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As S Spencer said, this is an interesting question, just some last thoughts and whether or not we have enough Scripture to know the complete answer. Scripture is relatively silent about the eternal past, even in the New Testament, where the clearest and fullest light of God's revelation shines. Very few passages reach backward in their scope further than the foundation of the world at the beginning of the ages of our time. God's plan was before the foundation of this earth was laid.
God is light and there is no darkness in Him at all, 1 John 1:5, and we know from Job 38 that the angels and the principalities and powers in heaven were created before Genesis 1. A thought, God created darkness as a place to put the earth outside of the third heaven, the earth was without form and void, this would be empty of all life and covered in surging water of chaos enclosed in total darkness that God's Spirit moved upon and God said let there be light, God called light out of darkness His light moved into the space of darkness.
God called out of this darkness everything there is below the third heaven and the time we live in. My understanding is different on Lucifer in Isaiah 14, and something happened between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 but that may be for other discussions.
Thank you for these questions, they inspire study.
God bless,
RLW
" Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."
Parable of the Sower illustrates how the word sown in the heart of man fails to produce what is intended. God formed all hearts alike but the enemy slipping in tares speak of a heart that is let untended. It is a no man's land or the wayside where birds of the air can make away with the good seed. The heart is like a sluggard's field for many and with such what is truth? It is all things to all occasions. God commanded the man not to eat of the fruit of tree of knowledge of good and evil. But Eve let the serpent an occasion to hear his take on the matter. is truth to be treated for anyone to counsel how? Eve let the context determine her course of action. Her senses took over bypassing what was inscribed in her hearts. Ever since what has knowledge of good and evil given her? God cursed the ground, "for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;/ Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee;"(Ge.3:17-18)
Spiritual meaning of thorns and thistles we may glean from the Parable of the Sower. For instance the oncologists warns us of a troubling trend that Early onset cancer, which is defined as happening in adults under 50 years of age, is no anomaly. In fact, it is part of a rising global trend in which newly diagnosed cancer patients are getting younger. Further, it deflates the myth that cancer is the preserve of older people. Cumulative effect of sin treated so lightly for instance glossing over the works embedded in faith so fruits of the Spirit is produced by abiding life in Christ. How can those actively engaged in culture wars, and churches that ride the coattails of politicians come to the light lest their works of darkness be reproved by Christ? Instead the imposter religion has traditions of their elders. Sin never remains single but every evil work are carried on without let up
God framed the worlds by the word of God. So the Word lays down the constitution of His kingdom where both unseen and what was made to appear are complete in his Son Jesus Christ. (He.11:3; Col.1:19). Of him we received grace for grace which empowers us to not only believe in him and enjoy the liberty of producing the fruits of the Spirit. Besides the blessings of his Father in him also has given us the peace which is not as the world can give so death signifies only dissolution of our vile bodies. Everlasting life that comes with faith shall continue.
Mark narrates how the Pharisees and the scribes coming from Jerusalem were offended at the disciples of Jesus. "Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?"(v.5). How did the tradition of the elder become the Law without God permitting doctrine of men supersede his word? Recent news illustrates the same dilemma. Is Constitution of a nation and their Bill of Rights are to be given same sanctity and worshiped? Jesus did drive out those who made it a business, "And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."(Matt.21:13). There is a place where state's business are transacted and when we pray it has to be done with all our heart our soul and might. This is how tradition of the elders where money is to be made becomes a doctrine. Where does it come from? Not from unwashed hands but from the heart of man. " For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,/Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:/All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."(vv.21-23)
What goes into the mouth shall find their own passage while what comes out of heart can be very deceptive. So love of God is either whole hearted for his glory or none at all.
I will pray for a job to be provided to you that will allow you to work in peace of mind and heart My son also suffers from anxiety and depression and has panic attacks from stressful situations also. Finding the right fit job has been an ongoing journey for him. He is 34. His first baby is due in May and he just began a new job this week. So, if you could pray for him I would appreciate that. His name is also Kevin.
