As a new Christian l was concerned that our new telephone number began with 666, but I need not have been. The mark of the beast is unlikely to be a literal 666 stamped on our forehead or our hand, or a telephone prefix, a microchip, or the Covid vaccine passport, but rather, represents symbolically a theological worldview that exalts man over God. As Dr. Campbell explains, the forehead represents our mind, and the hand, our actions. This number also represents the opposite of the seal that God gives to believers, assuring them that no one can take them out of His hand. We, as His own, think and act differently than those in the world. And we must persevere in this, and not be conformed to the world if we are to be unashamed before Him at His coming. This is a daily battle. I am helped by the morning and evening habit of confession and repentance, for though I am redeemed, I am also so prone to wander, and so I pray:
We must also pray this for the body of believers, the True Church, for we too, historically, have been prone to wander. Consider how the church founded all our Ivy League colleges, yet today, they are indoctrinating their students in the ideology of the beast. The same, so sadly, is true of many churches. In watching the documentary on the prosperity gospel, I learned of the deceptiveness of practices of many television preachers, such as Benny Hinn, in faith healing and causing people to be slain in the spirit.
The cost for not thinking and acting like the world, that is, “receiving the mark,” may be high. Respected theologians such as R. C. Sproul recommend this documentary by Ben Stein that shows how professors who teach “Intelligent Design” as an option for understanding creation lose their jobs. You may want to watch it on You-tube this week. Here is the trailer:
This week you will read this article:
Perplexing Passages: What Is the Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13?
Last year one of my Advent highlights was the musical production from The Gospel Coalition. They have another this year — it airs live tonight, but afterwards you can still see it on you-tube. Here is the link:
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/video/weary-world-rejoices-advent-concert/
This second Sunday in Advent, the candle lit represents peace. Though we are “at war,” though there is a dragon in our Nativity who rages against us, we can have a peace the world does not know because of Jesus.
Word document on Mark of the Beast
Sunday:
- What stands out to you from the above, and why?
- Where are you prone to wander? How can you pray for yourself? For your local church?
Monday/Tuesday: The Counterfeit Church
The beast from the land arises to attack true believers. Instead of an outright attack of persecution, it uses deception. How we see this today with both the prosperity gospel (health and wealth) and progressive Christianity (progressing beyond the fundamentals of the faith like the blood and the inerrancy of Scripture).
3. Read Revelation 13:11-15 aloud to yourself.
A. How is this beast’s appearance like a lamb — and how does his speech differ? (11)
B. How does this beast support the beast from the sea? (12)
C. What methods does he use to deceive the earth dwellers? (13) How might you see this today?
D. What other way does the beast of the land help the beast of the sea? (15)
4. Read In Mystery Explained, under The Second Beast Arises, everything up to The Mark of the Beast.
A. What confirmation does Campbell see in the fact that this second be30-37ast is later called “the false prophet?”
B. What is this beast’s goal?
C. In what ways do you see churches conforming to the unbiblical teachings of your government?
D. Campbell refers to Dan. 11:30-37. How do these two beasts work together?
E. In his final paragraph, explain how Campbell describes how true believers will be seen by the world.
Wednesday: The Mark of the Beast
5. What have you thought the mark of the beast meant in the past and why?
6. Read Revelation 13:16-1
A. What does the beast force people to do, and what helps him in his persuasion? (16-17)
B. If this mark represents our thinking, our worldview, how could having it cause us to experience worldly loss?
C. What is the number and what does it represent? How is God’s number different?
7. Read the first paragraph under “The Mark of the Beast” and stop at “The number of the beast…”
A. How does Campbell explain the mark?
B. How did the church at Smyrna exemplify financial loss due to not going along with the beasts?
C. How might you lose money or power or reputation by following Christ and refusing to be lukewarm?
D. Why is it vital that we be loving, kind, and upright when God calls us to disobey the state or express our views that are contrary to the state or the counterfeit church? (1 Peter 3: 13-17)
Thursday: The Number of the Beast
8. Read the paragraph in Mystery Explained that begins with “The number of the beast” and stop at “In support” and explain the problems with taking the number 666 literally.
9. Read the paragraph that begins “In support” all the way up to THE FOURTH VISION
A. How is the first beast the counterfeit of the Son?
B. How is the second beast the counterfeit of the Spirit?
C. What encouragement does Dr. Campbell give to the believer at the close of this section?
Friday: Article or Documentary
10. Read the article from the Gospel Coaltion on the Mark of the Beast or watch the documentary Expelled and share what you learn.
Saturday:
11. What is your take-a-way and why?
118 comments
What stands out to you from the above, and why?
The mark of the beast, describing forehead describing the mind and the hand describing the actions. This was intriguing. I had been taught that the mark would be something like a UPC symbol in peoples bodies, ushering in the cashless society. That seemed really far fetched a long time ago, now it seems very plausible. That people would become so anxious to avoid identity theft that they would gladly take a mark.I look forward to hearing more about this different way if understanding that text.
The documentary also stood out to me, I will be looking to watch that for sure. We used to watch the show Win Ben Stein’s Money and enjoyed it.
Where are you prone to wander?
I am prone to be selfish, to protect my own comfort and security, to pursue what I want, to and find myself judging others when they threaten those things.
How can you pray for yourself?
I love this passage from the Message, I had talked about it with my husband today as we discussed a bitter woman who lives in our community.
Matthew 6: 22 “Your eyes are windows into your body. If you open your eyes wide in wonder and belief, your body fills up with light. 23 If you live squinty-eyed in greed and distrust, your body is a dank cellar. If you pull the blinds on your windows, what a dark life you will have!
God has awakened me when I am in squinty eyed greed territory, I am…I think… quicker to recognize it than I used to be.
I don’t want to live in that way. I want to repent when I am.
For your local church?
I am praying for each of us to be connected to God and to risk really being connected to each other. I am praying for some girl friends to be real with.
That’s quite a passage from The Message.
Will pray for “real” girlfriends — you will bless them.
Chris, real connection. I pray that for you and for myself as well. I long for some deep conversations of faith with other women. I have one friend I pray with whom I feel a deep connection. Our schedule has not allowed us to meet as regularly as we could nowadays but I know she prays for me regularly. There is nothing like it and am grateful for this friendship. I do find that I need to be intentional with this friendship given the availability of texting nowadays.
Chris, Thank you for sharing that verse. I needed that this week. I will pray for girl friends to be real with. I am thankful that you are here. You are very real with a heart of gold for Jesus.
Chris, I love the Message translation of that passage as it really brings it home and makes it understandable!
1. What stands out to you from the above, and why?
You made me remember that I wanted to watch that Ben Stein documentary when it came out! Totally forgot. I really don’t watch much “tv.”
The title of this week makes me cringe.
Interesting what you say about the mark of the beast, I’m not sure I’m convinced though….
2. Where are you prone to wander? How can you pray for yourself? For your local church?
I suppose I am an “isolationist?” I like being alone, when I choose to be, that is. I don’t always make good choices when I am alone. I am praying for peace over my family for this holiday season. I will have many people in my house, and sometimes they don’t all get along. I am praying for all of us.
Our church has taken the hit in the past few years; lost many people but also gained many new families. I will pray for consistency and love for each other.
Laura, our church is going through the same thing as yours. Praying for love to be fleshed out in our daily encounters with people.
Amen, Bing. In many ways we have become a “tighter” community also.
Sunday:
What stands out to you from the above, and why?
Thank you, Dee, for sharing the link to the TGC Advent Concert. I love Rebecca McLaughlin’s monologue-it is powerful!
… 666… but rather, represents symbolically a theological worldview that exalts man over God. As Dr. Campbell explains, the forehead represents our mind, and the hand, our actions. This number also represents the opposite of the seal that God gives to believers, assuring them that no one can take them out of His hand.
I have vague memories of how 666 was interpreted during my growing-up years in the churches that our family attended. I was also influenced some by the Left Behind series. I have not given the number much serious thought until now.
The thought of a government-dictated numbering to keep track of people seems plausible. But we already have that with our social security numbers?
But I also think Dr. Campbell has a good point of seeing it as a symbol of a theological worldview that exalts man over God. Just like when we use the number 10 to signify the best in a category. Or when we use a slogan, “Just do it”, “Be kind”, etc. When the end goal is the applause of man, we are taking our eyes off our one true God Whatever 666 is, it remains a counterfeit.
