The Mark of the Believer

I am nearly finished with my re-reading/listening of the "Left Behind series," and I had almost forgotten just how action-packed and exciting they were. I want to focus here briefly on one simple concept from the book series (and I believe the Bible as well) that I find particularly intriguing as a Christian.

Many of us culturally have been trained in one way or another to shy away from the number 666. The Bible, in so many words, says this is the "mark of the beast," a symbol of Antichrist, and notable for the inability for someone to change their mind once accepting this mark. 

In context of one of a number of interpretations of Revelation, there is also an idea of sealing Christian believers to spare them the judgments of God.

Now, Left Behind does take a pre-tribulational rapture-pre-millenial viewpoint of Revelation. For the sake of not confusing everyone, this is typically considered the view held by most Evangelical Christians, and indicates a rapture of Christ's church into Heaven, followed by a seven year period of Tribulation on Earth for those who were not believers at the time of the Rapture of Christ's church. During this time, there are ample opportunities to come to belief, but those becoming believers in Christ at this point are doing so in the most tumultuous time of Earth's history, so martyrdom and persecution are the expectations.

With that quick background in mind, a concept that the Left Behind author's elaborated on a bit, but which I find particularly intriguing, is the idea that true believers are sealed by God visibly. In our own time, we have no visible mark after coming to Christ.

In the books, this seal takes the form of a cross on the forehead that can only be seen by another believer in Christ. People do not see their own marks, but fellow believers can see each other's. In the context of the books, this helps believers work together to survive during the Tribulation period.

A different mark, the Mark of the Beast, as interpreted by this particular viewpoint, is a mark taken by those who wish to buy and sell during the time period. It is a choice to show allegiance to the ruler of this world and Satan, instead of Christ. Revelation 13:16 mentions more about this; as well as Revelation 14:9.

"The second beast (False Prophet) was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast (Antichrist), so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. 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, for it is the number of man. That number is 666." Revelation 13:16-18

"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." Revelation 14:9-12

The intriguing thing to me, is that Revelation also mentions the mark of believers who are sealed by God. In context of Revelation it does likely refer to a remnant of Jewish believers who come to Christ and evangelize for Him during this time period, but for the books, the authors allowed any believer in Christ to have this mark visible to other believers.

The verse mentioning this seal in Revelation is in chapter 7, and says:

"Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 'Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.'" Revelation 7:3

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So, my thought is that it would be so great if Christians now could see immediately who fellow believers were by a mark of some sort. These days with the culture wars taking over the church, it is often difficult to discern who is a true believer in Christ. Within the church, many are deceiving with false doctrines, and teachings against Christ. Compromise is the flavor of the day, as Christians begin to develop a more "buffet" attitude of faith to appease a world who finds the exclusivism of Christianity to be intolerant. 

If we had a means of not only knowing ourselves that we were fully assured believers, but also who among us was sealed with us, I think it could provide a power of evangelism not yet realized since the days of the first disciples. Think to the Day of Pentecost and the 3000 who believed after hearing Peter's sermon. 

We could know who was truly a believer in Christ, and who was undecided, or even pretending, and adjust our witness accordingly.

As I mentioned before, this verse is likely referring in the immediate context to the 144,000 sealed Jewish evangelists, but the elaboration by the authors to allow it to include all believers was a concept I found enjoyable. 

Perhaps part of it is that I have always seemed to struggle with assurance, and if my fellow believers could identify a mark on my forehead confirming my trust in Christ, it would give me that much more comfort. Then again, trusting on Christ's sacrifice, and having faith is a big part of it, and I'm guessing the need for this physical "seal" is simply due to the period of time during which it may occur. 

For now, Christians are not persecuted to the extent that such a mark would be wholly necessary. But, if we are to trust God's promises, there will come a time in the future, when God's patience will begin to wear, and a period of history will occur in which God uses judgments as a final effort to reach those whom He loves. While it may seem harsh, we must remember just how much information is available now for making a decision to follow Christ. Even now there is not much excuse, other than living on a secluded island perhaps.

Especially in America, there is no real excuse for not believing except rebellion or pride in ourselves. The truth is in the Word, and the Word is readily available around the world. I pray God would use us even now, visibly sealed or not, to let our witness reach to the ends of the Earth: so that all may know that Jesus Christ is LORD.