Wednesday, July 3, 2019

Mark of the Beast

St. Peter's Square - The Vatican City

by Michael C. Garrett


Greetings friends. Welcome to Owensboro, Kentucky and the weekly Church service of the Owensboro Church of Jesus Christ. My name is Michael C. Garrett. Thank you for being regular readers of our articles or listening to our sermons on our blog page - https://www.owensborocojc.com – also our sermons on our YouTube channel. We also have a website which is – owensborochurchofjesuschrist.com. And also there are people who put up our material on Facebook pages and other social media sites.

‘cults of personality’

I am very glad to be here today. One of our friends down in Alabama – Guy LaMar – sent me an email which had embedded in it a link to observe a podcast – an interview program. And he wrote, you will probably find this interesting. Well, I clicked on the link and a man who to me looks like Satan the devil - I mean he was just a shaggy looking man – named Aron Ra. He was the interviewer. Obviously an intelligent man, but a really sour attitude about God and Jesus Christ and religion. He was interviewing a man that once upon a time I had gone to school with at Ambassador College. I won’t say the man’s name, I’ll just call him D.D. – those are his initials. He had been in the Worldwide Church of God as a minister - he said for thirty-years! And then he came to have a total meltdown in his faith. And now this D.D. said on this interview that he was a staunch believer in evolution. And did imply from the words I heard that he does not believe in the existence of God or the validity of the Bible. And his concept of eternal life was, “someday I will die, and I will cease to exist.” I was deeply disturbed by this interview. Now Aron Ra - who looked like Satan – he’s got a close relationship with that evil being – he took great pleasure in hearing the stories that D.D. had to say. At one point D.D. said, “Over the course of my ministry I anointed a thousand people,” he probably anointed more, “and not once did I see any results.”

And I thought – Well, I think now we’re beginning to understand that you – Mr. D.D. – had very little faith in God the Father and Jesus Christ. And they did talk a lot about many of the organizations which have flowed from the WCG. And they both pointed out that a lot of these leaders – what did they call them!? – “cults of personality.” That some of the major spin-off groups from Worldwide were led by one man who had a supreme opinion of himself and they had a lot of really bad things to say about these leaders. And, I really couldn’t disagree with that part of the interview, because from what I have learned about some of these people and my own personal interaction with the leaders of the CGI and the ICG I realized that much of what they were saying was true. That the leadership of these organizations is more the worship of personalities – and they indeed call them ‘cults’ – and I believe that’s probably an accurate description. Anyway, I’m glad I saw the interview, but at the same time, it was very depressing – because D.D. was a man that I probably sat right next to at Bible studies and Church services, classrooms. And this man who had thirty-years invested in being a minister now claims none of it! And I thought to myself – What is his fate!? What is his future!? And I have to conclude from what I’ve read in the Bible, that if he does not change his ways and his thinking in the near future, that he quite possibly has doomed himself to the lake of fire. And I thought – What a tragic waste. And so, anyway, folks the greatest possession you own – the greatest gift that you have – is the gift of your calling, and your understanding of the Word of God and the relevance of Jesus Christ and God Almighty, and the soon-coming Kingdom of God. And just because you once had it doesn’t mean you can’t lose it. The concept - that I believe has its roots in Calvinism – the concept of “once saved always saved” is not backed up by Scripture. You can have your name written in the Book of Life at one point in your life, and by failing to be attentive to Jesus Christ you can lose that name in the Book of Life. And if you do you have no hope. You have burned your bridges, and you’re going to be in a terrible predicament.

Friends, watching that podcast – of the man who looked like Satan the devil interviewing D.D. – I found it extremely upsetting! ‘Cause I was seeing and hearing with my own eyes and ears a man who I used to know professing that he had given up on religion, and given up on God and given up on the Bible! And he was, in effect, signing his own death warrant.

a complete secular exposition


Two weekends ago, the leader of the ICG put on the internet his “Weekly Update” as he calls it, and once again – and I’ve been following his updates for probably (on a regular basis) over two-years – I have yet to see him reference Jesus Christ a single time. I’ve talked about this before – he almost just adamantly refuses to acknowledge the name, Jesus Christ – as though he is ashamed of that name. And I remind you of what Jesus said, ‘If you’re ashamed of Me and My Words when I return I will be ashamed of you!’ – cf. Luke 9:26. Which is a horrible spot to be in! And then, I read the update last night – now for the past few weeks, not only does he not mention Jesus Christ he has now gotten into the habit where he doesn’t even mention the name, God. Now, he used to throw in the name God at the end – like a little seasoning you might put on your food or your salad – and now he doesn’t even go to the trouble of doing that. It is a total and complete secular exposition of his thoughts and ideas. And I will say, in conversations I’ve had with different people, it is a fact that an ever growing number of people – and many of these people at one time were associated with the ICG – are coming to the realization that the leader does not and will not mention Jesus Christ in any of his writings or his speaking. He doesn’t even mention Biblical Scriptures, and now there’s a growing tendency that he will not even mention the name, God. And all that he is preoccupied with is his very radical version of ultra-conservative political thought. I have mentioned before – and probably more than once – that after his father died and he inherited the reigns of that organization, he had his mother to sort of keep tabs on him. In fact, a lot of you may or may not know, anything that he sent out had to be read by his mother and approved by his mother. Well, his mother is now dead – for a couple of years now, tragically. And now the leader is just totally untethered. I was talking to our friend down in Alabama the other day, and it reminded me of a story of when I was young.

