Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
This passage of scripture teaches us that one day soon the dreaded mark of the beast will be instituted across the land, and most people will be inextricably trapped within the system. What many of us may not be aware of is that the implementation of the mark will be linked to some form of electricity, a creature comfort that we have come to depend upon for our very existence. Let's take a minute and consider carefully what is being said. Most of us will read this blog on an electronic device, and when we are finished reading we will attend to our other duties of the day, 99% of which now involve computers, phones, automobiles, and other types of electrical devices too numerous to mention.
While this is all well and good in its legitimate sphere, it should be of grave concern to us that if our electronic carpet were to be pulled out from under our feet suddenly, we would be as fish out of water, or as sheep without a shepherd, because our entire world could thus be thrown out of whack. If we do not believe how inseparably attached we have become to our electronic devices, let us try living without them for one week and we will see what will take place with us. There will be much anxiety and panic attacks, much loss of business, almost no communication with the outside world, and we would be essentially shut out of the financial system, not being able to survive without those things which we now take for granted.
This is what is involved in the mark of the beast, and because we now have an "app" for everything, we will be at a loss to live strictly by the grace and power of God, independent of the ease and comforts that come with the electrical grid. Hence the reason why in Revelation chapter 13, the Bible uses the word "All' when referring to the population of the earth which will be "Caused" to receive the mark, because although "All" individuals will not succumb to the system, yet it will be a very miniscule minority who will choose to live by the word of God alone, braving the consequences and weathering the storm through the grace and power of Christ. Let's read:
Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
It will be well if at times we can disconnect ourselves entirely from electricity, and all electronic devices, just to have a period of undisturbed communion with God in nature. As a matter of fact, the idea of going camping in the great outdoors is a concept that originated with God, for He gave it to us in commandment form, knowing that we would be prone to immerse ourselves in man-made objects and inventions for too long, to the point where we would become too dependent on them, even more than we depend upon God.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls us back to nature's God, and if we take the time to hold communion with Him in the quiet of fields and forest, we will soon find that our hearts and minds would be more in tune with Him, for our first home was not a city but a garden. Let's read:
Leviticus 23:34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. 40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. 41 And ye shall keep it a feast unto the Lord seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations".....
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!