Retribution of Zion - Rumor notes 122

 Revelation 14

1 I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name of his Father, written on their foreheads. 2 I heard a sound from heaven, like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps. 3 They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth.

Let's begin with an overview of chapter 14 where we see more clearly the other side of the war. This clarifies the core issues involved. It begins by distinguishing God's true reflectors from counterfeit god reflectors just explained in chapter 13. (Refer to a chart compiled to compare these opposites.)

In verses 1-5, one of the high points of Revelation, we see more clearly God's end-time faithful witnesses who have allowed His graciousness to transform them into reflectors of His goodness and glory. This description will be even more clear in chapter 15 where we see the Lamb's fully matured special forces agents dressed like Him. In chapter 16 they pour out God's glory, strategically targeting each part of Satan's strongholds with praises and intercessions to God. A summary of these praises is found in the first of three angel's messages in this chapter right after their group description. Their final warnings and appeal to the world will be summarized in the next two messages with increasing intensity, all released on the world through means of these special agents who follow the Lamb.

The last of these three messages is a summary of what will be expanded on in chapter 16 where we find a fuller explanation such as reactions of torment inevitably experienced whenever unmitigated selfishness encounters relentless, selfless love. Emotional torment is the unavoidable and tragic reaction of continued resistance to undiluted love pouring out from God's heart through His faithful reflectors on earth. Yet this torment is a natural reaction that occurs in the psyche of any who refuse a love of the truth, reject God's mercy and spurn His glory; it is not punishment imposed by God.

The last half of chapter 14 describes two different harvests, the first one being non-violent and carried out by the Hero of this book with His angels. The second harvest is executed by the prince of this world counterfeiting the true harvest, likely under the guise of a need to purify the world of dissenters by all means possible. This harvest may correlate to the 6^th trumpet examined in chapter 9. In the name of God and justice, religious and political authorities will unite to carry out a global slaughter of God's followers in the greatest pogrom of bloodletting ever to occur in history.

The chapter begins with a refreshing reminder of the character and disposition of the Lamb as reflected in His true followers in stark contrast to the very dark scenes just reviewed in chapter 13.

behold, the Lamb

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, including those who pierced him. All the tribes of the earth will mourn over him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands. They cried with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:9-10)

These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me.' I didn't know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water: that he would be revealed to Israel." (John 1:28-31)

Again, the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. (John 1:35-37)

standing on Mount Zion

The angel who I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky, (Revelation 10:5)

Then I [or the dragon] stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names. (Revelation 13:1)

I saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God's wrath is finished. I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. (Revelation 15:1-2)

When evening had come, the boat was in the midst of the sea, and he was alone on the land. Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them, but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, "Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid." He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled; (Mark 6:47-51)

The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, Except you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in here; thinking, David can't come in here. Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David. David said on that day, Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and strike the lame and the blind, who are hated of David's soul. Therefore they say, There are the blind and the lame; he can't come into the house. (2 Samuel 5:6-8)

The remnant that has escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and out of Mount Zion those who shall escape: the zeal of Yahweh shall perform this. (2 Kings 19:30-31)

Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his anointed, saying, "Let's break their bonds apart, and cast their cords from us."

He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his anger, and terrify them in his wrath: "Yet I have set my king on my holy hill of Zion."

I will tell of the decree. Yahweh said to me, "You are my son. Today I have become your father. Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron. You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Now therefore be wise, you kings. Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve Yahweh with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him. (Psalms 2:1-12)

Therefore the Lord, Yahweh of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says: "Ah, I will get relief from my adversaries, and avenge myself of my enemies; and I will turn my hand on you, thoroughly purge away your dross, and will take away all your tin. I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called 'The city of righteousness, a faithful town.' Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness. But the destruction of transgressors and sinners shall be together, and those who forsake Yahweh shall be consumed. (Isaiah 1:24-28)

It shall happen in the latter days, that the mountain of Yahweh's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many peoples shall go and say, "Come, let's go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. House of Jacob, come, and let us walk in the light of Yahweh. (Isaiah 2:2-5)

In that day, Yahweh's branch will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the beauty and glory of the survivors of Israel. It will happen, that he who is left in Zion, and he who remains in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even everyone who is written among the living in Jerusalem; when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from its midst, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of burning. Yahweh will create over the whole habitation of Mount Zion, and over her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for over all the glory will be a canopy. There will be a pavilion for a shade in the daytime from the heat, and for a refuge and for a shelter from storm and from rain. (Isaiah 4:2-6)

In that day you will say, "I will give thanks to you, Yahweh; for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and he has become my salvation."

Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation. In that day you will say, "Give thanks to Yahweh! Call on his name. Declare his doings among the peoples. Proclaim that his name is exalted! Sing to Yahweh, for he has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth! Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion; for the Holy One of Israel is great in the midst of you!" (Isaiah 12:1-6)

For it will be so in the midst of the earth among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive tree, as the gleanings when the vintage is done. These shall lift up their voice. They will shout for the majesty of Yahweh. They cry aloud from the sea. Therefore glorify Yahweh in the east, even the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea! From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs. Glory to the righteous! But I said, "I pine away! I pine away! woe is me!"