I am helped by the morning and evening habit of confession and repentance, for though I am redeemed, I am also so prone to wander,
I agree, Dee. It seems a daily thing for me to be prone to wander. Our pastor used Hebrews 2 in his message yesterday. “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” V. 1
And what things have we heard? It is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1)
I am helped with the reading and meditating on God’s Word. I need to do more confessing and repenting as well.
Where are you prone to wander? How can you pray for yourself? For your local church?
I am prone to wander to the camp of fear and people-pleasing. I need to stay in God’s camp of faith and His truth. My prayer for myself is to stay rooted in God’s Word and to be in fellowship with fellow believers.
For the local church: I pray that the spirit of complacency will not permeate our church. Rather, there would be a revival among the hearts of our congregation and a love for God and His Word and for each other.
Bing — I was listening to an interview with Dallas Jenkins and he said he’d like to make a good movie of Left Behind — I thought, “Oh no — they taught us at Covenant “that left the truth behind.” But I agree it’s mysterious.
Dee, that would be an oh, no for me, too! The Series never stuck to me, although the storytelling that I can remember was good. Personally, I just feel and think that when Jesus comes again, that will be the finale. And God knows and I can rest on that. He is the Alpha and Omega. The litmus test as Katharine Hayhoe said-does this “knowledge” cause fear in my heart? And if it does, why should I entertain it?
I am unfamiliar with that series. Is it a bad thing? I love The Chosen. I would be so sad to know that Dallas Jenkins is a progressive sort.
Sunday
1. What stands out to you from the above, and why?
I was wondering how the idealist was going to interpret the mark of the beast. If the Christian mark talked about in Chapter 7 is symbolic why can’t the mark of beast? It is very interesting that the mark on the forehead is about the mind and the one on the hand is about action. You can definitely see that that has and is going on in the world…wow! I say this very delicately, but I wonder if the view of an actual mark hasn’t/won’t cause Christian’s to be arrogant (speaking for myself) thinking that whatever is going on in this world can’t possibly be the mark because they won’t be here (if they believe in the rapture). I guess the other way to say this is, are/have we been led astray and just become lukewarm in our faith because of it? I apologize if I’m not making any sense, hard for me to express in writing.
You are making sense. I feel this view is so applicable to all of us and it just doesn’t seem likely that this book would just be for a few.
Sharon, you make sense to me what you said about the mark of the beast. Such a mystery! I could say, on one hand, I am not going to be here anyway if I believe in a rapture) OR I should be sharing the good news right now because Jesus can come anytime and there is no. more. “chance.” once He does.
Somebody once said to me that God holds us responsible for what He reveals to us. May God give us eyes to see and ears to hear what he is revealing to us these days.
Sunday
1. As a young pastor, even though I have a ministerial degree, I find myself shying away from difficult topics such as this one. I don’t feel I know enough to contribute to the conversation, and I desperately want answers, but often fill my time with other more immediately important tasks. I’m sure I’m not alone. I am grateful for the insight you have given me. I agree with your point of view of the mark of the beast being symbolic instead of a concrete ‘tattoo’ of sorts. The idea that this is another way Satan is copying God makes me grin. Our God is so great that all Satan can do to keep up with Him is to copy what He is doing 🙂 What makes me uneasy is the Scripture listed. When the second beast comes and does all those things listed in the Scripture, I don’t enjoy reading that because it makes me question if I would be able to hold firm to the Truth. If Satan comes and mimics God it would be difficult to understand which to follow and that scares me. Would I be strong enough? Would I have enough faith? Would I know the Truth from the lies? I hope so, and I am grateful for Jesus who, I’m sure, will aide us during this time of trail.
2. Trusting God with my family. I recently listened to one of Life Church-Craig Groeschel’s podcasts where he co-teaches with one of the campus pastors. He speaks about how his biggest fear is what would happen to his family if he were no longer around. I learned that is also my biggest fear. I believe it is because of that fear that I try to ‘do it all’ for my family. I need to hold fast to trusting God with each member of my family because the TRUTH is that He loves them even more than I do. He has a plan and a purpose for them!
Please pray for our church- God has blessed us during this pandemic. We have grown quite a bit and now it’s time for us to focus not only on reaching those outside our church walls but also to be good stewards of those within them. It’s like the parable of the Talents, God has entrusted us with these people, how will their hearts/faith be when he returns?
Appreciate this atmosphere of togetherness and study!
Oh Kendall — I hope you say with us — you are thoughtful and wise.
We’ve been going through Mystery Explained by David Campbell and he’s actually behind the scenes guiding us for this is such a challenging book. He makes so much sense, as you see, with seeing these as symbols instead of literal numbers or pictures. One thing I loved is the “seal” – true believers are sealed so we will make it through, no matter how bad it gets.
Amazon your church has actually grown during the pandemic — for most have lost many members. I wonder why — other, of course, than God?
Hope to see more of you.
Kendall, welcome, and thank you for your thoughts. I do resonate with your comments. As a pastor’s wife, I have seen people leave the church, including ours due to issues related to the pandemic. Like you, I am also concerned about my loved ones who either do not know Christ or have strayed away. my husband and I are getting older and we long for many to be saved before we leave this earthly abode.
Yes, we do need to hold fast to God’s truth. We speak against fear because we know it is not from God. And He does have a plan and purpose for our loved ones. And God hears our sincere prayers for their salvation.
I love your prayer for your church to be good stewards of those who are within and outside your church walls. That is my prayer, too, for our church. I love what Laura said above-their church has become a tighter community. May it be so for our churches.
Welcome Kendall! You have found a truly blessed place online with Dee 😉. Oh how much I have learned! I thank God for her and the sisters in Christ we have here.
Welcome Kendall. I love your thought and I love how your faith conquers your fears. So thankful that your church is growing during this difficult time. This group is such a blessing and I continually learn from all who contribute.
Sunday
2. Where are you prone to wander? How can you pray for yourself? For your local church?
I am prone to wander when I do not make time to be with the Lord on a daily basis. Emphasis becomes about self, wanting approval, easily aggravated or angered, even going into a shallow depression. It’s at those times when I allow the world around me to be my god.
Lord, I pray that the desire of my heart would always be to intentionally make You first place on a daily basis. That the Holy Spirit would convict me of sin so I may be repentant and stay close to Him. I pray that our church would seek You and also desire to know You more. Give the leaders wisdom and discernment to speak forth Your truth and not get swept away by worldly views…may the Gospel message stay the focus.
Sharon, love this-Lord, I pray that the desire of my heart would always be to intentionally make You first place on a daily basis.
Amen to Bing on: Lord, I pray that the desire of my heart would always be to intentionally make You first place on a daily basis. Your words always speak to me!
Monday
3. Read Revelation 13:11-15 aloud to yourself.
A. How is this beast’s appearance like a lamb — and how does his speech differ? (11)
He had 2 horns like a lamb BUT spoke with the voice of a dragon!
B. How does this beast support the beast from the sea? (12)
He requires all the earth and its people to worship the beast from the sea.
C. What methods does he use to deceive the earth dwellers? (13) Astounding miracles, even making fire flash down from the sky while everyone is watching.
How might you see this today? I think of what Paul said in 2 Corinthians11:12-15, quoted from The Message… “And I’m not changing my position on this. I’d die before taking your money. I’m giving nobody grounds for lumping me in with those money-grubbing “preachers,” vaunting themselves as something special. They’re a sorry bunch—pseudo-apostles, lying preachers, crooked workers—posing as Christ’s agents but sham to the core. And no wonder! Satan does it all the time, dressing up as a beautiful angel of light. So it shouldn’t surprise us when his servants masquerade as servants of God. But they’re not getting by with anything. They’ll pay for it in the end.”
D. What other way does the beast of the land help the beast of the sea? (15)
He was permitted to give life to the statue the people made of the first beast(beast of the sea) so it could speak.
4. Read In Mystery Explained, under The Second Beast Arises, everything up to The Mark of the Beast.
A. What confirmation does Campbell see in the fact that this second be30-37ast is later called “the false prophet?”
I’m not sure that I understand this question. The beast has 2 horns that represent Christ, the two witnesses, the two lamp stands, and the two olive trees. This second beast is sneaky and tries to bring the church down with pagan ideas and turn the church away from the commandments of Gods Word. He represents the counterfeit of Moses and Elijah, as well as the apostles.
