Participants: Pr. Kenneth Cox
Series Code: TOTE
Program Code: TOTE000022
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00:02 Can you believe it?
00:05 Can you build your faith on it? 00:08 The promises of God's Word are sure. 00:12 They do not fail. 00:17 This Book has stood the test of time. 05:43 This morning's message is one that a lot of people have 05:46 questions about. 05:48 But the main thing is where we stand... 05:53 on who's side we are. 05:55 That's what counts more than anything else. 05:58 And Steve Darmody is going to sing a beautiful song 06:03 that you'll enjoy very much this morning: 06:06 I'll Tell The World That I'm A Christian. 06:25 I'll tell the world 06:31 that I'm a Christian. 06:35 I'm not ashamed 06:39 His name to bear. 06:44 I'll tell the world 06:47 that I'm a Christian. 06:52 I'll take Him with me 06:56 anywhere. 06:59 I'll tell the world 07:03 how Jesus saved me 07:07 and how He gave me 07:11 a life brand new. 07:16 And I know that if you trust Him 07:22 all that He gave me 07:26 He'll give to you. 07:31 I'll tell the world 07:35 that He's my Savior. 07:38 No other one 07:42 could love me so. 07:46 My life, my all 07:50 is His forever 07:54 and where He leads me 07:59 I will go. 08:02 For when He comes 08:06 and life is over 08:10 for those who love Him 08:13 there's more to be. 08:18 Eyes have never seen 08:23 the wonders 08:25 that He's preparing 08:29 for you and me. 08:33 Oh tell the world 08:37 that you're a Christian. 08:41 Be not ashamed 08:44 His name to bear. 08:48 Oh tell the world 08:52 that you're a Christian... 08:56 and take Him with you 09:02 anywhere. 09:39 Gracious Father, 09:42 this morning as we look at this very important subject - 09:46 one sometimes that people struggle with - 09:52 we ask that You will give us Your Spirit. 09:56 May it enlighten our minds, 10:00 may our ears be open, 10:03 may our hearts be receptive 10:07 that as we read Your Word and study together 10:10 that we may see and understand 10:13 and by faith follow those things 10:18 that Your Spirit has guided us into. 10:20 For this we pray in Your name. Amen. 10:31 All you have to do is say the word the mark of the beast 10:37 and it immediately brings up questions to peoples' minds. 10:41 They want to know: "Well, what is the mark of the beast? " 10:44 "What's involved? " "Where does it take place? " 10:46 People want to know where this is happening. 10:49 What is taking place in their lives. 10:52 These are questions that many people 10:55 today are looking for wanting to know what it means. 10:59 And so this morning we're going to go immediately 11:02 to the scripture. We're going to see what the Word of God 11:05 has to say about the mark of the beast. So let's take a look, 11:08 see what it says here in Revelation 13 verse 16. 11:32 And so it's making it very clear that 11:35 only those people that have the mark of the beast 11:39 will be able to buy or to sell. 11:43 And the scripture says that those that receive the mark 11:47 of the beast will receive the wrath of God. 11:53 Those that don't receive the mark of the beast 11:58 will receive the wrath of men. 12:01 What it says. 12:03 So you and I have today to simply decide 12:07 on who's side we're going to stand. 12:10 "Here is wisdom... " God's telling you: "Here is wisdom. " 12:25 So when you take a look at the scripture, the Bible tells you 12:29 clearly that when we come to the coming of Jesus Christ 12:34 right down at the end 12:36 there will only be two classes of people. 12:40 That's all... there won't be three classes. 12:42 There will only be two classes. 12:44 It will be those that receive the mark of the beast 12:47 and those that don't. 12:48 That's it. 12:50 There's not going to be a middle ground. 12:52 There'll just be those that receive the mark of the beast 12:55 and those that do not. 12:57 It says this about the people that receive 12:59 the mark of the beast: 13:29 So it makes it very clear that there's going to be a group 13:32 that will receive the mark of the beast. 