Kevin, I want to declare to you that your sins are all forgiven in Jesus Christ when He died in our place. This forgiveness is given to us as a gift and we can be assured that we are forgiven when we embrace Him and His work of salvation in faith. So, you say your faith is weak, yet you do believe the gospel. You do not need to have but simple faith in what He has done and declared in the Scriptures. He died and rose for you to provide forgiveness and salvation unto those who believe on Him.
I am so glad you have shared your needs on this site. It is always a good thing to ask others to pray for oneself. So, be blessed by the Lord today and trust that He hears our prayers, knows our desires and every need and will bring answers that are the best for us.
There are many churches who are going to detail the last week of Christ's earthly ministry before His death on the cross from Palm Sunday's exaltation and praise to the Passover meal; betrayal and all the sufferings in Gethsemane followed by those leading up to his death in the mock trials involving the Jews and Roman authorities; and finally of course what He endured on the cross.
Following Passover (which happens to be off a month due to a leap year concept) we have the approximate time of the year correct as to when these things take place; of course now removed nearly 2000 years since the event. We naturally want to deviate from all the pagan rituals of Easter (derived from "Ishtar") along with the celebrations of fertility around the equinox and the variants related to eggs; bunnies and consuming ham. It is doubtful today that we are finding some sinister idol worship when it comes to an egg hunt or consuming certain foods but for those whose conscience doesn't allow that; along with those who won't celebrate Christmas which admittedly has become even more perverted everyone should respect the decisions of others whether abstaining or not (unless somehow we are truly involved with some New Age or occult practices).
At any event; my main concept involves realizing the deliverance of the Exodus with Passover and of course how blood on the doorposts is symbolic of our Lord and His atonement for us with the perfect sacrifice as an unblemished lamb ( 1 Peter 1:19).
Remembering that this week is the culmination of the life of our Lord and not isolating the event from all the other perfect acts He did throughout His ministry needs to be taken into consideration along with the fact that He "ever lives to intercede for us now" ( Heb. 7:25). We must remember the sacrificial love He showed in our relations with others. There is no greater love than giving our life for our friends ( John 15:13). That is one day at a time until the end.
There are two views on the subject; the "transubstantiation" argument of the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions and the purely symbolic or metaphorical doctrines we find in many Protestant churches. In the first view we have to hold to an abhorrent view that there is an ongoing or perpetual reinstitution of Christ's sacrifice at every communion; clearly contrary to where Christ stated "it is finished" on the cross and Hebrews 9:28 speaking of His one time sacrifice for many. The Protestant viewpoint; however can tend to treat communion and in fact many other rites or ceremonies as merely symbolic and thus be calloused to verses such as 1 Corinthians 11:30 which states that many have become sick and died (fallen asleep) due to taking communion unworthily.
Communion therefore is something which each individual is held accountable for but also involves a union in the Body of Christ through the function of the Holy Spirit. We certainly can't isolate these warnings just for communion; for instance we have no business being baptized without a proper confession of faith and marriages also need to be taken seriously in regard to the covenant vows. The New Covenant brings the blood ATONEMENT which essentially exchanges His life for our own as our spiritual sustenance; along with His broken body. He purchased us with the cost of His life and redeemed us from death and hell by taking our place on the cross of Calvary. Such a detestable imagery of a snake on a pole was an early representation of this Numbers 21. A man was cursed when hung on a tree ( Deut. 21:22-23). We are then partakers in Christ and His sufferings ( 1 Peter 4:13); see also Hebrews 3:14 on enduring to the end.
In terms of eternal physical life; we of course have the tree of life as mentioned in the Garden. We also will be raised incorruptible if we are in Him.
Jesus appointed the twelve and sent them two by two so they represented both heaven and earth. The Son and the Son of man are like the two edged sword, is all about the sound and sign of the Gospel.(He.4:12). The word of truth sanctifies so we consider both the master and disciples are as one. "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren." (He.2:11)
The disciples were to preach the gospel and cast out demons by the authority of the word so they are heard. They are also signs. "And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me," is a reference to the Isaiah quote. The number Two is embedded in the Word where two worlds of heaven and the earth are simultaneously at work. So Isaiah opens with this verse,"Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken,"(Is.1:2).
