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Originally Posted by Trapped
In all the lead up in Revelation, I don't see anything that indicates there will be precursors or conditionings.
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Throuout the Bible there are scriptures on signs and "signs and wonders" of various types. I realize that this will not likely be acceptable to you as a comparison to your lack of "precursors or conditionings" in Revelation. However, just because we don't see it, doesn't mean it isn't there in one form or another. I believe there have been signs throuout history which are merciful warnings to us to "look up" and not be taken unaware.
Luke 21:25 And
there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
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I also do not see anything indicating those who receive the mark will be deceived into doing so, or conditioned to voluntarily accept something that turns out to be the mark (also a form of deception).
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Again, just because it's not clearly seen doesn't mean it can't happen or won't happen or is not a possibility.
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People thought social security numbers were the mark (a number, everyone has to comply), credit cards were the mark (numbers, everyone at this point needs one to function), and cell phones (numbers, follows you wherever you go, tracks your every thoughts, etc....). Now they think it's a vaccine. But that's not the mark either, or a precursor. They are fearmongering.
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Do you
know that these items are in
NO WAY a precursor to receiving the mark of the beast? Do you know for a fact that these cannot be used at some later date as the mark? Certainly we believe that SS#, credit cards, cell phones and the vaccine are not the mark, but can these items be usurped and used as the mark? Do you really know, scripturally, that a precursor to the mark of the beast or a sign is not there among us today?
There is such a thing as a "healthy fear" which is a counterpoint to what you call "fearmongering". We see in Luke 21:26 that the hearts of men fail them for fear.
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The way it is described in Revelation 13-14 seems like everyone will be fully aware of what is going on and makes an informed choice. You will know if you are receiving or denying the actual mark when you get it. Having the mark involves actual worship of the beast.....not "oops I didn't know what this was".
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Rev. 13:11 And I beheld
another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
...
Rev. 13:16
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond,
to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
"And he caused all ... to receive a mark..." "He" caused? Who caused? I believe this refers back to the dragon in v. 11.
If the beast "caused" all to receive a mark, that means men did not have informed consent, choosing freely and of a sound mind to receive the mark. It connotes that the beast
made it happen, the beast
caused all to receive a mark, without informed consent or consent of any kind.
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In Matthew 24, Jesus describes things that will/must happen, but regarding none of them does He say "and this is the end". He says "...but the end is still to come". I don't think we are as in the end times as people think. Beginnings of birth pangs maybe? No idea.
Also.....I too do not claim to know or be an expert. Just trying to see what the Word says about it.
Trapped
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The word has much more to say than in the Revelation. Matthew 24 and as we've seen some in Luke. Then Mark. And don't forget Daniel.
My favorite quote comes into play here "If you don't know the truth of a matter, don't form an opinion until you do know." Jesse Penn-Lewis
I don't know the truth of this matter, and it's not likely we can come to an accurate conclusion. When you say "I don't see anything" ... regarding some matter, that is not the time to form an opinion or reach a conclusion one way or another. My hope is that we can all remain neutral and keep on digging.
Nell