13:34 These people will receive the wrath of God. 13:38 What about those that don't take the mark of the beast? 13:42 Well the Bible describes them also here in Revelation 15:2. 13:47 And it says this about them: 14:05 So these people that do not receive the mark of the beast 14:09 that got victory over the beast and over his image 14:12 and over its mark... these are the ones 14:14 that stand on the sea of glass. 14:17 So this morning it becomes very important 14:21 that you know clearly who's the beast, 14:23 you understand what his mark is, 14:25 you understand what his number is. 14:27 That becomes very, very crucial 14:30 in your understanding of God's Word 14:32 and following what it has to say. 14:34 Now we have spent several nights 14:37 on the different beasts in Revelation and in Daniel. 14:41 This morning there is no way that I can 14:45 drop back and cover all the ground that we have covered, 14:49 folks. I am going to recap 14:52 in case you were not here and try to bring you up 14:54 as quickly as I possibly can. 14:57 But we've got to move on in to what the mark is. 15:00 So we're going to take a look at this beast in Revelation 13. 15:04 We're going to see what the scripture has to say 15:06 about this beast and we're going to very quickly 15:10 identify him. I've already done that 15:12 previous nights, but we're going to recap it 15:15 just for your benefit this morning. 15:17 So let's see what Revelation 13 has to say 15:20 about this beast. 15:40 And as you remember, this beast is made up 15:42 of those four beasts in Daniel 7. 15:45 We talked about those already. 16:01 So it's telling us clearly signs to look for 16:04 concerning this beast. 16:42 Then the text we read just while ago... 16:44 the 18th verse of this 13th chapter: 16:57 Now that's what the scripture says about this beast. 17:00 You remember when we looked at it 17:02 I pointed out seven points which identify that beast. 17:07 That there's no question about it. 17:09 Those seven points are these: 17:49 Now folks, I invite you 17:53 if you can take those 7 points 17:56 and make those 7 points apply to any other power 18:02 on the face of the earth. 18:05 I would love to hear what you have to say. 18:08 I really would. 18:10 I have found only one power - 18:12 only one on the earth - 18:15 that all seven points will apply to. 18:18 And again, if you can go to the library, research it all 18:21 you want to, if you can find some other power 18:24 that you can put all those 7 points to 18:27 please talk to me. I'd love to hear what you have to say. 18:32 But I've never been able to find it fits but one power. 18:36 Now I'm going to quickly review those 7 points with you. 18:40 It says that the dragon... 18:45 That dragon referred to there, folks, 18:48 is pagan Rome. Scripture is perfectly clear on that. 18:52 That is pagan Rome. So it says that pagan Rome 18:55 would give to this beast its power, its seat, 18:59 and its authority. And history tells us this is what happened. 19:14 That's what took place. 19:17 Pagan Rome gave to papal Rome 19:21 its power, its seat, and its authority. 19:24 History bears that out very, very clearly. 19:27 Secondly it says: 19:34 Papal Rome came into existence in the year 538 AD. 19:41 That's when it came into existence. 19:43 It says that it would last for forty-two months. 19:47 And you remember we found here in Ezekiel 4:6 19:51 Numbers 14:34 19:52 God said: "I have laid on you a day for a year. " 19:55 "I have given you a day for a year. " 19:57 So if I've got 42 months 19:59 that - if I multiply that times 30 because there are 20:03 30 days in a Biblical month - 20:05 that gives me 1260. 20:07 If I add 1260 to 538 AD it takes me to 1798 AD... 20:12 at which time the scripture says that the papal power 20:15 would come to an end. 20:17 Revelation 13 verse 7: 20:23 Says that it would be a persecuting power. 20:26 History bears this out very clearly. 20:49 And all you have to do is go down to the library, 20:52 folks. Pick up such books as Fox's Book of Martyrs. 20:59 Short Short Stories of the Reformation. 21:01 History of the Reformation by d'Aubigne. 