meaning has yet been discovered. But he who has wisdom and understanding, will see that all the enemies of God are numbered and marked out for destruction; that the term of their power will soon expire, and that all nations shall submit to our King of righteousness and peace."
"What or who is intended by this, remains a mystery."
The Bible says that one with intelligence must figure it out. And it is not snuck up on you if others figure it out and broadcast it to the best of their ability, and are yet ignored.
"..accepting the mark of the beast is a voluntary CHOICE you make... a choice to follow and worship the beast."
I would say that bearing the mark is a choice that people are making this very minute.
"UNLESS, you are told to swear allegiance to..."
"I pledge allegiance to the flag..."
"bow down and worship the beast"
Hand on heart... Worship = fear (do Americans not fear the government) and obedience..anger when one criticizes it..
"Nobody can MAKE you worship the beast..."
No, no one can MAKE you bear the number name that the beast assigns to you, under the guise of a contract signed by newborns..you have to choose to do that and continue to do it so that your civil rights are not held hostage. Matthew Henry of centuries ago wrote:
"The second beast has carried on its designs, by methods whereby men should be deceived to worship the former beast, in the new shape, or likeness made for it. By lying wonders, pretended miracles. And by severe censures. Also by allowing none to enjoy natural or civil rights, who will not worship that beast which is the image of the pagan beast.
It is made a qualification for buying and selling, as well as for places of profit and trust, that they oblige themselves to use all their interest, power, and endeavour, to forward the dominion of the beast, which is meant by receiving his mark.
To make an image to the beast, whose deadly wound was healed, would be to give form and power to his worship, or to require obedience to his commands. To worship the image of the beast, implies being subject to those things which stamp the character of the picture, and render it the image of the beast. The number of the beast is given, so as to show the infinite wisdom of God, and to exercise the wisdom of men. The number is the number of a man, computed after the usual manner among men, and it is 666. What or who is intended by this, remains a mystery. To almost every religious dispute this number has yet been applied, and it may reasonably be doubted whether the meaning has yet been discovered. But he who has wisdom and understanding, will see that all the enemies of God are numbered and marked out for destruction; that the term of their power will soon expire, and that all nations shall submit to our King of righteousness and peace."
"What or who is intended by this, remains a mystery."