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Grace to You, Phil Johnson’s rebuttal
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Yes, You can take the mark of the beast according to John MacArthur.
HEAR IT IN HIS OWN WORDS.
John MacArthur is asked, can someone take the Mark and still repent or be saved later? His short answer? YES! He says it several times. You can hear it in his own words here. I do not know the person who does this video, and do not recommend him or speak against him. The first couple of minutes of this video have the evidence that was seemingly scrubbed from GTY site. Hear John MacArthur in his own words HERE and you can also hear it HERE – for his 1982 response as well.
SEE IT ON HIS GTY WEBSITE
MacArthur may have tried to backpedal from his previous stance, saying this is an old teaching. But where does he refute it? And Phil Johnson’s new article October 30th, 2013 (defending MacArthur speaking on the Mark of the Beast) speaks for itself.
You determine…
I guess we all have to determine if you believe you can take the mark willingly, worship the beast, and still be saved sometimes in the future. I do not, I believe the Bible is clear, saved people will not take the mark, and I don’t believe we see them being ‘forced’, they ‘worship’ the dragon and the beast. Those who will not worship him will be killed.
Yes…I know people can make mistakes, and usually when one does, as a public teacher, they should keep short accounts hopefully, and right the wrong publicly, but not how MacArthur does things.
But really, this is the least of MacArthur’s doctrinal errors, please see John MacArthur’s explanation of the only way to be saved here >>>>>
If you think you can repent unto salvation, no need to read further, then you and Phil and John MacArthur agree.
SEE HERE WHAT JOHN MACARTHUR SAYS YOU MUST DO TO BE SAVED.
Phil calls this “intense controversy” and those who brought out what they believe to be a faulty teaching into the open? “Gossip-mongers”, “melodramatic”, “provocative”, etc. Phil says they were “angry people”…“demanding explanations”… “demanding retractions”…“consuming bandwidth”… “wasting ink” (not exact wording or order.)
My observation: What I actually seemed to see in great unanimity was your fan base coming out to vigorously defend you. Many attacked others for “jumping to conclusions”. They cited the age of the Q & A being from the 80’s and you had “since corrected it”. I read your follow up Q & A from 1993 was equally ambiguous to me (but I’m no scholar I’ve been told). 🙂
By the way, I’d like to ask out of curiosity why no newer explanation on your site regarding that subject in Revelation 16 in the last 20 years?
A search for that Scripture led to just 6 articles all in the same year for Revelation 13.
Meanwhile a search for Revelation 13 (the first mention of the mark), and Revelation 14 (more consequences for those who take the mark of the beast) have articles as recently as 2012 and 13. Only six articles that come up in the Scripture search? All in 1994 on this ‘controversial subject’? (Or maybe this is just a coincidence, who knows?)
Revelation 16 – only the year 1994
Revelation 13, as new as 2012
Revelation 14, as new as 2013
Perhaps one person really did say the following, I don’t know, maybe this is not a red herring as it seems, but even so, obviously, the majority of the people desired a plain straightforward answer.
GTY: Phil says one person said, “I saw pastor John on a YouTube video saying the way to be saved in the Tribulation is to take the mark of the Beast.”
Smart. Give the wildest exaggeration. Mischaracterize your opposition. Call them names. Be melodramatic yourself (as you claim the opposition is) while you tell your story. Then tell people the point of what he said, and the point of Scripture and conclude with what should be clear in biblical text (assuming one would agree with JMac). Otherwise I am assuming we don’t understand clear biblical text if we disagree with JMac)…. Oh, and then reinforce it with the words, “and I think would be affirmed by all sides”. (So those who don’t agree, must be the minority. That is one area I agree with you on Phil, there are a ‘few’ of us.)
In my estimation this is what lay people call a “set-up” Phil. Your M.O.? Either agree with us, >>>or you don’t understand the Bible. It’s manipulation and not worthy of a man called pastor.
GTY: Phil continues: “If someone…imagines he was saying it’s no great sin to receive the mark of the Beast, listen again; that grossly twists what he actually said.”
What??? Who is twisting whose words here? How does he know someone is imagining MacArthur saying, “it’s no great sin to receive the mark”? I don’t think that was actually the crux of the problem Phil. We weren’t classifying how great the sins Phil. Give us the facts not twisting (“Just the facts ma’am, just the facts,” as Sgt. Friday used to say.)
