Haman and the Mark of the Beast
Haman and the Mark of the Beast
In this hub, I am going to discuss parallels between the persecution of the Jews by Haman in the book of Esther and the mark of the beast in the book of Revelation. I will also identify what the mark of the beast is and how God is preparing His people to endure it.
The Jews, a Type of the Church
And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. - Esther 3:8
Haman was accusing the Jews of being law breakers; and under that pretext he was seeking their annihilation.The people of God, during the time of the mark of the beast, will face similar circumstances.
What is the Mark of the Beast?
Revelation 13:13-17 speaks about the international implementation of the mark of the beast upon "the earth and them which dwell therein". Revelation 14:9-12 distinguishes the saints of God from those who receive the mark of the beast, saying that they "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Therefore, the issue revolving around the mark of the beast is one of obedience to the Ten Commandments. What's more, Revelation 14:9 reveals that it is a matter of worship, as well. It issues a warning against those who "worship the beast".
In other words, those who receive the mark of the beast will be those who will worship in a way contrary to the commandments of God; and there is only one commandment in the Decalogue that deals with worship: the fourth commandment. The one that identifies the seventh day of the week (Saturday) as the Sabbath day of the Lord.
The Final Revolt
The Sunday Sabbath has its origins in Pagan sun worship and will be utilized by the devil in a final attempt to usurp the authority of God. The Sunday Sabbath will be internationally enforced and those who don't go along with its enforcement will be persecuted.
The Trying Time
It's no wonder that Sabbath keeping Christians are now criticized, mocked at, and their faith is attacked. This is just a small taste of what they must endure in the future; and God allows them to suffer these trials to strengthen them for the coming mark of the beast. That is, the coming enforcement of the Sunday Sabbath.
Only those who are close to Jesus will be able to withstand the persecution to come. They will know that Jesus loved them enough to die on the cross for their sins; and their love for Jesus will be so strong that they will not violate His Sabbath. Do you love Jesus? Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15.
Just like the Jews were persecuted by Haman for being law breakers, God's people will be persecuted after the mark of the beast will be implemented. When the Sunday Sabbath will be enforced on an international scale, that will constitute the mark of the beast. However, God is preparing His people to endure that time by allowing them to suffer affliction to strengthen their characters. Those who really love Jesus, out of His loving sacrifice for them on the cross, will be able to stand strong when the mark of the beast is enforced.
