THE MARK OF THE BEAST AND COMMANDMENTS OF GOD.
By Uriah Smith
It will not of course be claimed that the mark of the beast is a literal mark impressed upon the hand or forearm, any more than that the seal of the living God is a literal impression, Rev. 7, or the Father's name a literal writing, Rev. 14:1; 3:12, or the law written in our hearts a literal writing. 2 Cor. 3:3; Jer. 31:33; Heb. 8:10. But the forehead being the seat of the mind by which we receive or reject all theories presented to us, the seal and the mark there located, must evidently signify some prominent doctrines which distinguish the worshipers of the beast and the worshipers of God. What then is the mark of the beast? That the beast of Rev. 13, with seven heads and ten horns designates the Papacy, no Protestant will quarrel with us for believing. By considering the characteristics of this beast in verses 5-7, we find that the same power is prophesied of in Dan. 7; and it is there said (verse 25) that he should think to change times and laws. What times and laws are these which the Pope should think to change? Evidently not the laws of men or nations; for any power which has control of these, is able, and has a perfect right, to change them; and it is neither a mark of arrogance nor of blasphemy for it to do so; and that the Papacy has had all these in its control is a fact which need not be mentioned. But here are laws which he shall not be able to change though he shall think to do it; and for doing this, the prophets designate him as speaking great words against the Most High, and blasphemies. It must be the law of God which in his arrogance he should think to control. Let us then take God's law, the ten commandments, and compare it with the precepts enforced by the Papacy. We find that the Roman Church omits in its catechisms the second commandment, and to supply the deficiency, divides the tenth. Moreover in enforcing the fourth, which is the third in her decalogue, she commands us to keep Sunday which is the first day of the week, instead of the seventh day which is enjoined by the law of God. With all this before us, we read in Rev. 13:4, that "they worshiped the beast." What is it to worship the beast? The following may be considered a universal rule on this point: "Whenever any civil or ecclesiastical enactment conflicts with the requisitions of Jehovah, that power is worshiped which is obeyed in preference to the other. 'Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey?' Rom. 6:16." Men worship the beast, therefore, by obeying his institutions in preference to those of Jehovah; and the observance of such institutions becomes a mark or sign between him and his worshipers. And as Sunday-keeping, which directly conflicts with the plain requirements of the law of God, is an institution peculiar to the Papacy, a fact which can be clearly proved, we are unavoidably held to the conclusion that it is the mark of the beast; and we are further confirmed in this view, when we learn from the very message of the third angel, itself, that the issue between beast-worshipers and the saints, is on the commandments of God. "If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God," etc. This is one class; and on the other hand it is said, "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." We need not be told more plainly, that if we worship the beast and receive his mark, we do not keep the commandments of God; and if we do keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, we do not worship the beast, nor receive his mark. Now what is the difference between the requirements of the beast and the commandments of God? Chiefly this: the one enjoins the observance of the human institution of Sunday, the other commands us to keep holy the true Sabbath, the seventh day. Hence we necessarily551come to the conclusion that a false Sabbath is the mark of the beast. We now see the import of the solemn message of the third angel. Viewed in connection with the work which called it forth, we see also its fitness and adaptation to the wants of the world. The closing work of the Sanctuary commences. That work brings to view the ark and commandments of God; but there has been an alarming and wide-spread apostasy from these commandments through the influence and work of the man of sin, and a fearful blindness still rests upon the world on this subject. All Christendom, almost, is yielding homage to an institution of an anti-Christian power, in direct conflict with the law of God. Their attention must be aroused to their condition. The third angel comes forth upon his mission. If any man worship the beast or his image, he shall drink the unmingled mixture of God's displeasure. Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. On the other hand, the dragonic voice of earthly power is raised, saying, that all who will not worship the image of the beast shall be put to death. On this point the issue comes between the powers of light and darkness. These are the principles involved in the controversy. Obedience to God or obedience to men. Reader, which will you yield? Will you bow to the throne of Jehovah, or to the scepter of Baal? Will you reverence the commandments of God, or the institutions of men? Will you brave the threat of temporal death from the arm of the civil power, or the threat of fire and brimstone, and eternal death from the arm of Jehovah? This is the warning before the world. This is the question upon which they must decide and that for eternity. The very next event in this line of prophecy is one like the Son of man coming on the white cloud, having in his hand a sharp sickle. May the Lord move upon many hearts to make haste to become subjects of his mercy that they may not fall beneath the vials of his wrath. U. S.