B. What is this beast’s goal?
see above
C. In what ways do you see churches conforming to the unbiblical teachings of your government?
In the cultural realm; abortion, homosexuality, gender identity, etc.
D. Campbell refers to Dan. 11:30-37. How do these two beasts work together?
They try to turn the world away from God.
E. In his final paragraph, explain how Campbell describes how true believers will be seen by the world.
True believers will be seen as intolerant and bigoted towards others because they won’t compromise their faith with the ways of the world.
Laura — the first beast counterfeits Christ, with a wound and a resurrection. I wonder if that is wounding the church — yet she will resurrect.
The second beast counterfeits the Holy Spirit — who prophesies — but this time the second beast is called the “false prophet.”
Thank you! Your explanation helped so much!
Thanks Dee! I am so bad with metaphors and such 😉
Monday/Tuesday: The Counterfeit Church
The beast from the land arises to attack true believers. Instead of an outright attack of persecution, it uses deception. How we see this today with both the prosperity gospel (health and wealth) and progressive Christianity (progressing beyond the fundamentals of the faith like the blood and the inerrancy of Scripture).
3. Read Revelation 13:11-15 aloud to yourself.
A. How is this beast’s appearance like a lamb — and how does his speech differ? (11) He has 2 horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. How does a dragon sound when he speaks? I supposed that since he is also the devil, he must speak lies as well.
B. How does this beast support the beast from the sea? (12)
He exercised the authority that the first beast has and made the inhabitants of the earth worship the first beast.
C. What methods does he use to deceive the earth dwellers? (13) How might you see this today?
He brings fire from heaven and performs great signs (slain in the spirit kind of thing? people coming back from the dead with stories?)
D. What other way does the beast of the land help the beast of the sea? (15)
It gave power to the beast to have breath to the image of the first beast so the latter can speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.
4. Read In Mystery Explained, under The Second Beast Arises, everything up to The Mark of the Beast.
A. What confirmation does Campbell see in the fact that this second be30-37ast is later called “the false prophet?”
Its religious nature
B. What is this beast’s goal?
It makes the claims of the first beast appealing even to those within the church.
C. In what ways do you see churches conforming to the unbiblical teachings of your government?
Inclusion, abortion, homosexuality
D. Campbell refers to Dan. 11:30-37. How do these two beasts work together?
The deceiver will infiltrate the church and turn people away from God. The second beast work within the church when leaders begin to take their direction from the pagan culture they live in rather than the Word of God.
E. In his final paragraph, explain how Campbell describes how true believers will be seen by the world.
We will appear narrow, bigoted, and intolerant for our refusal to compromise with the spirit of the world. The ones who do not know Christ will be swayed by the apparent reasonableness and legitimacy of false prophets. This second paragraph caught my eye as it is a fulfillment of the exaltation of man again-reasonable and legitimate to what man thinks. Not what they needed to hear but what they want to hear.
Bing, bringing out the point of “not what they needed to hear but what they want to hear” (so good) reminded me of 2 Timothy 4:3, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.”
It does seem to me like the soil is getting harder for sowing seed — because of what Bing and Sharon bring out. I’ve wondered if it is just where I live — a quite liberal community with an older population. What are your thoughts?
Bing, Sharon and Dee. Yes, I totally agree. The soil is getting harder for sower seed. This is happening here and it is such a strong movement. And this: 2 Timothy 4:3, “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.” It can feel overwhelming.
I love this verse too: 1 John 3-5 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus, is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time. You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. They are of the world. That is why they speak from the world’s perspective and the world listens to them.
Thursday
8. Read the paragraph in Mystery Explained that begins with “The number of the beast” and stop at “In support” and explain the problems with taking the number 666 literally.
1. There is no clear identification by means of gematria (ancient system that substituted letters for numbers) which link 666 to a particular name. Even after trying to spell names differently, trying to link it to Nero and many others, even Hitler.
2. Numbers in Revelation are symbolic.
3. The Bible interprets itself…in verse 17 the number of the beast is equivalent to the name of the beast. In 14:1 the name of the Lord refers to a supernatural spiritual reality (God or Christ) so it makes sense that the number of the beast refers to opposing demonic reality (Satan or the beast). Which tells us that no “human” dead or alive can be identified with 666.
4. The phrase, “for it is the number of a man.” The indefinite article (a) is best translated here “for it is the number of humanity.” Fallen humanity under the rule of the devil. If (the) had been used, then a specific individual would be in mind.
9. Read the paragraph that begins “In support” all the way up to THE FOURTH VISION
A. How is the first beast the counterfeit of the Son?
Just as the Son receives authority from the Father, the beast receives his from the dragon.
Christ has crowns as does the beast.
Christ rose from the dead and the beast appears as slain and is resurrected.
Christ receives Kingdom authority from God which results people serving Him, the beast as well receives kingdom athletic which results in the whole world and it’s fallen expressions of government following him.
B. How is the second beast the counterfeit of the Spirit?
The Spirit is the breath of God, the false prophet gives breath to the statue of the beast.
The Spirit glorifies the Son, false prophet the beast.
The Spirit empowers the church, the false prophet empowers unbelievers to use false religious institutions to advance the kingdom of darkness and counteract the true witness of the church.
C. What encouragement does Dr. Campbell give to the believer at the close of this section?
We have been given the wisdom of God to discern truth and therefore understanding the Word of God should not be difficult and a task to interpret.
“For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
Proverbs 2:6 NLT
I posted this “here” by mistake, so put it down below too😩
Tuesday
4. Read In Mystery Explained, under The Second Beast Arises, everything up to The Mark of the Beast.
A. What confirmation does Campbell see in the fact that this second beast is later called “the false prophet?”
It mimics the 2 witnesses, lamp stands and olive trees in chapter 11 and they represent the church. It’s subtle in its deception making the first beast appealing even to these in the church. The ability of the 2nd beast to “give breathe” to the 1st beast suggests it’s a counterfeit to the Holy Spirit. As the Holy Spirit empowers the church to bear true witness during the church age, the 2nd beast in its demonic spirit empowers counterfeit believers to bear false witness during that time.
B. What is this beast’s goal?
To confirm the church to the idolatrous institutions and practices of the pagan culture, and to turn it away from the commandments of God’s Word.
C. In what ways do you see churches conforming to the unbiblical teachings of your government?
I think you could see this in churches teaching CRT which is not biblical but a very deceptive teaching of the government. I know of churches that have conformed to accepting same sex marriage, looking at it as being loving and accepting. Progressive Christianity which I see as taking parts of the Bible you like and throwing out what you don’t like so you can look good to the world.
D. Campbell refers to Dan. 11:30-37. How do these two beasts work together?
They work to infiltrate the church and turn people away from God.
E. In his final paragraph, explain how Campbell describes how true believers will be seen by the world.
They will be seen as narrow, bigoted and intolerant
Wednesday
5. What have you thought the mark of the beast meant in the past and why?
I have always thought of it as a literal mark, maybe a chip of some sort. Looking at it as people requiring to take the mark of the beast or be unable to buy or sell.
There are those out there that believe this vaccine/pandemic is a shadow of what all this could really look like. Having to show a vaccine card to eat at a restaurant, travel or work. I admit I was intrigued by that.
6. Read Revelation 13:16-18
A. What does the beast force people to do, and what helps him in his persuasion? (16-17)
He forces people to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. If they don’t take the mark they can’t buy or sell.
B. If this mark represents our thinking, our worldview, how could having it cause us to experience worldly loss?
I don’t think having it would cause worldly loss. If I understand the question, it seems that the goal of the mark is to make one dependent upon the things of the world and its philosophies. Being a Christian would bring about worldly loss, family relationships, a job, home etc. but we don’t have the thinking that the mark represents, a worldview.
C. What is the number and what does it represent?
How is God’s number different?
666 The number of man. God’s number is represented by 7 in that it is complete and perfect…it’s not of man!
What stands out to you from the above, and why? The 666 phone number. My sister had a phone number that started with 666 and I told her that I would make the phone company give me a different number (this was many years ago), then a few years ago I got a license plate that was DGN1666 my kids made fun of me because I kept the dragon 666 plate.
