The mark, the Seal, and the mystery

[StewardoftheMystery]

In the not too distant past, and even still today, men and women were bought and sold like cattle. And like the beasts of the earth being bought and sold, men and women were often marked by their Master, to whom they would also then serve. Those who were purchased were even considered the possession of their purchaser by law. Even we as Christians have been purchased for a price; and I am of course speaking in spiritual terms.

In the Holy Bible we see this purchasing of bondmen and bondwomen, or slaves; and those who were called hired servants as in Leviticus 25:39-45. This is also shown in Deuteronomy 15:12-18. We see those who did not want to be set free were to be marked as a servant forever: this of course is a sign of a spiritual mark that was to be sealed on the servants of sin forever. And also notice the timing of when a slave was given the offer to be made free from the bondage of servitude; it was at the end of 6 years, even at the beginning of the 7th year. I believe this mystery of the completion of 7 times is also a sign of the mystery of iniquity; which I also call the mystery of 7. I will speak on this mystery in more detail later on in our study.

But what many may not understand, is that God often uses examples in nature, and in natural things to liken, or to symbolize many deeper spiritual truths. Even in the law we see a foreshadowing of prophecy to be fulfilled later on in the future. In Hosea 12:10 God said He used similitudes by the ministry of the prophets. God also said that even Christ and His disciples would be for signs and wonders.

Even in the beginning of creation God said the sun, moon, and stars were to be for signs as well. So it is important to open your mind and understand that this is the way that God teaches us about deeper spiritual truths by using the visible physical things seen in nature to foreshadow the invisible spiritual things. We are told in Hebrews 10:1 that the law of Moses was not the true image of things that were to come, but was just the foreshadowing of greater spiritual things to come. And the only way one can see, hear, perceive, or understand these spiritual things is by God giving you the eyes to see and ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying in the law and prophets.

When you read the Old Testament prophets you will also see how God uses things in nature to describe peoples and nations. Even when Jesus taught the masses he used mainly parables; as is shown in Matthew 13:34. Jesus told his disciples that unto them it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, but to those who were without, all these things shall be spoken unto them in parables. Jesus said that in hearing they would not understand, and in seeing they would nor perceive that which is being symbolized in the parables.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:7 that we as the ministers of God, speak the words of God in a mystery. Paul called it the hidden wisdom, because it is hidden from those who are still in the flesh, and is hid from those who are lost. So not all have been given eyes to see with, and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying when it comes to understanding the symbolic language found in God's written words. It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but it is the honor of kings to search it out. The secret mysteries found in God's words, and the interpretation of those mysteries belong to God.

But unto God's elect these mysteries are revealed unto them by the revelation of Christ in them, and by the Spirit of Truth to guide them; which is given to illuminate the eyes of our understanding and so that we might have the mind of Christ.

It is God who gives us eyes to see with, and ears to hear with by way of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Some would be ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, that is because they sought not the understanding from God alone by faith. It is God who makes the seeing eye and hearing ear, not man. We are also told in 2 Corinthians 4:4 that the god of this world, or Satan, has blinded the minds of them who do not believe. In Ephesians 4:17 we are told that most of the Gentile world have their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.

This lack of understanding is not limited to those who are outside the faith, as many false preachers, teachers, and false prophets have already deceived many carnal christians who say they are of the faith. This should be of no surprise, as it was prophesied to happen. Even the examples given in the children of Israel in the Old Testament, shows us how many would depart from the faith and perish in the wilderness journey. Even in the early years of Christianity we see the mention of many deceivers, false prophets, and false apostles; as Jesus also mentioned in Revelation 2:2.

Another problem with many of the carnally minded teachers and preachers, is that they have been taught by other carnally minded men, and not by God or His Christ. And it is also written, how can they preach, except they be sent? In the Holy Bible we see God choosing certain men to speak His words to the world. God spoke to these men with an audible voice and commanded them to speak His words. God is the One who sent them, and God put His words in their mouths. We see God sending His elect in the major and minor prophets, we see this in John the Baptist, we see this in the 12 apostles and in Paul. We also see this in the 70 disciples Jesus sent forth; and we even see this in Jesus Christ himself, who was sent by God the Father.

Jesus said the Father gave him a commandment, what he should say, and what he should speak. Even Paul confessed in 1 Corinthians chapter 7 verse 6 that not everything he spoke was by the commandment of God, but by permission. In verse 12 Paul makes it clear in certain matters it was him that was speaking, and not the Lord by commandment. And also in verse 25 Paul confirms, concerning virgins, Paul had no commandment of the Lord, but rather Paul was giving his own judgment on the matter based on the understanding that was given to him by God.

So though Paul was sent by the Lord to preach the gospel, not everything he covered in his letters was by God’s commandment. And I would like to make it clear to all who read my writings; though I have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit and have been given Wisdom and understanding as a gift from God, I at present have not been sent by God to preach; nor do I claim to speak by the command of God. What I share with you, is what I believe is true based on the understanding God has given me into His written words by the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

But this should make you wonder how many teachers and preachers these days have truly been sent by God? Or even how many teachers and preachers have truly been taught by God, or by His Christ, or by His Holy Spirit?

In the Old Testament God said of the false prophets who claimed to speak His words, that He did not send them to speak in His name. And we have the same problem today, as Jesus said many deceivers would come in His name. So we have blind guides leading the blind, as it was also in the days of old.

This spiritual blindness is also a symptom of those who are not yet born again from above by God's Holy Spirit. This spiritual blindness is also a symptom of those who have the mark of the man/beast, being yet in the “flesh” and being yet “carnally minded”; which is Death. So though I can prove what the mark of the man/beast is by multitudes of scripture, it will be rejected by all those who already have the mark of the man/beast.

The carnally minded man is of the earth and his knowledge is brutish, like a natural brute beast; as the natural man speaks of the earth only knowing what he knows naturally. We are told by the words of God that the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God. And the natural man speaks evil of the things that he does not understand, and in those things they corrupt themselves. But those who are born again from above are spiritually minded, being taught by God and by His Christ, which is the Wisdom of God.

Jesus said in John 6:45 that all his disciples would be taught by God. Paul asked his readers in Ephesians 4:21 if they had been taught by Christ? Jesus said to call no man your teacher, for Christ is supposed to be our teacher. Paul said in Galatians 1:11-12 that the gospel preached by him is not from man, neither did he receive it from men, nor was he taught it by men, but rather by the revelation of Jesus Christ that was in him. And this is the way true born again Christians are supposed to be taught.

In Luke 24:45 we see where Jesus opens up the apostles' understanding, so that they could understand the scriptures. In 1 John 2:27 It is written, the anointing you have received of him abides in you, you need not that any man teach you; but the same anointing teaches you all things, and is truth. John is speaking of the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus said would guide us into all truth. This is the way born again Christians are supposed to be taught by Christ. Paul said that if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, then he is not of God.

So in order to understand the deep spiritual things of God, you must be given the mind of Wisdom, which is the mind of Christ that only comes from God. We are told in James 1:5-6 how to get wisdom, and that is to ask God in faith. Jesus said the same thing concerning the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are to ask God the Father in faith.