The treacherous have dealt treacherously. Yes, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously. Fear, the pit, and the snare, are on you who inhabitant the earth. It will happen that he who flees from the noise of the fear will fall into the pit; and he who comes up out of the midst of the pit will be taken in the snare; for the windows on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble. The earth is utterly broken. The earth is torn apart. The earth is shaken violently. The earth will stagger like a drunken man, and will sway back and forth like a hammock. Its disobedience will be heavy on it, and it will fall and not rise again.

It shall happen in that day that Yahweh will punish the army of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth. They shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison; and after many days shall they be visited. Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed; for Yahweh of Armies will reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem; and before his elders will be glory. (Isaiah 24:13-23)

Therefore hear the word of Yahweh, you scoffers, that rule this people in Jerusalem: "Because you have said, 'We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol are we in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it won't come to us; for we have made lies our refuge, and we have hidden ourselves under falsehood.'"

Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh, "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. He who believes shall not act hastily.

I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line. The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place. Your covenant with death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand.

When the overflowing scourge passes through, then you will be trampled down by it. As often as it passes through, it will seize you; for morning by morning it will pass through, by day and by night; and it will be nothing but terror to understand the message." (Isaiah 28:14-19)

It will be like when a hungry man dreams, and behold, he eats; but he awakes, and his hunger isn't satisfied; or like when a thirsty man dreams, and behold, he drinks; but he awakes, and behold, he is faint, and he is still thirsty. The multitude of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion will be like that. (Isaiah 29:8)

For the people will dwell in Zion at Jerusalem. You will weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the voice of your cry. When he hears you, he will answer you. (Isaiah 30:19)

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they don't look to the Holy One of Israel, and they don't seek Yahweh!

Yet he also is wise, and will bring disaster, and will not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evil-doers, and against the help of those who work iniquity. Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When Yahweh stretches out his hand, both he who helps shall stumble, and he who is helped shall fall, and they all shall be consumed together.

For thus says Yahweh to me, "As the lion and the young lion growling over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds is called together against him, will not be dismayed at their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them, so Yahweh of Armies will come down to fight on Mount Zion and on its heights. As birds hovering, so Yahweh of Armies will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it. He will pass over and preserve it."

Return to him from whom you have deeply revolted, children of Israel. For in that day everyone shall cast away his idols of silver and his idols of gold--sin which your own hands have made for you.

"The Assyrian will fall by the sword, not of man; and the sword, not of mankind, shall devour him. He will flee from the sword, and his young men will become subject to forced labor. His rock will pass away by reason of terror, and his princes will be afraid of the banner," says Yahweh, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem. (Isaiah 31:1-9)

Woe to you who destroy, but you weren't destroyed; and who betray, but nobody betrayed you! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed; and when you have made an end of betrayal, you will be betrayed.

Yahweh, be gracious to us. We have waited for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation also in the time of trouble. At the noise of the thunder, the peoples have fled. When you lift yourself up, the nations are scattered. Your spoil will be gathered as the caterpillar gathers. Men will leap on it as locusts leap. Yahweh is exalted, for he dwells on high. He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. There will be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of Yahweh is your treasure. (Isaiah 33:1-6)

The sinners in Zion are afraid. Trembling has seized the godless ones. Who among us can live with the devouring fire? Who among us can live with everlasting burning?

He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; He who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from looking at evil-- he will dwell on high. His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks. His bread will be supplied. His waters will be sure. Your eyes will see the king in his beauty. They will see a distant land. Your heart will meditate on the terror. Where is he who counted? Where is he who weighed? Where is he who counted the towers?

You will no longer see the fierce people, a people of a deep speech that you can't comprehend, with a strange language that you can't understand. Look at Zion, the city of our appointed festivals. Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a quiet habitation, a tent that won't be removed. Its stakes will never be plucked up, nor will any of its cords be broken. But there Yahweh will be with us in majesty, a place of broad rivers and streams, in which no galley with oars will go, neither will any gallant ship pass by there. For Yahweh is our judge. Yahweh is our lawgiver. Yahweh is our king. He will save us.

Your rigging is untied. They couldn't strengthen the foot of their mast. They couldn't spread the sail. Then the prey of a great spoil was divided. The lame took the prey. The inhabitant won't say, "I am sick." The people who dwell therein will be forgiven their iniquity. (Isaiah 33:14-24)

The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. It will blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing. Lebanon's glory Lebanon will be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They will see Yahweh's glory, the excellence of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Tell those who have a fearful heart, "Be strong. Don't be afraid. Behold, your God will come with vengeance, God's retribution.

He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. Then the lame man will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing; for waters will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water. Grass with reeds and rushes will be in the habitation of jackals, where they lay.

A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called The Holy Way. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools will not go there. No lion will be there, nor will any ravenous animal go up on it. They will not be found there; but the redeemed will walk there. The Yahweh's ransomed ones will return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away." (Isaiah 35:1-10)

"Comfort, comfort my people," says your God. "Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Yahweh's hand double for all her sins."

The voice of one who calls out, "Prepare the way of Yahweh in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The uneven shall be made level, and the rough places a plain.

The glory of Yahweh shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it." The voice of one saying, "Cry!" One said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, because Yahweh's breath blows on it. Surely the people are like grass. The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever."

