anti-Christ – Resounding Shophar Ministries

The Mark of the Beast

It seems like most everyone in and out of church circles has heard the term, the Mark of the Beast. We first learn about it in Revelation 13:11-18, a mark given to those who pledge allegiance and their worship to the Anti-Christ, the beast. It is in this same passage of Scripture that we learn about the number of the beast, 666. What is the Mark of the Beast, and what does it mean for those who take it, or for those who reject it?

Having grown up in Church I have heard many different ideas of what the Mark of the Beast is. I’ve heard of it being a tattoo of the number 666 or a barcode of some sort. I’ve even heard some say it would be a type of computer circuit board placed under the skin. The most recent, and most popular theory of what the Mark of the Beast will be is the use of an RFID chip inserted under the skin with a hypodermic needle. The RFID chip has numerous capabilities and uses that make it a viable candidate for the Mark, but does Scripture support that theory?

One of the biggest reasons people are quick to say that the RFID chip is the Mark of the Beast is because it can be used both to track people as well as to have a level of control over individuals we haven’t seen on a mass scale before. Another reason some believe the RFID chip will be the Mark of the Beast is because it can integrate with financial institutions and retail establishments for various financial transactions, providing a level of security from theft and fraud, as well as identity theft. Does Scripture indicate that the Mark of the Beast will be used to track or control people? Or that it will be used to facilitate financial transactions?

I used to be one that thought that the RFID chip could be the Mark of the Beast, but a thought recently crossed my mind that made me question that. The RFID chip is capable of all the things I previously mentioned; the tracking of individuals, the literal ability to exercise a level of control over everyone, and to be an instrument used for financial transactions. Many of these functions, as well as many others, can be utilized on a local level, but some of these are and can be done via satellite, namely the tracking and control of people. When it comes to being used as an instrument for financial transactions, there is a problem. In Revelation 13:16 we’re told that everyone will be required to take the mark, and in Revelation 13:17 we read that people cannot buy or sell without the mark. Here in America, as well as in other developed countries, it is feasible to think that all financial transactions can be handled with the RFID chip, except for when there is a power outage and the scanning and electrical equipment is rendered powerless for an undetermined amount of time. That leads us to the other problem. What about in undeveloped and third world countries, places that don’t have electricity or the necessary electronic equipment to scan and perform the various financial transactions one might need to make? How can the RFID chip be used in these areas or under these circumstances for financial transactions? Again, to be used as a tracking and control device can be done via satellite no matter where someone is, but to be used to manage finances is an entirely different matter. So, where does that leave us?

In the Book of Revelation, the Mark of the Beast is mentioned 8 times; Revelation 13:16; Revelation 13:17; Revelation 14:9; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 19:20; and Revelation 20:4. In these eight occurrences we learn what type of mark it is, the locations of the mark on the body, the purposes of the mark, as well as the future of all those who take the mark. The Greek word for mark in Revelation 13:16 is, charagma (khar’-ag-mah), which refers to a ‘scratching or etching’. While it’s not a branding as we would associate with branding cattle or livestock, it does indicate some sort of permanent marks on the skin. How many of you have intentionally scratched yourself with a needle or sharp object to write or draw a temporary picture on your skin? I imagine the same process used here except that the mark will be deeper and more permanent. The RFID chip mentioned earlier is not given to someone through a scratching or etching process, but instead using a hypodermic needle. I frequently go to various establishments, as I’m sure you have, where they have signs posted that say something to the effect, “No shirt, no shoes, no service”. What if they changed the sign to say, “No shirt, no shoes, no mark, no service”? In this way, there is no need for electronics of any sort to manage financial transactions, but instead just a permanent mark that identifies you as “one of them”. With the level of allegiance to the Beast Scripture tells us about, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine that people would be strict in adhering to and enforcing such a policy.

