Articles – NCFMinistry.org

Saved from the ‘mark of the beast’

Most of what people now know, accept and, “understand” about end time events comes not from their Bible but from fictional literature. The most notable of these fictional works is the Left Behind series from Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins.

I will admit that I have not read all of their works, nor do I ever intend to do so. My time is better spent in prayer, scripture reading, and Biblical studies. In my opinion, so is everyone else’s as well.

I have read enough reviews, excerpts, and commentaries to learn of a troubling new heresy in their works that truly exemplifies the danger of their books. In book number eight, a key character receives the mark of the beast yet is still saved in the end. Somehow, Lahaye and Jenkins have found a non-scriptural antidote which allows a person to gain salvation after taking the mark upon their body.

As I said, there is much discussion and debate on this subject… just search the internet. But as far as I am concerned, the best information comes from the authors them selves via their website. Below is an excerpt from the FAQ webpage addressing the issue of salvation after taking the “mark.”

From leftbehind.com:

“Q: WARNING! This question is a The Mark spoiler! How is it possible for Chang to be saved after receiving the double mark?
A: “God looks on the heart,” relates Jerry B. Jenkins. “He was a believer first, and thus, always.””

Here are the problems I see with this doctrine and their answer:

First, Jenkins’ “off the cuff” answer dismisses a fundamental element of Revelation without one reference to Scripture. Unfortunately for Jenkins, when you do look to Scripture, his argument falls short. Jenkins would have us believe that God looks only at our heart, not our actions. I submit that the two are intertwined regarding our spiritual condition. I offer these passages as support for my assertion:

Jesus himself teaches that it is the heart which is most important. But the heart can bring forth good or evil. Our words and actions give witness to what lies within our heart.

But the things which come out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and these defile the man. (Mat 15:18)

“This people draws near to Me with their mouth, and with their lips honor Me;

but their heart holds far off from Me. (Mat 15:8)

If your heart is rooted in God’s Law and His righteousness, you cannot entertain doing evil and sinning against Him.

He has said in his heart, I shall not be moved! From generation to generation never will I be in evil. (Psa 10:6)

God Does judge the heart. So, who will be judged worthy?

O Jehovah, who shall dwell in Your tabernacle? Who shall live in Your holy mountain? He who walks uprightly and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart. (Psa 15:1-2)

Oh let the evil of the wicked come to an end; and You will establish the just; for the righteous God is a trier of hearts and reins. My defense is on God, who saves the upright of heart. (Psa 7:9-10)

Blessed are the pure in heart! For they shall see God. (Mat 5:8)

For those serving God, His Law is written in their hearts and they WILL NOT turn to evil…

The Law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slide. (Psa 37:31)

The heart can be led astray to embrace sin…

Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways; do not go astray in her paths. (Pro 7:25)

If the condition of our heart is all that matters to God, then why did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego not simply bow before the image to placate King Nebuchadnezzar?

You, O king, have made a decree that every man who shall hear the sound of the horn, the pipe, zither, the lyre, harp, and the bagpipe, and all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the golden image. And whoever does not fall down and worship, he should be thrown into the middle of a burning, fiery furnace. There are men, Jews, whom you have set over the business of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, do not pay attention to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in anger and wrath commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said to them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that you are not serving my gods, nor worshiping the golden image which I have set up? Now if you are ready, at the time you hear the sound of the horn, the pipe, zither, the lyre, harp, and bagpipe, and all kinds of music, fall down and worship the image which I have made. But if you do not worship, in that moment you shall be thrown into the middle of a burning, fiery furnace. And who is that god who shall deliver you out of my hand? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to return a word to you on this matter. If it is so that our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning, fiery furnace, then He will deliver out of your hand, O king. And if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and the form of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He spoke and commanded to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usual to heat it. And he commanded mighty men of valor in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to throw them into the burning, fiery furnace.

(Dan 3:10-20)

Surely these three men were righteous before God and walked with an upright heart. They knew the status of their relationship with Almighty God and trusted in it completely. Yet, they did not say “let’s just bow and get out of here, God knows we don’t mean it.” No, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood on the convictions of their hearts and refused to submit to a sinful act which was contrary to God’s law.

