Do not trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation. - Psalm 146:3

Masks so like the mark of the beast

By Merrill Olson

When this corona virus occurred, it is interesting how easily people obeyed wearing masks. As governors and certain medical personnel, not all, mandated it, it is amazing how people complied without questioning whether it actually protects.

Now, I’m not saying it does not. Yet, I am wondering if certain health problems may eventually develop with some who are obligated to wear them all day. Another thing, why was there a quarantine on healthy people when it all began? I would think that only sick people should be for a while and let healthy ones keep their jobs and etc. If someone is exposed, this person should stay, as currently done, secluded for a short time. But, quarantining healthy people has led to emotional agony and suffering with many losing their jobs and businesses permanently closing and even schools closing for a time and some still are. This has put a lot of stress on teachers but also parents.

I am not going to argue with anyone over this. Instead, as I look at all the people wearing masks and how quickly they obeyed without questioning it, I wonder if the same attitude will take place when the Antichrist, through the false prophet, requires that people wear the “mark of the beast.” The Bible says, “And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or their forehead” (Rev. 13:16). As there are certain consequences in certain states and local governments for not wearing a mask, there will also be for those who refuse to take the mark. It will be that “No one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast [the Antichrist], or the number of his name” (v. 17).

Right now in my area where I live, there is a sign on business doors that say, “Mask required.” If anyone refuses to wear one without a medical card to show, this person will be refused service and asked to leave. In rare occasions, the owner may not feel the necessity to reprimand anyone who does not have one. But in most cases, no one can enter without a covering on the face. With the mark of the beast, the Scripture says that “no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark.” It will be required!

One may wonder how it will be possible to survive without it. It seems impossible. It would be like going to the store to buy something without a means of payment. There would be an outright refusal to accommodate the buyer, outside of rare occasions. . Yet, there will be many believers, during this seven year tribulation, whom will refuse to take the mark and will survive. They will be the “sheep” that the Lord will welcome into His millennial kingdom reign on this earth after His Second Coming (Matt. 25:31-34). But multitudes of others will be executed for refusing the mark because they have put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus during this horrendous time (Rev. 7:9-17).

Praise God we, who are born again, will escape this horrifying period. Instead, we are “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Therefore, we wait for Jesus to come from heaven “who delivers us from [this] wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:10). “So, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20)

Merrill Olson served as a senior pastor for thirty-four years. He received a B.S. from Minnesota State University-Mankato, an M. Div. from Bethel Theological Seminary, and a D. Min. from Columbia Evangelical Seminary. He is currently involved as an interim pastor along with a teaching and writing ministry. His emphasis is on apologetics and training believers to defend their faith in Christ from God’s Word. He is well versed in Bible prophecy as it pertains to end times. He is a gifted speaker with the conviction that only by the Word of God can people experience inward transformation by the Holy Spirit. He and his wife, Jan, reside in Minnesota and have two daughters and four delightful grandchildren.

OLSON ARCHIVES

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