I am going over all of this because many will not be able to understand the true meaning of the mark of the man/beast. And many will flat out reject it, because they already have the mark of the man/beast, and will be unable to receive this testimony. Daniel was told none of the wicked would understand, only the wise would understand. What I speak is not a new prophecy, this is just an understanding into what was already written in the law and prophets.

There are 2 kinds of wisdom; there is the Wisdom that comes from God, and there is the wisdom that comes from men. In 1 Corinthians 1 and 2 Paul explains how God made foolish the wisdom of this world, and how the world by its own wisdom knows not God. Paul said your faith should not stand on the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Paul said his preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom; and he also said that he spoke the wisdom of God in a mystery.

Paul goes to say in 1 Corinthians 2:10-14 that God had revealed these to him by God’s Spirit, and it is the Spirit that searches the deep things of God. Paul said man knows the things of man by the spirit of a man that is in him. But the things of God no man knows, but only the Spirit of God. Paul said God’s ministers do not speak the things that man's wisdom teaches, but what the Holy Spirit teaches, by comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But notice in verse 14 Paul says, But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

This spiritual discernment cannot be taught by, or learned by carnally minded men. It is only God who can give you understanding in it. Just as John the baptist said, that a man can receive nothing except it be given to him from heaven by God. And I, like Paul, did not receive my understanding from men either, but was also taught by God and His Christ via the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Now some preach the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased, but this is not true. If the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased then how can one be saved? The Holy Spirit is a gift from God, the grace of God is also a gift, the faith of Christ is a gift, as is the gift of eternal life. The love of God is a gift, and the imputed righteousness of Christ is a gift, not to mention all the other gifts that are from God's Spirit. If the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased, then how can one ever understand all the many mysteries found in God's written words without the gifts of wisdom and knowledge? In Revelation 1:3 Jesus says blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy.” To “hear” God's words is to also understand, perceive, and comprehend what the Spirit is saying. And this is not possible without the gifts of the Spirit of God.

In the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:23, the ones who hear the words of God and understand them, are the ones who brought forth much fruit. Is it not God who makes the trees that bear good fruit? Also in the parable of the 10 virgins, 5 were wise and 5 were foolish. The reason the 5 were foolish is because they had no oil to light their lamps, and they were left in the dark. The oil in this parable represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit, which the 5 wise had. But again, the Holy Spirit is a gift from God. The lamp in that parable represents the written words of God, which both had. But without the illumination of the Spirit you are blind in your understanding. This was also the case with some of the Pharisees; they had the written words of God, but without the gift of the Holy Spirit, their understanding was unfruitful.

In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul covers the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and in verse 7 Paul says the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit all. The gifts of the Spirit are also given to edify the body of Christ, which is the Church. And this is why I am writing this study, in the hope that others will be edified by it.

Another reason I brought up and showed the difference between the wisdom of the world and the Wisdom that comes from God, is in Revelation 13:18. It reads, Here is wisdom, let him that has understanding count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. And this understanding and Wisdom comes from God, not from any carnally minded man.

Before I get into the details confirming the mark of the man/ beast, and the seal of God, I want to briefly explain why some of the mainstream ideas about the mark of the man/beast do not pass the scriptural sniff test. If your doctrine and your interpretation of scripture does not align with the words of God, then it is just the doctrines of men. If your doctrine cannot be proven and confirmed by the words of God, then it is just the words of men. I spent several years online sharing my thoughts, views, and insights into God's written words after receiving the anointing of the Holy Spirit back in 2007. And 2 of the mainstream ideas I heard from others about the mark of the beast is, #1 It is an outward physical mark, like a tattoo. And #2 It is a microchip that is to be implanted into the head or into the hand. Both of these ideas were based on the belief that you would not be able to buy or sell food and clothing etc. without the tattoo or the implant.

The first reason I do not believe this is the case: Those who pushed this theory could not provide one verse of scripture to prove this theory out to be true. Neither could they show by the words of God how a tattoo or microchip could be tied to the name, the number, or the image of the man/beast. Again if you cannot prove your ideas and interpretation by the written words of God, then it is just the ideas, theories, and pure speculation of men.

The second reason these views do not pass the sniff test, is because they actually are contrary to the words of Jesus. People assume the buying and selling aspect of the mark has to do with the buying and selling of food and clothing etc. But the words of God do not specify what is being bought and sold in Revelation 13:17.

Also Jesus said in Matthew 6:24-25 that you cannot serve 2 masters, you cannot serve God and the unrighteous mammon. Jesus also goes on to say in verse 25 “ Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor for your body, what you shall put on.” Jesus goes on to say in verse 32 that these things are what the Gentiles seek. So you see why the uncircumcised in heart (Gentiles) would worry about the buying and selling of food and clothing, because they care more about the things of the flesh. Jesus goes on to tell his disciples that if we seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, all these things shall be given unto you. So if you believe in God's Word, you need not worry about food and clothing etc. per the words of Jesus Christ.

Also, there are already many different ways to purchase goods and materials. There is cash, credit, check, credit card, trading and exchanging etc. So why would a tattoo or microchip be any more evil than any other means of purchasing food or clothing? It is the love of money that is at the root of all evil, not the way we purchase goods. The biggest false idol in the world today is to covet money and materialism, as it is written, covetousness is Idolatry.

Which brings me to another reason these 2 ideas are not the mark of the man/beast. Jesus said in Mark 7:18-19 that whatsoever thing that is outside a man, that enters into a man, it cannot defile a man. Because it does not enter into his heart. And neither does a tattoo or microchip enter into a person's heart/ mind/ spirit. In the context of that verse Jesus was talking about food and drink, but this is true about all physical things that are on the outside of a man. Jesus goes on to tell us what defiles a man, and it is that which comes out of man that defiles a man. In verse 21-23 Jesus says “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness; all these evils come from within a man, and defile a man.

So it is what is going on in the heart and mind that matters, as God looks upon the heart of man, not his outward appearance. Jesus said in Luke 6:43-45 That a good tree does not bring forth corrupt fruit: neither does a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his fruit. Jesus goes on to say in verse 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. So no mark on the outside of man can enter into his heart/mind/spirit.

So with those things in mind let us go to the beginning, because in order to understand the mark of the man/beast we must first understand what happened in the beginning. In Genesis 1:24-31 we see God created man and beast out of the earth on the “sixth day”. The words “sixth day” in the Hebrew numerical system equals 666. In 1 Corinthians 15:47 we are told that the first man is of the earth, and is earthly. The same was said by John the baptist in John 3:31. And notice In Revelation 13:11 we see a beast coming up out of the earth.

This is an important clue because the name Adam means “earthly, red”; And notice in the book of the Revelation the Dragon is shown as red, and the beast is shown as scarlet colored. I will come back to this later, just keep this important clue in mind. Also notice in Genesis 1:26 that God first made man in His own image. But is that image physical or spiritual? I will also return to that later on in the study. Also notice back in Genesis 1:28 man was given dominion over all the beasts of the earth. But we will see in just a bit how man lost this rule over one beast in particular because of sin. If you will notice in Genesis 3:1 the serpent was also “a beast” the Lord God had made, and this was done to fulfill God's will and purpose.