Where are you prone to wander? In the years since I’ve finished homeschooling my children where I used to make devotions and bible study part of our daily group lessons, I have been less disciplined in keeping this a top priority. How can you pray for yourself? I pray that I remember that it isn’t a task or a duty, it’s a privilege and if I actually understood the depth of His love, I would long to do nothing else. For your local church? My church has been struggling to stay open since Covid hit. I pray that my pastor continues to faithfully preach the gospel and not to try things that are supposed to “up the numbers” that take away from true message.
I think the non-symbolic interpretation has been portrayed so dramatically in books and movies that it impacted many of us. But since the book begins saying these are “signs,” meaning symbols, I just don’t think that can be right.
Monday/Tuesday: The Counterfeit Church
The beast from the land arises to attack true believers. Instead of an outright attack of persecution, it uses deception. How we see this today with both the prosperity gospel (health and wealth) and progressive Christianity (progressing beyond the fundamentals of the faith like the blood and the inerrancy of Scripture).
3. Read Revelation 13:11-15 aloud to yourself
A. How is this beast’s appearance like a lamb — and how does his speech differ? (11) He had 2 horns like a lamb, but the voice of a dragon.
B. How does this beast support the beast from the sea? (12) He makes the earth and those who live on it worship the first beast.
C. What methods does he use to deceive the earth dwellers? (13) He performs great signs even making fire rain down from heaven. How might you see this today? People are still being deceived by so called faith healers and those who perform “miracles”.
D. What other way does the beast of the land help the beast of the sea? (15) He breathes into him and allows the beast to speak and the power to kill those who would not worship the beast.
4. Read In Mystery Explained, under The Second Beast Arises, everything up to The Mark of the Beast.
A. What confirmation does Campbell see in the fact that this second beast is later called “the false prophet?” That it confirms it religious nature.
B. What is this beast’s goal? To conform the church to the idolatrous institutions and practices of pagan culture, and to turn it away from the commandments of God’s Word.
C. In what ways do you see churches conforming to the unbiblical teachings of your government? Avoiding “hard” topics that society wants to label as intolerant and judgemental.
D. Campbell refers to Dan. 11:30-37. How do these two beasts work together? They will infiltrate the church and turn people away from God. I can already see that happening in churches that are so inclusive of everyone and every belief that they don’t preach the truth. It’s a watered down false rendition of the gospel and it leads people on the road to destruction.
E. In his final paragraph, explain how Campbell describes how true believers will be seen by the world.
You have such good succinct answers, Dawn.
1.) What stands out to you from the above, and why? I have mixed feelings about the mark of the beast. I do feel that it could very well be symbolic. Like, Chris, I thought it would be an identifier in being able to purchase needed goods. In this very liberal part of the country, we now need a pass to prove we are vaccinated in order to go into a restaurant or any large venue. With this in mind, both things seem plausible. But perhaps, it is what can only be seen by God. John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me. and John 10:27 My sheep heave My voice, and I know them and they follow Me.
I loved Rebecca Mc Laughlin..I loved her beautiful message. I love the entire Gospel coalition video. We have the Ben Stein video. It is excellent.
2.)Where are you prone to wander? How can you pray for yourself? For your local church? I am prone to wander falling into my idols of peace and comfort; my approval idols. I am praying the Psalms and encouraging Advent readings. I am also reading 2 Corinthians 4 & 5 ….so much in those two chapters about about spiritual blindness; the power of God; the things which are seen and those which are not. I pray that our church leadership will remain strong. We have lost a number of members, but many moved out of this state because the friends of the beast are turning the value structure upside down.
I too loved the whole video, Patti — especially Rebecca’s monologue. Going to show that Monday in our church when we take a look at Mary in Luke 1.
Oh my! My sheep HEAR my voice…sorry for that typo!
That will be wonderful, Dee. It certainly is filled with the true joy and meaning of Christmas.
Oops….I should clarify what I said about people moving…our church is SOLID in God’s Word. It is Western side of our state that is impacted by the values of the enemy….not our church.
Wednesday
7. Read the first paragraph under “The Mark of the Beast” and stop at “The number of the beast…”
A. How does Campbell explain the mark?
It’s understood not to be literal. It signifies ownership and you’re identified by whom/what you chose to worship. I think that ownership becomes evident in how one believes and lives. The fact the the beast’s name is written on unbelievers signifies their agreement with those false claims (the 1st beast claiming kingship) and their refusal to worship the true God.
B. How did the church at Smyrna exemplify financial loss due to not going along with the beasts?
They remained faithful.
C. How might you lose money or power or reputation by following Christ and refusing to be lukewarm?
Being fired from your job. Falsely accused and thrown into prison. There are so many examples from today in this country but we also know that in countries like North Korea, China, Nigeria and even in the early church Christians did and are suffering because they’re refusing to be lukewarm.
I understand the symbolism but it’s literally happening, not in the literal sense that the Left Behind series translated it, but we’re in the tribulation and have been (in my understanding of time, which isn’t God’s) for a long time! Now I wonder, how long is 3 1/2 years/42 months to God?! Just musing🤔.
D. Why is it vital that we be loving, kind, and upright when God calls us to disobey the state or express our views that are contrary to the state or the counterfeit church? (1 Peter 3: 13-17)
“If with heart and soul you’re doing good, do you think you can be stopped? Even if you suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the opposition a second thought. Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath. It’s better to suffer for doing good, if that’s what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad. That’s what Christ did definitively: suffered because of others’ sins, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones. He went through it all—was put to death and then made alive—to bring us to God.”
1 Peter 3:13-18 MSG
E. In his final paragraph, explain how Campbell describes how true believers will be seen by the world. As bigoted and intolerant for their refusal to compromise.
5. What have you thought the mark of the beast meant in the past and why? A tattoo, maybe an ultraviolet one that is unique to each individual, like a barcode. As our technology progresses it becomes easier to see how we could be marked with a permanent identifier, even a microchip in your body. I guess because I read it as literal and whenever I searched for more in depth studies on Revelations all that I found supported that view.
6. Read Revelation 13:16-17
A. What does the beast force people to do, and what helps him in his persuasion? (16-17) That everyone has to take the mark of the beast otherwise they will not be allowed to buy or sell anything.
B. If this mark represents our thinking, our worldview, how could having it cause us to experience worldly loss? Losing your job because of your beliefs. Losing your business for standing up for your beliefs and not bowing to the opinion of society in the guise of equality.
C. What is the number and what does it represent? 666 Six is the number that symbolizes man. Things in triplicate denote the highest of the high or the ultimate. How is God’s number different? God’s number is 7 the number of perfection.
7. Read the first paragraph under “The Mark of the Beast” and stop at “The number of the beast…”
A. How does Campbell explain the mark? It symbolizes the counterfeit of the seal of God, to signify who they belong to.
B. How did the church at Smyrna exemplify financial loss due to not going along with the beasts? They were among the poorest in society.
C. How might you lose money or power or reputation by following Christ and refusing to be lukewarm? By sanctions or fines for not complying to the governments’ “equality” policy. Losing your business or position for stating your beliefs especially if you are a public figure.
D. Why is it vital that we be loving, kind, and upright when God calls us to disobey the state or express our views that are contrary to the state or the counterfeit church? (1 Peter 3: 13-17) Because we are called to do all things with kindness and respect. If we should suffer it should be because of doing what is right (respectfully refusing to compromise) than for doing what is wrong (yelling, slandering, being hostile or violent).
Wednesday
5. What have you thought the mark of the beast meant in the past and why? I always thought it would be a ‘tattoo’ across the forehead. I’ll admit the picture in my head when I think of those with the mark of the beast is set in the ancient past- more tribal. It challenges me to think about it in the context of today’s society or even in the future. What would the mark of the beast look like? Like most, I’ve heard people making statements about the future as a cashless society, the vaccine, and the microchip being the mark of the beast.
6. a.) Forces people to receive the mark or be unable to buy/sell, essentially survive.
b.) If having the mark represents how we think than because the mark is from Satan then our thinking would be that of him. The world would be in total selfish chaos. Thus, the opposite is true. If we have the mark of our Lord, then we think as he thinks. How Heavenly, literally, it would be if everyone wore the mark of our Lord!
c.) Six is the number of man while seven is the number of God. God’s number is perfect and whole while the number of man is deficient.
