Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | "seal of God" | Ex 1:1 | fatherchuck | 12734 | ||
If you believe keeping the seventh day sabbath is the seal of God, do you then also believe that keeping sunday sabbath is the mark of the beastas stated in Rev 13:16-18 and Rev 14:9-12? | ||||||
2 | "seal of God" | Ex 1:1 | christiankl | 13069 | ||
Hi fatherchuck, you gave me the verses Rev 13:16-18, 14:9-12, which are packed with symbols. To understand Biblical symbols, we must interpret them, and where better to find an interpretation than the Bible itself. I'd like to explain how the Bible uses the symbols involved with the "mark of the beast" and I'd like to welcome questions regarding this, providing only scriptural contexts are used. Jesus was the "Word made flesh". I believe that in order to establish one's belief as a Christian, one must hold to the authority of the Bible and the Bible alone. In a previous note on 8/13/01 12:16, I explained how the Bible states that loving God is fulfilled in the first 4 commandments and loving thy neighbor is fulfilled in the last 6 commandments. Let's focus on the first 4 commandments. The first commandment directs the exclusive worship of the one true God. The second forbids idolatry. The third prohibits irreverence and the perjury that involves the invoking of the divine name. The fourth calls for the observance of the Sabbath and identifies the true God as the Creator of heaven and earth. Obedience characterizes the saints who await the Second Advent. In the final conflict they rally to uphold God's law. Scripture describes them in these terms: They "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus" (Rev 14:12, 12:17) and are patiently looking forward to Christ's return. Rev 14 starts off (vs 1-5) with a description of a certain people who were "redeemed from the earth". Rev 14:6-11 is a prophetic warning by 3 angels to "them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" about the time of the end or "hour of His judgement" (vs 7). This first angel says "Fear God, and give glory to Him." (also Eccl 12:13, Gal 6:14) and "worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountain of waters." This angel is preaching to worship the Lord as creator: this is in the beginning (Genesis 1:1, 2:2-3) and in the 10 commandments (Exodus 20:11). The following angel says "Babylon is fallen". Babylon in Greek means confusion. Some may say that this is referring to the USA, but the Bible states it is Rome. Peter used Babylon as a pseudonym for Rome as Spiritual Babylon (1 Peter 5:13). Prophecy indicates that Satan will lead the vast majority of people to disobey God (Rev 12:9). Working through a "beast" power (Rev 13:2-3), he will direct the attention of the world world the beast instead of God. Daniel 7 portrays this same power as a little horn. This chapter speaks of 4 great beasts, which, ever since the time of Christ, Bible commentators have referred to as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. The ten horns of the 4th beast represent the divisions of the Roma Empire at the time of its fall (476 AD). [If you need more proof that Babylon or the prophecies in Dan 2 and 8 represents Rome, I'd be happy to direct your attention to the Scriptures that state it, but for now, let's move on] This power is stated in Daniel 7:25 to "think to change times and laws". Somewhere in history, the church in Rome changed the day of worship from the 7th-day Sabbath to Sunday. This angel goes on to say "she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication". Fornication is the spiritual adultery of her relationship with God. In the Bible, "woman" is a church (Rev 21:9-10). In Rev 17:5, Babylon is written on the forehead of a drunken prostitute riding a characteristically-similar beast to all the Biblical parallels of Rome. This wicked woman, the mother of harlots and all her impure daughters symbolize all apostate religious organizations and their leadership, especially to the great apostate religious alliance between the beast and his image that will bring about the final crisis described in Rev 13:15-17. In the hour of His judgement, every individual will be either worshiping God, the Creator and obey Him, or not worshiping God (or worshiping the "beast and his image", "man of lawlessness", "antichrist",…). Those who worship God in love will obey Him, as John said: "This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous" The prophecies were coded with symbols that people throughout history would not understand for various reasons, but 1 Peter 1:10-11 states that prophets "have inquired and searched diligently", as we must as well. Daniel's writings were to be "closed up and sealed till the time of the end" (Dan12:9), which I do believe is near. Let us make manifest God's Word. |
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3 | "seal of God" | Ex 1:1 | fatherchuck | 13107 | ||
Facinating reading, thank you! Is your relationship with God based on keeping the law? All 613 of them? | ||||||
4 | "seal of God" | Ex 1:1 | christiankl | 13204 | ||
In Timothy 1:9, it says "the law is not made for a righteous man". The law functions as a mirror that helps people see their sinful condition. It is a reflection of the character of God. Obedience to the law is vital to salvation. "if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments" Matt 19:17. This obedience is possible only through the saving power of Jesus Christ. |
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