Most believers are aware of the 'mark of the beast' and its mystical number 666. Yet very few seem to be aware that whatever Satan is doing in the natural, we can be sure he is imitating something that God is already doing in the spiritual.
In the last days he will perform miracles to deceive multitudes, because God is already doing great miracles through His Spirit poured out. Compare Rev.13:3,4 and 14-18 with the promises of Joel 2
He will put his mark and number upon those who will worship him - because the Lord is also putting His mark on His people - but not all! Many believers will suffer during the tribulation because they do not bear His mark.
Reading: Revelation 3: 7-13 - The letter to the church of Philadelphia.
In 'dispensational' teaching, these seven letters represent seven ages of the church from the time of Jesus until the present day. We may summarise:
Ephesus: from time of Jesus to times of persecution begun in AD60s. lost its 'first love'
Smyra: ~AD70 to the birth of Christendom under Rome in the C4th. persecuted
Pergamum build up of the Roman church. compromising
Thyatira political, worldly agenda, manipulative. political
Sardis from 'reformation' to liberalism. drifting
Philadelphia from mid nineteenth century. missionary
Laodicea present day. 'luke-warm'
. It is my conviction that we have all seven churches present today. It should be noted that, of the seven, only Smyrna and Philadelphia receive no condemnation. The suffering and the missionary church is still near to the Father's heart.
However, to the Philadelphia church, wonderful promises are given that refer to a time of great tribulation. Note Rev 3:13: "... I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God .... and My new name." (the three-fold name to correspond with the three-fold number of Satan?) What makes this church, these people, so special?
Consider their NAME: Philadelphia. The name indicates 'Lovers of the Brethren'. These are a people who love one another, in obedience to the command of their Lord. They have a kingdom vision, motivated by love - not a narrow sectarian, local-church-only attitude.
Consider the GOD THEY KNOW: To know a people, look at the god they serve. He has revealed Himself to them as holy and true. This indicates that they are a people who honour holiness and integrity. They try to live their lives with these same qualities. He is also the One whom they can trust with their destiny, opening doors that no one can shut and shutting doors that no one can open.
Consider their CHARACTER: They have 'a little power'; have kept His word; have not denied His name. This word for power is interesting. It is not exousia, the power all believers receive at new birth, by which we become Sons of God. (John 1:12). It is dunamis, the power promised and first received on the Day of Pentecost, by which disciples are enabled to minister in their giftings with anointing, and by which they are witnesses. (Acts 1:8). These are believers who minister, not in their own strength but in the power of the indwelling Spirit of God. Secondly, they are faithful to His Word, living by its principles. Thirdly, they are true to their testimony, they are not ashamed, so that all know they belong to the Lord.
In response to this, the Lord makes some wonderful promises:
"I will put before you an open door." When other believers are finding difficulties before them, Philadelphia Christians find the barriers falling down. They alone see the seas parting, the walls falling, the difficulties overcome, disappointments becoming His appointments.
"Unbelievers - of the synagogue of Satan - will bow down before you, knowing you are loved by the Lord." This is revival - "when God comes to town".
"You will be kept from the hour of testing that is coming upon the whole world." ('Tribulation'?). [Some want to be raptured out of the world before that awful day comes, leaving the non-believers and the Jews to suffer alone. I am not convinced that is what the Bible in fact teaches. However, if I am to go through tribulation (as much of the church is already experiencing), I want to know that the Lord is keeping me! ]
"I will make the overcomer a pillar in the temple of My God." Wherever the Lord is going to dwell - His temple - the Philadelphia believer will be constantly in His presence. [What a reward for the missionary who has given up home and family to serve the Lord in this life!]
To such people, the mark of God is given, a mark that Satan tries to duplicate on his own, deceived followers:
"I will write on him, the three-fold name." The name of My God indicates ownership; the name of the city of My God (New Jerusalem) indicates destination; My new name indicates changed character. At that time, being kept by the Lord, the world will recognise us as belonging to Him, destined to reign with Him and with a new character, like unto His. This is a glorious life of victory while all the world around us in struggling in the battle against the antiChrist. Like the 144,000 Jewish 'evangelists' of the Tribulation days, these believers will be kept, will be glorious overcomers before whom the unbelievers will fall, will be destined to dwell in His presence throughout His millennial reign on earth. Hallelujah!
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Gareth Evans ( - )
Gareth Evans is an itinerant pastor/teacher with a burden to minister to the hurting church his ministry website is Gareth Evans Ministries. Formerly a Physics teacher in the UK and Canada, he became a pastor with the Christian & Missionary Alliance in Canada in 1979. In 1991, he was invited to serve as pastor on board the M/V Anastasis, a medical, missionary ship operated by Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Since leaving that ministry four years later, Gareth has traveled to many countries, encouraging pastors and missionaries.He is married to Anne and they have three married daughters, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Gareth and Anne live in Victoria, in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Some of his main burdens is to mentor young men to see them walk in the anointing of God and soar on wings as eagles. He has also prayed for revival and moderated many revival conferences across the world.