A Sabbath Message 1/28/22 – The Seal and The Mark

Just what is the seal of God and the Mark of the Beast?

The “Mark of the Beast” is probably the most debated question in all the book of Revelation. What is it? Who or what is its earthly or human authority? Most everyone understands that Satan is behind it. That is true! But remember, Satan is also the father of lies and is absolutely capable of deceiving everyone, yes – even the whole world, as to what it really is. His name was “Helyel” (Hebrew) which is translated “Lucifer” in the English Old Testament. (Isaiah 14:12) He was the all covering anointed cherub. (Ezekiel 28:14) He rebelled against his elder brother and Father and became the adversary and his name was changed to Satan (The Adversary). The Lord (Emanuel, his older brother) saw him fall (a crash i.e., downfall) from heaven. (Luke 10:18, Rev. Rev. 12:7-9, Gen. 1:2) Lucifer (Helyel) is defined in Hebrew as “the bright and morning star.” Isn’t that like our sun? Sun worship on the vernal day of the sun is prevalent throughout all pagan religions and customs and goes back to the Sun Cult of ancient Egypt. Revelation 13:15-18 is where we find the power, life, image, speech and number about the mark in question. Here are some key definitions from the Greek dictionary: {Personal commentary and understanding added in these type brackets.}

*power (G1325) – didomi – a prolonged form of a prime verb “to give” by implication (Lit. or fig.) greatly modified by the connection: – adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (with the hand), strike, (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.

*life (G4151) – pnuema – “a current of air” i.e., “breath” (blast or a breeze) – by analysis or fig. “a spirit” (by implication) “vital principle”, mental disposition etc. Or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ’s Spirit – Holy. {This Greek term is translated spirit and ghost throughout the entire New Testament, including when in combination with holy. It is never translated “breath” and Rev. 13:15 is the only place it is translated “life”. Speech is by a current of air when breathing out. Try talking while inhaling air. Whatever is spoken as a “vital principle” requires a “mental disposition” which displays one’s character, and is the content of all individuals. (Matt. 15:10-20) One can change the content of their mental disposition and character, but not one can change the color of their skin. (Jer. 13:23, Num. 12:1)}

*image (G1504) – eikon – likeness i.e. (lit.) statue, profile, or (fig.) representation, resemblance: – image. {Any document or decree that has some type of authority can be considered as a representation of something else, even a law or commandment, with a “likeness” unto that something in its original form or format. Instead of a statue, it would be like a statute or decree of substitution to an original something.}

*speak (G2980) – laleo – a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb: to talk, i.e., utter words: – preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. From lego – Prime verb – lay forth, relate (in words). {Root verb for “Logos” – “Word” in John 1:1, Emanuel who became flesh – Jesus Christ.}

*causeth (G4160) – poieo – prolonged form of an obsolete prime: to make or do (more or less direct): – abide, + agree, appoint, x avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do, execute, exercise, fulfil, hold x keep. {This is not necessarily by force (more or less direct), because it is something that people agree to hold to and keep by their own commitment. They band together, agree to the cause, even appoint a presumed authoritative fulfilment or by the execution of a presumed authority, as will become evident in other definitions. To cause someone to do something does not necessarily require force when deception alone works well. Deception is something that is not forced. It’s just a good con job!}

*right (G1188) – dexios – the right side, hand.

*hand (G5495) – ehier – the hand, (lit. or fig.) [power] a means or instrument for grasping. {I grasp a hoe to weed the garden and am right handed. Most of us work (white collar or blue collar) with our hands whether we are right or left handed. Our instrument of power is the hand and we use it to perform work.}

*foreheads (G3359) – metopon – From G3326 and “ops” (the face); the forehead (as opposite the countenance): – forehead. (G3326) – mata – Prime preposition denoting “accomplishment”; “amid” (often used in composition in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence.) {In context, it is the use of the intellect in remembering something and what to do with or about it – sequentially participating in the thing to be remembered. We think and remember with our forehead’s content, and work with our hands.}

*might (G1410) – dunamai – to be able or possible: – be able, can do or not do, could, may, might, be possible, be of power. {Does this not sound like something “optional” by choice? The English term “might” was added in translation in most all places as part of another definitive Greek verb’s definition throughout most of the New Testament. The only Greek terms used for “might” separately are as follows: (1410) – Rev. 13:17, 1 Thess. 2:6, Acts 26:32, 27:12, Mk. 14:5, Matt. 26:9. (1411) – dunamis – from 1410 – force, (lit. or fig.) specifically miraculous “power” (usually by implication a “miracle” itself.) used in: Eph. 1:21, 3:16, Col. 1:11, 2 Pet. 2:11. (2479) – ischus – force, forcefulness (lit. or fig.): – ability, might, mighty, power, strength. Used in Eph 6:10 & Rev. 7:12}