In Genesis 2:17 God warned man not to eat of the tree of knowledge, to know good from evil. And that in the very day man ate from the tree of knowledge, man would surely die. We know what happens next, but what I want you to notice is that man and woman did not physically die the very day they ate from the tree of knowledge. So the death the Lord speaks of here has to be a spiritual death.

Most people think of death as physical, but there is also a spiritual death. In the Genesis account God told Adam that in the day he ate from the tree of knowledge that he would surely die. But the day Adam sinned against God's command, he did not physically die, so what death was God talking about?

God was talking about the spiritual death that takes place when we sin. Being separated from God's presence is also a part of this spiritual death. We see this in Adam, and also in Cain, who after killing his brother was cast out of God's presence, and marked.

God said in Isaiah 59:2

2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.​

Paul said in Col 2:13 and Ephesians 2:1 that we were dead in our sins. It is written in Ezekiel 18:20 that the soul that sins it shall die. Paul also said in 1Tim.5:6 that the woman who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. So to God you are dead spiritually while you are yet alive in the body because of sin. Just as Jesus said in Matthew 8:23 to let the dead bury their dead.

It is also written that to be carnally minded is death. So the issue of sin must be dealt with so that we can be reconciled back to the presence of God. God said in Ezekiel 18:31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

We know we cannot make ourselves a new heart and a new spirit, but God can. Which is why God sent His Son Jesus Christ to reconcile us back to God through His sacrifice on the cross. And through Christ we have the forgiveness of past sins, and we are also empowered by Him to overcome future sin by spiritual rebirth.

When this spiritual rebirth happens we pass from Death unto Life. Jesus said in John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

To be continued....

 

[StewardoftheMystery]

So we see in this that sin causes this spiritual separation from God's presence, which is a spiritual separation from that eternal life; thus sin causes us to be spiritually dead to God while yet being alive in the physical body.

It was not the tree of knowledge that was sin, but it was man transgressing the commandment of God. Many may not understand that God used the tree of knowledge to know good from evil as a similitude of the law of God.

God often uses a symbolic language to describe spiritual truths. He often uses natural and physical things to teach us spiritual things. It is only by the Spirit of God that we can try to decode this hidden manna.
God was symbolizing a spiritual truth about the law and sin in the tree of knowledge to know good from evil.

The knowledge to know good from evil is not sin because God knows it as well….
Genesis 3:22
And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever:

The sin was transgressing the Command of God not to eat. The tree of knowledge represents the law of God, for by the law we have the knowledge of good and evil.

This is why after eating of the tree Adam and Eve saw their own nakedness . As Nakedness in scripture is symbolic of having one’s sins exposed.

Paul describes what the serpent did by using the example of the law in
Romans 7:11
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.”

God told Adam and Eve that they would die the day they ate from the tree, but the serpent told them they would not die, but would be like God.
Genesis 3:4
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:”

This is what Paul is showing here in Romans 7 about the law of God.
9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.

10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.”

The law is not what caused the death, but rather sin; as the wage of sin is death. Man could never keep the law of God because of the weakness of his flesh, God knew this, which is why God gave the command. That is also why we can never gain eternal life by keeping all the laws of God.

This is also why God put the tree of Life in the Garden, which represents God's Word of life which we must eat. This is also why Jesus said if we eat His flesh and drink His blood we would have eternal Life.

In Romans 7:7 Paul asks Is the law sin? And his answer is, God forbid! Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law said, Thou shalt not covet.” And that is the same with the tree of knowledge to know good from evil, knowing good from evil by the law of God is not sin. But transgressing the commandments of God is, as it is written in 1 John 3:4, sin is the trangression of the law. It is written in Romans 5:12 that by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned. Sin is the leading cause of death in the world, even if medicine and science do recognize it as such.

Now let us look at the punishment of both Adam and the serpent. Notice Adam is kicked out of the garden of God and out of Gods presence. This is the spiritual separation that causes the spiritual death. Just as we saw in Isaiah 59:2, it is our sins that cause us to be separated from Gods face, or presence. And in Genesis 3:15 we see a part of the serpents judgment. The Lord said to the serpent “And I will put enmitybetween thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”

Notice there are 2 seeds mentioned above, and also notice God said He would put the enmity between these 2 seeds. These 2 seeds have alot to do with the mark of the beast and with the seal of God. The one seed is of the beast (serpent) and the other seed is of God in Christ. These 2 seeds are shown in scripture as #1 the flesh verses #2 the Spirit of God.

We are all firstborn of the flesh, and also have a sin nature working in us because of Adams original sin. Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”

This is how the serpent corrupted God’s image in Adam by corrupting the ways of man to follow after the serpent’s desire. Notice in Genesis 4:7 “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” This desire of the serpent is to serve the lusts of the flesh, and those who are of his spirit think like their father the Devil; or have the mind of the flesh (carnally minded) being earthly, sensual, and devilish.

But those who are of God the Fathers seed (womans seed) do mind the things of the Spirit of God, or do God’s will, or desire. The 2 seeds of flesh and Spirit are first shown here. Genesis 3:14-15 “And the Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” (“it” is the spirit of a lie)

This enmity between God’s Spirit (Spirit of Truth) and the spirit working in the world and also in the firstborn man who is flesh is shown here. Genesis 6:3 “And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”

But Jesus Christ came to destroy the body of sin and the works of the Devil. And to remove that enmity, or the spirit of the fleshy or carnal mind in man, and also give man a new Spirit and new mind in order to serve Gods will.

Because these 2 minds (flesh/ Spirit) are contrary to one another, just as the natural man has a mind of the flesh (carnally minded) and cannot understand the spiritual things of God. 1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

The only way to resolve this issue of being carnally minded, and of that wicked seed and generation is to be born again and made a new man in Christ. Jesus said in John 3:6 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Now pay close attention to what Jesus says here in John 3:3 “ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

This means the man who is not born again of the Spirit will not see, perceive, or understand the many mysteries of the kingdom spoken of in the law and prophets. The reason being is the kingdom of God does not dwell in Him by way of the Holy Ghost.(Spirit of Truth) Jesus said in Mark 4:11 “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:”

This is why the world, and even those Christians who are still yet carnal cannot see or hear the many mysteries spoken by the Spirit of God in the law and prophets. And these 2 seeds, and these 2 mind sets, or ways of thinking strive against one another.

This is why those who are of the world, and of the flesh, hate those who are of the Spirit. It is written in Galatians 4:29 “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” This persecution was first shown in the firstborn Cain killing Abel; notice Cain was of that Wicked seed in 1 John 3:12 “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.”

This is the wicked and adulterous generation Jesus was talking about in Matthew 16:4 and also in Matthew 12:45. And because they are of the serpents seed both John the Baptist and Jesus referred to them as a generation of vipers, and serpents in Matthew 23:33 “Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” These are those who are yet in the flesh, and do the lusts of their father the devil, they are the seed of evil doers.

This whole wicked world is under this corrupt condition 1 John 5:19 “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”

And the only remedy for this condition is either destruction, or for a person to come to the cross of Christ and be born again by faith in God’s spiritual seed of promise, and be made a new creature in Christ by His Holy Spirit. Then and only then will the covering vail of the flesh be removed from your mind, and your eyes will be anointed so that they can see the Kingdom of God that is within you.

