2006-3-20 12:19:00
9 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, 10 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: Revelation 14: 9-10
As explained earlier, to worship the Beast or his image is to give the power of the God within to a person or thing, which exists in the outer world. To receive the mark in the forehead is to think as one is told to think by this external god. To receive the mark in the right hand is to labor or act as one is told to act by such an external one.
To take the mark and receive assurances from the external authority always seems to be the safe route but this is a powerful illusion that is dispelled by lifetimes of torment. The pilgrim receives one torment after another because of his wrong choices. The torment spoken of comes not in a burning hell in the other world, but in this one.
All who receive the mark of the beast undergo tremendous suffering over as many lifetimes as they continue to receive it, but those who particularly suffer are sincere seekers who touch the soul and receive a degree of communion with the inner God. Time and time again over a series of lifetimes they are torn between listening to the voice within or the voice without. Some guru, priest, prophet or authority keeps distracting them. Unfortunately, as they pass through this part of the path of liberation, they make the wrong choice again and again until they become so internally weary with the result of their choices that they finally shift in consciousness and give more weight to the inner than the outer voice. After this shift occurs they receive the name of God in their forehead and escape the mark of the beast. They still have external problems but internally the torment is completely gone and they receive the inner peace that passes all understanding.
But of those who receive the mark of the Beast it is written:
...and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.
If the seeker receives a degree of soul contact and knows the inner voice yet lacks faith in it over the outer and gives allegiance to a god without he is tormented indeed. He feels the presence of the inner angels and the Christ consciousness. He tries to ignore that presence as he follows the Beast, but he can't completely let it go and thus follows the Beast while yet "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. Revelation 14:11
Even though the voice of the Beast seems to offer temporary safety this is not the case on the inner planes. To follow the Beast the seeker tries to suffocate the inner voice. Then he tries ignoring it, denying it, rebelling against it, and listening to the noise of the Beast to drown it out etc. These tactics seem to work for a while, but the moment he reflects internally the inner God is again sensed and an inner awareness that he his allegiance is to the Beast makes his spirit in conflict with his true identity.
He never feels satisfied. Something seems missing, even though he may often claim to be fulfilled.
Then sooner or later the outer beast, taking the place of God, will give him a commandment or order that completely violates the direction of the inner God. This violation causes him "torment" and allows him "no rest." Then to make matters worse the Beast gives him other commandments he cannot obey. The moment he violates them his torment is increased as if he were a furnace being stoked.
Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:12
All the saints went through such mistakes and torments in past lives and must be patient and endure their outward afflictions that pay off their karma. In addition, great patience is needed to deal with others still under the control of the Beast.
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Revelation 14:13
Those who "die in the Lord" are those who have escaped the mark of the Beast. After death they no longer face outward conflicts from the Beast and his agents but have a much deserved rest. The disciples have a choice and can go to a heavenly situation where their good works follow them. They enjoy a period of bliss or they can continue to serve from the other side and assist the Christ and his Masters.
The next verses are:
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. Revelation 14:14-16
There are no wise few. Every aristocracy that has ever existed has behaved, in all essential points, exactly like a small mob. G. K. Chesterton (1874 - 1936), "Heretics", 1905
Copyright © 2006 by J J Dewey, All Rights Reserved