7. a.) As counterfeit. Satan is copying God once again to try and cause confusion.
b.) They were extremely poor.
c.) Refusing to comply will always ruffle feathers. Others think of you as unloving or even as not a true Christian for refusing to fall to societal pressures. Following Jesus isn’t always easy. I bet we can all think of a time when we lost a friend due to our views. Personally, I feel like no one wants to be friends with me, except those lifelong friends, because I am a pastor. As if I’m going to condenm them for not knowing everything or having doubts (hello, I’m human too!) It’s lonely sometimes and it’s a hard calling to live out. But, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
d.)We must be loving, kind, and upright because that’s what Scripture says. John 13:35, “by this everyone will know you are My disciples, if you love one another.” Our mission at our church is “Be Like Jesus- Lead Like Jesus”. Jesus didn’t go around degrading and humiliating people who were lost and broken. He embraced them and lovingly pointed them to His Father. If we are to be like Jesus, then we must love others like Jesus does…too much to leave them without hope for the healing of their brokenness.
Kendall — so good to have you here. I don’t know many women pastors who are conservative, but you obviously are and you enrich our group. I’ve been part of a church home plant and we just have a steering committee at this point of me and two men, and I’ve gotten a taste of the challenges of being a pastor, and how it can be — yet satisfying too. May the Lord continue to be with you!
Thank you! I am enjoying this study immensely and it is definitely challenging me. I am a Family Ministries Pastor so I mostly work with those under the age of 18. I don’t find myself preaching on such difficult topics such as this. I’m so glad I heard you on Dr. Dobson’s podcast!
Me too, Kendall. You came in smack in the middle of one of the most challenging studies — many have fled, but here you are!
Hi Dee! As we enter into some of the busiest weeks of ministry, I find myself reading more comments than actually writing my answers out. Hope that’s okay! You all are so wise and I’ve learned so much in just this short time together!
Kendall, I am so happy you are continuing with the great study Dee has created. It is wonderful to hear your views. I love love love this that you wrote:
d.)We must be loving, kind, and upright because that’s what Scripture says. John 13:35, “by this everyone will know you are My disciples, if you love one another.” Our mission at our church is “Be Like Jesus- Lead Like Jesus”. Jesus didn’t go around degrading and humiliating people who were lost and broken. He embraced them and lovingly pointed them to His Father. If we are to be like Jesus, then we must love others like Jesus does…too much to leave them without hope for the healing of their brokenness.
Thank you for loving others so well. It must be so difficult to be a pastor right now. Those who you minister to are very blessed. I know that it is hard for a pastor or wife of a pastor to find a friend to confide in. I pray that you are comfortable in this group of ladies, who love from the heart. It is a beautiful group. I am so thankful for each of you!
5. What have you thought the mark of the beast meant in the past and why?
I always thought that it was a literal mark of the number 666 somewhere on the body.
6. Read Revelation 13:16-1
A. What does the beast force people to do, and what helps him in his persuasion? (16-17)
He forces people to have his mark or they won’t be able to buy or sell anything.
B. If this mark represents our thinking, our worldview, how could having it cause us to experience worldly loss?
I don’t think I understand this question. If the mark is my thinking (worldly things good, heavenly things bad), meaning that I can buy and sell if I have it, then NOT having it would mean I would experience worldly loss. I can see where if the question asked about heavenly loss though.
C. What is the number and what does it represent? How is God’s number different?
666 is the number. It represents humanity. Gods number is perfection 7.
I know that this may cause some to groan, however I can’t help but say it…Although we are learning that this “mark” isn’t represented as a real thing (it’s symbolic), it sure does seem as if the beast is “showing his hand” these days. Specifically, in Austria, Germany (!), and Australia, if you aren’t vaccinated then you aren’t “worthy” to be in society. In Australia the unvaccinated, who test negative for covid are being placed in quarantine camps. It doesn’t make any sense. I have read about a bill that passed the House (all D’s and 80 R’s) to implement a vaccine database. If it passes the Senate then I believe we will be heading in the direction of these other countries. It is in- Constitutional if you ask me; discrimination…treating some people one way and others another. Not cool. I am so sad that our world has come to this. I have never in my life seen such hatred and divisiveness over anything. I would love to know what Kerren from Australia (who maybe a silent blogger now) has to say, so I can pray better. Doesn’t it seem like it could be a marking of sorts? Vaccinated vs unvaccinated?
It could be, Laura. Though many vaccinated people are very godly people, so not sure how that works.
Yes, I understand that. It it’s being government led, that’s what is disturbing. The people might be being “fooled?” He is the evil one right? Sneaky, where it seems ok but….? How are we to know if the mark is just a symbol, and isn’t something tangible? Are you saying that it is more an action instead of a mark? Like if I turn away from Jesus then I have the mark? I’m really just trying to understand because this part is really creepy to me!
Laura, just a quick thought on the vaccine being government-led. As you said the enemy is kind of sneaky. And I know of many godly people who are vaccinated. But could it be possible, too that the enemy is using this as a distraction when in fact, he is using something else to bring about his counterfeit plans because we are focused on the particulars of the subject of vaccination? I agree with you that this has caused much sorrow, division among so many. But that is exactly what the enemy wants. Perhaps, he wants our eyes to focus on the what ifs instead of the what “God cans.”
I see some signs of the times and perhaps this supports the idealist view all the more? And perhaps Jesus is coming soon? But no one knows, only the Father. And He knows best.
I hope I am making sense here. I just felt prompted to share and I know this can be how we can sharpen one another. Many of you here have placed some hearty mental challenges for me-I appreciate it as it strengthens my resolve to dig deep in the Word.
Laura — the reason I think it is symbolic, and I could be wrong, is because Revelation is apocalyptic literature, which means symbolic literature that is dramatic. The book opens with a phrase “to show” which in the Greek means by way of signs and symbols. Jesus is represented by a Lion, but that’s a symbol. Satan by a dragon, but that’s a symbol. 144,000 is a symbol meaning 12 tribes time 12 apostles plus a thousand, which symbolizes too many to count — in other words, there won’t just be 144,000 saved, but that is a symbol for a great number from every tribe and nation. Could some pictures be actual and others symbols? Perhaps. But I think it is the movies and books that have made us think this way rather than the Scripture. I don’t believe you can turn away from Jesus, because you are sealed. You can sin, but He will not let you of His grasp. Those who refused to glorify Him or give Him thanks were given over to a depraved mind, and because they have a depraved mind, they were given over to lusts. I believe this is what is meant by the mark of the beast on our foreheads (minds) and hands (actions.) But I could be wrong.
Laura, this is a promise I cling to!
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.”
John 10:28-29 NLT
Laura, I’ve been vaccinated and I know who I belong to!
Thank you, Laura, Bing, Sharon and Dee…This discussion is so good. It is so important to be allowed to voice our thoughts and concerns. It is so important and, as Bing stated, how we sharpen one another.
I love this from Bing: (and all you wrote makes perfect sense). It is helping me to dig deeper too.
I see some signs of the times and perhaps this supports the idealist view all the more? And perhaps Jesus is coming soon? But no one knows, only the Father. And He knows best.
I am very late getting at my lesson this week, but I am loving what everyone has written. You all bless me so. Thank you, Dee, for all your work and research and great questions! I am reading it all, but late getting my answers done.
Dee, what you say about all the symbols is understandable, and, I love the forehead/mind analogy. That REALLY helps me understand.
My thinking was that in the scripture it says that those who didn’t have the mark were not allowed to buy or sell goods. That made me think of the vaccine as a mark. If you don’t have it then you can’t buy or sell goods (which is happening in the countries of which I spoke).
To the point of Godly people having the vaccine, I never meant to suggest they were owned by the beast. I am considering the governments being so forceful for people to get vaccinated as the evil bit here.
Bing, I like what you said about the deception; how all the focus on the vaccine is making us miss the true counterfeit plans he has for us. Ugh, so hard!
