The recovery of the economy will disappoint many Bible prophecy teachers.
Around the world, the economic recovery has begun. And it might even explode. But fear moves markets and sells products. Doom and gloom are big business. And so are popular ‘Mark of the Beast’ theories. We find that fearmongering is alive and well in politics. Of course, it is. We aren’t surprised by that. But we should be surprised to realize that many Bible teachers seem to almost cheer for the idea of a worldwide economic collapse. In fact, collapse, as opposed to economic recovery, is a key component of some popular prophetic models. A total collapse is expected, in fact, it is stated as fact by many respected Bible teachers. Expect it, because the Mark of the Beast will follow shortly after the collapse. The collapse will lead to the Antichrist, so goes the theory.
But, as always, we should ask the question. Is that what the Bible says or are we just parroting a fictional idea? Well, it just so happens we probably are. I include myself in the collective “we” but as you might expect, I take a different point of view from the popular model.
https://thewritelife.tech/2020/05/07/the-mark-of-the-beast-versus-the-mark-of-god/
Left Behind versus the Unread Bible
A prominent ‘Mark of the Beast’ theory rests upon the idea that world economies will collapse. And in the aftermath, the Antichrist will arrive on the scene. He will be a smooth-talking European who will promise to lead fearful nations to peace and prosperity. This theory was popularized in the successful fiction series, “Left Behind.”
Unfortunately, many people read those books as though they are factual representations of what the Bible teaches. They aren’t. They are fictional. The popular theory suggests that after an economic collapse, the Antichrist will help create an economic recovery by way of tricking everyone into his devious plan. That plan will involve the Mark of the Beast. The mark, as the Bible does say, will involve a mark on the right hand or the forehead. Without that mark, no one will be able to engage in normal economic activities.
The Mark of the Beast
Revelation 13:16 And the second beast required all people small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 So that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark— the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18 Here is a call for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and that number is 666.
The devious plan will entrap billions around the globe. George Soros, Bill Gates, and many other shady characters will implement the plan to perfection. Many people who are regular attendees of Christian churches will be tricked into taking the Mark of the Beast. So the theory goes. They will do so, thinking they are saving their families from starvation. And that fateful decision will lead to the eternal damnation of themselves and their friends and family.
All for the ability to buy a loaf of bread for the family. It makes for a good fiction series, but, shall we say, there’s a whole lot of Hollywood in that story. Hollywood fiction to be precise.
https://thewritelife.tech/2020/04/03/covid-19-warrior-training-for-faint-hearts/
Recovery before the collapse.
I expect the current pace of the recovery to increase as it spreads around the world. Fear will subside as people and leaders realize many of the fears were unwarranted. Also, an essential component leading this recovery of the world economy is the unparalleled quest for a virus vaccine. The research and development stage of a working vaccine is currently in super overdrive. Or as President Trump has called it–Trump speed.
And it is interesting to note, that a recent CDC report states that the “death rate” from the COVID virus is a mere .3%. That’s much better than the dire warnings that forced a shutdown around the world. The shutdown has no equal in history. This is truly an unprecedented event. One might say it’s an event of biblical proportions. Still, the virus isn’t gone, but people around the country and the world have begun to emerge from sheltering in place. That will continue.
A recovery but still no micro-chip Mark of the Beast?
As the recovery continues, various vaccines will come onto the market. The Mark of the Beast theorists will sound the alarm. Don’t take the mark, they will scream. It could cause you to lose your salvation! I believe they mean well. Most of them anyway. There are also crazy charlatans looking to make money and increase their social media standing.
Some, many, truly believe the Bible teaches us about a micro-chipped Mark of the Beast. It doesn’t. Numerous stories point to Bill Gates’ effort to create this virus and chip and trick the world into selling their eternal souls to him.
It’s just good fiction, but the Bible doesn’t support that view. I’m about 95% certain I know what the Mark of the Beast will be, and how it will be implemented. But I’ll leave the reader hanging. It’s not important what I think about that. It is important that we put the fiction books aside and open our Bibles. That’s where we’ll find the answers.
