It says that whomever does not get the mark will not be able to buy or sell. In other words they will not be allowed to participate in the economy. Now I do not think that has happened in our history.
I do find it curious that so many people are leaving Christianity or so many terrible things seem to be happening now. However I guess you could say that throughout history. Whatever the case may be Satan has surely deceived many.
I'm still researching history about the mark of the beast. I get snippets here and there that it was a practice of some of the Pagan Roman religion(s) to mark their followers with a "brand" but it is almost as if references to the practice have been well hidden so I have to try and dig deeper yet.
But the beast is refered to as "the beast that was, and is not, and yet is" (Rev 17:8). So it appears to be an empire that was, then "disappeared" for a time only to re-emerge later. Some say that in the EU we are seeing the re-emergence of the old Roman Empire and there are some valid arguments for that view. But what the Beast did once it can do again so it is feasible that "old habits" will return and only the technology will change.
PS: It is not the beast itself that gives the mark but another beast that has the APPEARANCE of a LAMB (but speaks like a dragon).
I noted from the writings of Irenaeus (120-202AD) "Against Heresies" that one or two of the heretical Pseudo-Christian cults of Rome also used marks to brand their followers. (still digging though).
Interesting that you bring up "the beast that was, and is not, and yet is" (Rev 17:8)
Take a look at Rev 17:11. God elaborates on the seven heads of the beast, which are identified as seven kings. Significantly, the vision was viewed during the reign of the sixth king. He was to be followed by the seventh king, who will rule for a short time.
However, the eighth king is going to be one of the previous seven kings, but that when he appears from the bottomless pit (v. 8), he will not only merely be a king (ruling power) but a beast (a persecuting power); finally, he will then go into perdition.
Now there have been many kings and the explanation I could give is extremely long. So for the lack of space the 8 kings are 8 popes. Since 1929 when the RC church had received her sovereignty there have been 7 popes (Benedict being the 7th).
REV 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
Now this vision is seen during the reign of the 6th King or Pope John Paul. So could the 8th somehow be a reincarnation or look similar or be loved like JP2? Maybe but if this interpretation is correct (there is a lot that I left out) then we could be closer to the end than one might think.
Actually this passage has a very interesting collelation to history that historians have somewhat smudged so that most people miss it. (Interesting how so many of these historical records get "smudged" and somewhat obscured.
Historians declare Augustus Caesar (Octavius) as the first Roman Emperor (Rome was a Republic before that with no monarch) BUT Augustus was never crowned Emperor as he declined such an acclamation and Rome effectively remained a republic albeit under his total authority.
While Augustus had emperor-like authority it was actually his successor Tiberious who was first CROWNED Emperor of Rome and Rome moved from Republic to Empire.
Add to that a couple of short-lived Emperor wannabees who tried to reign before Vespasian and what you find is that the 5th properly crowned Emperor of Rome was Vespasian, the 6th Titus and the 7th Domitian.
It is generally believed Revelation occurred during the reign of Titus.
Understand that Revelation does not say that the rider is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It say the rider has A NAME written on his thigh and on his vesture. Constantine had A NAME written on his vesture and on his thigh - the NAME OF the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords - Jesus Christ (XP)
It says that whomever does not get the mark will not be able to buy or sell. In other words they will not be allowed to participate in the economy. Now I do not think that has happened in our history.
I do find it curious that so many people are leaving Christianity or so many terrible things seem to be happening now. However I guess you could say that throughout history. Whatever the case may be Satan has surely deceived many.
BLUE67WHITE 3 years ago
I'm still researching history about the mark of the beast. I get snippets here and there that it was a practice of some of the Pagan Roman religion(s) to mark their followers with a "brand" but it is almost as if references to the practice have been well hidden so I have to try and dig deeper yet.
IslandBard 3 years ago
But the beast is refered to as "the beast that was, and is not, and yet is" (Rev 17:8). So it appears to be an empire that was, then "disappeared" for a time only to re-emerge later. Some say that in the EU we are seeing the re-emergence of the old Roman Empire and there are some valid arguments for that view. But what the Beast did once it can do again so it is feasible that "old habits" will return and only the technology will change.
But I'll keep digging.
IslandBard 3 years ago
PS: It is not the beast itself that gives the mark but another beast that has the APPEARANCE of a LAMB (but speaks like a dragon).
I noted from the writings of Irenaeus (120-202AD) "Against Heresies" that one or two of the heretical Pseudo-Christian cults of Rome also used marks to brand their followers. (still digging though).
IslandBard 3 years ago
Interesting that you bring up "the beast that was, and is not, and yet is" (Rev 17:8)
Take a look at Rev 17:11. God elaborates on the seven heads of the beast, which are identified as seven kings. Significantly, the vision was viewed during the reign of the sixth king. He was to be followed by the seventh king, who will rule for a short time.
BLUE67WHITE 3 years ago
However, the eighth king is going to be one of the previous seven kings, but that when he appears from the bottomless pit (v. 8), he will not only merely be a king (ruling power) but a beast (a persecuting power); finally, he will then go into perdition.
Now there have been many kings and the explanation I could give is extremely long. So for the lack of space the 8 kings are 8 popes. Since 1929 when the RC church had received her sovereignty there have been 7 popes (Benedict being the 7th).
BLUE67WHITE 3 years ago
REV 11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.
Now this vision is seen during the reign of the 6th King or Pope John Paul. So could the 8th somehow be a reincarnation or look similar or be loved like JP2? Maybe but if this interpretation is correct (there is a lot that I left out) then we could be closer to the end than one might think.
BLUE67WHITE 3 years ago
Actually this passage has a very interesting collelation to history that historians have somewhat smudged so that most people miss it. (Interesting how so many of these historical records get "smudged" and somewhat obscured.
Historians declare Augustus Caesar (Octavius) as the first Roman Emperor (Rome was a Republic before that with no monarch) BUT Augustus was never crowned Emperor as he declined such an acclamation and Rome effectively remained a republic albeit under his total authority.
IslandBard 3 years ago
While Augustus had emperor-like authority it was actually his successor Tiberious who was first CROWNED Emperor of Rome and Rome moved from Republic to Empire.
Add to that a couple of short-lived Emperor wannabees who tried to reign before Vespasian and what you find is that the 5th properly crowned Emperor of Rome was Vespasian, the 6th Titus and the 7th Domitian.
It is generally believed Revelation occurred during the reign of Titus.
IslandBard 3 years ago
A couple of things do not sit well with me here Islanbard.....
Firstly Revelation 19:16
And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
This cannot be describing Constantine a couple of chapters before in Rev 17:14 it says that the Lamb is the king of king and lord of lords.
furthermore...
rev 19:20 talks about the false prophet. But more importantly the mark of the beast. The mark of the beast is explained in rev 13:17. cont
BLUE67WHITE 3 years ago
Understand that Revelation does not say that the rider is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It say the rider has A NAME written on his thigh and on his vesture. Constantine had A NAME written on his vesture and on his thigh - the NAME OF the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords - Jesus Christ (XP)
IslandBard 3 years ago
XP is not 666. Constantine had the NAME of Jesus Christ written on his vesture, not the name of the beast or the number of the beast.
IslandBard 3 years ago
indeed.
I hope it didn't seem that I meant that 666 was XP.
I believe that I might know what 666 or the mark of the beast is. At least I hope so.
BLUE67WHITE 3 years ago