I was a young boy – the age of innocence – before teenagerhood. And one day over in Rockport, Indiana we had a very windy day – a consistent 15-20 mph wind. Well, I went into the house and found a kite, that my father had given to me and I had a spool of string, and my neighbor Dennis Cotton, who lived right next door, we got into the back of my yard and got that kite flying, and we had let out all the string we had – being quite impressed with our accomplishment. After a while, one of us got onto a bicycle, went down to the local Five-and-Dime store, and bought several more rolls of string - brought the string back and tied it in and began to slowly let out the kite even further. And then when we got to the end of that roll, we tied on another and kept letting it out. I really have no concept on how far that kite traveled. It got so far that we couldn’t see it anymore. But you could tell by the tension of the string that it was still flying. I have a feeling it ended up on the east side of town and may – for all I know – ended up flying over a part of the Ohio River!? That kite was on a tether – on a string. And finally, we lost the kite. We never pulled it back in – it was gone! I don’t know if it got snagged on a tree or a powerline, or the weight of the string that we kept adding was so great that the lift of the kite couldn’t supply lift anymore. But the kite got out there so far that we lost touch with it. And it was gone. And, I told our friend down in Alabama that that story reminds me of what’s going on right now down in Tyler, Texas. The leader of that organization has lost his tether. He’s not attached to Jesus Christ anymore. He’s not attached to the Bible, or God the Father. He doesn’t have his father around and he no longer has his mother around. And he is of such an arrogant personality that he does not believe he needs anybody else’s help. And he is so far out there that I question whether he will ever find the ONE AND ONLY tether again – and be rolled back in like the string of a kite. In this update from March 3, 2017, near the end – now he is increasingly preoccupied with verbally abusing the pope. That’s one of his favorite persons to beat up on. And in the last paragraph, he said the following – “Europeans seem to bow to the group-think demanded by their pope and their political leaders.” And then he asks, “What if that should take a hard right turn, way beyond anything contemplated by a Trump presidency?” And I’m really not sure what he means by that. And then he asks another question. And this is what really caught my attention – and I went, “What!?” “What happens when cash is removed from society and some political power regulates digital currency?” And, I’m thinking to myself when I read this – Where is he coming up with this!? Because this is not a Biblical concept, even though he has deluded himself into thinking that it is.

He goes on to ask, “What happens when they re-define “Christianity” one last time with the pope in tow?” And quite frankly, I’m not really sure what he means by that. But, whose “they”? And then he says at the conclusion – “That’s the Europe the Bible describes at the time of the end. But it is not yet.” And I thought to myself – What have you been reading Mark!? Better yet, what have you been smoking!? Because the Bible doesn’t mention any of that! Now, I do know that people of the Far Right Wing and in the evangelical Christian community put great stock in a series of books which were written about a couple of decades ago called the Left Behind series. They were a series of 16 books – bestselling religious fiction novels from 1995 to 2007. The authors were a Tim LaHaye and a Jerry Jenkins. And, four movies were created from these books. And the theory behind these books – and I got this from Wikipedia – “is dealing with Christian dispensationalism in the end-times.” And it “is a Christian eschatological [a study of end-time prophecy] interpretation of the Biblical apocalypse.” And these books appear to reflect the actual worldwide view of millions of Americans, including many prominent conservatives. Now I have no idea where the leader of that organization goes in his spare time on the computer – and what stuff he dredges up. But I’m sure if it’s off the chart Far Right, he probably spends a lot of time reading these things. And somewhere in all of that reading he has become infected by this Left Behind mentality – of these books. The books were written from a Protestant viewpoint – which is very odd because this leader of that organization has total antithesis for all religions. I think even his grandfather’s religion. And some believe the books are anti-Catholic. Some critics make the following claim – that the novels “twist scripture toward a certain theological and political end.” 1 Now, somewhere in his diet of taking in information this leader of that organization has been infected - in his mind and heart – by this Far Right conservative evangelical twisted Scripture mentality.

