The mark of the beast on the forhead
December 25, 2020
Commentary
Revelation 14 graphically declares some of the terrible judgments that will be placed on the world. These are especially for those that reject Christ and follows the beast, the false prophet and Satan. However, taken as a whole, this chapter seems to refer to the preservation of the 144,000 during the Tribulation.
3. What is happening on Earth continued….
a. The third Angel foretells the doom of those who deny the Lord (vv. 9-12). This angel has a message of judgment for the worshipers of the beast and the recipients of his mark. They will be objects of God’s wrath and will be destined for eternal torment along with Satan, the demons, and all unsaved people.
b. A special blessings is promised to the Saints who are Martyred (v. 13). There is a special blessing promised to all Christians who die during the Tribulation. Although it is always blessed to die in Christ, it will be peculiarly so during this time. These people will not only be released from persecution, torture, and trial but will be delivered into the glorious presence of the Lord for all eternity.
Application
God is not only a God of love, but He is a God of justice. He will bring judgment to those who deny Him as well as blessing for those who are persecuted for their faith. I realize that this applies to those who are living in the time of the great tribulation and not to me as I will already be raptured. My job now is to warn people about this terrible time that is coming.
Revelation 14:9– 13 (NET)
9 A third angel followed the first two, declaring in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and takes the mark on his forehead or his hand, 10 that person will also drink of the wine of God’s anger that has been mixed undiluted in the cup of his wrath, and he will be tortured with fire and sulfur in front of the holy angels and in front of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke from their torture will go up forever and ever, and those who worship the beast and his image will have no rest day or night, along with anyone who receives the mark of his name.” 12 This requires the steadfast endurance of the saints—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to their faith in Jesus.
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: ‘Blessed are the dead, those who die in the Lord from this moment on!’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so they can rest from their hard work, because their deeds will follow them.”