This story is a perfect foreshadow of the coming mark of the beast in the end of times. Those serving God will have a choice to make between two options. Serving God, or serving the beast. There is not an option to “let’s take the mark so we can eat, work, and live comfortably throughout tribulation because God knows are hearts.” Actually, God does know the heart, and anyone considering such an option does not have a heart that serves Him.

Now, Jenkins apparently argues that the character did not willingly accept the mark.

Scripture does not directly support a theory that a person can receive the mark and still be saved. Actually Scripture speaks to the to the contrary. Rev 20:4 seems to indicate only two possible options regarding “the mark.”

And I saw thrones, and they sat on them. And judgment was given to them, and the souls of the ones having been beheaded because of the witness of Jesus, and because of the Word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast nor its image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand. And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

(Rev 20:4)

Option one: Stand firm on the word of God and the witness of Jesus. Deny worshipping the beast, its image, and DO NOT receive its mark. The result of choosing option one… you are beheaded, but resurrected to eternal life and to reign with Jesus for 1000 years.

Option Two: Worship the beast and its image. Take the mark so as to make life easier on this earth during the times of tribulation. The result of choosing option two… you will be judged guilty along with the beast and condemned.

Revelation does not indicate that men will be forced to accept the mark. You must worship the beast and accept the mark willingly, or you are beheaded. This perfectly matches the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Nebuchadnezzar could have forced them to bow to the idol, but instead gave them the same choice. Bow willingly, or die.

So what are the dangers and wrongs related to this type of “Biblically-based” story becoming so prevalent in society?

First and foremost, many are accepting the accounts in this series as Biblical fact. The theories presented are being adopted by church leaders and laypersons alike, and finding their way into church teachings and doctrine. Paul tells us that there is only one source of information which serves as the foundation of teaching and doctrine.

All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be perfected, being fully furnished for every good work.

(2Ti 3:16-17)

Scripture is God’s word, period. “Scripture” does not include commentaries, sermons, interpretations, or fictionalized/romanticized/exaggerated stories based upon God’s word. There are a few denominations that base much of their doctrine and teachings on contemporary revelations of God and/or Jesus Christ delivered to a significant leader/founder of the denomination. For this reason, many “mainstream” believers look upon these denominations as being cults or “cult-like” due to their departure from Scripture as the sole source of authority. Yet these same “mainstream” churches will lay hold to an equally questionable extra-Biblical writing, such as the Left Behind series and elevate it to doctrine without one care or concern.

A second danger is that it evangelizes with a false doctrine. Taken as a whole, I see no difference between Left Behind and the DaVinci Code. They are both works of fiction loosely based upon Biblical and limited historical fact. The DaVinci Code was billed as fictional from the beginning, yet church leaders attacked it as heresy, fearing many would “believe” what was portrayed in the book/movie. On the other hand, Left Behind (with equal amounts of fictional storyline and falsehoods) is upheld by most church leaders as a wonderful witnessing tool to take the gospel message (veiled in “end-times paranoia”) to the masses.

You may be asking yourselves, “A false doctrine?” Yes. I submit that any teaching which contradicts Scripture is a false doctrine. As discussed above, we can clearly see that a theory teaching salvation after receiving the “mark” is not in keeping with Scripture. However, it goes much deeper than that…

When did the “secret rapture” become a prominent part of protestant teaching? The “secret rapture” theory traces its origins down through the centuries, back to the foundations of our faith, to the very men responsible for the divinely inspired works of our faith… but to put a finer point on it, about 1830. (I hope you can appreciate my sarcasm) I bring this point up now, not to discuss it in detail, but to whet your appetite for personal study and research. There are several excellent books available regarding what Scripture says about a secret rapture. Spend some at your local library or bookstore and uncover the facts for yourselves. (hint: so sorry to let the cat out of the bag, but Scripture is silent regarding such a secret rapture!)

In conclusion, you must decide for yourselves if your eternal security is based upon the teachings found in a book, or the Book? I hope you will at least consider the possibility that some of the traditional teachings handed down through our churches during the past 200 years comes from man, not God. And, upon opening our hearts and minds to the testimony of Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit within us, we must be prepared to stand as Joshua did…

Now, then, fear Jehovah, and serve Him in sincerity and truth, and turn away from the gods which your fathers served Beyond the River, and in Egypt; and you serve Jehovah. And if it seems evil in your eyes to serve Jehovah, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve, whether the gods whom your fathers served Beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah.

(Jos 24:14-15)