“What happens when they re-define “Christianity” one last time with the pope in tow?” – well, very quickly, turn to Revelation chapter 13. The pope is not in tow. The pope is one of the two leaders of this end-time event in Europe. The “beast” verse 2, and then verse 11 – “Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb [he appears to be religious, safe] and spoke like a [or for the] dragon.” He does all these signs and wonders – and gives great personality and life to this great end-time conglomeration of nations in central Europe. He’s not in tow of anybody! He’s one of the two guys in charge! This comment which Mark makes is ridiculous. “And that’s the Europe the Bible describes at the time of the end”? No!

Let me cover some research I have done. I went to a website entitled learnreligions.com. And in this article concerning the mark of the beast, it says, “Some believe these verses refer to a tattoo, a brand, or even a microchip implant..” And, the people of the Far Right absolutely love that! They – in the Left Behind world – they love the idea of a microchip. “Recently, many claim that the implant of medical or financial electronic ID chips is the mark of the beast. Others point to credit or debit cards.”

Now, also, I turned to some ICG websites, and I found a booklet – written by Mr. Garner Ted Armstrong – The Mark of the Beast – What Is It? - a man who knew what the Bible said (for the most part), a man who studied and thought about the Word of God, but now has been in his grave for almost sixteen years – wrote the following:
“Millions are deceived! Many believe the Mark of the Beast is yet some future development, a national identity card, or an invisible tattoo, or a microchip implanted beneath the skin, or a plastic credit card.”
Now, pay attention here, because he puts an exclamation point at the end of this sentence.
 “All of this is nonsense!”
So, Mr. Garner Ted Armstrong knew enough to realize that all these stories about microchips and ID chips and credit cards and whatnot are indeed nonsense.
“Those who believe such things …”
Including Garner Ted’s own son …
“…know nothing of the Bible, of history, or of prophecy!
Mr. Garner Ted Armstrong was dead-on right! Yet, again, the leader of that organization spoken of earlier said, “What happens when cash is removed from society and some political power regulates digital currency?” Folks, there is absolutely NOTHING IN THE BIBLE about “digital currency”! But that leader down in Tyler, Texas has the audacity to totally bastardize the Word of God! And to try to teach people who are looking to him for guidance for eternal life that the “mark of the beast” is either microchips or embedded electronic ID chips, or credit cards, or debit cards! AND HE PUTS THIS ON HIS WEBSITE!! An absolute pile of SNOT!

And it is sad that GTA’s own child doesn’t have ears to hear and eyes to see – because now the people who came to the ICG because of Mr. GTA’s scholarship, teaching, and the Work of God are now being taught by his son “What happens when cash is removed from society and some political power regulates digital currency?” Again, go back and read what Mr. GTA had to say, “All of this is nonsense! Those who believe such things know nothing of the Bible, of history, or of prophecy!”

And there is a reason why Mr. GTA’s own son doesn’t know anything about God’s Word – because he doesn’t read it! He is a biblical illiterate! Passing himself off as some great religious leader. As I asked a one-time friend of mine a few years ago, “Do you really believe that this leader – just like Moses and or Joshua – can lead you to the Promised Land!?” How can someone who doesn’t even say the name Jesus Christ lead you anywhere – except into the ditch!? Into death! Now, if the leader of that organization down in Tyler, Texas wants to throw his life away I can’t stop him! I hope he doesn’t! I wish there would come a time when he would go, “What am I doing!?” But if he’s determined to commit suicide – that’s one issue. But the part that just deeply disturbs me – there are people in the ICG that I know, and that I have known for many years, and that I care about deeply! And they’re following a fraud! They’re following a charlatan! They’re following a false prophet and a false teacher with false doctrines! And if you don’t believe me, just read his updates! Now, if you truly want to listen to that Right Wing Snot go listen to Rush Limbaugh or the Drudge Report! Watch Sean Hannity every night! But delving up to your eyeballs into Right Wing politics it’s not going to lead you down the path to eternal life! And especially since this leader of that organization won’t even say the name, Jesus Christ! How can you follow someone that won’t even acknowledge your Savior!? It’s beyond my comprehension! And yes, I have been told by others that Mark is beginning to be found out! That maybe my constant haranguing on this topic, it’s reaching a few people – or on their own, they’re starting to realize this! And there are many people who are former ministers of the ICG who know this and who say this! They’ve lived it! They’ve seen it!

As Mr. GTA said, “Those who believe such things know nothing of the Bible, … !” Mark doesn’t know anything of the Bible – and he doesn’t even care to know anything about the Bible! It is of no interest to him! His Far Right Wing politics appears to mean everything to him! He knows nothing of history! He is not a student of history. And he knows nothing of prophecy! Because in order to understand prophecy, you have to read the Bible, and you must rely upon Jesus Christ to fill your mind with truth and knowledge! But why!? Why are some of you still in his clutches!? It is maddening to me! It’s just completely upsetting to me! Because people I know and love are going to die! Unless they change course!

