By Steven Merten
copyright 2008
Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth, and the armies they had mustered to do battle with the One riding the horse, and with his army. The beast was captured along with the false prophet who preformed in its presence the prodigies that led men astray, making them accept the mark of the beast and worship its image. Both were hurled down alive into the fiery pool of burning sulphur. The rest were slain by the sword which came out of the mouth of the One who rode the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on the flesh of the slain.To understand who the armies of the ‘beast’ are, those with the mark of the beast on their forehead or their right hand, it is easier to understand who those are who do not have the mark of the beast on their right hand or forehead. Those who do not have the mark of the beast on their forehead or right hand are those who ‘keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus’ and ‘their good works accompany them’.
Obeying God's commandments is how you love the Father and Jesus with all your heart with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind. A man's strength in battle or at work is in his arm, wrist and hand. To bind God's law on your wrist is to write it on your strength. To bind God's law on your forehead is to place it in your mind. When Jesus returns, He will be looking for those who have His commandments etched into their minds like a pendant on their foreheads. Jesus will be looking for those who obey God's commandments with all their strength like a banner on the strenght of their arm. Do not let Satan put his mark of disobedience on the forehead of your mind, on your heart, in your soul or on your strength.
A third angel followed the others and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast or its image, or accepts its mark on his forehead or hand, he too will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger. He will be tormented in burning sulphur before the Lamb, and the smoke of their torment shall rise forever and ever. There shall be no relief day or night for those who worship the beast or its image or accept the mark of its name." This is what sustains the holy ones, who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. I heard a voice from heaven say to me: "write this down: Happy now are the dead who die in the Lord!" The Spirit added, "Yes, they shall find rest from their labors, for their good works accompany them."
"Therefore, take these words of mine into your heart and soul. Bind them at your wrist as a sign, and let them be a pendant on your forehead. Teach them to your children, speaking of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. And write them on the doorposts or your houses and on your gates, so that, as long as the heavens are above the earth, you and your children may live on in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers he would give them.""For if you are careful to observe all these commandments I enjoin on you, loving the LORD, your God, and following his ways exactly, and holding fast to him,..."
The first angel went out, and when he poured out his bowl on the earth, severe and festering boils broke out on the men who had accepted the mark of the beast or worshiped its image......REV 16:10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast. Its kingdomwas plunged into darkness; men bit their tongues in pain and blasphemed the God of heaven because of their suffering and their boils. But they did not turn away from their wicked deeds.
"These then are the commandments, the statutes and decrees which the LORD, your God, has ordered that you be taught to observe in the land into which you are crossing for conquest, so that you and your son and your grandson may fear the LORD, your God, and keep, throughout the days of your lives, all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you, and thus have long life. Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them, that you may grow and prosper the more in keeping with the promise of the LORD, the God of your fathers, to give you a land flowing with milk and honey." The great commandment. Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. Bind them at your wrist as a sign and let them be as a pendant on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates.Will you write Jesus' and the Father's law on your heart, strength, mind and soul, or, will you allow Satan to put his mark on your heart, strength, mind and soul