The issue MOST people had (whether fans of John or not), was simply whether or not John MacArthur was saying you could >>>take the mark of the beast and >>>BECOME saved after repenting (changing their mind) about taking the mark.
To steal a little of Phil’s jargon…THE SHORT ANSWER IS YES! (according to MacArthur)
John MacArthur says these people who have taken the mark, could still somehow repent (change their mind) and be saved… but “what saith the Scripture”? (That would be my preference, and I’d suggest to people that they not think of men above that which is written.)
…that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 1 Cor 4:6b
Anyone can ‘repent’ and ‘change their mind’ about any subject, including doing something good, they can repent and do evil. Repenting does not get anyone saved, they must believe on Jesus Christ as their Savior. I do not see the offer on the table for those who have taken the mark. Nor do I see the offer on the table for demons that believe (famous verse they use from James 2 to accuse believers of not being saved).
After reading your ‘explanation’, it is clear me, you are NOT recanting. ‘Short answer’, is YES, John MacArthur believes you can take the mark, and STILL be saved.
I am providing the link for GTY’s “Unforgivable” blog, so no one might suggest I took this out of context.
http://www.gty.org/blog/B131030
JOHN MACARTHUR (L) PHIL JOHNSON (R)
So now the damage control continues since GTY isn’t recanting..
Phil Johnson tells us the ‘point’ of this teaching, but I will put one of the last first. It is the way to ‘cut to the chase’ with MacArthur’s teachings. Go to the end to see his summation, then start from the beginning to see how he arrived there and brought his audience to the same spot. The teachers there have a way to herd some sheep into a tighter and tighter circle until they are bleating in agreement:
GTY: Any sin that is repented of is forgivable.”
(How do you change your mind about a permanent mark? Does it come off with rubbing alcohol? Forgive the pun, but how do you?)
GTY: “Though there is a stern warning against taking the mark of the Beast …. the sin is not categorically said to be unpardonable.
GTY: “..the point John MacArthur was making is about the extremes to which God’s grace will reach in order to seek and save a sinner.
GTY: “The point of the severe language … is to make clear what an utterly reprehensible sin it will be to swear an oath of willful loyalty to Antichrist.”
(Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought the ‘point’ was to warn people if they took the mark of the beast, they would be tormented forever and ever…)
There is a BUT…
GTY: “ Clearly, receiving the mark is a sin that will send those who commit it to hell. BUT the Bible also says, Do not be deceived… (Phil quotes 1 Cor 6:9-10 on who will not inherit the kingdom). He continues, “In short, all sin carries the threat of eternal doom…”
(It’s just a threat?)
There is a CAVEAT…
GTY: “On the other hand, only one very specific sin is ever said to be unforgivable. Any sin that is repented of is forgivable.”
You catch that? So taking the mark is FORGIVABLE in cased anyone missed the three times he basically said it.
There is an improperly divided comparison below: (imho)
GTY: “After saying, “Whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven,” Jesus famously forgave Peter, who denied Him before men.”
(I could be wrong here but I don’t remember a famous forgiveness and repentance scene. Was not Peter already clean?)
So the ‘deceived’ will be able to repent? (2 Thess 2:9-12 comes to mind)
…even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
GTY: Speaking of the Pharisees unforgivable sin: “They were not deceived; they knew full well what they were doing. That’s why their sin was unpardonable.”
HERE IT COMES..
GTY: will take the mark of the Beast because they are deceived.
GTY: Scripture does not say that they are thereby automatically hardened forever against repentance.
GTY:: “That is not the point of the strong warnings”,
(Phil once again informs us). He finishes with the Bible verse, suggesting they can still ‘call on Him’. (Ps 86:5)
NOTE: I see nowhere in Revelation, where you can repent and believe. I see those who have taken the mark not changing their minds about worshiping devils and idols, (Rev 9) or of their murders, sorceries, fornication, thefts, or blasphemy of His name, and because of their pain, they would not give God the glory (Rev 16). But they will. They will all bow on their knees and their tongues will confess Jesus Christ is Lord, before they are cast into that lake of fire. I see no offer of salvation or deliverance, or eternal life to those who have taken the mark, quite the contrary:
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Rev 14:9-11
Sounds like a promise to me.
Regarding those who were ‘deceived’? (Phil alludes to this word as if because they did not do it ‘willingly’ like the Pharisees, it is different…btw, I thought doctrines of grace didn’t allow for true free will)
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. Rev. 19:20-21
Sounds like God delivered on His promise.