And still, he said in the ‘Weekly Update’ of March 10th, 2017 toward the end – the “21st Century WATCH … it’s another flame-thrower, and we hope you’ll love it.” Mark Armstrong believes that if he says radical incoherent Far Right manic ideas that somehow people will like, “O’ yeah! He’s our leader, he’s our guy! We love it! We love it!” Now, I would have thought such an idea to have been ridiculous, but here I’ve mentioned it several weeks ago, our friend Guy sent me another email with another link, and it was Mark Armstrong speaking at the Feast of Tabernacles 2016. And at one point he mocks parents who are digging out their dead children out of a pile of rubble which has just been bombed with artillery shells or whatever. And referring to these grieving parents – first time saying, “sons of dogs,” and then waits for a few moments and says, “bastards.” And to my utter shock, the people in the crowd gave him this roaring ovation. What are you people thinking!? Did you ever hear Christ speaking in that manner!? All that the ICG is anymore – I guess – are people who want to feast on extreme Far Right Wing propaganda. You’re not a church anymore. You’re some twisted political organization! You don’t worry about Jesus Christ or the Kingdom of God. Friends – WAKE UP BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! Anyone who leads you with the information as in his ‘Weekly Update’ has the spirit of antichrist and is an antichrist and a false prophet! Mark is taking you down the path of destruction – and it causes my heart tremendous pain! Because you think somewhere in your logic that you’re serving God. But how can you serve God by following a man who will not even acknowledge God anymore or Jesus Christ, or the Word of God, or the Plan of God, or the Truth of God, or the Kingdom of God!?

Friends, this is SERIOUS BUSINESS! THIS IS DEADLY SERIOUS! And again, I’m sure some of you out there have said, “Why does Garrett keep going back to this topic!?” Because I feel like the person described in the Book of Ezekiel! In chapters 3 & 33 – who is told – “IF you see the enemy approaching upon the city, and if you sit on your hands and say NOTHING, the people will die. But because you said nothing – you didn’t care enough to even raise your voice – you too will die!” “But on the other hand, if you attempt to communicate to the people the danger which is so present – the people may hear you or they may not hear you – and if they hear you not, they will die. But you will not die, because you have saved your own life.” And if a few of you actually hear what is being said and heed it, and ‘AWAKE, you who sleep’ – or just ONE OF YOU – hears and wakes up, then I will account all of these words as being successful! JUST ONE! Now, if two or three or four, or a congregation here, or a congregation there – folks, there is LIFE apart from the ICG! Some of you might be so stuck in a rut – you do everything that your spiritual master tells you to do because that’s comfortable to you – but you’re afraid to break out of that comfort zone. And you might say, “Well, what do I do if I don’t have that church to go to!?” Well, If you don’t go to that church, you’ve just greatly improved your chances of making it into the Kingdom of God. And more and more there are people out there that are beginning to realize that the direction being provided by Tyler, Texas is WRONG and they don’t want anything to do with it!

a prophesied “one-world government”?

Now, he went on to say in his March 10th, 2017 update – he mentioned toward the end the concept of a “one-world government.” That is a part of that Left Behind - Tim LaHaye, Jerry Jenkins Far Right evangelical conservative garbage! And, I’ve heard him say that quite a few times over fifteen years. And then he said, “the Bible indicates that such a government will ultimately prevail, …” And again my question is – “What!?” The Bible describes a “one-world government”!? No. Now, every time I’ve seen one of these books or one of these movies I’ve always been astounded by this concept that they put forth of “one-world religion,” and “one-world government”! And that seems to bring great joy to people of that ilk to talk about it. And if it were true it would be something to be upset about, but THE BIBLE DOES NOT describe that! What the leader of that organization is saying is totally Biblically INACCURATE! Now, this idea of which he said March 3rd, “What happens when cash is removed from society and some political power regulates digital currency?” is a MISINTERPRETATION of the concept – which in the Book of Revelation is called “the mark of the beast.”

