Dear John & Doves,In reply to Tim McHyde's post called "Does Rev 14:11 Really Say Taking the Mark Is An Unpardonable Sin?" athttp://www.fivedoves.com/letters/oct2005/timm105.htm and his article called The Mark of the Beast: Unpardonable Sin or Only Wrath and Loss of Rapture? at http://www.escapeallthesethings.com/mark-beast-unpardonable-sin-rapture.htm I think it would be very foolish for anyone to consider worshipping the beast and the image of the beast and take the mark of the beast during the great tribulation period and then hope to be one of the redeemed heathen of all the nations during the millenium that come up to Jerusalem to worship the Lord.First of all, you don't even know if you would survive the wrath of God with all its plagues and woes during the great tribulation period that are described in the book of Revelation. Secondly, Revelation 13:8 says, "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Now if you do worship the beast which means your name is not written in the book of life, and then you die during the great tribulation period, what happens to these resurrected dead at the great white throne judgment at the end of the millenium? Revelation 20:15 says, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."Also is it possible that it is the children of the unbelievers that are born during the great tribulation period who are the heathen that are left of all the nations that eventually grow up and come up to worship the Lord in Jerusalem? Another thing to consider is how could a baby or a young 1 yr. or 2 yr. old toddler be expected to worship the image of the Beast during the great tribulation period, and would a baby who doesn't understand anything about worship be killed for not worshipping the imageof the Beast during the great tribulation period? Just some things to think about in regards to as to who the heathen are that come up to worship the Lord during the Millenium.As for Tim's comment "First understand that we're told that everyone of every nation is forced to take the mark of the beast: except for those protected by God either as the 144,000 spread throughout the Earth "preaching the Gospel as a witness" (Mt 24:14), and the less mature group called "The Woman" protected in her place in the wilderness, apparently located in Edom, Moab and Ammon since modern Jordan is named as the only place the Beast will not control," please don't forget that everyone on earth is warned of the consequences of taking the mark of the beast according to these following passages, and those faithful to the Lord do not worship the beast and his image nor do they take the mark of the beast, and they are killed for their faith.
Revelation 14:6 "ķAnd 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.
8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
13 ķAnd I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."And let us not forget the promises to the overcomer in these Bible passages:
Revelation 2:11 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death."
Revelation 3:5 "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels."
Revelation 20:4 "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years."Also don't forget that those that worship the Beast and his image and take his mark are deceived according to these Bible passages:
Revelation 13:12 "And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
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 according to the following Bible passages those who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness are deceived, damned and perish.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
So how are those who worshipped the Beast and his image and who took the mark of the beast and survive the great tribulation period going to be the heathen redeemed during the Millenium period if they are the unrighteous who are deceived, damned and perish?
God bless you,
Donna