21:05 History of Europe by Quabbin. 21:07 Here I Stand by Bainton. 21:09 And there is all kinds of evidence 21:13 that tells you what happened during that period of time. 21:16 So it fulfills what the scripture says. 21:26 I told you that in the Bible blasphemy is considered 21:30 when a person takes upon himself the prerogatives of God. 21:35 In other words, when a person says they are God 21:40 that's blasphemy. Or when they say they have 21:43 the power to forgive sins the Bible classifies that 21:46 as blasphemy. I read you this statement before. 21:50 Comes from the Great Encyclical Letters 21:53 of Pope Leo the 13th and he said: 22:00 So when it says he would speak great words of blasphemy 22:03 against the Most High he has done just that. 22:14 Now remember it says this power - the papal power - 22:17 it says it would receive a mortal wound. 22:19 And you remember I told you that as we come to the end 22:22 of that 1260 years and we arrive at 1798 AD 22:26 there is in Europe a lot of changes taking place. 22:31 Napoleon has come to power. 22:33 Napoleon wants to rule Europe 22:35 but he knows he cannot do that 22:37 unless he breaks the back of the papal power. 22:40 So history tells us this is what happened. 22:43 538 AD is when she came into power as I told you before. 22:47 1260 years takes you to 1798 AD. 22:51 And it says here: 23:07 So exactly as the scripture had foretold 23:10 when that 1260 years came to an end there it was. 23:15 And that came to an end... the papal power came to an end 23:18 in 1798 AD as the scripture had said. 23:21 But the scripture doesn't stop there, folks. 23:24 It just doesn't stop there. 23:26 It goes on and says: 23:34 Says not only would he receive a deadly wound 23:37 but his deadly wound was healed. 23:42 Well, that began in history 23:44 what was called The Roman Question. 23:46 Went on for 100 years. 23:48 But it was finally 1929. Mussolini settled it 23:54 by signing the Lateran Pacts with the papal power. 23:58 This is what history tells us: 24:19 Came to an end - the Roman Question - exactly as it said. 24:24 Extreme cordiality was displayed on both sides. 24:28 So just as the scripture had foretold it took place. 24:35 It says that all the world would marvel and follow the beast. 24:40 Let me read you one statement from the Toronto Star 24:43 March 9, 1992. 24:46 Article written by Mikhail Gorbachev. 24:50 OK, this is what he had to say. 25:19 "And all the world wondered and followed the beast. " 25:24 Exactly what you see happening today is taking place. 25:29 "Here is wisdom... " OK? God says 25:34 If you really want to understand this: "Here is wisdom: 25:38 let him who has understanding calculate the number 25:44 of the beast. " 25:57 Listen... one more: 26:12 So the scripture tells us it's the number of a man. 26:14 It's the number of his name. 26:18 Now as we have studied all these beasts we have found 26:21 that there are certain things that are symbolic. 26:23 We found that the beasts are symbolic, right? 26:27 You don't have any beasts running around with 7 heads 26:29 folks, OK? 26:31 That's symbolic, all right? 26:41 You must understand that is all in symbolic language. 26:45 So when we look at the number 666 26:49 it has to be symbolic. 26:51 But the scripture has told us clearly 26:53 that it's the number of a man, it's the number of his name. 26:58 OK... what is his official name? 27:02 Well on the crown - triple mitre - 27:07 it has the official name, 27:09 and his official name is Vicarious Filii Dei. 27:13 Now that is Roman OK? Latin. 27:21 When you went to school you were taught 27:24 Roman numerals, weren't you? Huh? 27:28 Have you ever asked yourself "Why? " 27:31 Do you use them? 27:33 Naw, you don't use them... but everybody's been taught them. 27:36 Why? As far as I'm concerned they're being taught that 27:40 so they can answer this. 27:41 You see, Roman letters are... just have been given 27:45 numerical value. When you were in school 27:47 V was worth how much? 27:49 Five. C was worth how much? 27:52 Hundred. OK, so you know your Roman numerals. 