‘two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon’


And, if you would turn to Revelation 13 again. And, this is where they get all of this. This is the genesis of all of this – “when cash is removed from society and some political power regulates digital currency.” Now, early on in Revelation 13, verse 2 we read about a concept which is called “the beast,” just to speed this up. That refers to a reorganized and revitalized concept of the “Holy” Roman Empire. Countries in Europe unifying in the end-times. And Revelation 13:15 – “He [referring to a great religious leader here. It’s not referring to a political leader here] …” Well, look at verse 11 – “Then I saw another beast [speaking of this great religious leader] coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon.” This is referring to a great religious leader who has its roots of power in the continent of Europe – and has had for almost two thousand years. Verse 12 – “And he [this second beast] exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” – now, what’s that “deadly wound”!? Well, the Roman Empire – the greatest world Empire ever in the ancient world – had its height of power and completely controlled most parts of Europe, and the Middle East, and North Africa. And yet, that great Empire eventually struggled and crumbled and disappeared. And then there were revivals of the concept the “Holy” Roman Empire. Up to this point in history, we’ve had six revivals. The last one being Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s Italy. The Bible says there will be seven revivals altogether. We haven’t gotten to the seventh revival yet. But the seventh revitalization of the “Holy” Roman Empire is what chapter 13 is talking about early on. And so this second beast is a great religious movement. And so, by saying, “whose deadly wound was healed,” when the seventh installment of the “Holy” Roman Empire comes to fruition, then the concept of the “Holy” Roman Empire will once again be alive and be intact. And so that “deadly wound” will cease to exist because it will be alive and healthy again. Verse 13 – “He performs great signs so that he even makes fire [or lightning] come down from heaven [to] the earth in the sight of men.” Now, as I’ve said before, this is a religious culture which is highly susceptible to what I would call – false signs and wonders.

I remember back a few years ago at an office building in Florida - and in part of the landscaping, they had installed a sprinkler system which produced a spray. And the pattern of the spray had this vague resemblance of the classic “Madonna and Child” type silhouette. And the people down in Florida became totally addicted to going and looking at the spray pattern of this wall! Now really, how silly can one be!? But that’s quite “sacred” in that culture! And, I remember a few years ago a woman in Florida had a cheese sandwich which she claimed bore the silhouette of the classic “Madonna.” She received 1.7 million hits, before selling it on eBay for $28,000! Also, you hear about bleeding statutes and you hear about tabernacles or cathedrals that have the so-called “piece” of the original cross. And just a lot of strange machinations. Well, this culture is highly susceptible to false signs and wonders. Now, keep in mind – while this is going on (verse 13) – the end-time prophets will be empowered by God and Jesus Christ to produce true miracles – healings! All types of conditions healed by these end-time prophets. Including raising people from the dead. Now, that’s a miracle you can sink your teeth into! But just because some man has “the power to make lightning fall from the sky,” how productive is that!? But these false signs – verse 14 – “And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, …” – remember back in ancient Egypt, the sorcerers and magicians to the Pharaoh!? They had the ability – through Satan the devil – to produce some limited signs. And again, they’re freakish stuff – odd things – like, why do I want to see something turn into a snake!? I myself am not interested in seeing that.

‘the image to the beast' 

“…telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast …” – now, I’ve talked about this before. The beast is basically the construct of the Roman Empire – and the different manifestations of the Roman Empire down through history. This great church that has its roots in central Europe has always been organized just as the Roman Empire. And so when you read ‘the image to the beast,’ it’s referring to a spiritual or religious organization led by a great so-called holy man and is constructed – designed – after the concept of the Roman Empire. So whenever you read ‘the image to the beast’ it’s a church organization. “…who was wounded by the sword and lived.” – so there have been times when that organization has been at death’s doorstep. Verse 15 – “He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, …” – meaning, this great so-called holy man becomes such a rock star. And you can think about even now, many places in Europe – I’m told, I’ve never been there – these great cathedrals have very few people who attend their services. Because the people right now aren’t very interested in it. But with this religious leader coming onto the scene with all of this ‘power to make lightning fall from the sky,” and other signs and wonders, that organization will become highly relevant. And this religious leader will become a rock star! And he will bring back celebrity and status and power to that organization. That’s why it says, ‘He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast.’ “…that the image of the beast should both speak [which means papal announcements] and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.” – so, there will become a requirement in Europe (keep this in mind)! This part of the prophecy is talking about what goes on inside of Europe! – primarily. Now, I’m sure there will be other people in other countries and other lands which will be sort of caught up in all of this enthusiasm. But, primarily these passages here are talking about what happens in a future Europe.

Or, as the Book of Daniel says, ‘the king of the North’ or the ‘kingdoms of the North.’ And there will come a time that if you are not a fully supporting member of that church organization – the powers that be might very well kill you.

