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Bible Question: Revelation
14:9-10 says that those who "accept" the sign of the
beast will not enter the Kingdom of God. I'm of the opinion that
even if one does "accept" the sign and repents before
they die, they will be accepted in the Kingdom of God. Any position
otherwise would preclude the Doctrine of Grace. What do you think?
Bible Answer: The
passage you are referring to is as follows:
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And
another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a
loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his
image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his
hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God,
which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger;
and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence
of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. (NASB)
Rev. 14:9-10 |
The
penalty does seem strong. But if we look at the passage closer, we
will discover the person has chosen to worship this beast AND receive
the mark. This is an act of submission and worship. It is a rejection
of God. Earlier in Rev. 14:6-7, we are told that an angel will fly
in the air preaching the gospel to everyone. Now that would be something
most of us would like to see. Then in Rev. 14:8 we are told that
judgment will be announced on Babylon. After all of that, why would
anyone still want to worship the enemy of God and receive his mark?
The Mark. There is a lot of debate about
the mark. There is great speculation that the mark is a computer number. It is
possible that it could be a small electronic chip embedded under a person's skin.
A small electronic chip is already injected under a dog's skin in the United
States to track medical history. The "mark" will be an act of submission
to the Antichrist. It will be a choice between food, clothing, and life as we
know it or God.
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And
he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and
the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a
mark on their right hand, or on their forehead, and he provides
that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the
one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the
number of his name. (NASB) Rev. 13:16-17 |
The
Cost. Jesus has warned us that there is a cost for being a true
Christian even in this life.
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Blessed
are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (NASB) Matt. 5:10
Remember
the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than
his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute
you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. (NASB)
John 15:20 |
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