*buy (G59) – agorazo – From G58; properly to go to market, i.e. (by implication) to purchase; specifically, to redeem: – buy, redeem. (G58) – agora – from ageiro – to gather (probably akin to G1453); properly the town square (as a place of public resort) by implication a market or throughfare: – market (-place), street. (G1453) – egeiro – akin to the base of G58 (through the idea of collecting one’s faculties); to waken (trans. or intrans.) i.e., rouse – from sleep, sitting, lying… {The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27-28, Exodus 20:8-11, 23:12, Leviticuus 23:23:3, Genesis 2:1-3) The Sabbath is a day to close up shop, put down the tools of trade and take the day off and rest. It is a day to thank God it is Friday (TGIF), for at sunset it is the Sabbath.}

*sell (G4453) – pioeo – probably, ultimately from deloma (to be busy, to trade); to barter (as a peddler) i.e., to sell: – sell, whatever is sold. {The buying and selling of “whatever is sold” is like normal business where business as usual in conducted daily, nonstop, unless chosen otherwise. Rest is necessary from work and business as usual, except in emergencies and acts of kindness, and duty of caring for others wellbeing. With most all resting from work and businesses closed for the sabbaths, there would be fewer emergencies to necessitate rotation of personnel for standby and being on call. Feeding the poor and hungry is always a good thing.}

*mark (G5480) – charagma – a scratch or etching, i.e., stamp (as a badge of servitude) or sculptured figure (statue). {Writing something on paper with ink is a form of “etching”. If the writing is a “decree” by some “official” with “authority”, whether perceived by the individual or granted by a “higher authority”, or “perceived to be granted”; and it is declared as “dogma” to be honored, then it becomes a “badge of servitude”. i.e. – a mark!}

*name (G3683) – onoma – a name (lit. or fig.) [authority, character]: – called, (+ sur-) name from a presumed derivative base of 1097 – ginosko – a prolonged form of a prime verb. To “know” (absolute) in a great variety of applications and with many implications, (as follows, with others not so clearly expressed.): – allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know (-ledge), perceive, be resolved, can spear, be sure, understand. {“Be aware” of those with “surnames” who “feel or perceive” they have the “authority” over knowledge and understanding and “can spear and resolve” anything in law by a higher authority they “presume” to have!}

*number (G706) – arithmos – From G142 – a number (as reckoned up): – number. (G142) – airo – Prime verb. To lift; by implication to take up or away; fig. to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind) specifically to sail away i.e., weigh anchor {compare Hebrew 7375] to expiate sin: – away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take away (up). {Something was taken away, replaced with something else by a presumed authority that has something to do with remembering something that has to do with hands, and has kept it in suspense, apparently for a long time, through preaching that something which was changed by an earthly authority with nothing more than the “presumed” higher authority’s consent. What was it that was changed? Does it make any theological (philosophy of religion) difference? Col 2:8}

*count (G5585) – psephizo – to compute: – count. {Only place used in New Testament. It is simply a mathematical function of addition, which is one of the four functions.}

*man (G444) Anthropos – from G435 and “ops” (the countenance): – man – faced, i.e., a human being: – certain man. (G435) aner – Prime word – a man: – fellow, husband, man, sir. {This is mire men or a certain man that has “assumed authority” over another and placed themselves above something that was the original authority.}

There are two things that people will have when the day of the Lord arrives. He is coming as King of Kings and will subdue the nations. Everyone will be wearing some type of badge of servitude. Will it be the Lord’s seal or the mark of a man or manmade authority in opposition to the Lord’ seal? Which day did God make for man? (Gen. 2:2-3, Mk. 2:27-28) What is God’s seal? As used throughout the New Testament and Revelation: seal(s) & sealed – G4972 and G4973 except G2969 in Revelation 5:1, and with G4973 as seal in Rom. 4:11, 1Cor. 9:2, 2TI. 2:19, Rev. 6:3,5,7,9,12, 7:2, 8:1 and 9:4.

*G4972 – σφραγίζω – to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (literally or figuratively); by implication, to keep secret, to attest’ Derivation: from G4973; KJV Usage: (set a, set to) seal up, stop.

*G4973 – σφραγίς – a signet (as fencing in or protecting from misappropriation); by implication, the stamp impressed (as a mark of privacy, or genuineness), literally or figuratively. Derivation: probably strengthened from G5420; KJV Usage: seal.

>G5420 – φράσσω – to fence or inclose, i.e. (specially), to block up (figuratively, to silence) Derivation: apparently a strengthening form of the base of G5424; KJV Usage: stop.

>>G5424 – φρήν – the midrif (as a partition of the body), i.e. (figuratively and by implication, of sympathy) the feelings (or sensitive nature; by extension (also in the plural) the mind or cognitive faculties) Derivation: probably from an obsolete φράω (to rein in or curb; compare G5420); KJV Usage: understanding.

*G2969 – κατασφραγίζω – to seal closely Derivation: from G2596 and G4972; KJV Usage: seal.