The first nature working in mankind is sinful, is of the world, earthly, naturally minded, or carnally minded, and walks after the ways of the world. (lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, and pride of life)

John said in John 3:31 “..: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: ..” He speaks of the earth because that is all he knows naturally, like a natural brute beast.

The first man is natural as it is written in 1 Corinthians 15:45-48 “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.”

Our first man is carnally minded, but our new man in Christ is spiritually minded.

Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:7 “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”



Jesus came to remove that enmity….


Ephesians 2:15 “Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;”

So these 2 seeds also represent 2 spirits and 2 different mindsets. The serpents seed have the spirit and mind of the Devil, and God’s seed has the Spirit and mind of God in Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:10-16

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.”

So the natural man does not understand the spiritual things of God, this is also a part of the nature of the beast.

2 Peter 2:12 “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;”

Jude 1:10 “But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.”

Psalm 49:20 “Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish.

Ecclesiastes 3:18 “I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

When we are born again of the Spirit we are no longer in the flesh (in Adams sin nature) but in the Spirit (in Christ's divine nature)


Notice the flesh is the nature of this world, the nature of the scarlet beast, Adam means earthly, red= a sinful nature


That which is born G1080 of G1537 the flesh G4561 is G2076 flesh; G4561 and G2532 that which is born G1080 of G1537 the Spirit G4151 is G2076 spirit. G4151



Notice the definition of the word “flesh” (G4561) The KJV translates Strong's G4561 in the following manner: flesh (147x), carnal (2x), carnally minded (with G5427) (1x), fleshly (1x).


Bible usage.....

“the sensuous nature of man, "the animal nature"

without any suggestion of depravity

the animal nature with cravings which incite to sin

the physical nature of man as subject to suffering

a living creature (because possessed of a body of flesh) whether man or beast

the flesh, denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God.”

If you noticed in some of my posts I highlighted with the color red, and I did this for a reason. As I said earlier in the study I would come back to the meaning of the color red, which also helps us to confirm the mark of the man/beast.

In Revelation 12:3 we read “And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” The great red dragon in this verse is a symbolism of Satan, the Devil, or the Serpent as he has many names. But you ever wonder why he is shown as red? I believe it because it is clue for us to understand the nature of the man/beast, which by the way is also shown as red (or scarlet).

Revelation 17:3; “So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.” Again the color is a clue to figure out the nature and mark of the beast, which is also the nature of the firstborn man.

Adam being the first man to have iniquity found in him is also a sign of this very thing; just as the name of Adam means earthly, red. To confirm this sign we are also given a clue in Esau, who was also the firstborn. Genesis 25:25; “And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.” Who also by the way sold his birthright over some red pottage. Genesis 25:30; “And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom.” ( Edom means red, earthly, of blood.)

More insight into the sign of the firstborn Esau is also shown here in Romans 9:13; “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” Why was this statement made by the Lord? If you back up to verse 8 we see the meaning in Romans 9:8; “That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” The promise mentioned there by Paul, is the promise of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus told His disciples in Luke 24:49.

So now we begin to see the firstborn nature of man is flesh, or carnally minded like a natural brute beast. Jesus confirms this truth here in John 3:6; “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” And is also shown here 1 Corinthians 15:46; “Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.”

The difference between the flesh (carnally minded man) and the Spirit (spiritually minded man) also shows the difference between the serpents seed and the womans seed; and is also why the firstborn man persecutes those who are born again of God’s Holy Spirit. Galatians 4:29; “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.” Even as Cain the firstborn of Adam killed his righteous brother Abel and then received a “mark.”

In this we also see the firstborn nature of man has a different spirit working in him than that of God’s heavenly Spirit. Just as the Lord said in Genesis 6:3 “My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh:”

This spirit in the firstborn carnally minded man is earthly, lustful and is also of this world; which is also the same spirit of the Red Dragon, or prince of this world. We see the red dragon empowers the scarlet beast which comes up out of the sea.

Revelation 13:2; “And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of

a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Revelation 13:4; “And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?”

If we worship our heavenly Father and His Lamb in the Spirit of Truth and in righteousness; how do you suppose the firstborn man worships the red dragon and the scarlet beast?

And perhaps in better understanding these spiritual things, it will also help one to understand the mark of the beast, and also the image of the beast they truly worship through the lusts of their own flesh.

So you still might be wondering what is that red mark shown in the firstborn man of sin, and the red dragon, and the scarlet colored beast?

The answer is found right here in Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Now here is sound scriptural proof that sin is shown as a mark in the words of God.

It is written in Job 7:20 “I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?”

Job 10:14 “If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.”

Jeremiah 2:22 "For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord."

Psalm 130:3 If thou, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

But the Lord has given us many other clues and proof text to confirm this prophecy in several different ways.

The mark of sin is also symbolized in the law by the animals that were not to be offered up to the Lord, and also in the nature of the unclean beasts. If you want to know the difference between the clean and unclean beasts, you need to learn of their nature. Just as the Holy Spirit was shown to John as a dove, and Jesus was symbolized as the Lamb of God. The Lord said in the law that these animals that were to be offered up were to be without spot or blemish, or any evilfavoredness. Even men with any blemishes were not allowed to come near to the altar of the Lord to profane it.

These physical blemishes were really symbolizing the spiritual blemishes in man. God often uses things in nature and natural things to liken or symbolize spiritual truths; and the animal sacrifices were to symbolize the sacrifices to be made by God’s people. Just as we are told to present ourselves a living sacrifice, holy and without spot or blemish; again this mark, spot, or blemish represents sin in man.

Paul talked about the offering up of the Gentiles, like a priest who was making offerings on the altar of sacrifice to God. Even Paul himself said he was ready to be offered up in 2 Timothy 4:6. So when you have been given eyes to see the spiritual things of God, there is more to the law of Moses than first meets the natural eye. I will post some verses about the spot and blemish of sin to also confirm this message.

• Ephesians 5:27
  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
  
  
• 1 Timothy 6:14
  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
  
  
• Hebrews 9:14
  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
  
  
• 1 Peter 1:19
  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
  
  
• 2 Peter 2:13
  And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
  
  
• 2 Peter 3:14
  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
  
  
• Jude 1:12
  These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
  
  
• Jude 1:23 “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
• To be continued....

 

[StewardoftheMystery]

So the mark of sin can be shown like a blemish or a spot, but Gods mark of righteousness can also be shown as like a mark or spot, as shown below.

Deuteronomy 32:5 “They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.
So that covers the mark of sin, and the enmity between the flesh and Spirit. We already saw how both man and beast were created from the dust of the earth, and how both man and beast were created on the “sixth day”.
In Genesis 1:24-31 the Lord brought forth from the earth both man and beast on the sixth day. Hebrew letters have a numerical value, and in Hebrew gematria the sixth day has a numerical value of 666….. שִׁשִּׁי = sixth= 610 יוֹם= day=56 total= 666
In Revelation 13:18 we are told “Here is wisdom, Let him that has understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is six hundred threescore and six.” So both man and beast have the same number, because both were created on the “sixth day”= 666
Now notice below the Lord speaks of the enmity we covered earlier between the 2 seeds, which is the strife mentioned below between Gods Holy Spirit and the man, which is flesh. Also notice the number of mans days below.
The Lord said in Genesis 6:3 “And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.” The number of a man’s days in that verse, or hundred twenty years, and in Hebrew gematria also = 666

מֵאָה = hundred=46 and עֶשְׂרִים =twenty = 620 for a total of 666

What I find interesting is that Moses was 120 years old when he died. Deuteronomy 34:7 “And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.”

