Accidentally
The Bible pronounces an unimaginable sentence of perpetual death and torment upon those who take “the mark of the Beast” (Rev 14:9-11). A literal interpretation of this idea is that of a visible identifier on the hand or forehead. Some have been concerned that if they are somehow forced to receive this mark, they will be subject to this almost indescribably horrible fate.
The worry of some is that they fear they might be in a car accident and unable to speak when the evil tattoos are handed out. What if they are in a coma and wake up to find 666 imprinted on their forehead? Damned forever!
You cannot get the mark of the beast accidentally
This is a “reward” for worship (of the man of the sin).
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Rev 14)
The promised torment is for those who worship and receive the mark of the name of the evil one. This is not a matter of technicalities. You cannot get the mark of the beast accidentally. It must be an active decision. No doubt there will be great incentive to comply and receive the mark such as death, starvation, and harm to your family. You will not wake up one morning and find yourself to have been technically and legally or accidentally forced into an unwanted situation.
Alright. That's the good news. Now the bad news.
You will not be raptured accidentally
In the King James Bible, I count 7 times where Jesus said to His disciples to watch and 2 times where He said to be ready. (Others count 16 times using parables and other translations.) This is Jesus speaking to His disciples and followers, not to the world. There are many more times where Jesus used parables to say the same thing but in story form.
“Watch”!
Jesus, settle down, What's the problem? What are You screaming about? These people love you. They are believers, not wicked unbelievers.
Jesus apparently thought this was important; extremely important and urgent.
“Be Ready!”
Be ready for what?
Be ready for what He told us.
But He didn't tell us anything.
Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21.
Oh, that. That's for the Jews. We just skim over that like a genealogy.
That is my point exactly. We have been taught to ignore that.
Isn't being born again the most important thing?
Being born again is the most urgent message that unsaved people could ever hear. To the saved person the most important message is : Watch and be ready for His appearing! Jesus has the idea that this is important. Didn't anyone ever tell Him that we will be taken up secretly in an instant? Before we know it, billions of us will be snatched up from the dinner table with a mouthful of fried chicken still between our teeth.
Jesus seemed to think it was necessary to be forewarned in intricate detail about what is immediately preceding that event. You will not be raptured accidentally.
The transformation of our bodies is in an instant, not gradually (1 Cor 15:52). Jesus said that the agents of our being caught up are the angels (Matt 24:31). Millions of people will resist these angels because they will not listen to the teachings of Jesus about the subject. This will catch them off guard because they have ignored the command to watch. They will react in fear and panic the same as others will to the other heart-stopping horrors that will be upon the earth. Jesus told us about all these things in advance so there is no reason for the slightest concern on the part of the student of Jesus' words.
Jesus said, “Watch” and “Be Ready”. Bible teachers tell us No, it doesn't matter. In effect, Either obey Jesus' commands or don't. It's all the same. So, it doesn't matter what Jesus said? It doesn't matter what the Bible says? So, it's all the same?
Keep that attitude until it's too late and then find out. What a position to take! Bible “teachers” that teach us to ignore the Bible. Can 100,000,000 people be wrong? The majority is almost always wrong. Will you be faithful to what you honestly believe the Bible to say?
The mark of the beast is not a passive thing. You must actively participate in it. The Rapture is not going to happen to you passively, either. You must actively be ready for it.
May 5, 2025