Now, you might say at this point, “O’ Mike, it’s the 21st century! Religious people don’t go around killing people anymore!” Well, they did once before for hundreds of years. They had an office that worked in that church that had the power to arrest you, and if need be to torture you to death! Remember the Catholic Inquisition!? And even today, there is within that organization an office which is the modern-day remnant of that ancient office – the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 2 There have been times in Europe when hundreds of thousands of people were killed because they did not follow the precepts of this great Mother church. And, where else can we see religions which become so radical that they will kill you if you don’t follow their thoughts? Right now in the religions of Islam – and I say religions because not all Islam is the same; there are the Shia or rather the Shi’ite’s, there’s the Sunni or Sunnis – one of the favorite pastimes of the people of the Middle East is to kill each other! In fact, I heard in the news that in Damascus some ISIS (which is basically Sunni Islam) sent some suicide bombers which targeted some Shi’ite pilgrims on buses, killing at least 40 and wounding more than 120! And, truthfully, they’re all the time hacking each other to death, with shootings and bombings – and just the most horrible ideas you could come up with! And these are people who are attacking each other under the same umbrella of Islam. But, throughout the history of Europe, there have been wars in Europe that were Catholics attacking Protestants and vice versa! And even just a few years ago Northern Ireland was consumed with violence and bombings and destruction – because one group was attacking another group! It’s very common for religions to become so obsessed with their own particular religion that they will do anything in the name of their religion – and in the name of their version of God. So, remember, ‘the image of the beast’ means a church organization indigenous with central Europe.

‘the mark of the beast’

Ashes imposed on the forehead of a faithful follower
for Ash Wednesday - traditionally observed by
Western Christians. Latin Rite Roman Catholics, some 
Protestants - like Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists,
Reformed churches, Baptists, and Independent
Catholics.
Verse 16 – “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and [bond], to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17) and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

Now, that verse 17 – that is the Scriptural foundation for the Left Behind thought which says – according to the leader of that organization spoken of earlier – “What happens when cash is removed from society and some political power regulates digital currency.” This leader of that organization is not getting his information from the Bible! He’s getting it from Far Right Wing conservative wackos!

Now – the Mark of the Beast. There are quite a few places. Revelation 13:16-17; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:4. Six references in the Book of Revelation where it refers to the ‘mark of the beast.’ Now, the term ‘the mark’ – if you look up in your concordance or your lexicon under your Bible study helps – it describes an actual something. 3 An actual thing – a symbol. It’s not a concept or an idea. Mr. Garner Ted Armstrong used to teach that the ‘mark of the beast’ was Sunday church attendance. Close – but still not in the ballpark. I’ve tried to tell you here before – the identifying sign of the churches of false Christianity is the cross - from the time of the Roman Empire down to today. Back in the 1930s and 1940s, Adolf Hitler had his swastika, or his “broken cross” or “crooked cross.” But the “Holy” Roman Empire, and from the days of Emperor Constantine the Great, they have used the cross as the symbol of their religion. Now, I believe that Jesus Christ actually died on a cross. Unlike the teachings of the WCG – that He died on a “stake.” It’s really not important. The important thing in that story is that Jesus Christ became our sacrifice for all mankind. But the people of Europe and the people of Western Christianity of the Western world they use that mark to identify their religion! It’s an actual mark – it’s an actual symbol. So, keep in mind – “to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads.” Just about a week or two ago I saw a newscast. And one of the people being interviewed had a big black cross right on their forehead! It was so-called Ash Wednesday. So, all of the faithful of that particular religious grouping were supposed to go by their nearby church and have the priest put a cross on their forehead. And those same people – every time they have a prayer – they have to take their right hand, and they have to start at their forehead and they make a cross. And sometimes they’ll just make a cross on their forehead with their finger. THAT’S WHAT THE MARK OF THE BEAST IS!

A coming United Europe

The great whore riding atop the beast
If you would turn to Revelation 17. The Bible describes in the end-time that the European nations will be unified. But in all end-time prophecies, there’s no mention of the United States of America! Or, the United Kingdom, or Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or South Africa. They don’t even show up in the prophecies! It’s as though those countries have become eliminated or reduced into complete insignificance! But the Book of Revelation here is talking about WHAT IS HAPPENING IN EUROPE in the end-time. Verse 12 – “’ The ten horns which you saw are ten kings [or kingdoms] …’” – again, I stress to you – these are kingdoms not necessarily drawn on a map by human hands, but these are ten kingdoms as viewed from the eyes of God. Whereas there might be two or three countries which each have their own identity, but in the mind of God they’re the same people genetically speaking. And He looks upon them as just one country. “…’who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast.’” – so a short period of time in history. Verse 13 – “’These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast. 14) These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.’” Indeed, there will be a United Europe!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b0e81ejoMzz_6v2kgyFXWoL0d8w1BrnW/view?usp=sharing
Here are startling facts! PROPHECY is being fulfilled! Why not read this
three-part series on prophecy - find out what God truly says concerning these
terrifying times in which Iran is saber rattling, and North Korea - do they now
get to keep their nuclear weapons!?
Now, going back to the Book of Daniel – especially chapter 11 – describes this long-running series of wars, antipathy, hatred, between what is described as the king of the North – or the kingdoms of the North – because we know there is going to be ten. And, the king of the South – or the kingdoms of the South. And we know that the kingdoms of the North will basically be united under one religious symbol – the cross. And one major church. And a great “holy” man of that church. And we can pretty well determine that the kingdoms of the South will be united under a totally different religion. The religion of Islam. And that means North Africa, the Middle East, and over in areas like Iraq and Afghanistan, Iran. There will not be a “one-world government”! Because these two groupings of people hate each other so badly they’re trying to kill each other!