You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength. Lift it up. Don't be afraid. Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold, your God!" Behold, the Lord Yahweh will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young. (Isaiah 40:1-11)

Listen to me, you stout-hearted, who are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness, it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not wait; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory. (Isaiah 46:12-13)

Listen to me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek Yahweh: look to the rock whence you were hewn, and to the hold of the pit whence you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for when he was but one I called him, and I blessed him, and made him many.

For Yahweh has comforted Zion; he has comforted all her waste places, and has made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of Yahweh; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Attend to me, my people; and give ear to me, my nation: for a law shall go forth from me, and I will establish my justice for a light of the peoples. My righteousness is near, my salvation is gone forth, and my arms shall judge the peoples; the islands shall wait for me, and on my arm shall they trust. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look on the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment; and those who dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be forever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; don't you fear the reproach of men, neither be you dismayed at their insults. (Isaiah 51:1-7)

The ransomed of Yahweh shall return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy shall be on their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. I, even I, am he who comforts you: who are you, that you are afraid of man who shall die, and of the son of man who shall be made as grass; and have forgotten Yahweh your Maker, who stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and fear continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he makes ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? The captive exile shall speedily be freed; and he shall not die and go down into the pit, neither shall his bread fail. For I am Yahweh your God, who stirs up the sea, so that the waves of it roar: Yahweh of Armies is his name. I have put my words in your mouth, and have covered you in the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and tell Zion, You are my people. (Isaiah 51:11-16)

Now therefore, what do I here, says Yahweh, seeing that my people is taken away for nothing? those who rule over them do howl, says Yahweh, and my name continually all the day is blasphemed. Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he who does speak; behold, it is I.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns! The voice of your watchmen! they lift up the voice, together do they sing; for they shall see eye to eye, when Yahweh returns to Zion.

Break forth into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for Yahweh has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. Yahweh has made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

Depart you, depart you, go you out from there, touch no unclean thing; go you out of the midst of her; cleanse yourselves, you who bear the vessels of Yahweh. For you shall not go out in haste, neither shall you go by flight: for Yahweh will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rearward.

Behold, my servant shall deal wisely, he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high. Like as many were astonished at you (his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men), so shall he sprinkle many nations; kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they understand. Who has believed our message? and to whom has the arm of Yahweh been revealed? For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised, and rejected by men; a man of suffering, and acquainted with disease: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we didn't respect him. Surely he has borne our sickness, and carried our suffering; yet we considered him plagued, struck by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for[by] our transgressions, he was crushed for[by] our iniquities; the punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 52:5 – 53:5)

Keep in mind that this is the same Lamb as in Revelation seen on Mount Zion.

Based on all we have just reviewed, what is the retribution of Zion? What does God's kind of vengeance look like?

What emerges from these passages when viewed through the lens of a Jesus-version of God's heart, is that God's vengeance is opposite of how we usually carry out vengeance. God is into the restoration business, not the payback business of evil for evil. God is restoring joy, peace, intimacy, safety, wholeness and healing so that the damage sin has caused may be reversed in all who are willing to cooperate to be transformed into the same glory the Lamb reflects.

The story of David capturing Jerusalem from the Jebusites, there identified as Zion, launches a fascinating thread that connects all the way down many hundreds of years to the story of blind Bartimaeus, a beggar (and possibly another with him) who confronted Jesus who was on His way to Jerusalem to face His death in this city identified as Zion. The blind beggars used a title for Jesus to get His attention, very possibly because they knew it would resonate with Him from the story of David.

Key to appreciating the deeper meanings in these connected stories is the context in which it is found in the gospels. The disposition of David who is closely tied to the identity of Jesus, was in that story not reflective of the disposition of Jesus. Thus that story became a key factor influencing the thinking of people in Jesus' day about how God relates to the blind and the lame as well as others.

Jesus summoned them, and said to them, "You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho, with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and say, "Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!" Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, "You son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stood still, and said, "Call him."

They called the blind man, saying to him, "Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!" He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said to him, "Rhabboni, that I may see again."

Jesus said to him, "Go your way. Your faith has made you well." Immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. (Mark 10:42-52)

What is so significant about this story and its parallel rehearsals in the other gospels? Jesus came to this world primarily for God's salvation, to salvage God's reputation that has been slandered pretty much by every human being since the beginning of this world. David was viewed by the Jews as one of their greatest heroes that they relied on as to how God relates to His chosen people. The story of David's attitude towards the blind and the lame in reaction to the taunting of the Jebusites who occupied the strong city David wanted for himself, resonated strongly with the kind of God the religious people throughout history imagine and expect Him to be like.

The king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, Except you take away the blind and the lame, you shall not come in here; thinking, David can't come in here. Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion; the same is the city of David. David said on that day, Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him get up to the watercourse, and strike the lame and the blind, who are hated of David's soul. Therefore they say, There are the blind and the lame; he can't come into the house. (2 Samuel 5:6-8)

David's reaction to the words of the Jebusites created a prejudice that become embedded into the culture of Israel for many generations and was rigidly enforced in Jesus' day by the exclusion of anyone from the temple they deemed inferior or handicapped – particularly the lame and the blind. This prejudice could be traced back to this story. This shared hatred with David for the lame and the blind extended to others they also viewed as cursed by God. But Jesus came to rectify such thinking that so distorts our views of God, so when a blind man called out Jesus as the Son of David, he was in effect challenging Jesus to address this centuries-old prejudice and maybe defy tradition, hoping to see Jesus respond differently than David.