What is also interesting about this is, the Devil disputed over the body of Moses, shown in Jude 1:9 “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”
And now listen to Paul’s words concerning death reigning from Adam to Moses….Romans 5:14 “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.”
We know the first man Adam was a type for Jesus who was to come. But I believe Paul also mentioned Moses in there as well as a type because of how the Devil was disputing over the body of Moses; just as Jesus’ body did not see corruption. We know Moses lived because he was seen by the apostles on the mount with Jesus and Elijah. But this is a great mystery concerning the body of Moses; as we do not have much to go on other than the testimony from Jude. But the phrase death reigning will give us the clue we need to understand the name we are to get victory over by faith in Jesus Christ.
Just as we saw there were 2 seeds, and 2 marks, or spots mentioned earlier; there is also 2 names given depending on which seed you are born of: either of the flesh, or of the Spirit.
Now I would like to share with you what I believe the Lord has revealed to me by His Spirit concerning the name we are also to get victory over. Notice in Revelation 15:2 “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.”

There is like an opposite reflection shown in the unholy triune as opposed to the Holy. Just as it is written the wage of sin is death, but the gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord. As in Adam all die, but in Christ all are made alive. And if we are given victory over sin by faith in Jesus Christ, we also are given victory over death. The word victory in the above was the clue that confirmed to me the name that we are to get victory over, which is Death.

It is written in Isaiah 25:8 “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it.”
We are shown Death and Destruction as personified in Job 28:22 “Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.” Strong's Number H11 Destruction matches the Hebrew אֲבַדּוֹן ('abaddown), Abaddon
And even Destruction is shown as having a name in Revelation 9:11 “And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.”
And Death is shown as having a name here in Revelation 6:8 “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him…..” Jesus also mentions 2 names in Revelation 3:1 when he says " thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead."
Paul referred to our first corruptible bodies as the bodies of this death….Romans 7:24 “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? And also our bodies as being dead because of sin in Romans 8:10
And that is what Jesus came to deliver us from, the bondage of sin and the captivity by which we were held by the power of death. Hebrews 2:14 “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”
And Jesus was also sent to destroy the body of sin in us Romans 6:6 “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”
It is written in Hosea 13:14 “I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.”
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Sin and death have been reigning in this world…..
Romans 5:17 “For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
Romans 5:21 “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:12 “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.”
And so in the beginning we see how the Old Serpent began the power of his reign (rule) over mankind.
Genesis 4:7 “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”
When man sinned he became the servant of sin, and sin and death has reigned over the serpents seed ever since.
So all men are determined to die once…Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” But we who overcome by the faith of Jesus Christ will be given victory over Death, and will not taste of the second death being of the first resurrection as shown in Luke 20:36 “Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.”
Confirmed here…. Revelation 2:11 “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”
Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Revelation 20:14 “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.”
So you either have a name written in the book of Life that you are “Alive” forevermore in Christ and in righteousness; or you have a name that you are still dead in your sins. And the last enemy to be destroyed is Death. 1 Corinthians 15:26 “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”
So we have covered the mark, name, and number of the man/beast. So Now let’s move on to the image of the man/beast that is worshipped by the whole world. This worshipping the image of the first beast (serpent) is done by doing the will, or lusts of the Devil by way of his spirit working in them. As the true worshippers of God worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, and by doing the will of our Father in heaven. It is written, those who commit sin are of the Devil, just as we are servants to whom we obey, whether you serve sin unto death or righteousness unto Life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul said of mankind in Romans 1:22-23 “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
To understand how man stopped worshipping God’s invisible image in himself, and started worshipping the Devils image we must first go back again to the beginning of creation.
In the very beginning man was created in Gods own image, as it is also written. But understanding what that image means, and how man defiled that perfect image of God in himself is all important. It is written that no man has ever seen the face of God, as it is also written God is invisible and that God is Spirit. But Jesus Christ is the express inward image of the invisible God. Colossians 1:15; “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”
So was God's invisible image a visible outward image, or was it the invisible inward image of God, which God created in man; which is after God’s own heart? Hopefully you will come to see it is the invisible inward image of God that man was first created in, but was also later corrupted in man because of sin. And so when sin entered into man he took on the image of the earthly, and put to death in himself the image of the heavenly made in the likeness of the Lamb of God. I believe this also explains the meaning of the scripture that says “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
Jesus said be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. And as the scriptures show man was first created perfect (in Gods own image) in the day God created man. Ezekiel 28:15; “Thou was perfect in thy ways from the day that thou was created, till iniquity was found in thee.” Just as God’s works and ways are also perfect.


In this we see Adam was first created in the Gods own inward image (in His ways); that was until sin entered into Adam. And so at that point in time man began to take on the image of the man of sin, fashioned after the Prince of this world. Who is like a natural brute beast, and who also does the lusts of his father the devil. Keep in mind it is written the serpent was the most cunning beast God had made.
So if mankind has fallen from the image of our heavenly Father, and taken on the image of the earthly father, how can we then return back to that perfect Godly image? It is only possible by being born again of Gods Holy Spirit, and be renewed and transformed from our old man of sin image back into the image of God’s blessed Son Jesus Christ (who is the express inward image of God) as is shown in Hebrews 1:3.
And here are some verses on the image of God and that inward transformation by the Spirit of Christ….. Colossians 3:10; “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”
Ephesians 4:23-24 “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
And here in Romans 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
So when we are made a new man in Christ, does our outward visible image change? Or is our invisible inward image renewed into the image of our God through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ? Of course it is our inward image (heart and mind) that is changed. But even still the gospel of Jesus Christ is still hid from most of the world who worship the Red Dragon and scarlet colored beast because of the covering spirit of the Devil has blinded them. They worship the Red Dragon by serving sin.
It is written in 2 Corinthians 4:4; “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
So we know by scripture that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, and He condemned sin in the flesh. Jesus came to take away the sins of the world, destroy him who had the power of death (Hebrews 2:14), and also destroy our old man of sin image in us(Romans 6:6) by us putting to death the deeds of the flesh and being raised up a new man, made anew in the righteous image of Jesus Christ by the power of God.