I could be wrong myself (of course), so anyone who knows me, knows I want all people to obey His Word and “prove all things and hold fast to that which is good-1 Thess 5:21 (His Word is truth), and search the Scriptures to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11), don’t just take men’s word for it…
More Articles on John MacArthur:
REVIEW ON MACARTHUR’S BOOK “SLAVE“
REBUTTAL TO MACARTHUR ON PREDESTINATION
MACARTHUR’S ‘ONLY ROAD TO HEAVEN’
MACARTHUR’S DISCIPLESHIP GOSPEL
Redeemingmoments 
WOW…good work Holly! Do they NOT know that having something PERMANENTLY on your body IS WORSHIP?(Idol worship might I add…) AND this will not be a “GRACE” issue…cause the AGE of GRACE will be GONE!! and it will be the TIME of WRATH for those who do NOT BELIEVE upon Him… they need to study the WORD WRATH…cause they are MISSING the MARK, and TAKING IT by letting others THINK that they can have the MARK and be saved…cause that is NOT what MY BIBLE says… shame on these men!!!! I pray they will listen to what you have said(everyone…especially the sheep) and take heed…cause the JUDGEMENT upon them during that dispensation will be GRAVE if they think they can take the MARK of the BEAST… aauughhhh twisting the Lord’s WORDS…again SHAME SHAME SHAME on them!!!
I believe the purpose Kimberrly is for them to stand by their definition of the meaning of ‘repent’ as if someone could just repent unto salvation at that point. It is as if, they are so determined to defend their twisting, that they will not stand down when they are in error, and make it right. As Gilbert used to say, Lie, deny, until you die…
im not a real christian unfortantily and im not saying for sure that the mark of the beast is forgivable, but it actually does say and they repented not to give him glory.
Eric, I am sorry I did not respond until now. You said, unfortunately, that you are not a real Christian. Have you ever heard the good news?
Separation from God is an awful thing, right now, not a living person would know what that means. Unfortunately, they are many dead, who await His judgment for their unrighteousness as we speak and they are beginning to understand the horror of it.
God is Holy and everything that is good. Every good and perfect gift, comes from God.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17
He is the Light of the world, and gives light to every man that comes into the world (John 1:9). His breath even holds us together and gives us understanding; His hand holds our very life (Acts 17:25; Job 33:4; 32:8, 12:10).
But every evil thing, comes from the enemy of our souls, Satan. Since the first day we sinned, and Eve was deceived by Him, the Word God gave us, was about a Savior to come, a Deliverer. The enmity Satan would have with all mankind along with Jesus of course who was born of a woman (Gen. 3:15). Satan hates every man and works to deceive them and keep them from the truth (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
Every man has the ability to look at everything around them, and know that there is a God. Either they look into that truth seeking God, or they suppress it. And each man will give an account of himself to God, He says it is appointed to all, once to die, then the judgment. It is the Word of God that will judge all in the end.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are
without excuse. Rom 1:18-20
We can look around us, see the good and evil, the light and darkness, the sin I’m sure we all recognize at least in others 🙂 Even society judges against breaking rules, because it affects others even if we think it does not affect us. We lie, cheat, steal, or, some (like I used to think) may feel they are pretty good, and do not really do wrong. But the Bible says pride even is one of the things God hates (Proverbs 6). Furthermore, we are told that ALL have sinned and fall short of His glory. And the wages of that sin is death. (Romans 3:23, 6:23) God is without sin, and cannot tolerate sin in His presence. All sin is against God too, who is our Creator, our Maker, who loved us and gave us life, and desires that no one should perish. But we do have free will to reject the truth. But the consequences are forever…
Here is the good news though. God made a way for us, someone had to die as this is the penalty for sin. Jesus, came into the world (as the Old Testament prophesied starting 6000 years ago. With a great love, He gave His life in our place.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:16-18
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13
He died in our place, and His shed blood, His death, provided the payment for our sins, should we believe on Him as our Savior. Only His death would do, because He was the only innocent man who ever lived, who never committed any sin. Jesus Christ was declared innocent by Pilate, yet his enemies shouted for Him to be crucified. He was led away, as a lamb led to slaughter. He was beaten, and hung on a cross to die (see my note on all the prophecies of the crucifixion of Jesus if you would like). As He hung on that cross, His enemies mocked Him, the group that had even plucked out the hair of His beard, He was beaten and abused so badly, He was unrecognizable. Yet, all that was prophesied, and He fulfilled each prophecy exactly.
