in response to http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/may2019/mary55-2.htm

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Hi Mary,

I guess the answer depends on how each one of us interpret the 'Mark of the Beast'.

What is your definition of the 'Mark of the Beast'?

Do you already have pre-conceived notions of what the 'Mark of the Beast' is?

There has been much speculation on what it is. From Barcodes to RFID chips.

So far, nobody can really give a definitive answer on what the 'Mark of the Beast' is.

What we do know, however, is that no one would accept the 'Mark' unwillingly.

For the post-tribber, the explanation is that the 'Mark' should not to be taken in a literal sense, but that it is figurative.

Everyone who is alive, is beholden to either Satan or Christ. There's no 3rd category. This much is agreed upon, by both pre & post-tribbers.

So if you belong to Christ, you're already sealed as one of His. Sealed by the HS, yes?

Whereas, if you do not belong to Christ, by default you've already taken the 'Mark of the Beast'!

The 'Mark' on the forehead signifies your mind/intellect/will/heart. The 'Mark' on the hand signifies your actions in the flesh.

So what your mind thinks, your hand executes.

Inasmuch, we're already living in the times of the 'Mark of the Beast'. It is being dished out daily, depending on whom we throw our allegiance behind.

Therefore, if you choose to be an unbeliever, you've already chosen to accept the 'Mark of the Beast' presently.

The Bible does say that the Wheat & the Tares shall grow together until the end.

As for an unbeliever snitching out on a Christian, isn't it a common occurrence even now?

Only the degree of repercussions & persecution vary depending on location. So, it is already ongoing in a sense.

The 2 groups are already working side by side! Unbelieving co-workers & Christians.

And it will get progressively worse, as we draw nearer to the 2nd coming. But this, you already know.

I suppose if we do not try to 'curve fit' certain doctrinal beliefs into our eschatology, then passages become clearer to understand.

In this case, it's the 'Mark of the Beast'.



 

Matthew 38-42

For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.



Contrary to the pre-tribbers view of those taken away, the post-tribbers' consensus : that those who are taken away, are the unrighteous. They are taken away to be judged. The righteous are the ones left behind. Noah was left behind, while the wicked were all taken away by the flood.

Matthew 13:30

Let both grow together until the harvest: and at the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers,
Gather ye together FIRST the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them:
but gather the wheat into my barn.

So you see, the wicked is reaped from the Earth 1st.

Just bear in mind that there are only 2 ages. This present evil age & the age to come.

At the end of this age, when Jesus comes, the harvesters (angels) will come to collect & separate. That's it!

A very clear & uncomplicated view of the rapture from a post-tribbers' angle.


Hope the above explanation satisfies you.

Thank you & God Bless!

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AL