In this context the two witnesses are not merely two individuals but a label for the ministry of the Son in heaven and on earth through his prophets. Time is not according to earth time but time as tagged by the Spirit. Three and half years on earth and heaven gives us the Perfect Number 7. "And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them."(Re.11:11)
Three and half years roughly works out to be the duration of Christ's earthly ministry. After his resurrection his ministry in heaven is half an hour that rounds off the Command number for the Word as Four. Gospel is the same through out the four cardinal directions because of one faith.(One Lord, one faith-Ep.4:5) Feeding Four thousand where 4x1000 refer to the people who became figuratively the partakers of the holy calling. (8:9) Command Number Three is the tag for the Son. Jesus was tempted for Forty days(4x10) (1:13 )or was seen after resurrection refers to the man (Ac.1:3;He.2:14)
1. Biblical numbers have meaning. So the number 7 is "good" and represent completion. 6 is less than 7, so it represents imperfection. The 6 is tripled "666" so the mark of the beast is gross imperfection. Basically, it symbolizes an organization ( maybe an entity) that represents man's fall from God's glory.
2. The beats is in opposition to God and Jesus. Those that support organizations, thoughts, and ideas that oppose God and his word would have the "mark" of the beast. ( Revelation 19:19-21) So what I understood, is that the mark is not a literal mark, but a symbolic mark. Afterall, I don't believe I have ever seen anyone with a divine "666" mark placed on them.
Good Question. I hope I added something to the discussion.
That's a very interesting question! "What came first? Light or darkness?"
I believe when God created the heavens and the earth he also created "Time" and from our point of view that started with darkness. (And the evening and the morning were the first day.)
However, there is more to it when considering what they represent spiritually.
We can gather references out of John 1.
I haven't gave much thought or study on this but I believe "spiritually or otherwise" one cannot exist without the other.
Genesis 1:2-4 it reads, "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Here I don't believe darkness and light "being created" is not in these verses but their existence is present. (God spoke and "brought in the Light." and darkness as well already existed. "Again, this is from our point of view and the beginning of time.
However Spiritually, Psalms 139:10-12 may give us a glimpse of what it's like from God's point of view and spiritually.
"Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
Also. Genesis 1:2 can read "And the earth (Became) without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.
I'm interested in your full take.
Thanks and God bless.
I am not sure to whom you asked this question. If I may, I feel you have put on chest waders, I love it. I would love to hear your thoughts; may we all grow in the knowledge of our LORD. "What came first? Light or darkness? And where and when were they created or formed or made."
If we look at Genesis darkness was, and God said let there be light, and He divided them. Does that make darkness before light? God called the light day and the darkness night. What was this light since there was not a sun until day four?
Light has both physical and theological aspects. The "complete light" is that "true light that gives light to every man", the light of God which has come into the world in the person of Jesus Christ, John 1:9. Jesus said of himself "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world".
Or should we consider Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Does not all creation come from the only God, our Father?
God bless,
RLW
v.10 "And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place." St Mark also designates the twelve as the associates so the principle of Association is stated indirectly. Those who rejected them was tantamount to reject him who sent them.(v.11a) Compare Matt.10:40; Luke 10:16. The cities stood in judgment and were not part of the house. This explains that Jesus was not aware of the fate of John the Baptist, who would remain within as Erasmus would not join with Luther when broke away from the Mother Church.In his case it did not work, either. Within a century of his death religious wars broke out widening the rift farther. Honor of Herod, the unclean spirit was working among princes of the church. Both Calvin and Luther were not behind in their maneuvering.
v.31 "And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while." Jesus had no interest in news of the day and it was no different than what we hear these days. Dog eats dog and ungodly men make a mountain of molehill of them. Their conspiracy theories are ropes they hang themselves with. So Jesus took them apart after they had completed their mission.
vv.39-40 " And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass./ And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties".In the multiplying of loaves those who present were to form file and rank and the order within the house speak of worship with a sober mind and peace. Peace of God is the characteristic of the house where they lodged. Rumors of war, accidents famine plagues that assail us from news media tells the world where Satan has them in thrall and what does he flash before their eyes? Honor of a Herod and worth is it? By not giving glory an angel would strike him instantly. What price was his glory? (Ac.12:22-23)
v.46 " And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."
