Page 47 - The Mark of the Beast

type of capital punishment in Roman days. We read in the gospels where Herod beheaded
John the Baptist in this way. But this was not the only method employed to martyr the
saints. Many of the early saints in Roman times were crucified. Some were stoned to death.
Many were taken to the forums and given to wild beasts such as lions. Others were burned
to death as “Roman Candles,” and there were many other such ways in which the saints
have suffered death at the hands of their persecutors.
We have to conclude that the Holy Spirit is not seeking to convey with these words
that only those who are physically beheaded are numbered among the overcomers and will
be given the honor of reigning with Christ during the Millennial period of the Kingdom of
God. Rather, the words used to describe this beheading are filled with symbolism and are
intended to be understood figuratively.
In an earlier chapter we read of the overcomers being sealed in their foreheads with
the names of the Father and the Son. This typifies one who has taken Christ as their Head,
and they have no head of their own. These overcomers have the mind of Christ, and they
live no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. In I Corinthians Paul employs
symbolism of one’s head being related to authority and submission. He writes:

I Corinthians 11:3
But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is
the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

If a man has Christ as his Head, then this indicates that a man has no head of his own.
He must figuratively cut off his head in order to take Christ as his Head. A man must die to
his own will, initiative and desires that are found in his head, and he must take Christ’s head
as his own. Man must live for the will of Christ, not only calling Him Lord, but living as if
He is Lord. He must take Christ’s desires for his own, buffeting his body and keeping it in
subjection when he should find desires arising which are contrary to the desire of Christ.
No man can take Christ as Head and keep his own head at the same time. God does
not desire two-headed monsters. So all those who are overcomers must lose their own
heads. This is the spiritual understanding of John’s words in Revelation. He is not
indicating that the guillotine will be brought back into fashion in the last days, which is an
idea many prophecy teachers are promoting. He is saying that the overcomers will be
beheaded by receiving Christ as their Head in place of their own head. They will be perfectly
resigned to the will of God in their lives, not pursuing their own agenda and goals, but living
to do the will of God.
Many foolish things are being taught as truth in this day. Satan is pouring forth a flood
of deception to sweep the saints away. The hugely popular books in the “Left Behind” series
are promoting many erroneous interpretations of the words of Daniel and John. Tragically,
they are encouraging many saints to focus upon a battle that will come from outside of their
bodies, when the true battle lies within.
The overcomers will not attain victory by forming some political opposition group to
withstand an evil world ruler, nor by employing carnal means to resist his domination. Such
speculations are worse than folly, they are damnable lies and deceit, for they lead the saints
away from the mind of God, and they inoculate them against the truth.
The overcomers in Christ will attain victory through embracing the cross of Christ.
The blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and loving not their fleshly and soulish
lives will bring the victory.