Expert: LEBoyd - 12/19/2007

Question
Hi Leboyd,in the last days people who have the mark of the beast can buy and sell.But people who do not have the mark of the beast can not buy or sell.how can we survive,we do have to eat and have money.how can we survive?           
Thank you
    Greg

Answer
Greg,

That's a good question.  First, let me clarify a couple of things.  The "end days" or "last days" and "the beast" are never mentioned together.  Also, I am assuming that you are referring to Rev. 13 where Scripture mentions the buying and selling by those with the mark of the beast.

So, with that, let be briefly explain what I see in the Scripture and why.  I am a "fundamentalist" in that I believe the Scripture is completely inspired by the Spirit and that, therefore, subjects that are suppose to be "together" are together and that words are selected on purpose.  I do not believe that everything in the Scripture is literal, especially when it comes to prophecy.

First, as far as "last days" are concerned, all of the books of the New Testament refer to the time as being now - or should I say, after the ascension of Christ.  We are in the "last days" and have been since 33AD.  Also, as a clarification "end days" and "end times" are not actually in Scripture.  These have been used, and I have no problem with using them, as synonymous with "last days".  But I just give you that as a heads-up.  I also question what someone's motives are if they attempt to speak with authority on the Scriptures but do not use scriptural terms.

Second, Revelation (not plural) has all too often (in my mind) been misrepresented as describing something about the present time or near future.  This dates back many, many centuries, and continues today.  I believe this is because it makes the book so exciting and it also tends to comfort some who think knowing the future is valuable.

However, the book of Revelation was a prophecy for the people in the first century, and describes the fall of Jerusalem and coming persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire.

Why do I believe this?  At least six times in Revelation there are references to the prophecies coming soon.  As examples, 1:11 says to "send it" and 22:10 says not to "seal up" the book "for the time is near."  When you compare this with other books of prophecy, we find that Daniel was told in Dan. 12:4 to "seal up" the book because it's going to be awhile before it comes about.  No serious scholar doubts that the book of Daniel references the four major empires - ending with the Roman Empire - followed by the fifth, stronger one - the church, God's Kingdom.  Therefore, I find it very easy to see the book of Revelation as prophesying about the first century, and specifically to the "seven churches of Asia".

Now, when we get to chapter 13 what do we see?  We see two beast, the first with 10 horns and the second with 2.  

The first beast had 10 horns, is referred to as the Antichrist, and the first beast does something bad for 42 months.  The attack and siege of Jerusalem was 42 months.  In Daniel 7:7, the beast is also referenced with 10 horns - and refers to the Roman Empire.  So, I can easily link the first beast to the Roman Empire.

The second beast is referred to as "false prophets" and is subordinate to the first beast.  It controls commerce (buying and selling) and religion (causing others to worship the first beast), which  may be the reference to the two horns.  This beast seems to represent several individuals who work for the first beast.  Therefore, I can easily link this beast to the area Roman Concilia, who were put in place to control commerce and the worshiping of the emperor.

I hope this helps some.  I am 100% convinced that the Bible was written for everyone and that it's not impossible to understand.  Therefore, when I read it I attempt to take what I believe is the most logical and easiest to understand interpretation.  Unfortunately, it's not exciting and doesn't sell a lot of books :)

Thanks,