The fact that Jesus responded to this blind man with a disposition quite different than what David had exhibited was itself an affront to the attitudes of the religious elite of His day. Many things about Jesus were like this, and the fact that here we find the Lamb standing on Mount Zion at the beginning of this highly important chapter is not incidental. The Lamb of God is also the Son of David who came to dispel distorted opinions that have darkened our views of how God feels about us, and He continues to challenge them until light completely dispels the darkness of misapprehensions about Him.

Notice that at the end of the story of Bartimaeus it says he followed Jesus. From the larger context of this story we learn that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem for the last time, the same place identified as Mount Zion. He is the Lamb of God that John the Baptist said would take take away the sin of the world. That sin includes the prejudices and hatred initiated and perpetuated by even God's champions throughout history like David. This is why it is so important to make Jesus our preeminent example, for He alone is the revelation of the truth about God's disposition towards every person.

What else can we learn in connection with this theme of Zion?

It is God who will accomplish all that must be done to restore the honor of Zion.

the zeal of Yahweh shall perform this. (2 Kings 19:30-31)

I have set my king on my holy hill of Zion. (Psalms 2:1-12)

Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness. (Isaiah 1:24-28)

out of Zion the law shall go forth ...let us walk in the light of Yahweh. (Isaiah 2:2-5)

look at Zion...let us walk in the light of Yahweh. (Isaiah 2:2-5)

he who is left in Zion, ...shall be called holy

when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion

Yahweh will create over the whole habitation of Mount Zion...a cloud

over all the glory will be a canopy. (Isaiah 4:2-6)

Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion;

for the Holy One of Israel is great in the midst of you!" (Isaiah 12:1-6)

Yahweh of Armies will reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem;

and before his elders will be glory. (Isaiah 24:13-23)

I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone

He who believes shall not act hastily. (Isaiah 28:14-19)

the people will dwell in Zion...will weep no more.

He will surely be gracious to you... When he hears you, he will answer you. (Isaiah 30:19)

Yahweh of Armies will come down to fight on Mount Zion.

As birds hovering, so Yahweh of Armies will protect...and deliver it.

He will pass over and preserve it. (Isaiah 31:1-9)

He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.

There will be stability in your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.

The fear of Yahweh is your treasure. (Isaiah 33:1-6)

Your eyes will see the king in his beauty.

Look at Zion, ...Your eyes will see a quiet habitation,

there Yahweh will be with us in majesty

people who dwell therein will be forgiven their iniquity. (Isaiah 33:14-24)

rejoice even with joy and singing.

see Yahweh's glory, the excellence of our God

the redeemed will walk there.

everlasting joy will be on their heads.

They will obtain gladness and joy, (Isaiah 35:1-10)

comfort my people, ...iniquity is pardoned

The glory of Yahweh shall be revealed

He will feed his flock...gather the lambs in his arm... gently lead... (Isaiah 40:1-11; 51:1-7)

I bring near my righteousness

I will place salvation in Zion (Isaiah 46:12-13)

Number of a Man - Rumor notes 121

 

Revelation 13

18 Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.

it is the number of a man

From earliest times and even today, for young children calculation usually begins with use of their fingers as they learn how to count and then move on to simple math. Might this have something to do with this mark being located on the hand where calculation often starts? What about having the number of the name? Name is likely associated with the identity or disposition of the beast and its image along with their source the dragon. What else might we discover beyond even this?

Calculating not only involves hands and fingers but also takes place primarily in the left brain where logic, reason and language skills are based. This might infer one of the distortions of sin, for the first part of the Tree representing Satan's kingdom on earth is the word Knowledge. A common distortion of the enemy is that given enough time and acquired knowledge, we will be able to figure out how to save ourselves, how to extricate ourselves successfully from the problem of sin. This is embedded in most all religions so deeply that many become addicted to the pursuit of knowledge through ever higher education in hopes that if they can just develop enough intellectual prowess they will be able to figure out the right answers and can at last achieve success or even overcome the problems of evil in the world.

This line of reasoning is part of the strategy of the beast, for the dragon's tactics involve more than just intimidation. The counterfeit system relies on strong appeals to reason, logic and manipulation of facts as the right way to solve all our problems. This is embodied in the serpent's words to Eve, and through this two-pronged approach he captures the attention of people today just as he did with Eve. We imagine that knowledge combined with power can save us or even get us right with God so He will save us. Yet while knowledge is certainly important, giving it higher priority than living in humble, intimate relationship at the heart level with our Creator will prove tragic.

Given this danger, it is no surprise that the beginning of this verse alerts us to our need for heavenly wisdom before attempting to calculate the number of the beast. Wisdom is not the equivalent of knowledge, and to receive this kind of wisdom requires a humble heart willing to connect and listen with both our heart and head to the ultimate Source of Wisdom. That Source is the Spirit of Wisdom and Truth that alone comes from God.

There are other potential options to consider relating to this specific number.

