Can a Christian receive the Mark of the Beast? No. At least, not before the Rapture. What is the rapture? The Rapture is an event, in which the Lord Jesus Christ will "call-up" all the truly saved Christians. The rapture occurs before the tribulation, and the Mark of the Beast. If someone has truly received the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, they will not be on the earth during the Tribulation. What about Christians after the rapture? Before examining "What about Christians after the rapture?", because the rapture is under attack today, let’s briefly examine the rapture from the scriptures: One frivolous argument against the rapture is the word "rapture" isn’t even in the Bible. Just because the word "rapture" is not in the Bible, doesn’t mean the event rapture is not in the Bible. For example, the word "trinity" is not in the Bible, but thank God, the trinity is in the Bible (Matt. 28:19). The word "millennium" is not in the Bible, but the 1000 year period event of Rev. 20 – millennium, is in the Bible. In fact, the word "bible" is not in the Bible! The word rapture comes from the Latin Vulgate translation of the Greek word harpazo in 1 Thess. 4:17. The Greek word harpazo means "to snatch or catch away". I think the word rapture is the perfect word. The word rapture means ecstasy, beautiful joy, transport of delight, caught up. The "rapture" truly will be "beautiful, ecstasy, transport of delight"! Yes. Definitely. RAPTURE is the perfect word. Bible verses that describe Christians "caught-up" or raptured: Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we [those still alive] shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Cor. 15:51-55 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP [harpazo - this is where the word rapture comes from] together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thess. 4:15-18 Notice, the above verses can NOT be the second advent that occurs AFTER the rapture: In Revelation 19, AFTER the tribulation, the Lord Jesus Christ comes back on a white horse, in war, and casts the false prophet and the beast into a lake of fire. And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. . . . And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. Rev. 19:11-16, 20,21 Again, look at 2 Thess. 1:7-9: And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2 Thess. 1:7-9 Many, many more verses could be given, but there is obviously TWO coming. In the first coming, before the tribulation, spoken of in 2 Thess 4:15-18 and 1 Cor. 15:51-55: The Lord Jesus Christ is calling someone UP to meet Him in the clouds. It’s also called "a mystery" 1 Cor. 15 In the second coming, after the tribulation, spoken of in Rev. 19 and 2 Thess, 1: The Lord Jesus Christ is coming DOWN for judgement in war with fire. Nothing mysterious about the second advent. It does not take a "genius" to notice these are TWO totally different scenarios. But it does take someone to believe the Word of God. Where is the church after Revelation 3? It’s interesting the first three chapters of the Revelation, is a panoramaic, historical view of Church History, from start to finish (Alpha to Omega-Rev1:8). In other words, after Revelation 3, the church age is over. In Rev. 1-3, the Lord Jesus Christ is "judging" the churches past works – but after Revelation 3, the "church whom Christ loved" is mentioned no more. Where, oh where is the church. . .? Revelation 4 begins with: ". . . COME UP HITHER. . ." – somebody’s coming up and in heaven – kinda like in 1 Thess. 4:17 ". . . Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up. . ." Didn’t John say that "come up hither" — "was as it were of a trumpet"? Like in 1 Cor. 15:52 "…for the trumpet shall sound…" or like 1 Thess. 4:16 – ". . . and with the trump of God:. . ." After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. Revelation 4:1-2 It’s also very interesting that not Peter, not Paul — but John "the beloved", you know. . . "the disciple whom he loved" (John 19:26), you know. . ."Christ also loved the church" (Ephesians 5:25) is the one "caught up" in Revelation 4. Hummm. . . Interesting. . . By the way, did you notice who is called "the servants of our God" in Rev. 7? The children of Israel – not the Gentile church. And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. Rev. 7:2-8 Christians are told to look for the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ – not the Antichrist. The Bible over and over, tells Christians to look and expect the Lord to come back. Anytime. But if the Antichrist was coming FIRST – shouldn’t we be looking and expecting the Antichrist to show up FIRST? We shouldn’t be looking for Jesus "YET or ANYTIME", but until the Antichrist comes FIRST. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Titus 2:13 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Phil. 3:20 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Thess. 1:10 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Peter 5:4 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Phil. 4:5 Christians have been delivered from the wrath to come. One very important fact about the tribulation – the tribulation is NOT the wrath of Satan or the antichrist – but the WRATH OF GOD. It’s not Satan persecuting Christians. It’s the wrath of a holy God "judging" this earth, Satan and Israel. