Introduction - The Mark of the Beast

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=168 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="129a11c3.png"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Welcome to the Heart4God Website!"><U><B><IMG SRC="4b55a500.png" border=0 width="90" height="80" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Writings of Joseph Herrin"><U><B>Writings by Date</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id212.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Writings of Joseph Herrin Organized "><U><B>Writings by Topic</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.heart4god.ws/Audio/index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.heart4god.ws/Audio/index.htm"><U><B>Audio Files</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id690.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Videos"><U><B>Videos</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id323.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Writings of Others"><U><B>Other Authors</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id324.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id339.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Questions and Answers"><U><B>Q&A</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id328.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Heart4God Email List"><U><B>Heart4God E-mail List</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com"><U><B>Parables Blog</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id306.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="File Downloads"><U><B><IMG SRC="2b264140.png" border=0 width="100" height="20" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <B>Introduction - The Mark of the Beast</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="c2827160.png" border=0 width="807" height="22" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> This book presents a focus on the spiritual understandings of the imagery found throughout Scripture that relates to the beast, the mark of the beast, his image and the number of his name. This writing gives attention to the truly important spiritual understanding of these things, understandings of which the church has almost no perception. So dull have the eyes of the church grown in this late hour that she does not realize the great peril that is everywhere around her.</div> <bR> <div> Many carnal interpretations of the Scriptures which relate to the end times are being declared in this day, and it is these carnal interpretations that have consumed the attention of the church. Yet these teachings are of no real benefit in preserving the saints in this hour, and in leading them to victory over the beast, his image, and the number of his name (Revelation 15:2).</div> <bR> <div> Throughout this book I will speak of these “carnal interpretations,” but I do not use this phrase in an entirely negative way. Rather, I am employing it in the same sense that Paul meant when he wrote the following:</div> <bR> <div> Hebrews 9:8-10</div> <div> The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that<I><B> could not make him that did the service perfect</B></I>, as pertaining to the conscience; which stood only in meats and drinks, and diverse washings, and <I><B>carnal ordinances</B></I>, imposed on them until the time of reformation.</div> <div> KJV</div> <bR> <div> The apostle Paul referred to the ordinances found in the Law, particularly those relating to the tabernacle and its service, to offerings and sacrifices, as carnal ordinances. Paul was not declaring the Law to be an evil thing, but he stated that the things it used as types and symbols to signify spiritual truths were incapable of making anyone perfect. It would not benefit man at all to merely observe these fleshly ordinances if he did not perceive that to which they pointed. If the symbolism of the tabernacle and its sacrifices did not lead the worshiper to Christ, who was the fulfillment of all the types being presented, then the man would never arrive at God’s true desire.</div> <bR> <div> In the same way, a great number of prophecy teachers are focusing upon carnal interpretations of those things written in the book of Daniel, in the book of Revelation, and elsewhere, but they are almost universally neglecting the spiritual truths to which they point. This is not wisdom, for it will lead no man to perfection. These carnal signs exist for the purpose of leading the saints to the spiritual realities that are signified in them, but for the most part there is no discerning of these greater things.</div> <bR> <div> It is not my intent to deny that there will be a physical fulfillment to many of the things described in the apocalyptic Scriptures, though certainly much that is taught today is spurious and results in much injury to the church by leading the saints to focus upon false notions of man’s imagination rather than directing them to that which could be of real spiritual benefit to them. I am not denying that there will be a physical mark, or implant, that will be given one day soon which will be required for men and women to buy and sell. What I do want to stress is that such a carnal fulfillment of the Scriptures is not nearly as important as the spiritual truth to which it points.</div> <bR> <div> In the history of the church during the past 2,000 years there has not yet existed a physical mark of the beast which has been required to buy and sell, yet there have been innumerable saints who have received the imprint of the beast nature to which it points. In receiving this mark many men and women have been able to trade in all of the things of a fallen and corrupt world. Many more saints stand in danger of receiving this mark, and of bringing the wrath of God upon themselves, and they have no clue as to the true identity of this mark.</div> <bR> <div> This book seeks to illumine the saints to the greater meaning of those things relating to the mark of the beast that they might arrive at the perfect will of God and escape the wrath that comes upon the children of disobedience.</div> <bR> <div> May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days,</div> <bR> <div> Joseph Herrin</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id407.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Shadow and Substance The Mark of the Be"><U>Next Chapter</U></A></div> <bR> <div> Or <A HREF="id404.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Mark of the Beast"><U>return</U></A> to beginning of "The Mark of the Beast"</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>