Page 50 - The Mark of the Beast

appetites. These enemies of the cross are found everywhere in the church, and it was this
fact that led Paul to weep.
Paul stated that he had often warned the church about those whose god is their belly.
We can find these warnings in numerous places. One of the most carnal of churches was
found in the city of Corinth. These saints were bringing a reproach upon Christ, even taking
one another to court and suing one another over worldly possessions and earthly matters.
These saints were vastly different from those found in Jerusalem in the early years who
claimed no ownership of anything, but freely shared what they had with others. Instead they
were warring with one another over possessions and material things. Paul wrote to the
Corinthian believers the following words of correction:

I Corinthians 6:7-10
Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another.
Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? On the contrary, you
yourselves wrong and defraud. You do this even to your brethren. Or do you not
know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived;
neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit
the kingdom of God.

The church has given themselves so far over to the beast nature in this day that many
see no error in appointing homosexuals to positions of church leadership. Paul declared
that homosexuals will not inherit the kingdom of God, so there is only one place that
homosexual ministers can lead those who follow them, and that is away from the kingdom
of God. But Christians should not congratulate themselves if they have turned away from
the sins they consider more grievous in this list, for Paul states that those who practice any
of the things listed will not inherit the kingdom of God.
A Christian may not give themselves over to homosexuality, and they may even
abstain from fornication and adultery, they may not be a drunkard or a thief, but there are
some things listed here that appear much more acceptable to the church today. The church
does not place the same weight upon covetousness as it does on being a homosexual, an
adulterer or a thief, but Paul lumps all of these things in the same list of those
transgressions that will keep the saints from inheriting the kingdom of God. Another sin
mentioned in this list is idolatry. Many saints think that idolatry is only something that
ignorant pagans engage in. Paul reveals that this is not so.

Ephesians 5:5-6
For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous
man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of
God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Paul reveals that a covetous man is actually an idolater. Covetousness is not seen as
a great evil in the church today. In many cases covetousness is even presented as a virtue.
There is an entire host of prosperity preachers today that are leading the church into
covetousness, and some even depict the saint who is content with the things they have as
being wicked and lacking in faith. Many pastors have encouraged their flock to take pictures