Daniel 11:31 – “And forces shall be mustered by him [the king of the North], and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; …” – so, Europe at this point in time has invaded – like a modern-day crusade; the LAST CRUSADE – the Middle East and indeed have gone straight to Jerusalem, to secure it and to acquire it. “…then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation.” – we read that phrase quite a few times. Verse 36 – “’ Then the king [the king of the North; the kingdoms of the North] shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, …” – these are the leaders of that European power – which the Bible calls the “beast” and the “false prophet.” One is military and civil government, the other is religious. “…’ shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished [the Day of the LORD]; for what has been determined shall be done.’” – in the end, the false prophet and the beast power will be killed and executed. Verse 40 – “’At the time of the end the [kingdoms] of the South shall attack him; and the [kingdoms] of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; …’” – talking about a military engagement – an invasion and taking over of land! “…’ and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41) He shall also enter the Glorious Land [meaning Jerusalem], and many countries shall be overthrown; but [initially] these countries shall escape from his hand: Edom [Turkey], Moab [Iraq], and the prominent people of Ammon [Jordan]. 42) He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape.’” – so that northern/eastern section of Africa. Verse 43 – “…’ also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. 44) But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45) And he [the king of the North – the false prophet and the beast power] shall plant the [tabernacle] of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain [Jerusalem]; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him.’” Just constant warfare! And the whole chapter 11 is this raging warfare antipathy between the kingdoms of the North and the kingdoms of the South. One-world government!? That’s absolute foolishness! How can you read your Bible and come up with a concept of ‘one-world government’!? All the Book of Revelation is talking about is a UNITED EUROPE! Not a one-world government and a one-world religion! WAKE UP, PEOPLE!

the ‘kings from the east’

Revelation 16:12 – “Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared.” – so here’s another whole group of people who we're not exactly sure who they are. Historically it was always taught that these were nations of the Far East – think Japan, China, Korea. I don’t necessarily believe that. But China’s not just going to disappear in all of this, they are a very strong military power with billions of people. So, one-world government!? That’s just silliness! As Mr. GTA said, “Those who believe such things know nothing of the Bible, of history, or of prophecy!”

Revelation 9:13 – “Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14) saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, ‘Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.’ 15) So the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released to kill a third of mankind. 16) Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; …” – now personally, I believe that this and the ‘kings of the east’ is referring to a collection of Islamic people from those eastern countries – including Indonesia, which is the most populist Islamic country in the world. There are millions upon millions of Muslims in India, Pakistan – all of those countries of the east. 4 I personally am thinking that there’s a good chance – I don’t know for sure – that this ‘200 million man army’ is attempting to attack the European forces which have wiped out their Islamic brothers and cousins. And, that’s just my own thought! But again, a one-world government!? A one-world religion!?

If you would turn to the Book of Ephesians. This was a verse which came to my consciousness during our opening prayer. Ephesians 5:10 – “[Proving] …” – all of us should prove – “…what is acceptable to the Lord.” – can you honestly in your mind conceive that a man and such an organization who will not even acknowledge the name Jesus Christ in his ‘Weekly Update’ – and increasingly will not even acknowledge the name of God, does not refer to the Bible, and is caught up in Right Wing wacko theories – is acceptable to the Lord!? Verse 11 – “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather EXPOSE them.” – rebuff them! Get away from them! Verse 12 – “For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13) But all things that are EXPOSED are made [OBVIOUS] by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.

TODAY folks I have been trying to take Mark Armstrong’s own words – his words; he wrote them – and use the BIBLE and the words of his own father to show you that what is coming out of Tyler is ‘not acceptable unto the Lord’!

Verse 14 – “Therefore He says:
‘Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the [death which is awaiting you if you do not change],
And Christ will give you light.’

Verse 15 – “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16) redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Verse 17 – “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18) And do not be drunk with wine [wherein there is excess], in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit [of God].”