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Rev. 6:16-17 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. Rev. 14:19,20 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. Rev. 15:1 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. Rev. 15:7 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. Rev 16:1 And God is NOT going to pour His wrath on His children. How do I know? Because He promised and thank God – God cannot lie. ". . . which God, that cannot lie, promised . . ." Titus 1:2 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thess. 5:5 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:9 I love this next "promise". Notice the context of it – "wait for his Son from heaven". Why? To "delivered us from the wrath to come" – the tribulation. When? The rapture BEFORE "the wrath TO COME". What else could it be? If it’s AFTER the tribulation – the wrath has ALREADY come! It’s not hell. We don’t "wait for his Son from heaven" to deliver us from hell – we was delivered from hell when we got saved! It’s got to be the rapture. And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Thess. 1:10 But notice who will experience the wrath of God. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Romans 1:18 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Ephesians 5:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: Col. 3:6 Could the Lord possibly have made it ANY clearer? God’s children will be delivered form "the wrath of God." And don’t forget, God rescued Noah. . . before the wrath. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. Genesis 6:7-8 And don’t forget, God "raptured" Enoch. . . before the wrath. And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God TOOK HIM. Genesis 5:25 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5 God "translated" Enoch. . . ". . . and we [those still alive] shall be changed. . ." 1 Cor.15:52 And do not forget, God "took out" Lot. . .before the wrath. Remember what the angel told Lot. . . Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be COME THITHER. . Genesis 19:22 The angel could NOT pour out the wrath of God until Lot "come thither". Halleluah! Friend, there is NO WAY God is going to "pour out His wrath" on His children. Back to our original question . . . What about Christians after the rapture? As they say, "that’s a horse of a different color". What does the Bible say about the tribulation? Whoever receives the mark of the beast and worships the beast, will "drink of the wine of the wrath of God . . . be tormented with fire and brimstone . . .for ever and ever" Revelation 14:9-11, 19:20 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Rev. 14:9-11 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. Rev 19:20 What if someone received the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour during the tribulation and then receives the mark of the beast – will they also "be tormented with fire and brimstone . . .for ever and ever" Yes. It looks that way. But remember. . . The mark of the beast is received AFTER worshipping the antichrist or the beast. It’s not just receiving a mark – it’s worshipping Satan. "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark. . . " Rev. 14:9 ". . . who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark. . . " Rev. 14:11 " . . .which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image." Rev. 16:2 " . . . them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. . ." Rev. 19:20 " . . . which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his . . ." Rev. 20:4 In order to NOT be, ". . . be tormented with fire and brimstone . . .for ever and ever . . ." you can NOT receive the mark. And if you refuse the mark. . . You can not "buy or sell": 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 that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Rev. 13:17-18 If you refuse the mark, you will not be able to purchase even the essentials, such as food, water, utilities, etc. Basically, the whole world and Satan will be against you. You will "lose your head" – you’ll be beheaded: And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Rev. 20:4 Apparently, during the tribulation, the infamous guillotine will be resurrected. It’s interesting, in Sept., 1999, A&E Channel (Arts and Entertainment) did a special on the guillotine. It ended with this remarkable, statement: "Although the blade no longer falls today, we may not have heard the last of the Guillotine." (A&E Channel) In order to be saved during the tribulation, you can not take the mark. And if you refuse the mark, you will not be able to but or sell, and you will be beheaded. I certainly do not claim to understand all we’ve just read, but it looks as if, during the tribulation there is an element of "enduring" that is not applicable before the rapture. I believe this is what Matthew 24:13 means: But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matt. 24:13 Notice the context of Matthew 24 – the tribulation : For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Matthew 24:21 Notice the "endure to the end" in Mark 13:13: And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Mark 13:13: Again, Mark 13 deals with the tribulation: But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, Mark 13:24 In the light of these verses, let me give you some advice — if you’re not saved NOW – do it NOW! You don’t want to go in the tribulation. Salvation is very simple before the rapture – after the rapture – it’s not so easy. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Cor. 11:3