27:55 All right, let's take his name Vicarious Filii Dei 27:58 and let's apply Roman numerals to it. 28:01 See what happens here. 28:03 OK... Vicarious. V is worth 5. 28:09 I is with 1. 28:12 C is worth a hundred. 28:14 A... no numerical value. R has none. 28:17 I one. There is no U, folks. 28:21 Actually it's a V. 28:23 OK? U is a modern letter. If you are having a little trouble 28:28 believing me on this, then let me give you a little exercise 28:31 to do. When you've got a little time 28:34 just get in your car and drive down here to some of these 28:38 counties and go to one of the county courthouses 28:42 that's been there for a long, long time 28:45 and see how they spell court. 28:48 Won't be spelled with a U. 28:50 OK... U is a modern term. 28:53 OK, so it has the same value as V... 5. 28:58 S has no numerical value. 29:00 Filii: F has no numerical value. 29:05 I one. L is worth how much? Fifty. 29:09 I - the two I's... each one. 29:11 Dei: D is worth 500. 29:15 E zero... I worth one. 29:18 You add those together and this is what you get. 29:22 See, the number of his name is the number of a man. 29:27 OK. So remember it's just symbolic but God is saying 29:32 this is to help you and I. 29:34 This is not the mark of the beast. 29:36 Don't misunderstand me. This is not the mark of the beast. 29:39 This is given to help you and I 29:41 identify who the beast is. 29:43 That's what it's given for... 29:45 to help us identify who the beast is. 29:47 All right. With that, let's find out 29:50 what the mark of the beast is. 29:52 OK. I've taken you through enough that I hope you're 29:55 a little bit on solid ground as to who the beast is. 29:58 What is the mark of the beast? 30:09 OK? So it says that they're going to a receive a mark on 30:13 their right hand or on their forehead. 30:15 Now folks, I'm going to read 30:20 verses 9, 10, and 11 to you. 30:24 When I'm through reading those to you 30:27 I'm going to ask you a question. 30:30 If you answer me right, 30:34 and I'm not going to ask you a trick question, 30:36 a very simple one. But if you answer me right 30:39 we'll go on. 30:40 If you don't answer right, we'll back it up 30:44 and read them until you do answer it right. 30:46 OK? All right. So that's what we're going to do. 30:49 All right... here we go: 31:23 Now folks, the simple question I want to ask you 31:27 today is this: those three verses 31:30 were they talking about people that receive the mark 31:33 of the beast? 31:37 Boy, you are quiet, aren't you? 31:40 Chuck, if you'll just press the back key 31:44 there. That would be D and back that up for me. 31:48 There we go. All right... let's read. 31:52 Let's read it again. 32:11 Is this talking about people who receive the mark 32:13 of the beast? Yes. Huh? Are you clear on that? 32:16 Yeah, that's who it's talking about. 32:18 It's talking about people that receive the mark of the beast. 32:20 That's what it's talking about. 32:30 Is this talking about people that receive the mark of 32:33 the beast? Yes. Are you clear? Yes! All right. 32:37 That's talking about people that receive the mark 32:39 of the beast. Now follow me very, very carefully 32:43 because I'm going to verse 12. 32:47 OK. I've read 9, 10, and 11; I'm going to verse 12. 32:59 Do these people receive the mark of the beast? 33:02 NO! OK, so verses 9-11 are talking about those that 33:06 receive the mark of the beast. Verse 12 is talking about 33:09 those that don't receive the mark of the beast. 33:11 Why don't they receive the mark of the beast? 33:17 Ah... they don't receive the mark of the beast 33:21 because they keep the commandments of God 33:24 and have the faith of Jesus. 33:26 Right? THEREFORE - 33:29 you understand therefore? - 33:31 THEREFORE the mark of the beast has to affect the commandments 33:36 of God and faith in Jesus. 33:39 Are you with me? Yes. 33:41 'Cause if you've got faith in God 33:44 and you keep God's commandments you're not going to receive 33:47 the mark of the beast. Therefore the mark of the beast 33:49 has to affect the commandments of God 33:52 and faith in Jesus Christ. 