The other day while studying the book of Exodus, God, Adonai revealed something to me that I had not seen before in His Word. It may have been taught by others out there, but I had not seen this or learned it from someone else. God showed it to me and directed me to write this blog… and so I am!
This shouldn’t be a long blog like some of my others, but I assure you that the information in this is incredibly important and I hope that you will read it with a copy of your Bible in your hand. As I have written in previous blogs, I love my Jewish Christian translation of the Bible because it is a very close translation to the original Hebrew texts and so that is what I will be using for this blog.
When one is reading the book of Exodus and they come to the chapter 13, the Lord, God, Adonai has just delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and is beginning to give His people, the Israelites some foundations of His commands, not the 10 commandments yet, but commands for the people to remember, observe and obey for the rest of their days and to teach all generations. These are commands for the people to remember about the days of miracles, mercy and power in which the Lord, God, Adonai, delivered His people, the Israelites out of the bondages of slavery in Egypt. Days when they witnessed His power, judgment and mercy through the 10 plagues of Egypt. Egypt, by the way, in Hebrew, means bondage. But now, the people of God were free! Living for the first time in 430 years as free people!
It is written in Exodus 13:3 “Moses said to the people, ‘Remember this day, on which you left Egypt, the abode of slavery; because Adonai, by the strength of His hand, has brought you out of this place.”
Moses tells the people to remember, when God leads them into the promised land that He has for them, the land which would become the land of Israel, they are to always remember to celebrate Pesach or Passover so that they teach their children and all generations to follow how God, Adonai delivered them from Egypt and the oppression and bondages of slavery.
Exodus 13:8-9 says, “On that day you are to tell your son. ‘It is because of what Adonai did for me when I left Egypt.’ Moreover, it will serve you as a sign on your hand and as a reminder between your eyes, so that Adonai’s Torah may be on your lips; because with a strong hand Adonai brought you out of Egypt.”
Let’s take a closer look at a portion of that verse: “…it will serve you as a sign on your hand and as a reminder between your eyes.” (Jewish Christian Bible)
Now let’s jump a little further in the 13th chapter of Exodus and look at verse Exodus 13:16 “This will serve as a sign on your hand and at the front of your headband around your forehead that with a strong hand, Adonai, brought us out of Egypt.” (Jewish Christian Bible)
Again, in this verse Adonai, is telling the people to remember what He did for them so well, so prominently, that they would literally take Torah texts and place them upon their hand and on their forehead between their eyes.
Through the years Jewish men ages 13 years and older have been faithful to obey God’s Word to do this. They take small, black, leather, cube shaped cases, and using leather straps, they bind them to their hand (right hand if they are left-handed and left hand if they are right-handed) and they bind them to their forehead. They call these little cases Tefillin or phylacteries. The name phylactery derives from the Greek phylakterion, which means an amulet of protection. Jewish teens and men wear phylacteries still to this day according to the time when they are instructed to do so during weekday and Sunday morning prayers.
Alright. Before we begin the next part of this, let’s take a look at some very significant scriptures to understand how satan comes to steal everything good that God does.
john 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (Jesus is speaking this verse)
1 peter 5:8 “Stay sober! Stay alert! Your adversary the devil stalks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
1 john 3:8 “The person who keeps on sinning is of the devil, for the devil from the beginning has kept on sinning. it was for this reason the Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil.” (Thank you, Jesus!)
Recently, I had heard a teaching that the mark of the beast, which is taught to us in the book of Revelation, and is to be placed upon the right hand or the forehead, was to try and steal away the placement of God’s Word being placed upon the hand and the head as instructed in the book of Exodus and also in Deuteronomy 6:8 “Tie them on your hand as a sign, and put them as a front of a headband around your forehead and write them on the door frames of your house and on your gates.“
Isn’t that exactly like satan? Exactly as it is written in God’s Word above, he is always trying to steal everything good that our Mighty and Awesome God does and commands us to do?