Regarding its location, the Bible very clearly indicates that the Mark is to be on the right hand or the forehead. More precisely, Scripture seems to indicate that the mark will be ON or UPON the body, which is contrary to an RFID chip that is inserted under the skin and into the body. In Revelation 13:16, only the King James Version says the Mark is IN the right hand or IN the forehead, while all other translations indicate ON or UPON. In Revelation 20:4, all Bible translations indicate the Mark will be ON or UPON the forehead, including the King James Version, but as for the right hand only the King James Version indicates IN the hand. When you consider that the Mark as described earlier is one that is scratched or etched into the skin, it only makes sense that the Mark would be ON or UPON the forehead or right hand.

While preparing to teach on the Mark of the Beast at a home group I was teaching on the end-times, something crossed my mind. In Revelation 13:17, we read that no one can buy or sell unless they have 1) the mark, 2) the name of the beast, or 3) the number of his name. I can’t help but wonder if someone would have three choices to choose from to have permanently scratched or etched into their skin, choices based upon personal preferences. Just something to consider as a possibility, though I have no plans or intentions of sticking around to find out.

Yes, the Mark is to be a sign of sorts that a person can buy and sell things, but are there other purposes for it? Of the eight times the Mark of the Beast is mentioned in the Book of Revelation, five times it is connected with the worship of the Anti-Christ: Revelation 14:9, 11; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 19:20; and Revelation 20:4. The Greek word we mentioned earlier for the mark, charagma, also means a “badge of servitude”, and with that understanding we can see that the Mark will also be a badge of honor to one that is worshipped, in this case the Anti-Christ. It would appear that the Mark would primarily be a sign of worship to the Anti-Christ, which places that person in direct opposition to Jesus, the “real” Christ.

To take the Mark is not something to be taken lightly as the consequences of such a decision has terrible eternal consequences to it. In Revelation 16:2 we read that those with the Mark will get a “loathsome sore” as part of the first bowl judgement. It has been commonly believed that a person with the Mark would get sores, plural meaning many, but the text clearly indicates it is a single sore. The Scripture doesn’t indicate this one way or another, but I can’t help but wonder if that sore, which will be oozing and stinky, will be right where the Mark is, showing that God is greater than the Anti-Christ. In Revelation 14:9-11, we also read that they will experience the full strength of God’s wrath and be tormented non-stop forever and ever. In other words, there is absolutely, and never will be, any hope for those who take the Mark. So, no matter what,

DO NOT TAKE THE MARK!!!

John Johansson (Pastor John)

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Looking for the Anti-Christ?

I remember as a kid growing up hearing people talking about the anti-Christ, trying to figure out who he was and whether or not he was even alive yet. At the time most people seemed to think that it was Henry Kissinger, citing various reasons including one that suggested his name equaled the number 666. Over the year’s people have speculated about who is the anti-Christ. For one reason or another, people have speculated that it was Nero, Hitler, John F Kennedy, Prince Charles, and even Mikhail Gorbachev, just to name a few. In recent years, it has been largely speculated that President Barak Obama is the anti-Christ, a position I have been hesitant to embrace though I believe he’s done a lot to propel us into the waiting arms of an anti-Christian, One World government.

Several years ago I was watching something on TV that looked at some of the leading candidates of our time for being the anti-Christ. One name seemed to pop out at me more than the others because of where this person is from, who he associates with, and his desire to be the foremost world leader with a plan on how to accomplish that. While his name has been in the news from time to time over the years, it hasn’t been until recent weeks that he’s been in the news a lot, and he’s become more aggressive in his attempt to position himself as the world leader he’s envisioned himself becoming. His desire is to unite all the different Muslim groups under his leadership and control, sharing common goals and ambitions, and to create a Muslim caliphate state ran by Sharia law that has not been seen in centuries. His name is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the President of Turkey. Could he be the anti-Christ, or just someone helping to usher him in? I can’t say one way or the other, but what I can say is that he is a viable candidate for the position.

Why am I sharing this with you? Are we supposed to be focusing our attention on who is the anti-Christ, or is our attention supposed to be somewhere else? While I do keep an eye out for the leading candidates to fill that position, I also think it fruitless to focus our attentions on it and try to speculate who that person will be. There are two main reasons why I take that position that I want to share with you.

