Once Christ was placed on the cross many of His disciples and particularly the apostles fled and hid themselves.  They were afraid that what was happening to Christ would happen to them.

In a recent discussion some young people asked, would God forgive a Christian if they took the “mark of the beast”?  As we get closer to the end-time I am sure this is a question many are asking themselves.  Who among us would be willing to accept death rather than have the mark placed on our forehead or right hand?  What about our children?  What would happen to them if we were killed?  Maybe I should take the mark so that I could feed my family and supply them with their needs.  No mark, no food!  We are told that refusing to take the mark or worshipping the idol one would starve to death or be beheaded.  Refusing will require a Christian truly committed and faithful to God.

Revelation 13:16 – 17 – “It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads,  so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.”

If you have watched any sport you may have noticed the number of tattoos that are becoming so popular. Go to the mall during the summer and notice how many ladies are sporting a tattoo.  Are they becoming so popular that taking another mark will be just adding another tattoo?

Revelation 14:9 -11 – “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 forever 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.’”

I believe it is very clear what happens to those who follow the Antichrist.  You shall be eternally punished with fire and brimstone in the presence of holy angels and Christ.  That means God will give a person eternal punishment without His mercy or grace.  The unbeliever will have no relief day or night from being tormented.  Their days will be a time of anguish and their nights will be nightmares of torment.

The Bible tells us there will be no second chances and no forgiveness once a person accepts the “mark of the beast”.  We may choose to have pleasure for a short time while we are on this earth but eternity is a long-time to be separated from God.

Here is what I see as a positive.  Prior to Pentecost the apostles were afraid of death.  Scripture tells us they were in a home behind locked doors not really willing to answer a person knocking at the door.  After they received the Holy Spirit they were bold and began witnessing in public everywhere someone would listen.  Why were they later willing to die for spreading the gospel? After each apostle was martyred the others continued to preach the gospel.  I believe there will be a time when the Holy Spirit will remove all fear and we will be able to accept death as a privilege to die for our Savior.  So keep the faith.

Revelation 20:4 – 6 – I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.  (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection.   Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”

What are your plans for the thousand years, to be with Christ or Satan?  Which will you choose the “mark” or death?   Death brings eternal life and the “mark” brings eternal death!