According to the Genesis creation account, humans (or man generically) were created on the 6^th day. This connects a number to the meaning of what it means to be human, the number 6. Additionally, there are three 6's in the three place number comprising the sum of the three Greek words used. This could introduces the number 3 combined with the meaning of the number 6. Some have suggested that this might refer to a counterfeit 3-part godhead competing against the true Godhead, also composed of 3 persons, but inferior to them like humans are inferior to the God who created them.

We know from many of our previous studies that the one behind all the violence and evil going on is the fallen angel Lucifer turned Satan. It might come as an awakening however to learn that God identifies this fallen cherub not as an angel but as a man, at least near the end his existence.

You said in your heart, "I will ascend into heaven! I will exalt my throne above the stars of God! I will sit on the mountain of assembly, in the far north! I will ascend above the heights of the clouds! I will make myself like the Most High!" Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the pit. Those who see you will stare at you. They will ponder you, saying, "Is this the man who made the earth to tremble, who shook kingdoms; who made the world like a wilderness, and overthrew its cities; who didn't release his prisoners to their home?" (Isaiah 14:13-17)

Son of man, tell the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Because your heart is lifted up, and you have said, I am a god, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet you are man, and not God, though you did set your heart as the heart of God--

Will you yet say before him who kills you, I am God? but you are man, and not God, in the hand of him who wounds you. (Ezekiel 28:2, 9)

I believe it is safe to conjecture that Satan is the 'man' who is behind all the forcing of identity and worship on all who dwell on the earth. He wants his character to be reflected in every human being, because any lingering reflection of God's true glory of selfless love is a constant source of incriminating evidence contradicting his lies that God is no different than him. Compare these verses with the following ones about other men who exhibited a spirit like that of Satan.

When Jesus stepped ashore, a certain man out of the city who had demons for a long time met him. He wore no clothes, and didn't live in a house, but in the tombs. (Luke 8:27)

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 5:1-2)

But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one, to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is that great power of God." (Acts 8:9-10)

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen, whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, "Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth. You see and hear, that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands. (Acts 19:24-26)

His number is six hundred sixty-six [the number of a man]

I believe it is important that we keep all these things in mind while seeking wisdom to discern what God may have us to find in this key symbol. There has been endless speculation about this number ever since it was written by John. I would like to offer some further possibilities that I find congruent with the two keys we use for interpreting everything we study in this book. I do not claim to present a final or ultimate interpretation of this number, but we should remain open to exploring viable options while soliciting the Spirit Jesus promised to send us when He left this earth, who was promised to guide us into greater truth and to remind us of the words Jesus spoke while He was here.

Here are a some passages that have numbers relative to this.

King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatever she asked, besides that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned, and went to her own land, she and her servants. Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred sixty-six talents of gold, besides that which the traders brought, and the traffic of the merchants, and of all the kings of the mixed people, and of the governors of the country. (1 Kings 10:13-15)

In Solomon's story, the context was soon after Solomon married an Egyptian (1 Kings 9:16, 24) who began to turn his heart away from God (1 Kings 9:17-21; 11:1-11), and also after he began relying on conscripted labor to build his house and the temple (1 Kings 9:15 NRSV, NIV or NASB). This 666 number may represent the obscene level of wealth gained by exploitation of other people.

The children of Azgad, one thousand two hundred twenty-two. The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-six. The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty-six. (Ezra 2:12-14)

There is a curious narrative beginning in Ezra 2:1,13 and ending with Shemaiah a priest who may be child 666 of Adonikam (Ezra 8:13; Nehemiah 7:18; 10:8; 1 Kings 12:22-24; 1 Chronicles 15:8; Jeremiah 29:31). I can unpack this thread more in another document.

Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was sixty cubits, and the breadth of it six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the satraps, the deputies, and the governors, the judges, the treasurers, the counselors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. (Daniel 3:1-2)

Here is what Strong's concordance says concerning this number. 666 is made up of three Greek characters, the last being a leftover obsolete character retained as a number. From various sources I find compelling insights relevant to this subject. The implications seem to resonate strongly with the spirit and motives we see transpiring in power struggles going on all around us in the world today. Here is what Strong's has to say about this number.

chi xi stigma the 22nd, 14th and an obsolete letter (4742 as a cross [X]) of the Greek alphabet, but used here as numbers. They denote respectively 600, 60 and 6.

Here are some references in Wikipedia related to these letters and their associated words. Some of the concepts connected linked with these letters/numbers are quite compelling in light of this chapter.

Chi was the 22^nd letter of the Greek alphabet in John's day and was written as X.

When used as a Greek numeral, it carried the value of 600.

Greek symbology: In Plato's Timaeus, it is explained that the two bands that form the soul of the world (Anima mundi) cross each other like the letter Χ.

The anima mundi or world soul is, according to several systems of thought, an intrinsic connection between all living beings, which relates to the world in much the same way as the soul is connected to the human body.

Plato adhered to this idea, identifying the universe as a living being:

Thus, then, in accordance with the likely account, we must declare that this Cosmos has verily come into existence as a Living Creature endowed with soul and reason ...a Living Creature, one and visible, containing within itself all the living creatures which are by nature akin to itself.— Plato, Timaeus 30b–d, translated by W.R.M. Lamb.