Listening to some I find that many believe we are already in the tribulation period, the period of time that marks the years the anti-Christ will rule. They see and hear of all the persecution against Christians, the natural disasters and other calamities taking place throughout the world, and their answer to all of it is to say we’re in the tribulation period. This leads to the first of two reasons for my position. In Daniel 9:20-27, we read of the angel Gabriel telling Daniel about a period of 70 weeks. In verse 24 we learn what the purpose of the 70 weeks is for, and in verses 25-26 we learn how the first 69 of those 70 weeks will conclude. In verse 27 we learn about the 70^th week, the last week of the 70 weeks Gabriel is talking about, and what will mark its beginning. The beginning of this last of the 70 weeks, a period of time known by Biblical scholars as the 7-year tribulation period, starts off with the anti-Christ confirming a covenant of sorts that includes Israel. This confirming of a covenant is the only sign we are given to identify when the tribulation period will begin, and that has not happened yet. Yes, the times we are living in are tough and brutal, especially for Christians, but it is a result of sinful mankind rebelling against a holy God and His Children. While some of what we see in the area of natural disasters and calamities may be specific and isolated judgments of God, what we are seeing is nothing near the judgments of God that will be poured out upon all mankind alive on earth during those seven years. So, contrary to what some believe, based on the above scripture, we are clearly NOT in the tribulation period at this time.

The second reason for the position I take is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12. In this passage, specifically verses 3-8, the Apostle Paul mentions the anti-Christ, identified in this passage as the son of perdition, and when he would be revealed. In verse 7 we are told that the anti-Christ is being restrained at this time, and that he will not be revealed until he who restrains is taken out of the way. There is some debate within church circles as to who is being mentioned that is restraining the anti-Christ at this time, debating between the Holy Spirit and the Church. I personally believe it is the Church, especially since we know that we’ve been promised that God would never leave or forsake us. If the Holy Spirit were to leave He would have to take the Church with Him, but if the Church were taken out of the way, the Holy Spirit could still be working here on earth though His role may change since the Bride of Christ is no longer here. With that, I believe Scripture is telling us that the anti-Christ will not be revealed until AFTER the rapture of the Church. If that is the case, then why is it that so many Christians are caught up in this quest of sorts to identify who the anti-Christ is, often times at the neglect of watching and preparing for the return of Christ?

As Christians, we are told to be watching for the return of Christ for us, His Bride, and not for the anti-Christ. We are also told to prepare for Christ’s return, not for the appearance of the anti-Christ. I just saw a video of a woman proclaiming that God had revealed to her in two visions who the anti-Christ will be. While I believe she is well intentioned and sincere in what she believes, I can’t say that I agree with her. First off, we are told by God that the anti-Christ will not be revealed until AFTER the rapture of the Church. Why would God tell us he won’t be revealed until after the rapture, only to reveal to someone who he is before we are even raptured up? That is a contradiction of Scripture, and I choose to listen to Scripture more than someone’s visions. Whenever someone says or proclaims something that clearly contradicts Scripture, we need to align ourselves with Scripture more than their supposed “revelations”. Another reason I take what she says with a grain of sand is because the person she identifies doesn’t match up with Scripture that gives us clues to his identity. We are told in Daniel 9:26 that the anti-Christ will come from the people that destroy the city and His temple, and it is on this basis that we have concluded he is to come from the ancient Roman empire. The person this woman identifies doesn’t come from those who made up the Roman empire, though some have stretched things a lot on the basis that America was once a British colony. Going back to the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and the temple of God, which took place in 70 A.D., we see that the Roman empire did lay siege upon Jerusalem and had a part in the destruction of the temple. However, when we take a closer look at the historical accounts by two historians that saw these events first hand, we find that the Roman soldiers that took part in this siege was not primarily made up of natural born Romans. Yes, the leadership were clearly Roman, but the soldiers themselves were primarily Syrians and Arabs, arch enemies and direct neighbors of the Jews. This is another reason why I discount the person this woman identified, and why I mentioned the President of Turkey, understanding that modern Turkey was a part of Syria in 70 A.D. Based on Scripture, the anti-Christ has to come from the middle east, and more specifically the area that made up Syria in that day, which included Turkey and Iraq.