34:01 So what we have to ask ourselves this morning: 34:04 has the beast power 34:07 done anything that affects faith 34:10 and affects the commandments of God? 34:13 See, that's what we have to ask ourselves 34:16 because that's what's involved in the mark of the beast. 34:19 Faith? This is what the scripture says about faith. 34:34 "The just shall live by faith. " 34:37 OK. What does... 34:54 So the righteous live by faith and their righteousness 34:58 is given to them by faith in Jesus Christ. 35:01 Comes no other way! Are you with me? Yes. 35:04 Now, then what we have to ask 35:08 is has the beast power said anything about faith? 35:12 Well, let's see how they say that you're saved. 35:28 And just 3 weeks ago there was a statement made 35:32 and this upset the whole Christian community 35:35 around the world because they were reinstating this. 35:39 "Outside of which there is no salvation for every creature 35:42 to be subject to the Roman Pontiff. " 35:44 Says salvation comes only that way. 35:47 Let me read you one about faith. 36:23 It makes it very clear 36:26 they do not accept righteousness by faith. 36:30 OK, what about... What about keeping God's commandments? 36:35 Does the Lord have anything to say to you and me 36:39 in regard to keeping His commandments? 36:49 Dear friend, let me tell you something: 36:50 the marvelous thing about this Book is every time you open it 36:54 it says the same thing. 36:56 And I run onto people that want to say: "Oh, you don't 36:58 have to keep the commandments of God. " 37:00 I'm sorry... every time I read that it tells me the same thing. 37:04 "If you love Me, keep My commandments. " 37:15 So God makes it clear... 37:20 So God makes it very clear that He wants you and I 37:23 to keep His commandments. 37:25 OK, what does the papal power say about it? 37:50 Not only did they change the fourth commandment 37:54 but they did away with the second one. 37:57 It's not there in the Catechism at all. 37:59 They took the tenth one and divided it. 38:02 Ah, when I read the next statement that I'm going to 38:06 read to you I really had a hard time 38:11 thinking that maybe that had been written by a priest 38:15 so I called him up 38:17 and I talked to him personally. 38:20 And he told me: "No question... I wrote it. 38:23 That's what I believe. What I believe is true. " 38:25 This is what he says. Listen, folks: 39:01 Said: "Nothing in here... Nothing in here 39:04 that gives that right. It's just the church's sense 39:07 of its own power. " Now listen: 39:16 I'm going to ask you: Do you think the Word of God 39:18 should be your sole authority? " 39:20 Yes! Praise the Lord. Is that what you think? 39:23 OK, listen: 39:31 That's what a priest is saying. 39:33 He said: "If you're going to build your faith on the Word 39:36 of God and you're going to say 'This is where I stand... ' " 39:39 then dear friend let me tell you something: 39:41 you have only one thing you can do, and that's 39:43 keep the Sabbath. 39:46 'Cause there is no scriptural authority 39:49 for the changing of the Sabbath. 39:51 It's not there. 39:54 Let me read you another one. This comes from: 40:10 Says it's "above it. " 40:13 OK... Revelation 13:15: 40:25 I told you when it talks about giving breath to an image 40:30 OK, and I told you that if you're going to make an image - 40:34 if you're going to make an image of a dog - 40:37 you make it look like a cat. 40:40 Huh? No, if you're going to make an image of a dog 40:44 you make it look like a dog. 40:47 Well if this beast is going to make an image 40:50 of the papal power then it's got to be like the papal power 40:53 and the papal power stands for unification of church and state. 40:56 OK. So when it speaks of this power 41:00 here giving life or breath to the image of the beast 41:03 that means it makes it come to life. 41:05 Are you with me? 41:07 All right. So what happens here? 41:18 Any time you have the beast and it says it speaks 41:21 and it causes... Speak means legislation; 41:26 cause means enforcement. 