Plato's Timaeus describes this living cosmos as being built by the demiurge constructed as to be self-identical and intelligible to reason, according to a rational pattern expressed in mathematical principles and Pythagorean ratios describing the structure of the cosmos, and particularly the motions of the seven classical planets.

Following Plato, the anima mundi became an important component in Neoplatonic cosmology, often including its close relationship to the demiurge and the seven planets.

Demiurge: In the Platonic, Neophythagorean, Middle Platonic, and Neoplatonic schools of philosophy, the demiurge is an artisan-like figure responsible for fashioning and maintaining the physical universe. The Gnostics adopted the term demiurge.

The philosophical usage and the proper noun derive from Plato's Timaeus, written c. 360 BC, where the demiurge is presented as the creator of the universe.

In the arch-dualist ideology of the various Gnostic systems, the material universe is evil, while the non-material world is good. According to some strains of Gnosticism, the demiurge is malevolent, as it is linked to the material world. In others, including the teaching of Valentinus, the demiurge is simply ignorant or misguided.

Plato, as the speaker Timaeus, refers to the Demiurge frequently in the Socratic dialogue Timaeus (28a ff.), c. 360 BC. The main character refers to the Demiurge as the entity who "fashioned and shaped" the material world. Timaeus describes the Demiurge as unreservedly benevolent, and so it desires a world as good as possible.

Dualism in cosmology or dualistic cosmology is the moral or spiritual belief that two fundamental concepts exist, which often oppose each other.

Moral dualism is the belief of the great complement of, or conflict between, the benevolent and the malevolent. It simply implies that there are two moral opposites at work....

Many myths and creation motifs with dualistic cosmologies have been described in ethnographic and anthropological literature. The motifs conceive the world as being created, organized, or influenced by two demiurges, culture heroes, or other mythological beings, who compete with each other or have a complementary function in creating, arranging or influencing the world. There is a huge diversity of such cosmologies. In some cases, such as among the Chukchi, the beings collaborate rather than compete, and they contribute to the creation in a coequal way. In many other instances the two beings are not of the same importance or power (sometimes, one of them is even characterized as gullible). Sometimes they can be contrasted as good versus evil. They may be often believed to be twins or at least brothers.

Physical cosmology is the study of the observable universe's origin, its large-scale structures and dynamics, and the ultimate fate of the universe, including the laws of science that govern these areas. It is investigated by scientists, such as astronomers and physicists, as well as philosophers, such as metaphysicians, philosophers of physics, and philosophers of space and time. Because of this shared scope with philosophy, theories in physical cosmology may include both scientific and non-scientific propositions, and may depend upon assumptions that cannot be tested. Physical cosmology is a sub-branch of astronomy that is concerned with the Universe as a whole. Modern physical cosmology is dominated by the Big Bang theory....

There are interesting and sometimes controversial issues related to this.

Chi or X is often used to abbreviate the name Christ, as in the holiday Christmas (Xmas). When fused within a single typespace with the Greek letter rho, it is called the labarum and used to represent the person of Jesus Christ.

The practice of adding up the number values of Greek letters of words, names and phrases, thus connecting the meaning connecting the meaning of words, names and phrases with others with equivalent numeric sums, is called isopsephy. A similar practice adapted for the Hebrew alphabet is referred to as gematria.

Isopsephy (isos meaning "equal" and psephos meaning "pebble") or isopsephism is the practice of adding up the number values of the letters in a word to form a single number. The total number is then used as a metaphorical bridge to other words evaluating the equal number, which satisfies isos or "equal" in the term. The early Greeks used pebbles arranged in patterns to learn arithmetic and geometry, which corresponds to psephos or "pebble" and "counting" in the term.

Isopsephy is related to gematria: the same practice using the Hebrew alphabet....A gematria of Latin script languages was also popular in Europe from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, and its legacy remains in code-breaking, numerology, and Masonic symbolism today.

Xi was the 14^th letter of the Greek alphabet in John's day. In the system of Greek numerals, it has a value of 60. Xi is distinct from the letter chi, which gave its form to the Latin letter X.

What I find significantly relevant is the potential meaning of the last character in this set of 3 characters, the letter stigma. Though obsolete in the Greek alphabet, it survived as the numeral 6. Yet as a word (Strong's 4742) it meant to "stick", i.e. prick; a mark incised or punched (for recognition of ownership), i.e. (figuratively) scar of service – a mark. (Strong's)

Greek numerals are a system of representing numbers using letters of the Greek alphabet.

The earliest alphabet-related system of numerals used with the Greek letters was a set of the acrophonic Attic numerals, operating much like Roman numerals... The acrophonic system was replaced by a new alphabetic system, sometimes called the Ionic numeral system, from the 4^th century BC. Each unit (1, 2, …, 9) was assigned a separate letter, each tens (10, 20, …, 90) a separate letter, and each hundreds (100, 200, …, 900) a separate letter. This requires 27 letters, so the 24-letter Greek alphabet was extended by using three obsolete letters: fau, [Sigma (letter)|sigma]...for 6, koppa for 90, and sampi for 900.

