End Time Insights

The inhabitants of the earth willingly venerate the Beast and receive its mark, although Christians are not immune from its allure .  Discussions on the Beast's “ mark ” focus on questions about what it is - medical implant, barcode, tattoo – and the significance of its “ number. ”  As important as these issues are, more critical is the question -  How is the mark implemented, and how does the believer avoid taking it ?

Satan tempted Jesus by offering him political power over “ all the kingdoms of the world ,” an offer he emphatically refused. Instead of power and grandeur, he submitted to the way of the ‘ Suffering Servant ’ that led inevitably to death on the Roman cross. The most startling detail of this encounter is that Jesus did not dispute the Devil’s claim to have jurisdiction over the political systems of the world.

The  “Inhabitants of the Earth”  represent the men omitted from the Book of Life because they embraced the Beast from the Sea . They are  remorseless in their hostility to the “ Lamb ” and his followers, even rejoicing and exchanging gifts when the “ Two Witnesses ” are murdered. Unlike the “ nations ” and the “ Kings of the Earth ,” they are irredeemable, and therefore their names are excluded from the “ Book of Life .”

Rulers and nations that refuse to follow the “Lamb” render homage to the “Beast,” and his reign extends over all the habitable earth .  After its rise from the sea, there are no restrictions on the beast’s territory. ALL the “ inhabitants of the earth ” receive its “ mark ” and render homage to its “ image .” Not a single government resists the final incarnation of the “ ancient serpent ,” it is granted “ authority over every tribe, people, tongue and nation .” Other than the “ saints ,” there is no exception to the rule.

In popular usage, the English term ‘Christendom’ refers to “that part of the world in which Christianity prevails,” either because most of a nation’s citizens claim to be Christian, or because a specific church or denomination is recognized by the State as the country’s official religion. Thus, the nation becomes identified as “Christian,” it is one of the “Christian nations” as opposed to the less enlightened non-Christian peoples and cultures of the planet.

Repeatedly, Satan and his forces ascend from the deep pit to attack the men and women who belong to the Lamb .  T he “ Abyss ” first appears when the “ fifth trumpet ” is sounded, releasing a horde of hideous beings that  ascend  from the pit and swarm over the earth tormenting men. This force is ruled by the “ a ngel of the Abyss named Abaddon and Apollyon .” Both names mean “destruction.” Thus, the “ Abyss ” is the source of satanic forces that deceive men and a ttack the church.