Obviously, the subject of the "Mark of the beast" is a grave issue that no doubt will affect all upon earth, and even God's Own People themselves. I am persuaded to believe the "Wild Beast" itself is a political entity that wishes to gain world control, in these "last days" of this system of things. After the "Great War" of Daniel 10:1 and Revelation 6:4 has been completed, we see the "Wild Beast" ascending out of the "abyss" as a SCARLET-COLORED, aggressive beast whose sole aim among other things, is to crush God's People. Their attack takes the form of the foretold "42-months" of trampling upon Jerusalem, as shown at Revelation 13:5-7:
5 And a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies was given it, and authority to act forty-two months was given it. 6 And it opened its mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name and his residence, even those residing in heaven. 7 And there was granted it to wage war with the holy ones and conquer them, and authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.
The above bible text highlights one very important bible point, that it is only God's Name People that stand in jeopardy of the receiving the imfamous 666 "Mark of the Beast". This is because Jehovah's people are in a covenant relationship with him. In fact, they are the only people on earth that have such a relationship with Jehovah. Daniel 11:30, shows that after the Great War between the King of the North and the King of the South, the King of the North will attack those people "leaving the holy covenant." The only people today that could be said to be "leaving the holy covenant" would have to be Jehovah's Witnesses since Trinitarian Christendom is not in a covenant with Jehovah God at all, and never has been.
(Daniel 11:30) 30 And there will certainly come against him the ships of Kit´tim, and he will have to become dejected. "And he will actually go back and hurl denunciations against the holy covenant and act effectively; and he will have to go back and will give consideration to those leaving the holy covenant.
The problem with the way you are thinking (and the WTS thinks) is it assumes that a person could be unfaithful to the covenant without ever being a member of that covenant. For example, if a person is not in a marital relationship with another person then he could not be said to be unfaithful to that person. Similarly, if the churches of Christendom are not in a covenant relationship with Jehovah God, then they cannot be said to be unfaithful to Jehovah. It would be an impossibility!
To further this thought, Daniel 11:32 says the King of the North will lead these ones into apostasy. This would be a modern day occurance. It would be impossible to lead Christendom into apostasy in our modern day age since Christendom has been apostate close to 2,000 years in their practices and doctrines. Therefore, this scripture could only apply to someone who has a legitimate standing with God but has recently digressed and turned to unfaithfulness. Thus this scripture can only point to one people who has the capability to apostasize in the last days. It could only point to God's Name People who will come under attack from the wild beast.
(Revelation 13:4-7) . . ." 5 And a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies was given it, and authority to act forty-two months was given it. 6 And it opened its mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name and his residence, even those residing in heaven. 7 And there was granted it to wage war with the holy ones and conquer them, and authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.
(Revelation 14:9-11) 9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the wild beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or upon his hand, 10 he will also drink of the wine of the anger of God that is poured out undiluted into the cup of his wrath, and he shall be tormented with fire and sulphur in the sight of the holy angels and in the sight of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever, and day and night they have no rest, those who worship the wild beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.
The above scripture shows that when one receives the "Mark of the Beast" one cannot recover from it.
Jehovah Witnesses teach publically that individuals of Christendom receive this permanent 666 "Mark of the Beast" when they:
- a) celebrate birthday
b) accept blood transfusions
c) salute the flag
d) vote for political offices
e) campagn for those who run for political offices
Again, how can a member of Christendom receive the 666 "Mark of the Beast," and later recover and join the Jehovah's Witnesses religion?
***