41:30 Literally what it means. 41:32 So it says that there will be government power. 41:36 It says he "caused... " That means enforcement. 41:52 Therefore, today, at this time, 41:56 people do not have the mark of the beast 41:59 because it has not been enforced by government. 42:03 OK. Is there tendencies that way? 42:07 Is there anything happening? 42:10 Well let me read you some statements that was made lately. 42:34 That's saying civil authority should cooperate with the pastor 42:37 and do this. 42:50 Said: "Enforce it. " 42:52 One more. 43:24 So what I'm telling you today is taking place... developing. 43:29 Quickly... how will this happen? 43:32 How will the mark of the beast go into effect? 43:35 Folks, if you say you can't buy or sell that's called what? 43:41 Boycott. 43:42 But you can't boycott people as long as they've got money. 43:47 'Cause if you can't buy at the front of the store, you can 43:49 buy it at the back of the store. OK? 43:52 But something is happening that's changing all that today. 44:02 You know what's changing it? 44:05 This: 44:09 You see, it's possible for you to shop today 44:14 anywhere in the world. 44:17 You can get on the Internet and you can buy things 44:20 all over the world. But these people in other 44:23 countries that are selling products, they want to make sure 44:27 they're being paid. So what is developing? 44:31 What is developing is what is called cyber money. 44:36 Cyber money makes it possible 44:39 for you to buy something in Denmark and pay for it. 44:44 But you've got to have a number to do that. 44:47 And any time you have a number all they've got to do is 44:51 say: "Don't accept that number" and you've been boycotted. 44:56 We are quickly moving to a cashless society... 45:01 much quicker than most people have any idea of. 45:05 What about the believers today? What about you and me? 45:10 This is what it says: 45:22 What does it mean? 45:24 Who are God's followers? 45:25 Let me tell you quickly who God's followers are. 45:32 They're people that follow the Lord... 45:34 follow the Lord Jesus Christ. 45:37 They're a small group. 45:39 I'm sorry... never going to be a great big group. 45:41 Bible doesn't promise that so don't expect it to be. 45:45 Thirdly, they believe in salvation by Jesus alone... 45:49 no other way. 45:58 I'm talking about the believers of today. 46:05 These are God's people. 46:12 These are people that follow the Lord. 46:15 What about those that follow the beast? 46:18 What does the Bible say about them? 46:21 Well, they're going to worship the beast. 46:24 That's who they give their commitment to. 46:32 If you think you're going to follow the majority 46:34 and get to heaven you missed it. Sorry. 46:59 That's what the scripture says. 47:01 Two different groups. There's not three groups, folks, 47:05 there's only going to be two. That's it. 47:09 Peter and the other apostles they said this: 47:23 You see, you and I must place ourselves completely 47:28 upon God's side... follow Him. 47:31 See, God today... We're down at the end, folks. 47:35 God today is asking you to decide. 47:40 Who are you going to worship? 47:43 Choose you this day whom ye will serve. 47:51 Choose ye this day 47:56 whom ye will serve 48:01 and let it be 48:06 the Lord. 48:11 Choose ye this day 48:16 whom ye will love 48:20 and make it Christ 48:25 all else above. 48:32 God loves each sinner... 48:36 He chose you of old. 48:42 His great love story 48:46 on Calvary was told. 48:52 So choose ye this day 48:58 whom ye will serve... 49:04 and let it be 49:10 the Lord. 49:18 Please take that white card 49:20 that you received when you came in. 49:22 Three questions I'd like for you to look at with me. 49:29 That's a very, very heavy question. 49:35 That means I'm going to walk and follow the Lord 49:39 and what He says by faith. 49:42 If you're willing to follow Him by faith, 49:44 put a check by #1. 49:50 If you would like to keep God's commandments, 49:53 put a check by #2. 50:01 So choose ye this day 50:07 whom ye will serve... 50:12 and let it be 50:19 the Lord. |
Revised 2014-12-17