MASONRY AND THE MARK OF THE BEAST
By J. E. F.
IN conversation with an individual a few days ago, the remark was made that perhaps in Masonry might be found “the mark of the beast.” Whatever marks, signs, or tokens there may be connected with this order, “the mark of the beast” cannot be found there. First of all, it was long ago settled that the “beast” of prophecy is Roman Catholicism. Luther taught this, all the other Reformers agreed, as also do most Protestant commentators from that time to this. The proof is abundant and indisputable. Therefore it is evident that “the mark of the beast” must be some distinguishing sign of papal authority, which is finally received, accepted, and enforced by law, as against the plain commandment of God. WARNING AGAINST THE MARK OF THE BEAST
In Rev. 14: 9-12 is outlined a message against receiving this mark or giving homage to the beast. Those who do not do so are said to keep “the commandments of God.” Verse 12. Then plainly the papacy has taught the world something that is in plain opposition to the law of God. This it has done in changing God’s law in respect to the Sabbath. Listen to Heaven’s indictment: “He [this antichristian power] shall . . . think to change times and laws.” Dan. 7: 25. Now listen to the Catholic confession to changing the law of the Sabbath: “Question — Have you any other way of proving that the church has power to institute festivals of precept? “Answer — Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her,—she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority.”—“Doctrinal Catechism of the Catholic Church,” page 351. This power has changed the day God has enjoined, and has substituted as its rival a day whose name betrays its unholy origin — Sunday. God has given a message of warning in reference to this matter, so that the world may know the truth. But when, in opposition to God’s holy law, and the solemn, warning message God has given, men take a false sabbath, and enforce it by legal enactments, here is found “the mark of the beast.” Not in Masonry, but in that power which “thought to change times and laws,” is to be found the mark of apostasy. The papacy is responsible for the introduction of this mark, and now we are in the midst of the danger that in so-called Protestantism we shall find the continued acceptance and enforcement of this rival of God’s holy day. J. E. F