The teaching that I heard is also correct. That is exactly why the mark of the beast is going to be placed on the right hand or the forehead as it is written in Revelation 13:16-18 “Also forces everyone–great and small, rich and poor, free and slave–to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead preventing anyone from buying or selling unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its’ name. This is where wisdom is needed: those who understand should count the number of the beast for it is a number of a person, and its number is 666.“
To steal away the placement of where God’s Word is supposed to be is the work of satan. Yet, as I write this, I wonder. How many people reading this really know the truth about what the mark of the beast is? (Yes, I am not capitalizing that on purpose. I never capitalize anything that satan is connected to. I don’t give him that kind of respect.)
You maybe be reading this, and you may not believe that the mark of the beast is real. I promise you. It is.
So, if you are reading this and you don’t know much about the mark of the beast, I hope that you will keep reading so that I can share a bit of truth about it because I assure you, it is real… and it is coming.
When, I don’t know, but we are getting closer every day. With the technology that is in place and with stories circulating the globe such as Sweden where thousands of Swedish citizens are electing, for a fee of $150, to implant microchips, the size of a grain of rice, into their hands between their thumbs and index fingers which hold their personal identification information, credit card information, and medical records, the foundation for the mark has begun. Don’t believe it? Here is the link where I highly recommend you take a moment to read the article for yourself: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/05/thousands-of-people-in-sweden-are-embedding-microchips-under-their-skin-to-replace-id-cards/
This is also beginning to happen here at home in the USA at a company in Wisconsin called Three Square Market. They wanted to implant microchips into the hands of their employees to hold their identification, open employee doors, operate office equipment, even make purchases of a candy bars or a bags of chips all with a “flick of the wrist” and most of their employees jumped at the chance, it was described as “something cool and different”. Which is exactly how satan is going to disguise this to all those who do not understand the eternal consequences of it. Which is why I am writing this blog. To try and help people understand. To try and warn people. Here is the story of the Three Square Market being reported by NBC News:
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/11/three-square-market-ceo-explains-its-employee-microchip-implant.html
Let me be very clear to you. These chips which are being placed right now are not the mark of the beast–not yet anyway. But they are laying the foundation for it. They are preparing the way for it. They are making it, as the article said, “cool “. But soon, it won’t be something different. It will be something common. It won’t be that big of a deal to “Get Chipped”. And that is the trap. People will have become desensitized to the seriousness–the severity of this. They will begin to see it as something normal, something convenient and easy. No more wallet! No more carrying around identification cards or credit cards or even keys! How easy life is when all they will have to do is wave their hand over something and doors will open to them, purchases and money transactions can be made, and their identity will be known. As I write those words I am reminded of the scripture:
Matthew 7:13-14 “Go in through My narrow gate; for the gate that leads to destruction is wide and the road broad, and many travel it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
How easy it is to walk the broad road and enter the wide gate! How much more discipline it takes to follow Jesus, but how GREAT the reward!
According to the Word of God, anyone who takes the mark of the beast, anyone – at – all, no matter what their age, race, social status, it does not matter, if they take this mark, again, according to the scriptures, they instantly condemn their soul to hell. For taking the mark of the beast is not something that can be undone. It is a form of worship and allegiance to the anti-Christ who will be in leadership when these things come to pass. All of this, of course, will not happen until after Jesus Christ has taken His people from the earth in the rapture. Those whom He takes away will not have to endure this time of persecution. They will not be here. But those left behind will either choose the mark of the beast… or die.
Revelation 14:9-12 “Another angel, a third one, followed them and said in a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast in its image and receives the mark on his forehead or on his hand, he will indeed drink the wine of God’s fury poured undiluted into the cup of His rage. He will be tormented by fire and sulfur before the holy angels and before the Lamb, and the smoke from their tormenting goes up forever and ever. They have no rest, day or night, those who worship the beast in its image and those who receive the mark of its name.” This is when perseverance is needed on the part of God’s people, those who observe His commands and exercise Yeshua’s faithfulness.” (Jewish Christian Bible)
“A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.” (NIV)
God’s Word is exceptionally clear on the matter! He does not beat around the bush or mix His words. It’s all right there and it is the truth! People can either read it and choose to believe His merciful teachings–and warnings… or not. Which is why I do what I do and keep writing and teaching and singing the good Word of God and the light and love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! My hope is that more people will choose to believe and follow after Jesus and follow God’s AWESOME Holy Word!