But Jesus and the apostles also told us that there would come a falling away from the faith in the last days. And how that old man of sin, and that first Adam nature would return in many and be embraced once again. We are told how the last state of that man would be worse than his first state. Jesus spoke this mystery in Matthew 12:45 where he symbolized a whole wicked generation as a man. I believe this is “the man of sin” and “the mystery of iniquity” Paul was talking about; which I will also cover later on in the study.
And so by the preaching of many false prophets and by many deceivers this false doctrine would be embraced by many religions in the world. And this is what we see In Revelation 13:15 we read; “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”
Sin is self-serving, and if you are serving self, then you are worshipping and serving the creature more than the Creator; as Paul said in Romans 1:25. And of all the deaf, dumb, and blind idol images in the world, man worshipping himself is the only idol image that is alive and can speak. So the image the world is now worshipping “is self” by serving sin.
We are told in Revelation 13:8 “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
This is another way to prove what the mark of the beast truly is, because of why their names are not written in the book of Life. In Exodus 32:33 The Lord said to Moses that whosoever sins against Me, him will I blot out of my book." So again, it is sin that causes you to be blotted out of God’s book of Life. And it is written in Revelation 20:15 That whosoever was not found written in the book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Again, all who live in ongoing sin worship the Devil, and only those who have passed from death to Life by being born again of God’s Spirit have their names written in Lambs the book of Life.
Paul says in Ephesians 2:1-2 And you has he quickened(made alive) who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past you walked according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobediance.
We are told in Revelation 13:15 that whosoever would not worship the image should be killed. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:31 That in Christ “I die daily”. And also in Psalm 44:22 and Romans 8:36 we are told “For thy sake we are killed all the day long.” This is the sign of what Jesus said in Luke 9:23 about taking up our cross daily and denying ourself in order to follow Him.
Jesus also said those who seek to save their lives shall lose it. But those who will lose their lives for His sake and the gospels, the same shall save it. This trying to preserve our own sinful way of life is what is referred to as “the pride of life” in 1 John 2:16. We must be willing to sacrifice our own sinful lives in this world in order to follow after the Lord and walk in righteousness.
And also, who is shown in scripture that persecutes and kills God’s children who are born of His Spirit? Again, if you go back to the beginning we see this enmity between the children of the flesh vs. the children of the Spirit in Cain and Abel. 1 John 3:12 “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.”

Paul confirms this hatred by the firstborn man, who is born of the flesh in the allegory of the 2 sons, Ishmael and Isaac when he said in Galatians 4:29 “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.”
So basically those who are of sealed by God’s Spirit will overcome the world, and overcome that wicked one, overcome self, and overcome sin and death by the faith of Jesus Christ and by the power of God. But like Jesus said, if the world hates you, know that it hated me first. So those who are of the world, and are of the spirit of the world, and who are firstborn of the flesh, will also hate the children of God who are born of His Spirit.
Jesus said whoever commits sin is a servant of sin, and a servant does not abide in the house forever: but the Son abides forever. It is also written that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. Think about the difference in relationships between a servant (slave), and a only son of his Father. An only son is the true and rightful heir of his Fathers house, and everything therein according to the Fathers will; but not a servant. In the days of old a slave was often bought and sold and even exchanged on the slave market, being held in hard bondage and servitude to those who ruled over them. And also a slave had no rightful inheritance of the Masters House, unlike the only begotten Son of the Father.

Jesus spoke this parable so that we might better understand the effects and consequences of sin, and how when we live in sin we become like slaves or servants of sin, and are also brought under hard bondage, and are unable to set ourselves free. In the slave trade days servants were often marked by their Masters to prove ownership; and like the beasts of the earth they too were often bought and sold.

Just as God told the rebellious children of Israel that they had sold themselves out to do evil in the sight of the Lord because of their iniquities; and in the hands of their enemies they were brought into captivity and made to serve as slaves. As God also said in His anger at the rebellious children of Israel, that He had sold Israel into the hands of their enemies. This is also why Paul said in Romans 7:14 that the carnal are “sold under sin”. This explains the mystery of the buying and selling aspect of the mark of sin, for those who can receive it.

And so in the spiritual sense it is the same with being in bondage to sin, as I believe sin/sin nature is the mark of the man/beast. And so those who serve sin and are also marked by sin, and we know by the words of God the unrighteous (sinners) shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Thus we see the grave importance of having our sins forgiven and being made free from sin by the only begotten Son of God, and by faith in Christ (the seed of promise) and by being empowered by God’s Spirit, so we might become the sons of God. And thus by spiritual rebirth(being born again from above) we are made sons and fellow heirs of the Kingdom of God through the adoption of sons, afforded us through offering of Jesus Christ on the cross.

By the Spirit of God’s Son working in us we are made free from the lusts and the desires of the flesh (sin), and are made new creatures in Christ, and thus we now have a desire to serve the will of our Father in heaven by now serving righteousness instead of sin. We are servants to whom we obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness. And according to whom we serve, we are either marked by sin, or we are sealed by the Spirit of God; which is the seal of the righteousness of the faith to all those who believe in Jesus Christ.

Friends believe in the power of God to change your hearts and minds; and have faith in what Jesus has accomplished for you on the cross. Believe that God through Christ crucified can indeed cleanse you from all unrighteousness, and can indeed make you free from the hard bondage of sin. And by spiritual rebirth you will no longer be the servants of sin, but are now empowered by God to become the sons of the Living God. And being the sons of God you also are now fellow heirs of the Kingdom of God, heirs of the promises, and of the inheritance of the saints in Christ.

So lets now move on to the seal of God, and all that it details. Notice the description below of how the mark of the beast is described in the same manner as God's mark, or God's seal of the Holy Spirit.
Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Continued on next.....

 

[StewardoftheMystery]

Now compare the wording above to God's mark, or seal, which is of His Holy Spirit....

Descriptions of God's seal (or mark) by the Spirit.....
Ezekiel 9:4 And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
Revelation 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Revelation 9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
Revelation 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

Proof that God's seal (mark) and name written in the forehead is spiritual.....
2 Corinthians 1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
So by comparing God's seal (mark) we should know and understand that the beasts mark is also spiritual, which is from the spirit of the god of this world; their father the Devil working in the hearts and minds (in the forehead) of the children of disobedience.

Again we see the 2 marks or spots mentioned here in Deut. 32:5 "They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation."

So what is being written in the foreheads of Gods servants?
Before God pours out His wrath upon the world, He will seal His servants in their forehead. So what is being sealed, and how is it sealed? The what is shown in many ways, and the first signs of it are shown in the sign of circumcision, which Paul said was the seal of the righteousness of the faith.

But it is also shown here in Exodus 13:9 And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought thee out of Egypt.”

And the sign of it is also shown here in Deuteronomy 11:18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.”
Notice God said this outward expression was to be for a sign, meaning it would signify the greater spiritual meaning to come in Christ.

But we see it is Gods words, even the law and testimony, that is being bound and sealed in the hearts and minds of Gods disciples as shown here in
Isaiah 8:16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.”
God writing and sealing His words on the hearts and minds of His elect was also prophesied to come in the new covenant, shown here in Jeremiah 31:31-34 “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

It is also confirmed here in Hebrews 8:7-12 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

So now that we know it is the law and the testimony of God, or the words of God that are being written on the hearts and minds of Gods elect, how is it sealed?

Again We are given the answer here in
2 Corinthians 1:22Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
Ephesians 1:13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 4:30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

So those who are chosen by God have His words written on their hearts and minds by way of Gods Spirit. They have the Fathers 2 heavenly witnesses dwelling in themselves, which is God’s Word and Spirit.
John said He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself”

This is the New Covenant God said He would make with His people, not written on stone or on paper, but God writing His words upon our hearts and minds by the Spirit of the Living God.
This is what it truly means to have Christ in you, as Christ is the Living Word of God, the True and faithful witness of God. The name written in the forehead is also shown right here in Revelation 19:13 “And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

So now we know by the words of God the mystery behind the mark, name, number, and image of the man/beast. And we also understand what the seal of God represents. But what about this mystery of iniquity Paul spoke of in 2Thessalonians 2:7? I will get to that in just a bit, but I want to show you what I call the mystery of iniquity, or the mystery of seven; which began with Cain. I believe this mystery of 7 is tied into what Paul called the mystery of iniquity, which Paul said was already at work in the world in his day.

