Tuesday October 9 Journal Entry

It is a very rainy day.  I praise God for the showers.  The county I live in Rogers was under a tornado watch.  That is nothing new for this area or this time of year.  I no longer fear thunder storms or tornadoes.  Back in 1975 when my brother and I lived in Catoosa, we were home in our mobile with friends visiting and a tornado came through our mobile home park.  My daughter just text and said it was moving toward Coffeeville.  Then came back and said the Chouteau Schools were taking cover.  That is about 15 miles from us.  Weather can get very confusing.  That is why I hardly ever listen to it.  

I continue studying on the Mark of the Beast. I emailed Jason Overman the Editor of the Bible Advocate about a tract I thought the church used to have on the Mark of the Beast.  He is also the Chairman of the Literature Committee.  I didn't know that.  Anyway he says if the publishing houses did print one he hasn't seen it.  He will bring it up before the Literature committee and see what they say about maybe printing a tract on the subject.  I then asked what he thought and believed about prophecy on the Mark of the Beast. He first sent me a link to an article he wrote back in 2015.  This article was published in the Bible Advocate in the November-December issue of 2015.   The article was entitled "Of Beasts and Men"  Revelation and living below the image of God.

Jason's email: The Church of God (Seventh Day) has for many years avoided the ongoing debates on the particulars, and focus on the general prophetic truths of the second return of Christ and His kingdom. (my note: this is different from in the years past. Prophecy was of the most importance and it was preached from the pulpit.) The COG7 doesn’t take a specific position on the mark of the beast, Jason values and teaches on prophecy quite a bit. He went on to say as in every age, the people of God are faced with the choice of serving their heavenly Father with all their mind and strength (head/hand), or serving the earthly nature of the serpent. The choice is still before us in these last days, and perhaps the temptations and deceit are as great as they’ve ever been. 

These multi-headed monsters rampage across history, ravaging and growing. Their appetite cannot be sated. They want your soul. They want your worship. They want your identity. That is what the mark of the beast is. 

The number 666 is the sign of the image and interest of the beast-man, who idolizes selfish sixth-day existence while denying the Creator who completes all in seven. This beastly boast is common in Scripture. Revelation presents us with a showdown over whose image we will bear. Revelation 13 reveals a slaying beast and those who have his sign on their foreheads (the center of thought and identity. Not a visible mark). Revelation 14 contrasts this with a Lamb slain and those who follow Him. They have a mark on their foreheads, too: the name of our Father God. His heavenly image is borne by those who live beyond mere earth-bound instinct or self-bound interest and freely trust and obey His lordship (Revelation 13:18; 14:1).

We know how the story ends; we know whose image wins. The Lamb will toss the beasts into the lake of fire at His coming (Rev.19:20). But until that day, we must not be lulled into complacency, thinking that the battle is behind us. It’s still under-way. The actors have not changed, nor have their tactics. The deception of the serpent of Genesis 3:1 is alive and well in the lamb-like beast of Revelation 13:14. 

I still believe that the Mark of the Beast has already taken place during the Roman Empire during the dark ages, when the Pope of the Catholic Church came into power.  I think he is the little horn prophesied about in Revelation. This used to be taught by the Church of God (Seventh Day) ministers.  I do not know when the prophecy was no longer preached from the pulpit. I do not agree with the General Conference stand on this prophecy.  They are focusing more on the Second Coming of Christ and his Kingdom.  That is very important, but I think they are lax in not continuing to have a view on the prophecy on the Mark of the Beast.  The church has gotten away from preaching on prophecy.  I think it is more important now, than it ever was.  We are living in the end times.  We need more sermons and admonitions on what is going to take place in these last days, and what we need to be prepared for.

There are many false prophets today, many imposters.  They have knowledge, are very persuasive and will lead you astray.  They come in sheep's clothing, but are ravishing wolves.  They are false prophets from the King of Liars, Satan.  I believe most of the mega church's today and their leaders are false prophets. Actually all of them are deceivers if they preach that Sunday worship is the true Sabbath.  That is a way you know they are false prophets. In the last days many Anti-Christs will come and say I am Christ, follow me.  Believe them not.  They are liars.  You will know who Christ is when he returns.  You will have no doubts.  Stay strong, trust in God and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Study to show yourself approved.  Rightly divide the word of truth and shout it from the hill tops.  

God Bless

*Starlight*