Before I continue, I would like to state that there is much more that can be taught about the mark of the beast, the anti-Christ and the days after the rapture. God has led me to write about these things, but not in a blog. He has plans for me to write about them in the seventh book of The Intercessors book series. But before I move forward, I do want to address something important. It was brought to my attention years ago by someone who asked me if the rapture was real. The reason why they asked was because the word “rapture” is not actually written in the English translation of the Bible. The answer: YES, the rapture is real and it will happen.
Remember John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” God’s Word is an extension of Him. It is not something separate from Him it is Him and He is truth. John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth, Your Word is truth!”
Whatever God’s Word says happens, even if it hasn’t happened yet, it will happen, you can depend upon it…
because God said it would. Where does the Bible tell us that Jesus will return for us? Let’s look at a few verses that teach us about that:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.“
John 14:1-3 “Don’t let yourselves be disturbed. Trust in God and trust in Me. In my Father’s House are many places to live. If there weren’t, I would have told you; because I am going there to prepare a place for you. Since I am going and preparing a place for you, I will return to take you with me; so that where I am, you may be also.” (JCB)
These are just a couple of verses but you can depend on God’s Word so much that even if something is written in it once, you know it is truth and will happen.
We get the word “rapture” from the Medieval Latin word “rapturo” which derived from the Greek meaning to “quickly be caught up” or “quickly taken away”. There was a Latin translation of the Bible and so this is where the word use comes from. Make no mistake about it, even if you don’t find the word “rapture” printed in the Bible, the meaning of it is there and it is an event which will take place. After that will come seven years of literal hell on earth for those who are left behind, including the forcing of people to take the mark of the beast, forced by the one called the anti-Christ.
The choice will be made clear, choosing not to take the mark means they are choosing to stand for Jesus Christ and choosing to take the mark is choosing to stand for the anti-Christ. If people refuse to take the mark of the beast and claim Jesus Christ, their physical bodies will be put to death, but their souls will receive eternal life in heaven. If they take the mark of the beast their physical bodies will receive temporary life on earth, but they condemn their souls to eternal punishment in hell.
I can’t even begin to imagine living on earth during those days and I don’t want anyone I love, care about, or even know to have to endure it either. They will be horrifying. Again, the written work the Lord has given me to expand on the teachings of those days will be done in The Intercessors book Journey 7 and I am still working on book 4. I think it is safe to say I have a lot of work yet to do! But you don’t have to wait on me for my writings. Open up the Bible and study it for yourself and if you don’t understand what is written in it, you can write to me and there are also dozens of good, honest teachings upon the book of Revelation which can help you. I highly recommend the teachings of Pastor John Hagee who has been teaching on the End Days, the Rapture, the Book of Revelation, and the days of Tribulation for most of his life. You can find his teachings anywhere online and videos on YouTube.
Alright, so, let’s recap what we know so far:
*God commands the Israelite men on prayer days, to bind portions of the Torah to their hands and their foreheads between the frontlets of their eyes.
*There will be a day when Jesus Christ comes to suddenly take away, or rapture, His children and take them to heaven.
*There will be an anti-Christ who will take control after the rapture and force people to take what is called
the mark of the beast.
*satan tries to steal the beauty of God’s command to bind His Word to the hand and the forehead and places his command for the mark of the beast to be placed upon the right hand and the forehead.
*People who take the mark are choosing to stand with the anti-Christ and will live but condemn their souls’ eternity to hell. People who refuse to take the mark to stand with Jesus Christ will be put to death but redeem their souls’ eternity to heaven.