"And the two fishes divided he among them all./And they did all eat, and were filled." Here we have an example of kangaroo words. The two primarily refers to the number of fishes while there were five loaves of bread. What you eat has it way of passage, and as Jesus took pains to explain it is eaten "Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?(7:19). What the heart can do leads to everlasting life while traditions of man, with his table manners in the Roman times often lasted into late hours in suppers where the guests would end under the table in their own vomit. What the Spirit is demonstrating are heaven and earth as two worlds so Jesus " And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them."(v.41)
Before appointing the twelve he goes up to a mountain, and called them who would. His Sermon on the Mount set the Rock of Ages for a testimony and Mark similarly narrates that Jesus bound the twelve to service so their authority came from heaven as his came. As the master so were the disciples.
As indicative of their singleness of purpose Jesus took the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them." In short the disciples were partakers of the heavenly calling.(He.3:1). The number of fishes is two and signifies a number of objects each is set in terms of God. God fashions all hearts alike and tries their works. In the Parable of the Talents each servant was bound to give account over them. Number of men in this chapter "And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men".(v.44) In the other,"And they that had eaten were about four thousand: "(8:9). These are set for a purpose.
When attempting to bring attention to man's deplorable state of heart Wh( Jeremiah 17:9) I have found in my own self examination that it is best to evaluate all that we consider what Phillipians 4:8 states and then look at our own heart and soul carefully.
When we seek all that men may say is kind; benevolent; compassionate; etc. and try to find pleasure in life apart from God of course we look to other religions and usually end up in a humanistic mentality. We ascribe to others as well who seem to portray such attributes as somehow "enlightened". I can only speak for myself as a man here; but how much of the flesh is appealed to in today's "Christian" music industry? If someone is young; thin and attractive does it move us as much as someone who is a bit overweight and unattractive who performs on stage? Do we favor those in our own social circles or families above others? What are our motives when we serve others?
Such logic of course often results in men not appreciating what God does provide such as a wife mentioned in Proverbs 18:22.
To find the "grass greener on the other side of the field" people think it worthwhile to get a new model and get rid of the spouse that they have been granted by covenant; something Malachi 2:15 says we should not do (also see Proverbs 15:18-20). Interestingly Proverbs 15:8 just before that talks about the sacrifice of the wicked being detestable as contrasted to prayers of the righteous.
Of course many hate God outright; at least being honest about their intentions; accusing God often of being a "killjoy" and sometimes being an admitted Satanist "do as thou wilt" mentality. Of course we have to look at men's obvious evil acts; so we have laws God has set forth to keep order. With all the self professed benefits of "freedom" we see the end result in the fruits of violence and discord in society that many possess or develop as the cultish mentality comes out. Mark 7:21 is the end result.
True to who You are
You saw my heart
And made
Something out of nothing
We really can't disengage the concept of the comprehension that we have nothing to offer but a "broken and contrite heart" as Psalm 51:8 states when we first come to a saving faith. God Himself grants repentance ( 2 Tim. 2:25 and 2 places in Acts) but this results in our heartfelt plea for God's mercy. In the same logic salvation isn't a one way street. Realizing our own unworthiness and helplessness is what unregenerate man cannot or will not concede in this lifetime as we see illustrated in Jeremiah 18:12. Man finds ways to justify demon worship as giving them something; of course we see a perfect example in Acts 19:25-28 for example where a whole town spent an afternoon rioting; or in 1 Kings 18:28 with the so called "prophetic contest" between idols and the true and living God.
