Billionaire businessman Bill Gates has, for decades, philanthropically funded the development of vaccines for global distribution. The company he co-founded, Microsoft, along with Gavi (the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization) and several multinational corporations, are said to be prepared to implement a mandatory digital identity for every man, woman and child on planet Earth through the use of biometric technology.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has reportedly distributed more than $3 billion to global agencies, such as the World Health Organization, the National Institute of Health, the Centers for Disease Control, as well as major pharmaceutical companies and large research universities. These may have been entirely benevolent, philanthropic gestures, but it is alarming how one man and his money can control nearly every aspect of our human existence.
Mark of the Beast?
Some question if this digital identity—or even the current COVID-19 vaccines and projected, vaccine visas—might be a prototype of the “mark of the beast” described in Revelation 13. Whether this is the case or not, we can see how biometric technology, digital identity or a “social credit system,” as practiced in China today, might be open doors to this future domination by a single, world-leader.
In Chapter 12 of the book of Revelation (just before Chapter 13, where the two “beasts” are introduced), we are told that Satan (also named together in the passage as the dragon, the serpent and the devil) was cast down to earth along with his angels (12:7-10). Even though Satan is said to have accused “our brothers … before our God, day and night … they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of the word of their testimony.” Then there is the dramatic declaration that our brothers and sisters in Christ did not shrink back from martyrdom itself: “They loved not their lives unto the death” (v. 11).
In Chapter 13, we are told that Satan gave the beast from the sea great power and authority. Specifically, he was given “authority to wage war for forty-two months” (v. 5b) with the saints and to overcome them. For these 3 1/2 years, the beast will seek to rule over “every tribe and tongue and nation,” (v. 7b), requiring those who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed (13:15). In order to buy or sell, all needed the mark or name of the beast or the number of his name on their right hand or on their forehead (vv. 16-17).
The Bible says this intense persecution, tribulation and martyrdom will require patient endurance and abiding faith on the part of the “saints” (Rev. 13:10b). Chapter 14, verse 12, explains that this spiritual fortitude follows their keeping the commandments of God and remaining faithful (or “full of faith”) in regard to their Lord Jesus. Though they may die for their faith in the Lord, they can then “rest from their labors, for their works follow them” (vv. 13-14). Special recognition and rewards await them in heaven.
Indications of Events to Come
Before the two beasts (later identified as the Antichrist and his false prophet) arrive on the world’s stage, the Bible tells us that believers will be able to discern world events to help identify the general time period (not the specific hour or day) of Jesus’ return to earth. There will be major wars, devastating famines, rampant pestilence and merciless deaths (Matt. 24, Luke 21 and Rev. 6).
All these are described as “the beginning of sorrows.” This means there are greater, sorrowful events to follow that will be even more intense and with greater frequencies prior to our Lord’s return (Matt. 24:15-31) to rapture His faithful followers (1 Thess. 4:13-18), execute severe sessions of divine wrath (Rev. 16), and to judge the nations (Matt. 25:31-46).
Eagerly Waiting for His Return
Jesus told His disciple that the “coming of the Son of Man” will happen “immediately after the tribulation of those days” (Matt. 24:29). It will occur during a dramatic cosmic disturbance where “the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light.” Stars (meteoroids? asteroids? ) will fall from heaven, and it seems the whole solar system may shake and become unstable (v. 29b), fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.
“Before them the earth quakes, the heavens shake; the sun and moon darken, and the stars withdraw their radiance” (Joel 2:10).
Against this darkened solar system, the remaining earthlings will actually “see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:30b). This supernatural radiance or brightness of His presence (Ezek. 10:4; 2 Thess. 2:8) will be the predicted “sign of the Son of Man” (Matt. 24:30a). Then, He will send His angels, with a dramatic sound of a trumpet, to “gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other” (v. 31b; 1 Cor. 15:51-58).
Compare this “harvest” with the one projected in Revelation 14:14-16 and the following summary statement by the first-century writer to the scattered Hebrew believers.
“So, Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to save those who eagerly wait for Him“ (Heb. 9:28).
At His coming, He will physically remove (“save”) those remaining, righteous ones who eagerly anticipate His second appearing, so that His wrath may follow upon the ungodly, during what the Scriptures relate as the Day of the Lord.
“For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” )1 Thess.. 5:9).
The “coming of the Son of Man” to earth again may be succinctly stated in these short sentences:
— Jesus really is coming again!
— We will be gathered up by His angels.
— Together, we will meet Him in the bright clouds of His glory.
—We will go to our prepared place in our Father’s house in heaven (John 14:1-3).
Hallelujah! “Even so, come Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20c). {eoa}
Gary Curtis served in full-time ministry for 50 years, the last 27 years of which he was part of the pastoral staff of The Church on The Way, the Van Nuys’ California Foursquare church. Now retired, Gary continues to write a weekly blog at worshipontheway.wordpress.com and frequent articles for digital and print platforms.
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