And He died…
And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”Matt 27:50-54
He was thinking of all mankind when He died. And we were all unrighteous, even His enemy before we came to know Him.
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Romans 5:6-10
He was buried, (as was prophesied where and how long) and He rose again from the dead, taking His life back into His own hands, proving He was God. Only God gives life, and takes away, and no matter what we choose, in the end, we will be judged by one thing.
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. John 3:36
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24
Here is the good news in a nutshell, Christ died in our place, was buried and rose again. He did it for us, and He did it so we might have life. We have a choice. It’s not whether we believe this actually happened, but whether we put our faith/trust in what He did for us.
This is the gospel (good news) that He gave His life for us. The only way to escape our just punishment, is to believe on Jesus and what He did for us. None of us are good. Any good works that we can do, the Bible says is just like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). The person that dies and faces God, will only be able to justify him/herself by one thing, and that is whether or not they have believed on Jesus Christ, and become born again…If we have, He has forgiven our sins, and brought us from death into life. If not, the wrath of God abides upon Him for rejecting His free offer of eternal life through His Son.
Through His Righteous act, Jesus Christ has offered the free gift of eternal life to all men (Rom 5), it’s whether we want to keep on trying to establish our own righteousness, or trust that the only way to be seen as righteous is to receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and become His (John 1:12). He then comes to dwell in our hearts by faith (Ephesians 3:17). We are sealed and indwelt by His Holy Spirit and kept until the day our bodies are turned in (redeemed) for new ones.
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor 15:3,4
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:6-7
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 1 John 5:1
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Eph 2:8-9
Please let me know if you have any questions at all.
Amen! Amen! Thank you Holly for pointing this out!
Yes in Rev 14:9-11 God made a promise to those who #1 worship the Beast # 2 & his image  receive the mark….. Then I like the way you brought it home using God’s Word again! ( Rev. 19:20-21 ) As you said looks like God kept / delivered that promise!
Clear! Plain! Wow! How can anyone miss this! Truth! God said it & that settles it!
If you take the mark of the beast you will have no rest day & night! That’s putting it mildly !
You know, I am not surprised. I believe MacArthur has the gospel wrong, so this is not surprising that he has this wrong too…
Excellent! I was going to wait until later to read this, but, just couldn’t. I agree….
You can say Amen or Oh my, but there is no disputing the proof available to anyone willing to prove all things. It’s sickening to listen as the blind sheeple keep defending this wolf and his associates wolves as they continue to fleece “their” flock.
Enjoyed this and appreciate that you always warn, IN TEARS, night and day because you fear for the lost and sincerely want those who are being misled to know His Truth. God bless you, dear Holly.
Ginger, you know, it is so sad, some men will be preaching, ‘repent and give glory to God’, but they’ll be giving glory to the Antichrist and figure they are ‘repenting’ ala incorrect definition style… and it will do not a thing for them…
Johnson is a shill for MacArthur.
I can only surmise Phil agrees with MacArthur as per his own blog on the subject…
I certainly don’t have any confidence in MacArthur for many reasons. I mention one in this post. God bless you:)
http://holdingforthhisword.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/loyal-leadership/
Thank you Eliza, I went and read your post, I do not have any confidence in his teachings either. Or the gospel he presents. Thank you for sharing, God bless you too!
http://redeemingmoments.com/2013/05/19/john-macarthur-redefines-the-narrow-gate/
Hi Holly,
Can you explain something to me. Are you saying that God will send such a strong delusion that once they receive the mark of the beast they will worship them. It says receive and worship do you think anyone could receive and then not worship and still be saved. Sorry baby Christian and having trouble with Gods word on this.
Blessings, Lisa
The person who receives the mark will do it willingly and in worship to the antichrist who will be speaking blasphemies against God. They have to know what they are doing, and they do not have a love of the truth so that they might be saved (2 Thess 2). This is where the strong delusion comes in as I understand it. I believe from what I see in Scripture, they will knowingly choose to go against God. We see much delusion now about the truth now, and movies of the dark side, evil suddenly is good, and good is being mocked or called evil (Is 5:20).
Romans 1 says they suppress the truth in unrighteousness, and although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were they thankful…We see a similar thing in chapter 16 of Revelation I believe. They will not change their mind (repent), because they have already given themselves to the antichrist, they are blaspheming God, right along with their father (Jn 8:44). They are given over. They have taken the mark, it is a final decision.