This illustration of what theologians title "Irresistable Grace" (not my favorite term) seems to fit here. Some could say that our response of realization of our sins; along with a verbal affirmation ( Romans 10:9-12) is a choice we make; rather than a response to the Spirit's prompting. I would agree as to the general search for truth that some have may come first for many; although we can't rule out a "Damascus Road" sort of conversion today either. In the mindset of unregenerate man; to be controlled or "possessed" by the Holy Spirit which results in a predictable response makes us robots and is a frightening concept in "losing our individual freedom of choice"; etc. Man's logic doesn't consider that our Creator should have ownership or mastery over His own created beings and of course we can struggle even as believers in trusting God to see us through the trials of life. This ties into the verse in Luke 17:33-37 in regard to really living when we lose our life
In 1 Kings 13; we see a story of an unnamed prophet who God slayed after disobeying the command not to eat or drink or go back the way he came after a fellow prophet lied to him; later the word of God came through that same prophet foretelling his burial won't be with the other ancestors and he died after leaving the meal; mauled by a lion who then stood next to his natural pray a donkey by the body. It is understood that the Spirit wasn't indwelling as it is today permanently with believers; but it would seem this man was disciplined by the Lord rather than going to hell. The same principle is stated in 1 Corinthians 11:30 where it talks about taking the Lord's supper unworthily (interestingly related to a meal taken wrongly as well).
My general point here is that there are many out there who claim we can "lose our salvation". We forget the many verses that contradict this which I won't get into right now; because there are so many others that seem to justify this concept. I have already discussed at length many times the idea of God chastising those He loves (and the opposite fact that we are all illegitimate sons if not ( Heb. 12:8).) What I am saying now is that the dying process begins at the day of our salvation and continues throughout our "sanctification" process. The outer evidence of this comes from the fruit in our hearts and is tied into our behaviors; attitudes; words; praises; service; etc. The world has it's own way of "sacrifice" whether as dramatic as "stigmata" or some kind of outer manifestation that appears like the wounds of Christ on their body (certainly demonic); or acts of contrition; service; etc. I don't want to force the terminology realted to the 5 points of Calvin to make my point. I do want to suggest that when God begins a work He completes it. Let us learn the lessons from scripture and take them to heart.
"And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits."
Jesus ordained them for a purpose. " And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him./And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach"(3:13-14).Having introduced the disciples the Spirit gives us two symbols which gives an altogether different emphasis to the discipleship.
We shall first examine it before we take up the topic. St Matthew presents the doctrine of his Father before a mountain while St Mark informs us that Jesus first went up into a mountain and calls whom he would. It does not mean the twelve disciples were among them but the emblem of Zion (Is.28:16; Matt.5:1) is the witness for the discipleship. Jesus Christ the rock of ages embodies the doctrine of his Father; so are the twelve disciples. By choosing Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve he was accountable to the Word as he as the word become flesh his testimony also was on the line. Testimony of Jesus: the spirit of prophesy.(Re.19:10) . Mark gives us the list and ends with," And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house." (3:19) The house is not specified but the house serves as a proper context for Jesus and all his twelve disciples. St Mark sets the entire gospel about Jesus as that of the Son so the house referred here is the Father's house." In my Father's house are many mansions:.:( John 14:2) Of whose house are we? Is simplicity in Christ or honor of Herod what do we hunger for?
When it was time he sent them as the key verse says, two by two and gave them authority just as his Father had given him.
Jesus had no place to lay his head. He sent his disciples similarly to depend solely on His Father in heaven. Faith made them feel at home and the peace of which was not as the world gives. This was Christ's testimon.y
I am meditating on Phillipians 1:12-14
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
There are other verses as well that show God using Paul; such as the story in Acts 16:33-35 where the jailor and his family were baptized.
There is no doubt that what caused people to grow bolder was Paul's continuing determination under fierce persecution as well as his heartelt love and committment to the churches he founded. Today; it seems with many missionaries in far away countries at least here in the USA people can keep their distance in terms of feeling a close kinship; and in the intensity of prayers. Of course it is reciprocal to some degree as it was with Paul who was encouraged by those who gave which made up for the lack of others. Paul of course was the perfect example of a selfless believer; accepting hunger and thirst when necessary and doing work of menial labor of tentmaking to supplement monies so as not to be a burden.
Such opportunities do exist today among certain organizations that write to prisoners in restricted countries who are incarcerated due to their faith in terms of written communications with careful restrictions for their own safety as to the contents. God measures every tear in a bottle as ( Psalm 56:8). Psalm 30:5 says For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. This verse is better suited for the explanation of the chastisement of God with Israel and their eventual restoration but also shows that our sufferings in this life are temporal.
