In Revelation we read...
Revelation 13:10 "He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints."
In other words God is looking for people that are willing to take Him at his word, who are willing to trust him, who are willing to follow Him and who are willing to let God lead. This is talking about people right down at the end of time, and one of their characteristics is that these people will have the patience and the faith of the saints.
Revelation 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."
So when it contrasts the two groups of people it is saying that these people who are followers of the Lord are going to walk with the Lord by faith, they are going to keep his Commandments.
1 John 2:4 "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."
You see there are no two ways, no half measures - we cannot walk contrary to what the Lord says; we either follow His word completely as the Bible shows us, or we will be following the beast.
Matthew 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
1 John 2:6 "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
You see we are to follow Jesus, walk as he walked. This is the way you and I should be.
John 8:29 "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."
Jesus said I do the things that please my Father; and it says you and I are to do the things that please God.
Here's what the Apostles said...
Acts 5:29 "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
You see we must walk as Jesus walked.
God is looking for men and women today that belong to him, men and women that say "I belong to the Lord, I'm going to walk with him, I'm going to follow him, I'm God's man, I'm God's woman", that's what he is looking for, that's what he is asking from you and I today.
We have the benefit of historic records at our fingertips today. History is behind us! We have PROOF that the prophecies were fulfilled in the exact years as well as the exact manner that the Bible said they would be.
You see the Mark of the Beast is all about worship, who you give your allegiance to. Satan has always wanted the worship that is due only to God and His Son. Worship is the key factor in the ongoing warfare between God and Satan. People were created to be happy and fulfilled only when they worship God their Creator solely; but Satan has always desired and sought that worship for himself, and because of this, war broke out in Heaven and Satan was cast out to the earth...
Isaiah 14:13-14 "13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."
Since Satan was cast out of heaven to the earth, he has continued to try to gain worship in whatever way he can. He started with Eve, then centuries later when he tempted Jesus in the wilderness, worship was still the central issue.
Matthew 4:8-11 "8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him."
In these last days, God is calling upon all people to worship Him, their Creator.
Revelation 14:6-7 "6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
This so infuriates Satan that he will try to force people to worship him or else be killed.
Revelation 13:15 "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."
And so we see that Satan works through earthly powers to accomplish his ends.
Page 9 - Who Will You Worship?
Scripture Verse
Other Sites