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Rev 14:11
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:2-8
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Rev 20:4
In Revelation 13, it is clear, they will either worship the beast, and it’s image, or they will be killed. Either/or…
Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. Rev 13:11-18
Hope that helps some Lisa, God bless your day.
Very interesting post. I don’t mean to sound or be ‘funny,’ but what would you suggest to anyone who owns a “MacArthur Study Bible?” or anything by him for that matter. I mean is it alright to keep the Bible knowing ‘this issue’ is incorrect, or is he (MacArthur) full of other false doctrine? I’m not very familiar with his work. I’m new to his ministry because of his new book Strange Fire. And what do you think of that book, if you’re familiar with it. Thanks.
Israel, I have many of his works, (bought mostly used) and do also have the MacArthur study Bible. I mark the false writings with false on the cover and inside in several places so if something should happen to me, I don’t want one of my kids to be misled by his teaching. But I personally keep it for reference material.
I believe MacArthur is wrong on the most important doctrine of all. That is the gospel. I believe in essence his Lordship ‘gospel’ does several things. It accuses the brethren. If they listen and believe in what he is preaching, there is only a couple avenues that I see. One would be that they are puffed up in thinking they have done all these works that MacArthur describes a true convert/believer as having done. Two, if they do believe they are of his standards, they will also tend to judge other believers, and condemn them, in essence, fruit inspectors. Or worse, they become rendered ineffective if they believe what he says is necessary, but they are truthful enough to recognize they cannot attain, and less than 100% is not good enough for God. Many of them will have no assurance of their salvation, as they try to prove they are saints by persevering, rather than trusting and believing God at His Word.
At if they are not believers, we know a gospel intermingled with works is no longer a true gospel. It is what the church of Galatia was up against. People will justify themselves by their own works, instead of the one thing He said we could do.
Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:28-29
holly, is it possible for any believer(saved person) in that age to take the mark of the beast because they are afraid to be killed?thank you
Irawati, thank you for your question. I don’t see any possible way, for the person has to worship the beast to take the mark as far as I can see it in His Word, so I sure wouldn’t want to chance it during that time. I do not believe any believer in this time period will go through any part of the tribulation. I do think of this verse when some pose that question.
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt 10:28
The warnings are there, I am sure for those in the future, to keep them from taking the mark of the beast, for I am afraid there will be no turning back…
God bless.
holly, yes i believe that the believer in this age will be raptured before the tribulation. i read that there will be some getting saved during that tribulation. i just don’t want to think that the requirements for getting saved that time would be different from now, which is just to believe on the finished work of Christ.Or maybe you are saying that if the person already take the mark of the beast they will never come to faith in Christ? thank you…
No, I do not believe the requirements are different, although some do. The just have always walked by faith even before the cross, it’s either looking forward or looking back to the finished work of Jesus. One sacrifice, once for all, (Heb 10), it is finished. The only name under heaven whereby we can be saved (Acts 4:12) I try not to go beyond what is written (1 Cor 4:6) or think of any many beyond what God’s Word says. I notice many look to man for the answers (like this Q & A session with MacArthur) and to speculate what ‘could’ or ‘might’ happen when His Word doesn’t say, they go to a place they shouldn’t. But worse, when they change what His Word has said, they add or take away… I would not want to be in their shoes. I think we can look at that time, and everyone on earth has already recognized in Revelation 6, that this is the wrath of the Lamb. God foreknows those who will believe, but during this time, there must be great rebellion on the earth, as all believers will have been removed, we know the time will be not only extremely dark and sinful, but there will be much death and misery (1/4 of the earth in the first six seals alone). The ones that came out of the tribulation, says they washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, tells me, they came to faith the same way. To say they could change their minds (repent), doesn’t mean they could not change their minds and then believe, they have already chosen to worship the antichrist and are in open rebellion to God. A demon can repent, but has nothing to doing with believing upon God. He could repent from deciding to go here or there, and choose another path instead. These have become willing servants to Satan as we see now in Hollywood, and music industry, so many who are using overt Satanic imagery, and Masonic symbols and new age, and they know God, but they don’t glorify Him as God, neither are they thankful. They suppress the truth in unrighteousness. These same people have no love for the truth, so God will at that point give them over to a strong delusion that they might believe a lie (Rom 1, 2 Thess 2), but all in foreknowing who would make these decisions. God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, neither does He desire any should perish. But these people will knowingly sign away their lives to the enemy. I hope that helps, and that I was answering what you asked. In Jesus Christ’s love, Holly
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim 2:3-4
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? Ez 18:23
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men….Titus 2:11
thank you so much holly, i agree with your answer. and thank you for the your website that i can read material which is biblically true.if i have question which is not related to this article is it fine to post it here in the comment section?