We're in this together
I do not believe is bad to be interested in that, we can study other people's beliefs and understanding of a particular scripture, but we must pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When I discuss anything with a brother or sister on this site a subject that we have different understandings of, I in prayer study to see both views and confirm the truth even if I am wrong the Holy Spirit will show us the truth maybe not that minute but if continue to pray about it the truth will come. All things are not revealed to us like Paul said about milk and meat it is not our time it is God's time.
I cannot say anyone is bad because of their understanding of prophecy, I can only say my understanding is different if they are willing to sit down together and study for the truth do so. We must not be dogmatic we must do it in love of the truth.
Salvation is by faith Jesus the Son of God shed His blood for our sins and was raised from the dead, a gift of grace from God His Father who gave Him to die for us in the plan of God that was conceived before the foundation of this world not understanding prophecy.
I do not know how much you have studied Revelation; you may know this but the events in Revelation are in order but it's not chronological order from start to finish. It is more of a circular order of the same events; John adds more information of parts of the same event in other chapters of what is going on at the same time.
As in Rev. 11, the two witnesses, parts of Rev. 12 and Rev. 13 show different things going on, but they are happening during the 42 months, a time, and times, and half a time, 3.5 years of Satan, the beast out of the bottomless pit, and the false prophet not different times. There are parallels between the visions John wrote down all through Revelation that we must recognize.
God bless,
RLW
" and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him."
Herod was not farther from truth to set John in relation to Jesus. Nevertheless he had blood on his hand. Satan is a murderer. (John8:44) Mark set the Gadarenes episode to bring out the similarities with the unclean spirits, be it one or legion having the same cast of mind, they know the truth when they see or hear it. Is is under the department of conscience. Herod's conscience pricked that he put to death an innocent man. But Satan had given him safe cover as with the man with the legion at his throat. He would not cast them out by faith. Instead he did some monkeying. his untamed spirit was such the Marvel comics could have found their superhero, 'dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:"(5:3)
Satan had given his seat and authority as he did with the beast. (" and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority-"Re.13:2)"For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly." In what was his fear different from the Jews? "This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me./Howbeit in vain do they worship me."(7:6-7) Herod read the script given to him and he had a part to play. Hearing with his heart and understanding the will of God and being converted was not allowed. Instead Satan gave him pomp and circumstance, as sop to the dignity of a ruler. Do we not see such honor unravelling before our very eyes? Power is potent as a drink. Even after drawn over hot coals of impeachment what do we hear? "They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; They have beaten me, and I felt it not: When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again."(Pr.23:35)
Such honor is like the golden ring on the snout of a swine.
There are several speculations on what the mark may be, a literal mark, a computer chip, symbols, and more but the mark of the beast will be based on worship. It is the false prophet, the second beast who causes people to worship the first beast and his image. The number 666 goes back to Babylon, the 36 gods numbered 1 through 36, 6 columns and 6 rows the numbers were arranged in such a way that the sum of any given row, column, or diagonal was 111, and therefore the sum of all six rows or all six columns was 666, like 18+20+22+21+17+13 =111, 1+2+3 to 36=666.
We are told to have faith and patience Luke 21:19 Hebrews 6:12 and hear in Revelation 13:10 and Revelation 14:11 that if we are strong in our faith and patience we will have the steadfastness and endurance (the meaning of patience) to not give into the temptation of the three who is to come, Satan, the beast out of the bottomless pit and the beast who will be the false prophet, even if we face death, the hour of temptation, Rev. 3:10.
Something like this was done in the past in the Decian persecution in 250 AD. The decree ordered sacrifices be performed in the presence of a Roman magistrate, it was a signed and witnessed certificate, issued to that effect. People had to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods and the well-being of the emperor.
Christians were put to death for refusing to perform the sacrifices, many others apostatized and performed the ceremonies, and others went into hiding. Those who compromised were able to prosper economically. By way of contrast, those who did not have the certificate were unable to buy or sell and suffered economic hardship. Buying and selling was done in marketplaces ruled by Rome. This may be similar to what is coming but a mark instead of a certificate.
Hope this helps.
God bless,
RLW