The Marks and Wonders of God, or the Beast
by Ray Prinzing

"And he caused all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive A MARK in their right hand, or in their forehead:..." (Revelation 13:16)"--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 wind of the wrath of God." (Revelation 14:9,10)

It is with the prayer of the Psalmist, as the earnest cry of our heart, that we would share this message and challenge others.

"Let my heart be sound in They statues; that I be not ashamed." (Psalm 119:80) Amen.

There has been, and is much speculation concerning the "mark of the beast" as people cast an apprehensive eye toward various events which arise, wondering if these situations are leading into some terrifying hour which shall climax with a fearful Beast demanding that they take a mark which will seal their fate, or else cause them to give their life for what they believe. But we have often pondered the fact that were our "adversary" always exposed to us as a "roaring lion" there would not be so much probability of our succumbing, since we would recognize him, and seek for God's deliverance or protection. But when the devil transforms himself into an angel of light appearance, then the subtileness of his actions beguile many into falling into a snare. And so it is with this in mind that we have sought the Lord for an understanding of the "SPIRITUAL NATURE" of this MARK, and would share with you that which has now been quickened to us. May the Spirit make it personally real to every heart.It is also our firm conviction that not only is this a mark with spiritual implications, but that there is another mark in the positive realm that counter-balances the negative realm. Therefore we are even more interested in the MARK OF GOD than we are in anything which belongs to the bestial system, since to bear the mark of God would insure one against coming under the other.

The Word "Mark" Defined by the Scripture

The particular Greek word which has been translated as "mark" in our text, is the word "charagma", and translated eight times as MARK, and once as GRAVEN. And it is in its usage as "graven" that we find an unfolding of its meaning."For as much then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold or silver, or stone, GRAVEN by art and man's device." (Acts 17:29)The phrase "graven by art and man's device" is actually the explanation or key as to what the MARK involves in its relationship to man. For this mark is brought about by ART and MAN'S DEVICE.The word "art" coming from the Greek word "techni" and meaning art, skill, craft, technology-- speaks of the works of the hands, or handiwork; and has its correspondence to that which is received in the "right hand" as spoken of in Revelation.

The word "devices" is from the Greek word "enthumesis" meaning INWARD THINKING, or INNER THOUGHT, which deals with our mental activity and pertains to the forehead.Thus we have the ENGRAVING BY HANDIWORK, AND CONTROLLING OF OUR THINKING. That which would seek to place its image upon us, dealing with the work of our hands, and the brainwashing of our minds, is certainly a more subtile operation than just the stamping of tattoos.But in digging even a little deeper, we find that this Greek word for "mark -- graven" is from the same root from which we get the Greek word "charackter", as found in Hebrews 1:3, and translated as "express image.""Who being the brightness of glory, and the EXPRESS IMAGE of His person..." Speaking, of course, of Christ, and His anointed ones who become the express image, or the manifestation of the substance of God, as revealed through His and our character. Thus, the MARK speaks of that handiwork and the inward thinking which brings forth an expression of character in line with the very source from which the mark comes.

Either we will find ourselves expressing the character of God, or else the character of the beast. It is not dealing only with an outward form, which could be masqueraded for a time if needs be, but it refers to that INNER QUALITY OF CHARACTER WHICH IS BEING DEVELOPED IN US, and which in due time shall be revealed, for the "day shall declare it".

For interest and comparison we note three other translations of Hebrew 1:3.
Amplified, "the perfect imprint and very image of God's nature..."
Wuest, "the exact reproduction of His essence..."
Interliner, "exact expression of His substance..."

The "mark of the beast" is a direct counterfeit to the "mark of God", being an expression, reproduction, yes, the imprint of the nature and character of the bestial system of this world, BABYLON IN ALL ITS RAMIFICATIONS AND MEANINGS, be it political, economical, religious.