Irawati, of course you may, please do. If I cannot answer it, I’ll search His Word for the answer, and if not me, someone else here will help. In Christ’s love!
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I rarely leave responses, however I read a lot of responses here John MacArthur and
the Mark of the Beast | Redeemingmoments. I do have a couple of questions for you if you do not mind.
Is it just me or do a few of these remarks appear like they are written by brain dead people?
😛 And, if you are posting at other online social sites, I’d like to keep up with anything fresh you have to
post. Would you list of all of all your social pages like your
Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?
I apologize for not seeing this, it was in my spam file. I don’t do much on Twitter, I do have an account, but infrequently use it. For new articles you can find them here, and can follow, I believe the button above. Thanks, Holly
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Holly, I am so sad to read this and applaud you for being the one willing to be hated for His name.
You don’t do it alone. We’re all hated in our corners of the world for speaking against false teachers.
The devil has gotten smarter it would seem. A false teacher who calls out false teachers.
Sneaky, no?
The devil is on a mission.
When one truly understands how the word ‘Repent’ has been twisted to have a definition other than what was intended… all you can do is weep and pray.
“Be not deceived”, comes to mind.
Come Lord Jesus.
It is sad that people can’t reconcile how important this is to judge with a righteous judgment and not according to the appearance. They don’t quite understand that is what knowing them by their fruits means, we know their doctrine as we see that they justify themselves by their wonderful works, they cry Lord, Lord, they do not the will of the Father, nor His work (John 6:39-40, 6:28-39) and they are still lawless/unrighteous, because they are still seeking to establish their own righteousness (Rom 10:3).
The Lord wants us to ‘prove all things and hold fast to that which is good’. He wants us to test the spirits, and mark and avoid those which bring a doctrine contrary to the truth, He wants us to contend for the faith, and warn others as Paul did day and night in tears for years if necessary. Some we are not even to keep company with or wish godspeed or we share in their evil deeds. But, to do this we need to have ourselves in the strong meat of His Word so we have our senses exercised to tell between good and evil, and we surely need our armor on. I almost think putting our shoes on first as we step out of bed is a good way not to get stung or bit by things, we need prepared each day with the gospel of peace. His Word, I am so thankful we have it, and ashamed in many ways when I think of our beloved brethren in other parts of the world committing whole books to memory so they can share with others. May we wear out our Bibles before anything else in our home 🙂 Maranatha…
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I mentioned awhile back that I was engaging with a fellow who held JMac in the highest regard. The main focus of our conversation concerned the so called “doctrines of grace” and gifted faith. He cared not to give an inch concerning the five points. Others in the conversation turned to JMac’s take on the mark of the beast. After letting this fellow try to explain his reasoning (straight from P.Johnson no doubt) I laid out the case from scripture, Rev and 2 Thess. After a few days this fellow informed me that he has recanted all he said about taking the mark and still being saved and he now believes JMac to be in error.
Now after about a month since, this fellow has sent me a message saying he recants his recant based on the “all” in Rev 13:16, He says to say “all” doesn’t mean “all” will take the mark is to explain away “all”. I pointed out to Him that he explains away all in 1Tim 4:10 “we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe” and he explains away the second “all” but not the first in Rom 5:18 or else the free gift (faith according to him) would come to “all”. I also showed how he explains away “whole world” in 1John2:2 to mean anything but “whole world”.
Maybe he will recant again…and then again. It must be windy where he stands.
RAS – sorry for the long wait in adding comments, I have been so busy, I come and may not be back for a couple of days.
Sigh… (he recants his recant)… Usually that means they go to the person to see what their explanation is, and they let these men wrest Scriptures to their destruction. I did a Bible verse series on ALL meaning ALL (including where WORLD means WORLD). But even so, people are unwilling to let go of the blind leaders hand. We can use the Word, knowing the power of God’s Word, and pray that it might not return void. I know if you don’t reference the Word, some don’t even recognize it without the references because they are only versed in their proof texts. I pray that is the reason (the winds of doctrine) vs. the fact he may have his mind blinded by the enemy…