All of these things are real. All of these things will come to pass.
Now, here is what I did NOT know and what God revealed to me the other day and instructed me to share with you. In the beginning books of the Bible, God gives His people the teachings about binding His Word to their hands and their foreheads in Exodus 13:16. Do you see that? Then He teaches us about the mark of the beast being placed upon the right hand and the forehead, which is going to condemn the souls of all who take it in Revelation 13:16! Do you see that?!
Maybe it’s just me, but when I find things like that in God’s Word, I get excited! I get excited because I know that in ancient Hebrew there is no word for coincidence because there is no coincidence with God! And there is no coincidence that in the second book of the Bible in the 13the chapter the 16th verse He teaches about something that is going to be affected by the last chapter of the Bible in the 13th chapter in the 16th verse!
Especially when you think that the Exodus of Israel was to have taken place in 1446 BC and thereafter the writing of the Torah, and John’s vision on Patmos and the writing of the book of Revelation took place in
AD 95! The books are different with different authors, but the alignment of the teaching to be in the same chapter and the same verse is nothing short of incredible!
Our God is an incredibly amazing God! But I’m sure if you know Him, I don’t have to tell you that!
So, before I close let me ask you some very important questions to contemplate.
Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?
If something were to happen to you, where would your soul go?
If the rapture took place, would you go with Jesus or be left behind?
If you were left behind, would you have the strength to stand with Jesus Christ and not take the mark of the beast?
I have often heard Pastor Larry Huch say, “If you are not willing to live for Jesus now, why do you think you would be willing to die for Him then?”
That’s an excellent question.
I just want to ask these questions because they are the most important questions you could ask yourself.
But here are a few more.
If you are married, does your spouse know Jesus?
If you are a parent, are you teaching your children to know Jesus?
If not, do you want them to have to endure the atrocities that are going to take place after the rapture occurs?
If you think things are bad in the world now, imagine magnifying that by a million, that might cover it.
It is going to be horrible, truly horrible. A time when satan rages over the entire earth as never before.
And the last group of questions that I have for you are these:
Do you have any idea how much Jesus Christ loves you?
Do you know that if you were the only one on earth who needed salvation, He would have still come to earth and died in the exact same way just – for – you?
Do you know how easy God has made it for us to receive salvation and forgiveness for our sins?
Do you know that you don’t have to be in a church to come to Jesus? You can come to Him anywhere at any time.
Do you know that you can come to Jesus exactly as you are? The love of Jesus is a powerful thing and when we call to Him, He is right there to meet us. No matter what. No questions asked. No requirements. No qualifications.
Just come. Trust me. If you don’t know Him. Just come to Him. He is more than worth it.
People often say, “God sends people to hell”. That is so untrue. God has made every provision possible, including giving us His one and only cherished Son to die for our sins. He has given us His Word which is an instruction book on how to get to heaven! He has done everything He can to give us a clear, direct pathway to heaven. His mercies are new every morning, His grace knows no bounds. His forgiveness is unending. His love has no measure. It is such a false statement to say, “God sends people to hell”. No, people choose it.”
I hope that while this blog is probably one of the shortest that I have written in a while that it still impacting. My hope and prayer is that if you are reading this, you already know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and that whenever the time comes and you stand before Him, He will know you, welcome you into His kingdom of glory and say, “Well done my good and faithful child!”
If you don’t know Him, my other hope and prayer is that you would open your heart to Him, for I can tell you that the best life you can live is to live a life for Jesus Christ, Yeshua Hamashiach our Lord, Savior and Messiah! If you ever would like to talk to me about asking Jesus into your heart, you can email me directly at: thehuggabears@gmail.com and I will be more than happy to help you in any way I can!
Thank you for taking the time to read this and may the love, grace, mercy, peace and protection of Jesus Christ be with you now and always!
‘“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’ Numbers 6:24-26
Angelique La Fon-Cox 