The Counterfeit

As I write today, a solar eclipse is literally less than 48-hours away.  There is a bit of eclipse hysteria in the air.  People are scrambling to get their approved glasses, and many travel plans are being made in order to get the best possible view.  Some groups see the impending eclipse as a cool learning experience, while others preach that it is a sign of soon-coming doom.  Seems like a good day to broach an end-times subject that many of us don't like to think about: the mark.  

Of course when I mention "the mark," I am guessing your mind goes straight to the mark of the beast.  I have spent much time pondering the mark of the beast.  I find in conversing with fellow believers that many are uncomfortable thinking about, discussing, and studying it.  I think a lot of us are more comfortable pretending that Daniel, Ezekiel, and Revelation do not exist.  Why is this?

I believe the answer is, fear.  

It is human nature to fear what we do not understand, and let's be honest...understanding end-times takes LOTS of study, and even then, there will be parts that we do not completely understand.  The good news is, however, that we should not fear.  The writer of Hebrews tells us that we can only please Yehovah by living in faith...and faith is the opposite of fear.  

But, I have discovered even more good news.  Through studying the scriptures, I have realized that we have fallen prey to a counterfeit fear once again.  Our enemy wants us to focus on and be afraid of the mark of the beast.  What he does not want us to understand is that his is a counterfeit mark.  Let me say that again...

The mark of the beast is a counterfeit.  

So...if there is a counterfeit mark, there has to be a REAL mark, too.  This is good news!  

Check out these scriptures:

• Exodus 13:9
• Deuteronomy 6:4-9
• Revelation 9:4
• Ezekiel 9:4-6
• 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (this fitting scripture was suggested by a reader -- Thank you Philip P!)
• Ephesians 1:13-14 (another reader suggestion. Thank you Joan O!)

What do these scriptures have in common?  They tell us of the mark of Yehovah!

In Deuteronomy, Israel is told that "these words, which I am commanding you today, are to be on your heart....Bind them as a sign on your hand, they are to be as frontlets between your eyes...."  What are "these words?"  Earlier in chapter 6 we learn that the commandments, statutes, and ordinances are "these words."  So in this passage, we see that there is a mark of Yehovah, and it is in the keeping of His law.

Revelation 9 is particularly comforting.  The fifth angel is trumpeting, and locusts have been given authority to torment the earth for five months.  Their only boundaries are "to do no harm to the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only the people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads."  Whew!  So when this particular torment takes place, those with the seal of God will be untouchable.  This gives us a second evidence that Yehovah has a mark, and again, we see that it is on the forehead.  

Finally in Ezekiel 9 we see Yehovah sending a messenger "through the midst of Jerusalem," commanding him to "make a mark on the foreheads of the people who sigh and moan over all the abominations that are committed in it."  I find this third example extremely sad, and here is why:

Begin. At. My. Sanctuary.

When Yehovah sends the messenger to "strike" and "kill" those without the mark, He tells the messenger to, "begin at my sanctuary." v 6.  Those at Yehovah's sanctuary should be His "inner circle," to use a modern term.  However, clearly, this scripture shows us that there are wolves walking even among the elect...in His sanctuary.

This breaks me...

Does my heart moan?  Would I receive the mark if the condition of my heart at this very instant was the determining factor?  Am I victim of the "road, rocks, and weeds" of this world?  (Matt 13:19-22)  

Does my heart break each time a baby is legally murdered in this country?  

Am I hurt that Yehovah's covenant sign is now associated with diverse sexuality?

Am I broken that the very people who cling to Yeshua for salvation know nothing of His appointed times?

Do I weep for Yehovah's people as Jeremiah did?

Do I pray repentance on behalf of my country as Daniel did?

Do I stand before Yehovah dirty...taking the blame for this culture as Joshua (the high priest in Zech) did?

Yehovah, may I "moan over all the abominations that are committed" against You!

Our enemy is a master of distraction.  His plan is to keep us in fear and ignorance of the REAL mark of Yehovah.  Do you see why?  

Because wearing the mark of Yehovah means brokenness.  It means hating sin while loving our fellow sinners.  It means fervent prayer.  It means understanding the law of Yehovah.  It means repentance.  It means healing.  It means salvation!

Friends, the enemy does not want salvation for you.  He wants to keep you afraid of his counterfeit mark.  Reject fear, and cling to faith in your Yeshua...your Salvation.  

As always, Friends, thank you for seeking with me!