So lets go back to the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. We saw earlier in our study how the Devils desire became mans desire, and how sin would reign over man, which is shown in verse 7. And we see in verse 11 after Cain kills his righteous brother Abel that God said he was “cursed” from the earth. And we see in verse 12 that Cain is to be a fugitive and vagabond in the earth. We see in verse 14 that Cain is removed from the presence, or face of the Lord. And in verse 15 we see God sets a mark upon Cain, and God said whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.

In the above verses we have all the elements of what I like to call “the mystery of 7”, or the mystery of iniquity. We have the “mark” of sin, we have the “curse”, we have a wandering in the wilderness, and we have the multiple of 7. This sign is repeated several times in the scriptures, and when the Lord repeats these signs over and over, He is trying to show us something important.

Notice in Genesis 4:23 Lamech says to his wives, “I have slain a man to my own wounding, and a young man to my hurt. If Cain be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and seven fold”. Here we see the vengeance is not on those who kill Cain or Lamech, but on Cain and Lamech themselves. God says in Proverbs 8:36 But he that sins against me wrongs his own soul, and they that hate me love death.” And that is what Lamech is saying, he killed a man to his own wounding and to his own hurt. And also notice with Lamech we also have the multiple of 7, as with Cain.

The sign of a falling away, and being marked with sin, and having to wander in the wilderness is also shown in the children of Israel in Numbers chapter 14. Many of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron and complained about being brought out of Egypt. In verse 4 the people wanted to appoint a captain to lead them back into Egypt, because they lusted after all the good stuff they used to have in Egypt. This is the sign of the falling away from the faith, and a returning back into the ways of the world, and back into the hard bondage of sin.

The people rebelled against the Lord, and they even wanted to stone Moses and Aaron to death. The Lord was ready to destroy the people right then and there, but Moses intervened on the peoples behalf. But notice what the Lord says in verse 33-34. The Lord said the children of Israel shall wander in the wilderness, and they shall “bear their iniquities” during this 40 years in the wilderness.
The Lord also gave a warning to the children of Israel in Leviticus 26:14 what would happen if they would not hearken unto the Lord and do His commandments. In verse 17 the Lord said He would turn His face against them. Notice in Leviticus 26:18 God said He would punish then 7 times more for their sins. And in verse 21 God repeats that He would bring 7 times more plagues upon you according to your sins. So we have all the same elements we saw with Cain. We have rebellion against God’s commands, we have the mark of sin (having to bear their iniquities), we have the people having to wander in the wilderness, just like Cain. We have Gods face (presence) turned against them, and we have the mystery of the multiple of 7.

Another sign of this is also shown in Leviticus 16 with the prophecy of the scapegoat. The priests were to take 2 goats, one for the sins of the people, and his blood was brought within the vail and sprinkled on the mercy seat. This goat represents what Jesus did for the sins of the people. The blood of the sacrifice was to be sprinkled 7 times. (multiple of 7)

But notice beginning in verse 21 what is to be done with the other goat, which is called the scapegoat. The goat was to bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited, the goat was to be let go in the wilderness. Again we see the mark of sin (bearing of iniquities) the wandering in the wilderness, and the multiple of 7.

Another sign of this is shown in Ezekiel 4:4-6. Ezekiel was told by the Lord to lay on his left side, and he was to “lay the iniquity” of the house of Israel upon it according to the number of days determined. And then he was to lay on his right side to “bear the iniquities” of the house of Judah for the days determined. What is interesting about this is, in the law the priesthood was to bear the sins of the people. ( Num. 18:1 and verse 22-23) just as it is written in Hebrews 9:28 That Christ was offered to bear the sins of many. So this sign would be like the sign of the good goat, not the scapegoat.

Another sign of this mystery is shown in Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel chapter 4. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, and Daniel interpreted the dream. Daniel told the King that the decree from God was about him, and how he was to be given a “beasts heart” and thrust out of his kingdom into the wilderness until “7 times pass over him”. But notice in verse 34 that at the end of the days Nebuchadnezzar’s understanding returned to him.
This is similiar to what happened to the children of Israel after the wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. During this time all the men of war had perished out of the congregation because of their rebellion, and all those who had originally come out of Egypt at the beginning of the exodus were circumcised.

But notice in Joshua 5:2 God told Joshua to circumcise the children of Israel again, a second time. In verse 5 we are told that all the people who were born in the wilderness were not circumcised. This is an important clue that will help us to understand end time prophecy concerning the flesh and blood children of Israel, and the prophecy of ungodliness being removed from Jacob after the fullness of the Gentiles is completed.

Keep in mind, in the Revelation, after the man-child (Jesus) is caught up to God, we see a woman (Israel) fleeing into the wilderness. And like in the exodus story of the children of Israel from Egypt, many of the saints were prophesied to be overcome by the spirit of the Devil, and would also fall away from the faith.

So for now let us go to the prophecy of the falling away from the faith, and the mystery of iniquity. We are warned in 1 Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;” Also in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”

The falling away from the faith above mentioned by Paul has to do with the saints of God being overcome by all the lies and deception of the Devil by way of his spirit, which is the spirit of a lie, called “it”. This spirit of a lie is also shown as the false prophet spirit which works in many deceivers. As many false prophets and teachers were foretold to come into the world like a swarm of locusts from hell and darken the Light of the Truth in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I believe Paul was playing off of the words of Jesus when he referred to “that man” and “son of perdition” in the above verse. But this is not to be misunderstood as being a single individual man yet to come in the future like Judas. But rather it speaks of the sin nature of man (mystery of iniquity) being raised back up again in the world and embraced.
These seducing spirits and doctrines of devils would enter into the world and also into the man-made church system as well, thereby causing many to play the Harlot with the ways of the world, and thereby making them desolate of good works and naked by sin.

Notice how Jesus refers to a whole wicked generation as “a man” and “ that man” (like Paul said) here in Matthew 12:43-45 “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”

Now notice the wording Jesus used showing the “last state of that man” referring to a whole wicked generation compared to Peters words concerning this same falling away in 2 Peter 2:20-22 “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”

 

[StewardoftheMystery]

I believe the unclean spirit that was cast out, and sent to wander in desolate places is talking about Satan’s spirit. Before Jesus went to the cross, he declared in John12:31 “Now is the judgment of this world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out.” This is when Satan was cast out of heaven down to earth as a part of God’s righteous judgment on a wicked world. Jesus is like the good goat, Satan is like the scape goat sent to wander in desolate places.

Those who are born again and are sealed by God’s Spirit are protected. Just as it is written, those who are born of God sin not, and the Wicked one touches them not. But when you fall away from the faith that protection is lost, and you are now vulnerable and wide open to attack. This is why Jesus said in the parable that evil spirit entered back into that mans whose house was once made clean. And the evil spirit that returned took with him 7 other spirits more wicked than himself. This is the mystery of the 7.

