Bible Question:
Revelation 14:9-10 says that those who “accept” the sign of the beast will not enter the Kingdom of God. I'm of the opinion that even if one does “accept” the sign and repents before they die, they will be accepted in the Kingdom of God. Any position otherwise would preclude the Doctrine of Grace. What do you think?
Bible Answer:
The mark of the beast appears for the first time in the book of Revelation in chapter 13. Two verses tell us that the false prophet,
. . . causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Revelation 13:16-17 (NASB)
The shape or form of the mark is not defined for us, but we are told the mark will be either on the right hand or on a person’s forehead. This eliminates many of speculations.
A Second Chance To Have Eternal Life?
Mark of the Beast
There is much debate about the mark. There is great speculation that the mark is a computer number. It is possible that it could be a small electronic chip embedded under a person’s skin. A small electronic chip is already injected under a dog’s skin in the United States to track medical history. The “mark” will be an act of submission to the Antichrist. It will force all to make a choice between being able to purchase food, clothing, living life as we know it now, or living in obedience to God.
Penalty That Will Be Incurred
The next time the mark appears in Scripture is in Revelation 14:9-10.
And another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” Revelation 14:9-10 (NASB)
Earlier in Revelation 14:6-7, we are told that an angel will fly in the air preaching the gospel to everyone. Most of us would like to see a angel flying in the sky! Then in Revelation 14:8 we are told judgment will fall on Babylon. So, why would anyone want to worship the beast, the antichrist, his image, and receive the mark on the forehead? The answer is the unbeliever who will not understand the significance of what it means. Daniel 12:10 warns that in the tribulation period none of the wicked will understand. So, they will join the millions and billions of other followers in taking the mark in order to avoid punishment.
We must remember that Jesus warned Christians that there will be a cost for being a true Christian even in this life.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 (NASB)
Remember the word that I said to you, “A slave is not greater than his master.” If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. John 15:20 (NASB)
True Christians in the tribulation will suffer. It appears from Revelation 20:5 that
. . . And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Revelation 20:4 (NASB)
The context of this passage reveals that those who will enter the kingdom will be those people who “had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand.” But if we look at the passage closely, we discover those who will suffer the wrath of God, which is defined as the full strength of the Father’s anger, will have chosen to worship the beast, the antichrist, his image, and also receive the mark on the forehead or upon the hand. This means that someone could receive the mark on the forehead or upon the hand in order to avoid punishment and still later accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and have eternal life. The Bible teaches that much evangelism will be taking place during the tribulation with many coming to faith. Also a true Christian might in a weak moment sin and allow the mark to be placed on their forehead or on their hand and still have eternal life
A close look reveals the person must also worship the beast and his image. That means the person accepted the antichrist as his or her god. Worship is a declaration of allegiance to the antichrist and a rejection of the true God. It is an act of submission.
Why will those who have worshiped the antichrist and his image, and received the mark not be resurrected to eternal life? The reason is that these individuals heard the gospel and rejected Jesus Christ. They refused to believe in Him. They became followers of the antichrist and not Christ. They will have been warned and then they still worshiped the beast anyway. Worship is a sign of their heart’s submission to the antichrist and not God. They have willingly made this decision to finally reject God.
God will have given them chance after chance to accept Him. He always does that. That is the message in this verse.
He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.” Hebrews 4:7 (NASB)
But there comes a time when after an individual has finally and completely rejected Him that God will allow them to go his or her way.
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain terrifying expectation of judgment, and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Hebrews 10:26-27 (NASB)
Conclusion:
Suffering is a part of the Christian life. Real Christians desire to live a holy life (2 Timothy 3:12). If we have that desire, we will suffer for God. Real Christians or saints have always suffered for God. Hebrews reminds us that the Old Testament saints always suffered.
And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith . . . Hebrews 11:32-39 (NASB)
Many Christians in the western culture have had it easy. They are “soft Christians.” But that has not always been the case, and it will not be like that in the future.
Suggested Links:
Can Christians take the mark of the beast and still go to heaven? — John MacArthur’s viewDoes the mark of the beast come before or after the rapture?
Is Digital Currency the Mark of the Beast?