Page 34 - The Mark of the Beast

Yes, these things are radical, and the early church was very radical, and they shone
forth as a brilliant light for a season. The beast suffered a mortal wound, but the wound has
healed and the beast has returned and has offered the church a ride on its back.

Revelation 13:3-4
I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the
whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; they worshiped the dragon
because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying,
"Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?"

When Christ was crucified and rose again Satan received a mortal blow. The early
church subdued and ruled over the beast nature. They were completely set free from a
slavery to their natural appetites. They were transformed from consumers to radiators of
light and life. They knew the glorious liberty of possessing nothing but Christ. However, the
saints failed to continue subduing and ruling over the beast nature. They began to worship
the dragon, Satan, the serpent, once more. By cunning he convinced them that they could
be disciples of Christ while allowing the beast to live. He convinced them that the beast
would even carry them to their goal and they could live harmoniously with the beast nature.
There are many carnal interpretations of what this passage from Revelation 13 speaks.
Many prophecy teachers see the beast as some political ruler who will arise and make war
against Christianity, but let me declare that the beast has been present for the entire
duration of Christianity and he has waged war with many saints, and few have overcome
him. Many are the saints who have been defeated through great deception and cunning, as
they have failed to subdue and rule over the beast nature. They have believed that they
could live for self and for God, that they could offer God a portion of their lives while
maintaining a sizeable piece for themselves, that they might find pleasure and satisfaction
in the offerings of the world.
Are you willing to allow the Spirit to shine a light upon your life, upon your spending
habits and your accumulation of the goods of this world? Are you willing to give up all your
possessions should Christ require this of you as He did of the rich young ruler? Would you
be content with food and covering, not even demanding that which the beasts have, your
own nest, your own den? Christ admonishes all to count the cost before declaring that they
will follow Him wherever He would lead. If you would bear the image of the divine, then the
nature of the beast must be ruled over and subdued.
Many cling tenaciously to the things of this world, to possessions that they own, for
they do not know a love of Christ and of the brethren that should make such things appear
pale in comparison. If you are not wholly captivated by Christ, you will be captivated by
lesser things. On the other hand, if your love of Christ is pure and unadulterated, then the
things of this world will be as nothing to you. You will not covet them, or spend your life,
your time, and energy in pursuit of accumulating matter.
Christ came to set men free, and those whom the Son sets free are free indeed.