Jesus said in Mark 3:27 “No man can enter a strong mans house, and spoils his goods, except he first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.” Satan is stronger than man, and we cannot cast Satan out ourselves, it is only by the power of God that Satan is cast out of our house. But if we do not have God’s protection, then we can be overcome by the Devil. And this is what was prophesied to happen with many of the saints.
Many of the saints being overcome is also shown here in Revelation 13:7 “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”
So this spirit of deception and lies would also overcome many of the saints as is also confirmed here in Daniel 7:21 “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;”

That horn is the tail of the red Dragon, which speaks of the spirit of a lie working in all the false prophets of the world. This spirit of a lie was foretold to practice and prosper in the world and also cast the truth and also some of the host of heaven to the ground. This spirit called “it” is not to be confused with a man, because no man can cast the angels of God to the ground. But Satan (the Red Dragon) did by his tail, which is the false prophet spirit.

So was Paul talking about a single man in 2 Thess: or a single evil spirit and also other seducing spirits working in a whole wicked generation like Jesus said? Well if you read the whole chapter in 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 you will see this truth is shown…“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

Clearly Paul was talking about more than one single individual man in the above verses using words like them , they, and they all. Also it is written, that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness.

But what about the term “son of perdition?” It speaks of the same thing, as was first shown in Judas (one who broke bread at the Lords table) who also sold out the Truth for a pocket full of silver. Just as the firstborn Esau sold his birth right inheritance for some red pottage.(sin) Look at what Peter had to say about the “son of perdition.”

Peter goes on to quote scripture concerning Judas, (son of perdition) in the Psalms Acts 1:20 “For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.” Now, in order to confirm my point about there being more than one “son of perdition” or son who goes into destruction, let’s look at the Psalms from where Peter was drawing this from.

In Psalm 69 we see this same language used in verse Psalm 69:25 “Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.” Notice the Psalm says “their” as in more than one. As a matter of fact, if you read the whole Psalm the Lord is speaking of many, like in verse 4 the Lord says “they that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head”. The Lord repeatedly uses the words “they their, and them”, in the Psalm just as Paul also used the same language in 2 Thess 2:10-12 describing the man of sin, (lawlessness) and son of perdition.

Now let’s confirm the same message in another Psalm which speaks of what Peter also quoted in Psalm 109:8 “Let his days be few; and let another take his office.” Now that sounds more like what Peter was quoting from when he said in Acts 1:20 “Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take” Which this does speak specifically about the single man Judas. (Which has already been fulfilled as Jesus noted in John 17:12.)

But let’s now look at that Psalm in the greater context of what is being said by God.

Psalm 109:1-13 “Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;
2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. 3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office.9 Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.10 Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.13 Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.”

Again notice the words “his children” “them” “their” and also notice they are to be vagabonds like Cain seeking their bread in desolate places. Also notice it mentions their name being blotted out, and we know by the words of God it is those who sin against God that have their names blotted out of God’s book of Life.

Again scripture confirms there is one sure way to get your name blotted out of God’s book of life, and that is by sin; as God said to Moses in Exodus 32:33 “ And the Lord said to Moses,Whosoever has sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.”

So though him was referring to the single man Judas in this Psalm, as both Jesus and Peter confirmed. I believe it is very clear that Paul was not talking about a single man yet to come, but rather a whole wicked generation who would fall away from following after the Truth in Christ, and also go into destruction.

But there is still the mystery about the multiple of 7. Remember God told the children of Israel that if they turned from following His words that he would bring 7 times the curses on them. And I believe the 7 other wicked spirits that would enter into that wicked generation in Jesus’ parable could represent that 7 as well.
Now here is something I found to be interesting. In Psalm 74:14 it is written “Thou brakest the heads of Leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.” Again notice the people are the ones who inhabit desolate places, or the wilderness.

We know by the words of God that Leviathan represents the red Dragon as shown in Isaiah 27:1. And we also know there is a 7 headed red Dragon shown in the Revelation persueing the woman into the wilderness. And then later on we see a harlot being carried by the 7 headed scarlet colored beast. We are told that these 7 heads are kings, but I dont believe they are flesh and blood kings. After all, would God be literally feeding flesh and blood kings heads to the people inhabiting the wilderness as is written in Psalm 74:14?

So I believe the 7 heads are 7 evil angels, or 7 evil spirits that are shown as kings. Also keep in mind, we are told in Revelation 9:11 there is a king over the bottomless pit, which is the angel of the bottomless pit. So angels can be shown as princes or kings in scripture, and princes and kings are also shown as “heads” in scripture. Just as Jesus Christ is shown as both a prince and a King, who is also shown as the “head” of the Church. The head in scripture often represents the way a person or people think; so eating the heads of Leviathan will cause the people to think and act a certain way; in this case it would be evil thoughts and desires.

God also said in Psalm 104:4 that God makes his angels spirits. So the 7 heads on the red Dragon that are shown as kings, could represent the 7 wicked spirits that were forecast to come in Jesus’ parable in Matthew 12:43-45. But what could those 7 wicked spirits be like? I believe their nature may be like these 7 shown in Proverbs 6:16-19 “These six things does the Lord hate, yea, seven are an abomination unto Him. A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift to running to mischief, A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.”

We have an example of God sending forth evil angels in Psalm 78:49 “He cast upon them the fierceness of His anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.”

So like the casting out of heaven Satan and his evil angels down to earth, this would also be a part of Gods righteous judgments and wrath upon a wicked world. These 7 wicked spirits could be a part of the 7 curses that would plague those rebellious children who inhabited the wilderness of sin.

But I believe there is some good news for the flesh and blood children of Israel yet to come.
Jesus said in
Matthew 24:30
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

This event is also spoken of here in
Revelation 1:7
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eyeshall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”

The clouds that come with Christ represents the saints as is written in Jude 14And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,”

But there shall also be a sign in heaven marking this event. I believe it will be a very bright and glorious star, like the one that marked Jesus’ birth. But Jesus also said his coming would be like the rising sun here in
Matthew 24:27
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

But whatever the sign is, we are told every eye shall see it. But there is also other events that will mark Christ’s second coming. Notice in the first verse I posted above, Jesus said the tribes of the earth shall mourn.

This prophecy is shown here in Zechariah 12:8-14 In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the Lord before them.

9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.​

10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
12 And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;
13 The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;
14 All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.”

This prophecy above shows it is speaking about the 12 tribes of Israel, and about how Gods favor shall return to flesh and blood Israel. And how God will protect Israel when the nations shall be gathered against Jerusalem.

God will pour out His Spirit on Israel, and they will then realize that Jesus Christ was the Messiah prophesied to come, and this explains why they will be mourning.

This event was also spoken of by Paul here in Romans 11:25-27For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:​

27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”

And here is where Paul is getting that from in Isaiah 59:19-21So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.

20 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord.​

21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.”

So this event will be marked by a sign in heaven that every eye shall see. And it will be marked by the gathering of the nations against Israel and Jerusalem. And it will be marked by God pouring out His Holy Spirit upon Israel.

Then shall come to pass this saying of Jesus “Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

And I say, come Lord Jesus!

I hope many will set their hearts to understand this little study by asking God for understanding into His words. And in receiving understanding from God, they will be blessed as Jesus said in Revelation 1:3.

To all my brothers and sisters in Christ, be good and be blessed.