>G2596 – κατά – (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined) Derivation: a primary particle; KJV Usage: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. [In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.]

Exodus 31:12-18

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, ¹³ Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign (H226) between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. ¹⁴ Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth (H2490) it shall surely (See Note) be (H1961) put to (See Note) death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. ¹⁵ Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. ¹⁶ Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. ¹⁷ It is a sign (H226) between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. ¹⁸ And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.”

*H226 – אות – ‘ôth – oth – Probably from H225 (in the sense of appearing); a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc. KJV Usage: mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token.

>H225 – אוּת – ‘ûth – ooth – A primitive root; properly to come, that is, (impliedly) to assent. KJV Usage: consent.

*H2490 -חלל – châlal – khaw-lal’ – A primitive root (compare H2470); properly to bore, that is, (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one’s word), to begin (as if by an opening-wedge); denominatively (from H2485) to play (the flute) KJV Usage: begin (X men began), defile, X break, defile, X eat (as common things  things), X first, X gather the grape thereof, X take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound.

*H1961 – hayah – haw-yaw’ – A Prime Root. (comp. 1933) to exist, i.e. be or become come to pass (always emphatic and nor a mere copula or auxiliary): beacon, X altogether, be (-come,  accomplished. Committed, like) break, cause, come (to pass), continue, do, faint, fail, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require X use.

*Note: The underlined shall surely and put to in verse 14 above are not in the original Hebrew transcript and were added by translation. There is no Hebrew for the particles “to” and “shall”, however there are seven different Hebrew terms for “surely”, but not in this verse or about half of the places “surely” is used in the Old Testament. Also, the verb “be” isn’t indexed on the internet site I used for cut and paste in articles. H1961 is also translated: was, became, come to pass and the two “I AM ‘s” in Exodus 3:14 and elsewhere as “I am” in Job 12;3, Ps. 38:6, 88:4 and Jer. 50:31. There is no Hebrew term for “am” alone. Death is the penalty for sin (disobedience of God’s commands or commandments) and it began when our first parents disobeyed God’s command to not eat from that one tree. All the rest they could freely eat. (Gen. 2:8-9 & 16–17)

As used in scripture, the mark and seal are synonymous as is sign, mark, omen, token, signet are in English. There only two authorities and they are in opposition. They each have a mark or seal. The seal of God or the mark of the beast.  

For more details on which day of the week should be kept as the Lord’s Sabbath, it is in the Holy Bible. There is more on the subject in Missing links – Chapters IX & XI in the main menu. Following are a few quotes used in Missing Links Chapter XI:

(1) “The Sunday is a Catholic institution, and its claim for sacredness can be defended only on Catholic authority. In Holy Scripture, from the beginning to the end, we find not one single text which justifies the transfer of the weekly public worship service from the last to the first day of the week.” (Catholic Press, Sidney, 8-25-1900)

(3) “It was the holy Catholic Church who transferred the rest day from Saturday to Sunday, the first day of the week…Which Church does the whole civilized world obey? The Protestants…acknowledge great reverence towards the Bible, and yet by celebrating the Sunday they acknowledge the authority of the Catholic Church. The Bible says, ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy’, but the Catholic Church says, ‘No, keep the first day of the week holy!’ – and the entire world obeys her!” (Pater Enright on 12-15-1889)

(4) “The Sabbath, the best-known day of the law, was changed into the Lord’s day. These and others have not ceased because of instructions received from Christ, (because he himself says, I have not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it), but because due to the authority of the church they have been changed…” (Archbishop of Rheggio, Sermon 1-18-1562, Mansi 23, p.526)

(5) “The seventh-day Sabbath was kept by Christ and the apostles and was celebrated by the first Christians and acknowledged as such until it was abolished by the Laodicean Council. This council first settled the question about the Lord’s Day and forbade the keeping of the seventh-day Sabbath under the issue of an Anathema (Curse).” (William Prynne, from “Dissertation on Lord’s Day”, pg. 32)

(6) “It was the holy Catholic Church who transferred the rest day from Saturday to Sunday, the first day of the week…Which Church does the whole civilized world obey? The Protestants…  acknowledge great reverence towards the Bible, and yet by celebrating the Sunday they acknowledge the authority of the Catholic Church. The Bible says, ‘Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy’, but the Catholic Church says, ‘No, keep the first day of the week holy!’ – and the entire world obeys her!” (Pater Enright on 12-15-1889)

(7) “The celebration of Sunday has always been a man-made arrangement.” (Neanders Church History, Vol. 1, p.399)

Jesus said that He was Lord even of the sabbath day which He made for man, and not man for the sabbath, although the seventh day was Adam’s first complete full day after being created the latter part of the sixth day. Adam and Eve communed with their maker on that first sabbath and was probably instructed on many things. The next day was the second week’s first day after God said “Let there be light”. Adam and Eve woke up and went to work tending the garden. There was no dress code that first week. That came latter.

Yawls have a happy sabbath!

LOLGB+