Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 41

February 10;      Revelation 13:16;       251/260(III);        ‘The Mark’

Revelation 13:16 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead,    NIV

 The antichrist and his demonic forces under him demand every person to receive a mark, called the mark of the beast, either on their right hand or on their foreheads.  Without this mark no one is allowed to buy or sell anything.  You can imagine the pressure upon people.  Additionally, worship of the antichrist will be required.  The devil has always desired worship.  He tried to get the Lord Jesus to worship him in the wilderness.  The Lord Jesus rebuked satan with the Word of God.  Remember it is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.  Somehow He will make sure those who accept Him during the tribulation will have some means of acquiring food.  It still will be extremely difficult.  Eternal decisions will be made.  The chances of being martyred are extremely high during the great tribulation.  Temporary safety by taking the mark of the beast eternally separates someone from Jesus.  The Lord, as we have been saying has the 144,000 Jewish evangelists preaching, angels are preaching and the two witnesses will be preaching during the great tribulation.  The Holy Spirit will still be here ministering to those still not saved.  Convicting them.  Those whose hearts remain defiant against Jesus (I cannot imagine that) will readily take the mark to alleviate the pressures that will come upon those who refuse the mark.  Multitudes will not.  The Lord will frustrate the antichrist and his prideful character will show.  Helping many decide on Jesus.