Laura, I did a little researching on the quarantining in Australia, and found that Queensland, a state in Australia, is building a quarantine facility “for arriving travelers, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, and plans to use the facility for fully vaccinated international students upon their arrival into the country, and potentially for unvaccinated travelers.” This is after Queensland announced in October that it would gradually re-open its borders to domestic and international travelers, and will need the facility for travelers returning from high-risk countries and unvaccinated people.
However, someone used a clip from the premier of the state of Queensland speaking about this, and it was then misrepresented as suggesting that unvaccinated people would be put into quarantine camps.
Thanks for clarifying the news, Susan. misrepresentation is so common nowadays with the news media.
Thanks for the research Susan. Here is what has me up in arms:
https://www.facebook.com/michaeltrittharttrainer/videos/419099739874266/?
It is this information that is going around that is disturbing. This person posted a hidden video on FB. I don’t do FB anymore, but a friend sent it to me. The person is unvaccinated but in this camp even though she tests negative. I have heard it is happening in Austria and Germany too. I just can’t believe this is going on after WWII! Is it real?? I am not sure where this is.
My Thursday showed up under Bings Monday/Tuesday…must of been where I was last parked and didn’t realize it. 🥴
That has happened to me too, Sharon. I am in the wrong spot right now. 🙂 I also cling to that very verse! “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.”John 10:28-29 NLT
This is such a difficult time in history and God knows our hearts, our motives, our intentions. The enemy is truly trying to trick, confuse, divide and conquer us~ but God knows ALL. As believers, we must stand strong together on God’s Word.
“
Amen Patti! I so appreciate your words of wisdom.
Laura, Sharon, and Patti, I have shared this verse before and would like to share it again in terms of the surety of our spiritual protection:
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.”
We are called, love in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ. He holds us fast. The song that our 2 Chris’s love. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OOphIgGkjM
Thank you Bing. What a good reminder.
Bing, wonderful promise and the song is beautiful…these words especially spoke to me…
Those He saves are His delight
Christ will hold me fast
Precious in His holy sight
He will hold me fast
Thank you for sharing.
Bing, Thank you for reminding us that our Father in Heaven is so able to care for us in every way. Thank you for the link, too.
7. Read the first paragraph under “The Mark of the Beast” and stop at “The number of the beast…”
A. How does Campbell explain the mark?
He says it is a symbolic mark, “the exact satanic counterpart to the seal…” of the believers which is on their forehead. The mark is a sign of ownership. We (believers) are “owned” by God. We are baptized in the name of Jesus. To be “in His name” is to be owned by Him.
B. How did the church at Smyrna exemplify financial loss due to not going along with the beasts?
They suffered in poverty and blasphemy. They were put into prison. They were persecuted. However, if they remained faithful they received the crown of life.
C. How might you lose money or power or reputation by following Christ and refusing to be lukewarm?
People would look down on you being a Christian. They might laugh and make fun of you. I’m sitting in a dentist chair right now and there are absolutely NO signs that it is the Christmas season. I have never seen this in my life. It looks stark and barren here. No hope, no love, just nothing. UGH. In our country you would not (presumably) lose your job because of your faith because again, that’s discrimination. So, I’m not sure how I would lose money due to my faith.
D. Why is it vital that we be loving, kind, and upright when God calls us to disobey the state or express our views that are contrary to the state or the counterfeit church? (1 Peter 3: 13-17)
Because we are ambassadors of Christ! We reflect Him to others. Light, not dark. It is better to suffer doing right than wrong. In the end the faithful win.
Thanks for the good dialogue Laura.
Bringing in the “buy and sell” is good. I think about the cake maker — Baron Von Something who had to close up shop because of her Christian views — no longer able to sell because she does not have the Mark of the Beast on either her mind or her actions. And when there is a shortage of goods as prophesied, it may be that those “in Christ” will be at the back of the line — how – -I don’t know — and I could see how there could be something physical as well to identify that they don’t think or act like the world. It’s an interesting discussion and I love how you always bring us into it.
I know you didn’t mean to imply that those who are vaccinated have the mark. I think I got a bit sideways with that — my old ugly habit surfacing, and I am sorry dear Laura. I value you so and will do better.
I always appreciate your views on things, Laura. There are many places here that are very obvious in their lack of Christmas Spirit.
I have wondered too, about the mark of the beast and if it is symbolic only. The “church” and Christian organizations here are being targeted. The internet is another powerful tool that the enemy is using to control how and what we communicate. I remember a time when people felt free to state an opinion and that is another area that has slowly eroded. I do think the vaccine passport is being used in inappropriate ways in some parts of the world. Sports venues are open and there are crowds of people, who are Covid free or vaccinated, but in parts of Canada, they are implementing a system where you cannot enter a grocery store without a vaccine passport. This is unprecedented. There is much to question about the push for this with little thought to herd immunity. I think more credible information would help us all feel more comfortable, but there are so many things changing so quickly, it is truly hard to understand it all.
I really appreciate the research Susan has done on Australia! It is so hard to get real true news.
8. Read the paragraph in Mystery Explained that begins with “The number of the beast” and stop at “In support” and explain the problems with taking the number 666 literally.
Many have tried to decode the number however have been unsuccessful. It does not “match” any alphabetical system (use of gematria; numbers to letters, have been used). Others have tried to link a political figure (Nero, Hitler) to the number, but we’re unsuccessful.
Numbers in Revelation are symbolic and have a Biblical meaning. This is why people have not been able to figure out what it means.
9. Read the paragraph that begins “In support” all the way up to THE FOURTH VISION
A. How is the first beast the counterfeit of the Son?
Many ways:
– The Son receives authority from God, the beast receives authority from the dragon.
– both have crowns.
– Christ was slain and resurrected, it appears the beast was slain and resurrected.
– Power authority from God, which enables him to rule over all tribes and nations and continue his kingdom. The beast receives authority from the dragon, who also enables him to rule over tribes and nations but in a negative way.
B. How is the second beast the counterfeit of the Spirit?
Again, a few ways:
– The Holy Spirit is God’s breath. The false prophet breathes into the beast statue.
– The Holy Spirit encourages bearing true witness to further God’s kingdom. The beast encourages false religious institutions who will instill darkness into the world to counter the church.
C. What encouragement does Dr. Campbell give to the believer at the close of this section?
He calls for believers to have wisdom. Because this is all symbolic he believes that we should be able to understand what is written in the text. It was written for all people to understand (!). We are to understand that Satan is present in our world and will try anything to bring us down.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I am woefully behind this week! I started this morning by going back to last week’s lesson and continuing to work through it. I love Advent (maybe more than Christmas!) and yet it is so hard to not feel pulled in too many directions. I think Campbell’s explanation of “666” makes sense. I’ve heard one too many explanations about microchips or some other sci-fi sounding way that some will be “marked” and I really don’t believe them. What I don’t like about the weird explanations is that they cause some to be fearful and panicked, and I know that fear is not from God.
What you wrote about Ivy League colleges – I just listened to a podcast with the guest Kerry Robinson. She was talking about her role as the director of development for the St. Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale University. It was encouraging to hear her say that one of her goals for students who identified as Catholic at Yale was to have them leave with an adult, mature and robust faith.
2. Where are you prone to wander? How can you pray for yourself? For your local church?
I am so prone to wander! Last night, I just wanted to sit and relax and enjoy looking at my tree, because I’ve been gone from home a lot this week. Then, my husband entered the room looking for the TV remote. I said it’s in the basket, but he didn’t see it, and was convinced it was under a cushion. I told him that I had vacuumed the couches and chairs just this morning and removed all the cushions and it wasn’t under any of them. He started to lift a cushion anyway, and I got mad. I jumped up, took everything out of the book basket, and there was the remote. In my anger, I said a bad word. He had disrupted my peace, after all, and wasn’t listening to me. It’s a daily battle to not get impatient, be rude or unkind, to lash out in frustration. And the other day, I got really under attack in my thought life with things that haven’t come up in quite a while.
I love this prayer I recently read by Pope Francis:
“The prayer to the Holy Spirit is spontaneous; it has to come from your heart. In moments of difficulty, you have to say, “Come, Holy Spirit”. This is the key word: “Come”. But you have to say it to yourself in your own style, in your own words, Come, because I find myself in difficulty. Come, because I am in obscurity, in the dark. Come, because I do not know what to do. Come, because I am about to fall. Come. Come. Let us learn to invoke the Holy Spirit often. We can do this with simple words at various moments during the day…and with the presence of the Spirit, we will protect our freedom….we will be free with the Christian freedom, the kind that makes us grow.”