Famous Failed prophecy disasters
My favorite pastor ever was Chuck Smith. He famously took part in the popular “Jesus Freak” revival. During that genuine revival, many young people rebelled against a lot of things. Drugs, sex, and rock & roll were more important. But many of them also flocked to Jesus. Myself included. Barefoot or wearing sandals and flowers in their hair, they went to church to hear about Jesus.
Jesus loves you!
That was one of the popular “memes” of that day. But, that was before “memes” were even a thing.
Chuck Smith was one of many well-known Bible teachers who helped popularize the notions behind the “Left Behind” theories. Chuck was always careful to avoid saying it outright, but we all knew that he expected the rapture of the church before the year 1981. In the summer of 1980, Chuck’s church held an outdoor prophecy event in the barren strawberry fields of Costa Mesa. It was across the street from where the hippies flocked to the church meetings held in a massive tent. Glories times. Maranatha Music began there, along with Love Song and many other popular artists. The drug culture sang songs about the coming age of Aquarius.
Age of Jesus or Aquarius?
But among the musicians of the Jesus movement, songs were adopted to reflect the coming new age of Christ. There was a very real expectation that at any moment, Jesus would appear in the clouds and take us to Heaven.
Later, the Doobie Brothers sang that “Jesus was alright” with them. Truer words were never spoken!
It was in that strawberry field, with a wink and a nod, that Chuck strongly implied that the rapture was going to occur at any moment. It scared a lot of young men and women away from their drugs and free expressions of sexual desires. One could argue that it was an effective message.
But it wasn’t accurate. Chuck knows that now, as do many of us.
Changing theories about the end of the world
But many hopes were dashed when the Lord didn’t return for the church in 1981. So adjustments were made to theories. 1988 became the new focal point. When that passed, 1996 became popular. W2K, at the turn of the century, became a “can’t miss” event. Bible prophecy teachers were certain that Jesus would no longer delay his return.
Whoops! I guess they were wrong. Then we had the famous Mayan calendar that for some reason Christians thought we should look into. And there were those eclipses of the moon that we are still recovering from.
When the coronavirus is over, and economic recovery is in full swing, the prophecy teachers will “tweak” their models. Just like the CDC models were off by wide margins, the failed prophecy teachers will lick their wounds and come up with renewed theories.
But this time, they will boldly claim, “I received a vision from the Lord.”
Let’s avoid the retweaks of their visions and get back to studying our Bibles.
https://thewritelife.tech/2019/03/27/ezekiel-warns-gog-the-false-christ/
Ending on a high note. Revelation twenty-two
Eden Restored, recovery is in store.
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.
John and the Angel
6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”
7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me.
9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!”
10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.
11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right, and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
Epilogue: Invitation and Warning Before the true recovery begins
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.
13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.
15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
The Jesus Recovery, The Root and Offspring of David
16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come, and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.
19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
White Stone Watcher
Hello readers,
I’ve served as a children and youth pastor for over three decades. It was a great honor and pleasure to serve the Lord in that way. It’s been my prayer, that many of them will learn of Jesus’ love and decide to commit their lives to follow Him.
I wrote the fiction story, ‘White Stone Watcher’ for them and their parents. In the story, we see a young man, and his best friend, Amanda. They face the normal challenges that today’s kids face at school. But with one huge difference.
Their challenge is twelve feet tall to be exact with an enormous set of six wings. Just like the prophet Isaiah saw in the throne room of God. He’s a Watcher, an angelic being who is still invisible to Amanda. The messenger from God is about to lead both of them on a spiritual journey. They find they can’t escape the unseen war that rages all around them. They will become key players that God will use in the battle between the Sons of Darkness and the Children of Light.
I invite you to pray about a youth that might enjoy and benefit from this story. As the world grows darker, our youth must become aware that the Lord is calling them to join the Children of Light in the fight for what is righteous. We’re all involved, whether we realize it or not. If they won’t go to church, maybe they’ll read a book about someone just like them facing challenges at school.
God is calling them.
Praying for the youth, and spiritual awakening.
Pastor Doug
Let me know what you think.