The name, stigma (στίγμα), is originally a common Greek noun meaning "a mark, dot, puncture", or generally "a sign"... The numeral symbol, originally quite unrelated to the στ ligature, developed from the letter Ϝ, which stood for the sound /w/ in early pre-classical forms of the Greek alphabet. This symbol became obsolete as a letter during the classical era but remained part of the Greek alphabet-based system of numerals, where its value of 6 corresponded to its original place in the alphabet.

Following are excerpts from what I found to be a relevant article on the history of this word Stigma.

The word “stigma” derives directly from two almost identical words in both Latin and Greek... Although the word in Latin and Greek seems less versatile than its English cousin and cognate “stick,” both words can refer to poking, puncturing and (especially) branding.

...Stigmas are actual brands, scars in an archaic use of the word, or similar, imagined or metaphorical marks, in a contemporary use of the word.

“Stigmata” in English, carries with it a very specific, religious association to the physical wounds suffered by Jesus at the crucifixion...

The word stigma may be applied in allegorical or metaphorical ways, to experiences or conditions that are not seen as physical marks but are intuited or surmised. For example, a “social stigma” is not always readily observable, one must instead be alerted to, or made aware of, its existence.

Originally, in the 17^th Century references quoted in the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), a stigma seems to have been, specifically the mark left by branding a person with a hot iron. Branding with a hot iron was a fairly common punishment in the 17^th Century; and one who bore the “stigma” or scar from that hot iron, was said to have been “stigmatized”. The word could also be used to refer to tattoos or the practice of tattooing; but this use seems to have been rare.

There are other interesting examples given in the OED entry, too: one man was branded with an “S” and an “L” one letter on either cheek, for “seditious” and “libeler”; a couple was branded, each on the forehead with the letter “A” for “adultery”; and in a third, even more curious case, a man was branded on his forehead with “a letter of his own name,” the crime in that case was not mentioned. There are 19^th century references, that seem to make even more sweeping, general associations: “Doomed to be, like the seed of Cain, a stigmatized race” (956). It is interesting to me, at least, that the crimes of sedition and libel—saying unflattering or outrageous things about someone or some institution carried with it the same penalty as adultery.

To the medieval mind, God brings men and women together in marriage; but marriage was a formal contract among the nobles and upper classes—so an affair, having sex with someone else’s wife, was a sin against God and property laws; the woman’s crime was a crime against God, man (her husband) and the State. The word “husband” means “keeper” and refers not to love, but to ownership. It is interesting to me, too, that by the 17^th Century in all the Romance languages there is a version of the word “stigmatized” with specific reference to the practice of branding as a punishment for various crimes. We might be tempted to conclude that wherever the Roman Catholic Church had enough influence to mete out punishments like branding, the practice was common and the effects on the population were widespread.

What we can conclude, with confidence, is that stigmas are imposed on people by other people; and the intent of those who stigmatize others is to cause harm. “Branding” with a red-hot iron may no longer be practiced as a punishment, but the emotional scars caused by social stigmas, are real and convincing reminders of the power of words. The emotional content of certain words is seared into us as if it could leave a scar visible to everyone; and this is true whether we use these words in reference to ourselves, or others use them to label or “brand’ us.

This is a lot of information to digest. What useful insights and clues might we distill out of all this?

In the case of Solomon, the number is closely linked with amassing opulent wealth, trading, trafficking and power through hierarchy. It is no accident these same things are listed in God's description of what transpired in the initial fall of Lucifer in heaven. In addition, this was during the time when Solomon was plunging himself into a life of excessive sex with hundreds of women and becoming deeply involved in idolatry as a result of their seductive influence over him.

In our desire to correctly discern why this number is given here, we need heavenly direction to avoid being seduced and deceived by isopsephy which appeals to dependence on fleshly versions of wisdom.

The first numeral of 666 in the Greek conveys strong overtones of very ancient pagan philosophies resonates strongly with much of what is seen today. Coordinated moves by powerful people today seek to consolidate the world into uniformity and plan to control the masses using arguments and logic identical to those developed long ago. This is no surprise given the same supernatural forces intend to assert their power over the entire world under the guise of saving the planet, viewed as our mother and now offended by our exploitation of her natural resources.

Today there is a growing convergence of various philosophies conspiring together to consolidate power and wealth, to eliminate individuality and freedom and set up a New World Order for the purpose of saving the planet. Gnosticism, so-called science, the philosophy of evolution, open attacks against morality, the family model and resurgence of feudalistic power, all conspire to enforce the principles of Satan and eliminate the image of God in mankind using an imposed artificial identity.

The last digit of this number links back to the idea of a forced mark, even with branding with a hot iron to identify ownership. We examined some of these ideas in previous studies on the mark; now we find them being reinforced in connection to the last digit in this number. Ironically, the stigma assigned initially would seem to be against those opposing reception of the mark, while those going along with it would presumably be free from stigmatization. Yet again this exposes the nature of deception itself, twisting things to appear different than how heaven views things from a higher perspective.

What does seem clear in the use of stigmatization is the heavy enforcement of the reward/punishment system to achieve control over all the world. Compelled worship and forced compliance to the agenda of those grasping for power, is becoming clearly the trend of the world today. And this, despite the objections of many who not long ago insisted it is impossible to happen in our advanced modern era.