So, if the anti-Christ will not be revealed until after the rapture, why do we need to know who he is? Well, we don’t. God gives us events and details of the last days for a number of different reasons. I believe He gives us this information as part of the signs we are to be watching for to show us how imminent Christ’s imminent return for His Bride is, seeing the final steps taking place for things that will be taking place in the tribulation period. I also believe He gives us this information to validate that He really knows what will take place long before any hint of them becoming reality was ever seen or imagined, and that we can have greater confidence in how things will be in the end. Another reason I believe He shares these things with us, I believe, is more for those who are left behind, giving them information of events to come and what to expect, and to know when and how He is going to finish things off. This information will be a big comfort for those who are left behind.

While it is important for us to be aware of the events of these last days, and to know the signs of His return, it is more important for us to be watching for the return of Jesus for His Bride, and to make sure we are prepared for Him when He arrives for us. Don’t get so caught up trying to identify or speculate who the anti-Christ is, especially since God makes it clear that he will not be revealed until after the rapture of the Church, to the point that you are not actively watching for Jesus and making sure you’re prepared for Him. Jesus is very adamant about us watching and preparing for His return, and gives us no instructions for watching and identifying the anti-Christ. Don’t get caught up in the trap that so many others have fallen into.

John Johansson (Pastor John)

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The Final Act is Being Prepared

We are living in some very exciting days right now. Biblical end-time prophecy is unfolding like never before, and we have the grand opportunity to see it unfold before our very eyes. While it is true that there are no more prophecies needing to be fulfilled before the Church can be caught up to meet Jesus in the air, we are seeing the final steps being taken to set the stage for the start of the tribulation period and the unveiling of the Anti-Christ. From a Christian standpoint we are truly living in exciting days no matter how bad things are getting because we see these things as signs alerting us to Jesus’ return for His Bride. What is ironic is that both the Jews and the Muslims are expecting their messiahs to arrive any day now, which according to end-time prophecy will probably be the same person, someone we know to be called the Anti-Christ.

Over the next several days it appears that the stage will finally be set for the arrival of the Anti-Christ. He may not take the stage right away, so to speak, and it could perhaps be several months or years before he does, but nonetheless everything will be in place for that to happen. What will it take for him to step into that position we don’t know, but one can speculate a lot of ideas for it. What we do know for certain is that he will be the one that confirms a 7-year treaty of some sort with Israel, and that will be the sign God gives to identify who he is. We also know that before that can happen, before he can be revealed for who he is, the one that restrains him must be taken away. Who is the one that must be taken away? Many say it is the Holy Spirit, and others say it is the Church. I personally believe it to be the Church, the Bride of Christ. While the role of the Holy Spirit here on earth may change very significantly after the rapture of the Church, I believe He will still be here in some capacity since God is everywhere all the time. In either case, even if the Holy Spirit is the one referred to as the one who restrains and is taken away, the Church would have to go with Him. Jesus promised us that He would never leave us or forsake us, and we are told that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and so that would only mean that if the Holy Spirit is removed then the Church would have to be removed as well.

What does that mean for us? Well, it means that the return of Jesus for His Bride is very, very, near, and we need to make sure we are watching and ready for Him when He does return. I’m not going to get into what it means to be watching for Jesus to return, but Scripture is very clear that only those Christians who are watching for Him will be caught up, or in other words called up to meet Him in the air.

As the return of Jesus draws ever so close it is also imperative we make sure we are not only watching for Him but also preparing for Him. Is there anything, or anyone, in our life that commands our attention or loyalties more than Him? If so, then we need to make some changes to put Him in His rightful place in our lives. What do we pursue the most, or who do we seek to please more than Christ? We can say He’s number one in our lives, but would the way we live support that statement, or are we deceiving ourselves? Seek the Lord and ask Him if there is an area, any area, or any person, that keeps Him from His rightful place in your life, and if so ask for His help in making the necessary changes to correct that. When you ask the Lord about this, make sure you’re listening for an answer even if it’s one you don’t like and not just listening for an answer that meets your criteria. Jesus is coming soon. The set is being prepared for the final act even as I type this, and it would behoove us to be wise and prepare for it in advance. It isn’t something to take casually, but something to prepare for at all times.

John Johansson