I can also pray for our churches and leaders of them to continue to be guided by God’s Word and His Spirit.
Awww, Susan – I get it. Thanks for being so vulnerable. How we all need each other’s prayers for this war.
Amen to Dee’s wise words. Thank you for your honesty, Susan! I think we have all been there! 🙂 You are a jewel! Yes, we all need each other’s prayers for this war! AMEN!
Thank you for the research on Australia, Susan! I appreciate “Real news”! xo
Susan, thanks for the prayer from Pope Francis. Come, Holy Spirit! Such a powerful phrase to invoke. I have found Him to come when I call-He never fails.
Susan, it’s interesting what you read about Yale University. I am so disgusted with educational indoctrination that what you found is a seed of hope! Our youngest went to “Christian” school where we are convinced he learned that being gay is “ok.” He then went to a college in SW Pennsylvania (my moms home state) where he learned to hate his family and their traditional values including being a patriotic American. He is living in Pittsburgh now going to grad school at moms old alma mater (University of Pittsburgh) and I have to say that we don’t talk much about hot topics these days. It helps to avoid them but continue to role model instead. He believes he is gay. I won’t accept it and he knows it. However, I have learned from Dee and all of you to LOVE at all times, at all costs. Thank you. He knows how I feel but does not feel unloved (I hope….at least that’s what I believe 🤷🏻♀️).
I love the prayer…”Come Holy Spirit.”
P.S. my daughter in law says she will come to church to see me dance next week! Wow.
Laura! I love that your daughter in law is coming to church to see you dance!! I will pray for your youngest. So so hard for young people when the educators are encouraging “anything goes”. There is such a fine line between accepting people the way they are and accepting a value structure….it is easy to see so much “Counterfeit Christianity” in our world today. Yes “Come Holy Spirit”!!
Laura, is this your daughter-in-law from Sweden coming to church to see you dance next week? How wonderful! I am not sure what to say about your son. I know that Wesley Hill, who wrote the book Washed and Waiting, is “gay”, as in he has same-sex attraction, but he remains celibate and is a believer. I am not sure why your son believes he is gay, or maybe he really does feel attracted to the same sex. I’m sure for those who have same-sex attraction yet want to follow Christ, it is a difficult struggle for their entire lives. Whatever his course in life, it is always the right thing to do, to continue to love him.
So exciting to read about your daughter-in-law coming to see you dance, Laura! Love at all times-a good reminder as I have a similar struggle with our daughter who seemed to have turned away from her faith. I am encouraged by what Sharon shared below about the patience of God in I Peter 3 and the promise of Philippians 1:6-He will complete what He has started in our lives and the lives of our loved ones.
Here is the link to the TGC article.https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/perplexing-passages-what-is-the-mark-of-the-beast/?amp
oh…I did read this! Good article…
I put the link here because the above that Dee had didn’t take me to the article.
Thanks, Sharon. I obviously need help!
Friday
10. Read the article from the Gospel Coaltion on the Mark of the Beast or watch the documentary Expelled and share what you learn.
I read the article and it confirms what Campbell says about the mark.
I watched the documentary. I know he was bringing out that those who brought up ID in the science world were being shunned. They don’t think that it has a place in science because it relates too close to faith. We have a man in our church who was a science professor at a Nazarene College and he gets upset that Christians think evolutionists can’t be Christians. He says that because he is one…why couldn’t God of used evolution he asks. My husband and him have had some very interesting conversations. One of my husband’s favorite jokes…
One day a group of scientists got together and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. They picked one scientist to go and tell Him that they were finished with Him.
The scientist went to God and said, “God, we’ve decided that we no longer need you. We’re to the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so why don’t you just go on and go somewhere else.”
God listened patiently and kindly to the man, and after the scientist had had his say, God said, “Very well! How about this? Let’s have a man making contest.”
The scientist agreed without hesitation and God added, “Now we’re going to do this just like I did back in the old days with Adam.”
The scientist said, “Sure, no problem” and bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt.
God looked at him and said, “No, no, no. You have to get your own dirt!”
This is the arrogance of the scientists I saw in this documentary and the beast continues to deceive just as he did in the garden.
Oh, Sharon! Thank you for the link! I will check it out!!! I will have to tell my husband your husband’s joke. He will love it. I do think there is a lot of research on perfecting the human…controlling DNA….the genome study groups…to create human/robot types….I find it a bit scary….
I look forward to the Lord’s return and HE will tell those researchers to start with there own dirt! 🙂 If any of you have never read The Case for Faith or The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel is a very interesting author. The Intelligent Design Group has members from Washington state. Dr. Stephen Meyer is part of the Discovery Institute. We have known Stephen for a number of years and I think he may even appear in the Ben Stein movie. His books are excellent! Sorry for the rabbit trail.
Sharon, I have seen the movie, Case for Christ. I also have read a book by Dr. Francis Collins and it had a good section on biomedical ethics. I love his story of how he became a Christian.
Bing, I will have to read the story of Dr. Francis Collins. It sounds great. Thank you.
Sharon, I don’t think Ben Stein is a believer. I found this bit of information about him that was in a written interview when the movie came out. I found it interesting. It would be wonderful if he became a believer. Stephen Meyer is definitely a believer.
Ben Stein: Walt Ruloff [co-writer and co-producer of the film] contacted me and showed me a bunch of very interesting slides and moving pictures about the cell. We talked a lot about the historical effects of Darwinism and social Darwinism, and he asked me if I would like to host a discussion about where Darwinism had gaps and where there were some unanswered questions about evolution. He said I could have a little bit of input into the storyline. I told him I was especially horrified by what Darwinism’s social and historical impact had been on Jews, and that that would motivate me to try to get some involvement in the project.
Patti, I have read Strobels books. It’s funny you brought those up because the whole time I was watching the documentaryI kept thinking to myself, I wish Lee Strobel was doing the interviewing.
Do you know if Ben Stein is a believer? Watching the documentaryI just wasn’t sure.
Sharon, LOL. I have heard that before and it really proves a point.
Yes, it would have been great to have Strobel do the interviewing!!!
That sounds like a Pastor Leach joke. 🙂
Oh Dee, right?!! He’s so much like his father!
That’s wonderful. Pastor Leach was one of my favorite people.
Wednesday: The Mark of the Beast
5. What have you thought the mark of the beast meant in the past and why?
That we will have a literal mark on us-some preachers said so while I was growing up in the Philippines.
6. Read Revelation 13:16-17
A. What does the beast force people to do, and what helps him in his persuasion? (16-17)
To have a mark on their right hand or foreheads. They could not buy or sell if they do not have the mark.
B. If this mark represents our thinking, our worldview, how could having it cause us to experience worldly loss?
We may lose our reputation, our earthly goods, relationships, even our very lives.
C. What is the number and what does it represent? How is God’s number different?
The number is 666 and it represents man. God’s number is 7 and represents perfection, completeness.
666 represents the mark of the beast. God’s number is the seal of the Spirit.
7. Read the first paragraph under “The Mark of the Beast” and stop at “The number of the beast…”
A. How does Campbell explain the mark?
A symbolic way of signifying ownership.
B. How did the church at Smyrna exemplify financial loss due to not going along with the beasts?
Their poverty was linked to their profession of faith.
C. How might you lose money or power or reputation by following Christ and refusing to be lukewarm?
Employers may not hire you and those who are not of the Lord will shun you.
D. Why is it vital that we be loving, kind, and upright when God calls us to disobey the state or express our views that are contrary to the state or the counterfeit church? (1 Peter 3: 13-17)
We are blessed when we should suffer for the good.
We also silence the ones who slander us (“so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander”.)
Thursday: The Number of the Beast
8. Read the paragraph in Mystery Explained that begins with “The number of the beast” and stop at “In support” and explain the problems with taking the number 666 literally.
They have used a system called gematria, substituting letters of the alphabet for numerals; some have identified it with Emperor Nero using a Hebrew transliteration of his title Nero Caesar. Then there were names proposed as candidates for 666.