We can be certain that this prophecy given to John will in the end be proven to be unfailingly accurate and will finish its course all the way to the end. What we must focus on now is to be properly aligned with the Spirit of truth and love so we will not be captivated by the seductive enticements of the enemy who seeks to steal, kill and destroy our most precious inheritance in Christ.

This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John. (Revelation 1:1)

I want to go back to review the concluding paragraph of the article quoted above to point out something vitally important we must not miss in our study here.

What we can conclude, with confidence, is that stigmas are imposed on people by other people; and the intent of those who stigmatize others is to cause harm. “Branding” with a red-hot iron may no longer be practiced as a punishment, but the emotional scars caused by social stigmas, are real and convincing reminders of the power of words. The emotional content of certain words is seared into us as if it could leave a scar visible to everyone; and this is true whether we use these words in reference to ourselves, or others use them to label or “brand’ us.

Here are a few insights I believe are central to understanding the nature and effect of this mark. What is important to note are the patterns involved more than the specific details.

What comes before receiving the mark is worship of the image and its beast origin.

Worship means receiving our identity from someone and authorizing them to model to us how to act like ourselves. Thus worship means absorbing the identity of the leader of one of the two supernatural sources vying for our attention.

Stigmas are imposed on people; worship of the beast and its image will be imposed on people.

This stigma mark is a reflection of the character of the false god being worshipped. Thus it initially may not appear to be a stigma because nearly everyone else reflects the same disposition. But from heaven's point of view it is a stigma on God's reputation.

Note the sequence. Compelled worship comes first, then the mark is introduced.

The intent of this mark is to cause harm.

The dragon, beast and image do not reflect the loving care of our heavenly Father. Their agenda is purely selfish, yet deceptive and manipulative, claiming they are working for the common good of all while in truth they are exploiting the masses for their own lust for power, control, wealth and self-exaltation. They steal, kill and destroy in their scramble for power and pride.

A stigma/mark is a permanent stamp of identity much like branding cattle for the purpose of marking them with a permanent brand of their owner.

But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron. (1 Timothy 4:1-2)

Seducing spirits and doctrines involve worship of the counterfeit god of this world whose power lies in fear and seductive deceptions. When lies are accepted and lying spirits are allowed to manipulate our thinking, the sensitive conscience is cauterized and incapacitated so it can no longer respond to the sweet Spirit of love. Such ones lose capacity to repent. This is the deliberate intent of harm by this mark.

Words are the primary means of branding and searing the mark into our psyche. They are far more effective than simply an outward scar or tattoo.

The war highlighted in chapter 12 is concentrated with words of slander against God, not physical altercations. This war is a direct attack on the reputation of God, the One we were created to reflect. By usurping God's reflectors to reflect Satan's lies about God's character, the character and condition of all who worship the beast version of God and who receive the identity mark of that kind of god, displaces the true identity of humans both by creation and redemption where the identity of Christ in every human being was reassigned to be in Christ who is our true representative.

Believing lies about God and rejecting a love of the truth will prove deadly in the end. When one rejects the truth about their new identity in Christ, they cling to Satan's lies about God and themselves as God's reflectors until those lies become permanent attributes defining their settled mindset and shaping their character into the likeness of the beast.

All who receive this mark imagine they will benefit from it. But when the light of truth about the nature of God's selfless love exposes their true condition and character, their reaction is continuous torment when they come into the light of heaven's perspective. They feel the intensity of stigma resulting from their false reflection of God's character in contrast with the true reflection of the presence of the Lamb and the angels.

Contrast this with those who refuse to worship the beast or its image and refuse to receive the mark, even when faced with death as the punishment for non-compliance.

They worship the Creator God (Revelation 14:6-7), choosing to reflect His attributes and be transformed into His likeness (Genesis 1:26; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

The image of God, His glory of selfless love, is reflected in their disposition and is sealed into their hearts by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).

This seal never involves force, coercion or violation of their free will (John 8:32,36; Galatians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 3:17). They choose freedom in Christ over bondage to fear (Hebrews 2:14-15) no matter what threats are brought to intimidate them (Revelation 12:11).

This seal of love (Song of Solomon 8:6) never plans harm, just as the Source of love (1 John 1:5) only plans for good and never for evil (Jeremiah 29:11). True love is willing to receive harm rather than cause harm to others (Matthew 5:39), the liberating truth most explicitly revealed in the life, teachings and death of Jesus (Luke 23:34), God's Christ. He both taught (Matthew 5:44-45) and demonstrated unconditional love and forgiveness (Luke 23:33-34), not predicated on receiving payment, appeasement or even repentance (Romans 5:6-10), but because God is love (1 John 4:8, 16) and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

The seal of God is the imprint of God's character of love in the mind and heart (1 John 4:16; Revelation 7:3). This character is supported through the conscience (Romans 2:15; 1 Timothy 1:18-19) as the interactive access channel to God's heart by all who allow Him to dwell in them.

Love for God and for others, even enemies, becomes the defining characteristic and identity of all who have the seal of God in their forehead. This is made even more striking in contrast as the true nature of the effect of sin becomes fully developed in the lives of all who take on the likeness of the beast. Even a very small light becomes readily noticeable when in the context of intense darkness.