Secretly
Some people are worried about the “mark of the Beast” (Rev 13:16-17). Since such a horrific sentence is pronounced (Rev 14:9-11) upon those who receive the mark, they are very concerned that they might accidentally be tattooed and therefore suffer unending torment, without possibility of forgiveness, as the book of Revelation has promised.
The mark is a “reward” for worship of the Beast. You cannot get the mark of the false Christ accidentally. You have to want it or, at least, succumb to the pressure to accept it.
Popular teaching today involves the idea of a secret catching away.
Three office workers are standing around the water cooler. One of them says,
Hey! Where's Joe?
The remaining man says,
I don't know. He was here a second ago.
As in receiving the mark of the Beast, you will not be raptured accidentally. You have to want to go God's way. It involves a cooperation on your part, per Jesus' instructions on the subject (Matt 24).
The timing of future events is in God's authority alone. Also it seems that it is coordinated with heavenly constellations, that God deliberately made for times and seasons, and further coordinated with the feasts of the Lord. However, our perspective involves a desire, longing, and wanting to see these events. Somehow God's sovereign determination and our desire to see and participate in these events are synchronized in the mind of God. We cannot do His part. We must respond and cooperate appropriately to do our part.
While the Bible reveals to us prophecies as to the fact of the return of Jesus, a human part is involved. Israel has to want Jesus to return as Messiah. In fact, He promised He will not return at all unless the nation of Israel, as a whole including the leadership, receives Him as King and welcomes Him as the One sent from the Father (Matt 23:39, Luke 13:35).
People have to want to receive the mark of the Beast. It will not happen accidentally.
You have to want to go in the Rapture. It will not happen secretly without your cooperation.
Israel has to want Jesus to return as Messiah. He promised to not return until that happens.
July 5, 2025