Again we say, we are not just interested in seeing the physical tattoo of a number, symbol, or name, though such a a thing could come to pass if God so allowed, but that could only transpire to bring and outward manifestation of our inner condition. Thus, unless our charter has been determined so by a process of handiwork and brain-washing, we would never consent to such form of marks upon us. Therefore we are interested in that spirit which lies behind this forming of character, to know whether it be the spirit of the world, or of God.Speak of it even as limited to the religious realm, it is the combination of ARTS, handiwork as known via the ceremonies and rituals, plus the molding of inner thought through the teachings of traditions and creeds which results in one being brought under the control of, say in example, the Pope. If there is any outward manifestation of these things, and there will be, yet this is only because subtilely there has been a building up of the resultant character through the engraving of handiwork and thought processes.

There is much control being placed upon the thought-processes. There is much control being placed upon the thought-process and the actions of people today. YES, THE MARK IS ALREADY BEING PLACED UPON PEOPLE BY THE SPIRIT OF THE BESTIAL SYSTEM OF THIS WORLD. But, praise God, He is also conforming to His image those whom He has apprehended in this day so that they will manifest HIS character. Hallelujah.

Adam Was Charged to Guard Against the Beast

This "problem" of a mark by the beast is something man has been faced with for a long time. In Genesis 2:15, we read how "the Lord God took the man (Adam), and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to KEEP it (or to guard it)." There was a bestial system already waiting to place its mark upon Adam and his garden. I marvel at the clarity of the picture as the Spirit reveals these precious truths.

Of all the bestial system, "the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made." (Genesis 3:1).In Revelation we again have a charge to guard against the Beast, and the system which he represents.In Genesis the mind was involved, for there was an appeal made to the mind, to be as gods KNOWING good and evil. Likewise the hand was involved, for it speaks of that action of participation as they TOOK of the forbidden fruit.In Revelation, again the hand and the mind are brought under the mark of the beast-- under the influence that brings forth an expression of the very character, the image of the bestial system.Here we have God's great LAW OF CIRCULARITY as the end returns to the beginning. And this thing must be conquered.

What Adam faced in his day, we are facing now. Perhaps the outward forms of the testing that comes to us different slightly from the way it appeared unto Adam in the garden, but the spirit of it is the same. The beast of the field, with all its subtileness, controlled, of course, by Satan, and the beast as spoken of in Revelation is also under the direct influence of Satan as he seeks to usurp control over God's creation.Adam lost his "bright nature of glory" and became like to the bestial system of this world. Now, by the power of the INDWELLING CHRIST, we must be freed from all of this bestial realm, and regain our "bright nature".

Praise God, there is a triumph to be realized, for the Lord Jesus Christ overcame the world, i.e. this entire arrangement as we now know it, and through HIM we, too, shall overcome. The first Adam brought all men into a bestial realm, and its death. The last Adam (Christ) is undoing all the work of the first "Adam, and through HIM shall all men be made alive, returning into God.

Receiving the Mark of the Beast

The "CHARACTER OF THE BEAST" is being stamped upon the minds and actions of men by one of the greatest brainwashing operations that world has ever known. There is only one way to conquer this subtile snare, and it is to "hate your life in this world." (John 12:25). For, "he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it into life aionian."God has so been working His grace into the life of His chosen ones that they loathe and despise this confused bestial system of this present world. And yet we find that this thing is so subtile that it is trying to put its stamp on every one of our actions and thoughts. A mark - graven by art and man's device.The practices (handiwork) of this world's system, and the thinking thereof, are not overcome in one grand leap. But, "I die daily." "As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long." (Romans 8:36). There is the constant hating of, and turning our backs upon every rudiment of this world's system, and every phase of our soulish life as controlled by the flesh. If we don't, it will stamp its very character upon us, and that is what we'll manifest in days ahead. And so the mark of the beast isn't just something people will see because of a tattoo-mark upon our forehead or hand, but because the spirit of this world has so controlled our thinking and action it has left the imprint of its character upon us."And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." (Revelation 13:17).