If you just need to hear a Message – you can be in your own home and every Sabbath you can turn on your computer and listen to what we have to say here from Owensboro! Or, there are people down in Alabama that are beginning to come together. Isn’t it upon the Statue of Liberty which is inscribed: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, …”! I don’t want you to become like D.D. who has become simply so turned off with the antics of the Worldwide Church of God, that in the end he threw the baby out with the bathwater! He has thrown Jesus Christ out of his life, thrown the Bible out of his life, he’s thrown reason and intelligence – even though he has this intellectual smugness about him – out of his life. And, with that in mind, turn to the Book of Romans.

This is the verse I thought of last night as I was watching that interview between Lucifer and D.D. And again, if you watch that podcast, the interviewer could easily play the part of Lucifer in some type of Hollywood production. Romans 1:18 – “For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who [HOLD BACK] the truth …” – if - Mark Armstrong’s ‘Weekly Update’ which came directly from him – you are impressed by this, you are being manipulated by a person who should know better! His grandfather and his father I think would just be beyond their minds – realizing that their grandson and son is teaching this garbage! Who is HOLDING BACK THE TRUTH! And instead of giving the truth – refusing to mention Jesus Christ and God the Father, the Word of God, the Kingdom of God – is giving you this Right Wing garbage! Verse 21 – “Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became [vain] in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” – D.D.’s heart – from what I heard on that interview – is very darkened. Even though for thirty years he was bonafide, I guess a highly respected minister of the WCG. And now he wants to believe in evolution and he doesn’t believe in God! Doesn’t believe in the Bible! What does he have!? Well, he has nothing! What about you people who look to Tyler, Texas!? If you believe the ‘Weekly Update’ – or any other article he writes – is glorifying Jesus Christ and God Almighty, then you are just as confused! And you are going down the path of utter total complete eternal destruction! Verse 22 – “Professing to be wise, they became fools, … 28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a [reprobate] mind, to do [and to believe] those things which are not fitting [not proper].” – now, D.D. has gone there! And I hated to see it! It was a totally disturbing one-hour interview! And yet, if you believe in the ‘Weekly Update’ you’re just as confused!

Conclusion

I thank you for joining us today. I hope that as many of you who can will take this article and somehow reproduce it – copy it – and send it and give it to people you know. I hope you will post it on your Facebook pages – especially if you know somebody who is associated with the Intercontinental Church of God. Get this information into their hands.

You know, the Bible plainly says that if you speak not according to the truth of God there is no light in you. Mark Armstrong is so far out on that tether – like that kite so many years ago – he’s gone! I was never able to reel the kite back in because it was finally just gone. And if you follow him, you too will be lost in space. Which means you will lose out on the promises that the Bible and Jesus Christ guarantee to those who stay close to Jesus Christ. I give thanks to Almighty God and Jesus Christ for getting me through this today. Again, I thank all of you for being with us. So, until next time, with all of our love to you – goodbye my friends. □

____________________________________________________________________________________

1 “…And in a certain way, what the Left Behind novels do, the way they twist scripture toward a certain theological and political end, …” Grace Fellowship, Brian McLaren on The Da Vinci Code. Farr, Eric. May 9, 2006. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
2 “Formally known as the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition, and is informally known in many Catholic countries as the Holy Office.” Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Wikipedia.org. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
3 “MARK: The Greek word for ‘mark’ is charagma, which denotes a stamp, impress, translated “mark.”” Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Vine, F.F. Fleming H. Revell Co. Old Tappen, N.J., 1981, pg. 42.
“The Hebrew letter tau, the last of the alphabet, was used as a mark (Job 31:35, marg. “my sign”), and in early times was written in the form of a cross.” Unger’s Bible Dictionary. Unger, F. Merrill. Moddy Press Chicago. 1966. pg. 695.
“to receive a mark – lit., “that they should give them a mark”; such a brand as masters stamp on their slaves, and monarchs on their subjects. Soldiers voluntarily punctured their arms with marks of the general under whom they served. … Thus Antiochus Epiphanes branded the Jews with the ivy leaf, the symbol of Bacchus (II Maccabees 6:7; III Maccabees 2:29).” Jamieson Fausset and Brown Commentary on the Whole Bible. Jamieson Robert, Fausset R. A., Brown David, Zondervan Publishing House, 1961, pg. 1567.

4 “Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world by population, with over 200 million (88.2% of total population) …” Praying For Indonesia. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
“India’s population in 2018 is estimated at … 193 million. … According to the Pew Research Center, by 2050, India will have the world’s largest Muslim population. By 2050, Muslims in India will grow to 311 million” Muslim Population in India in 2019. sharpanswer. 21 November 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
“There are about 175,376,000 Muslims in Pakistan …” Islam in Pakistan. Wikipedia.org. 1 May 2019, Retrieved 2 July 2019.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Be sure to leave a comment and tell us what you think.