9. Read the paragraph that begins “In support” all the way up to THE FOURTH VISION
A. How is the first beast the counterfeit of the Son?
The son receives authority from the Father; the beast receives authority from the dragon. The beast appeared slain and resurrected and so also does Christ. The Son receives kingdom authority from the Father; the beast rises to receive kingdom authority from the dragon
B. How is the second beast the counterfeit of the Spirit?
The spirit is the breath of the Father and the false prophet gives breath to the beast. The Spirit glorifies the Son, and the false prophet glorifies the beast. The spirit empowers the church, and the false prophet empowers unbelievers to use ungodly religious institutions to advance the kingdom of darkness and counteract the true witness of the church,
C. What encouragement does Dr. Campbell give to the believer at the close of this section?
To be on guard and to seek wisdom (James 1:5) and to be vigilant.
Bing, I love how you always bring scripture in…James 1:5, so good! Thank you.
Friday: Article or Documentary
10. Read the article from the Gospel Coalition on the Mark of the Beast or watch the documentary Expelled and share what you learn.
I read the article from TGC and it confirmed a few more things about the idealist view for me. I just happened to be listening to Jen Wilkin’s TGC podcast titled “Female Bravery and God’s mission” and she quoted G.K. Beale’s commentary on Revelation. Interestingly, her topic was the 2 women midwives of the OT who did not obey the Pharaoh’s command to kill newborn males. She threaded the theme of God’s protection of His people in OT (and nowadays, the church) from the beginning to the end of time. “God protects the women who put themselves in opposition to the serpent”, she said.
It ties up with what Sam storms said: “Just as the seal and the divine name on believers connote God’s ownership and spiritual protection of them, so the mark and Satanic name signify those who belong to the Devil and will undergo perdition.”
So interesting, Bing.
Saturday
11. What is your take-a-way and why?
The symbolism of the mark makes so much sense to me. He has used many through the ages “trying” to counteract the work of Christ and in many different ways. It seems that with every generation, my grandparents and parents thought “He must be coming soon.” Now, I’m thinking the same thing and am reminded of this passage in 2 Peter 3…
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—”
2 Peter 3:9-15 NLT
This has been a silent study week for me most days, but I have been so blessed by reading all that you dear friends have written. I have especially loved the scripture support from you, Sharon and Bing.
To be on guard and to seek wisdom (James 1:5) and to be vigilant. This is a powerful verse. This is Golden!!
2Peter 3:9-15 also spoke to my heart.
We have been praying and working at healing the relationship between two of our grown children. It has been hard on us and on them, but through this all we have tried to leave it to the Lord. We are starting to see a bit of healing and we have grown closer to our grandchildren through this. Their eyes are being opened, which is good. We saw a bit of a breakthrough this week. We Praise God for all His is doing and we are seeing the importance of letting Him do it (not us). These verses are so meaningful right now to me; I am so thankful the Lord prompted you to write this particular scripture, Sharon. I feel that God is working in our children and grandchildren to assure their salvation. I am praying that we will be obedient to His Word and trust Him only in this. We are praying that our grown children will truly trust our Lord God, the real Lord God, and not be influenced by some who claim to know the Lord, but may not. The counterfeit Trinity is operating in Christian communities and I am praying that the scales will be lifted from the eyes who are tempted to follow.
So glad about the breakthrough. Would love to know more if you can.
I pray with you Patti and glad you’ve grown close to your grandchildren.
Thank you, Dee and Sharon. Praising God for His way. He knows what He is doing, so I am giving Him the reins…. and the glory!! 🙂
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, I want to see you… a line to a song, Patti. It is my prayer, too for so many I know and love. Let the scales be lifted from the eyes of those who are being deceived by the enemy, to our Immutable and all powerful God I pray.
8. Read the paragraph in Mystery Explained that begins with “The number of the beast” and stop at “In support” and explain the problems with taking the number 666 literally. Because numbers are meant symbolically not literally and no attempt to make them fit into history has worked.
9. Read the paragraph that begins “In support” all the way up to THE FOURTH VISION
A. How is the first beast the counterfeit of the Son? The Son received his authority from the Father and the beast received his authority from the dragon. They both have crowns. The dragon appeared as slain then resurrected, the Son was slain and resurrected. The Son stepped forward to receive His kingdom, the beast rises to receive kingdom authority from the dragon.
B. How is the second beast the counterfeit of the Spirit? The Spirit is the breath of God, the false prophet gives breath to the statue. The Spirit glorifies the Son, the false prophet glorifies the beast. The Spirit empowers the church to bear witness to the truth to advance God’s kingdom, the false prophet empowers unbelievers to use false religion to further the kingdom of darkness.
C. What encouragement does Dr. Campbell give to the believer at the close of this section? The bible isn’t meant to be so complicated that no one can understand it. God has given us his Spirit so that we all can read and interpret it for ourselves, and we must remain vigilant against Satan.
Dawn, like you, I really do believe that the Spirit can help us understand the Scriptures. We do have the mind of Christ but like you also said, we need to be vigilant against Satan as he can deceive us by catering to our pride. May Christ’s example of humble submission to the Father be the one that we follow. And all the glory be His.
3. Read Revelation 13:11-15 aloud to yourself.
A. How is this beast’s appearance like a lamb – and how does his speech differ?
This beast arising from the land has two horns like those of a lamb, and speaks with the voice of a dragon.
B. How does this beast support the beast from the sea?
This beast from the land has all the authority of the first beast from the sea, and he requires all the earth and all who belong to this world to worship the first beast with the mortal wound that appeared to be healed.
C. What methods does he use to deceive the earth dwellers? How might you see this today?
He does astounding miracles like making fire flash down from heaven, and he performs other miracles on behalf of the first beast. I can think of some false teachers and faith healers who use deception to get people to donate money to them.
D. What other way does the beast of the land help the beast of the sea?
He orders the people of the world to make a great statue of the first beast, and then he gives life to the statue to make it speak. The statue commands that anyone who refuses to worship it must die.
4. Read in Mystery Explained, under The Second Beast Arises, everything up to The Mark of the Beast.
A. What confirmation does Campbell see in the fact that this second beast is later called the “false prophet”?
The second beast’s two horns like a lamb suggests it is a deceptive representative of Christ, and also means it mimics the two witnesses, two lampstands, and two olive trees, meaning that it deceptively represents the church. Campbell then says that the fact that this beast is later called the false prophet confirms its religious nature.
B. What is this beast’s goal?
Its goal is to conform the church to the idolatrous institutions and practices of pagan culture and to turn it away from the commandments of God’s Word.
C. In what ways do you see churches conforming to the unbiblical teachings of your government?
I believe anytime the church “marries” itself to any political party, as if identifying with a political party and its ideologies is equal to being a Christian, that is wrong and is conforming the church to whatever the ruling political party of the day is about.
D. Campbell refers to Daniel 11:30-37. How do these two beasts work together?
Daniel warns that a last days deceiver will infiltrate the church, turning people away from God. The second beast is at work in the church when leaders begin to take their lead from the values of the pagan culture they live in, rather than from the Word of God. The second beast persuades people to worship his master, the first beast, due to his apparent resurrection.
E. In his final paragraph, explain how Campbell describes how true believers will be seen by the world.
True believers will be seen as narrow, bigoted, and intolerant due to their refusal to compromise with the spirit of the world.
5. What have you thought the mark of the beast meant in the past, and why?
I suppose I thought it would be some sort of a literal mark on people, and that was based on sermons and teaching I would hear about it. The number “666” was portrayed as being evil and demonic.
Susan, I’ve been meaning to tell you that I love your picture❤️
I so agree with your answer to C, Susan — and I see that happening with so many — on both sides!
Saturday:
11. What is your take-a-way and why?
God has been giving me victory over my thought life that I have not had before. I know one of the reasons is by me being here and being sharpened by time in the Word and the virtual company of each one of you. Dee and Dr. Campbell have been wonderful guides and I appreciate what I am learning here about the Holy Trinity. I am more and more convinced that every day requires me to put on the armor of God. As I see “the Day” approaching, may I be alert to the counterfeit work of the enemy, “fight” from a stance of victory, and rely on the Spirit who dwells within me. On a side note, I was challenged by an article I have read: Since I have the mark of Christ and not of the beast, how distinctive is my life of Him who is in me?
Bing, thank you for the reminder of putting on the armor of God…amen! May we continue to be faithful and stand firm.