THERE IS NO BUILDING OF A PERSONAL KINGDOM TODAY WITHOUT THE MARK - i.e. actions and thinking of this beast system.We realize that being individuals with our own special makeup and personality, we must each be directed along by God in a way that is peculiar to us, and thus there are varied methods of dealing involved according which meets those needs, BUT THE PURPOSE IS THE SAME. And it is for each of us to hear the voice of the Spirit when HE would gird up our life into harmony with His divine will for us.

We thank God for whatever method HE uses, and He is in the process of teaching us to be much more tolerant of one another, and to cease all the condemnations. Some people are being led to sell all they have and to live in a most primitive way as God deals with them to free them from being entangled with this world. And if this is God's way of loosing the, they must be obedient, we have no condemnation for their actions. Others are being stripped of reputation and acclaim, that God might purge out of them all desire for recognition by worldly societies. Strange enough, others are being blessed in worldly goods to see whether they will set their heart upon them, or not. God proves and tests according unto our personal need. But may we all be found LOOSED FROM THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD that we bear not an imprint of its character, nor manifest its nature and self-life.

We would not in any way try to fit another into those dealings which God has with us. But just by the way of example and illustration: When God dealt with us concerning the leaving of religious organized systems. He also made it clear to our own heart that we were never to become involved in a personal kingdom building program which would involve our being organized as a "tax deductible non-profit organization" so as to appeal to the finances of others for our support. This has been our position over these past few years, and while God has led us to send out a lot of literature, it is with our trust in Him alone to provide. True, were we duly organized as non-profit there would be tax benefits for contributors-- but it would mean bowing to the system and recognized by this world.

By no means do we infer any condemnation for those so organized, for we are in a TRANSITION TIME, and many have been set up for years in a government recognized deductible status, which God has so used. But, as we said, God dealt with us, and "if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor." (Galatians 2:18).

By way of another example: We have met those who felt that for them the observance of SUN-day was a marking of the beast. They realized the Babylonish origin of worshipping the Sun-god as commemorated by Sunday, and also how the "day" became to be them a PROP OF WORSHIP of more importance than the Lord Himself, and so began to refrain from its observance. Now - some may scoff and argue with great zest, but let each man follow on into GOD as he is led, until we all bear HIS IMAGE, and despise not God's individual dealings with our brother.We need to open our mind to the inworkings of the Lord that HE might reveal to us those things within our own being which still bear the imprint of this world's system. Let us not strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel or pick slivers out of our brother's eye, forgetting a beam that might be in our own. Nor let us become busy looking for "mark of the beast tattoos" while the stamp of his character is being graven upon us day by day. The outward physical realm can only be a portrayal for the invisible spirit realm that controls us inwardly.

Saving Our Life, or Losing it

The very subtileness of this bestial system is that it deceives men into thinking they will have life only if they accept and receive its mark. They say, "You have to do it if you want to live; if you want to get ahead in this world, you must conform." And then to beguile a man even more, the enemy suggests that after all it is for the furtherance of the kingdom of God, and by the time he puts a "religious flavor" to it, many swallow the bait and submit to the marking. But in seeking to save your life by taking the mark of the bestial world you will only discover to your sorrow you have lost it."For whosoever will save his life shall lost it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." (Luke 924).The world "lose" used here comes from the Greek word TO MAR. A life to be MARRED BY THE MARKINGS OF THE BEAST. And so the Master went on - "For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?" (Luke 9:25).

Words fail us, and speech becomes a burden when we consider the deceptions which cause men to seek to gain the world, and a life therein, but ending in emptiness because they are marked by the imprint of the character of this world."- that no man may buy or sell, save he have the mark."No commerce with this world, no trading back and forth with its system. This could pose a difficult problem if we are dependent upon this world for our life. And who can foretell how far God will let the natural part of this progress? But if our life is HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD, He will provide and sustain His own, and there need be no bowing to the spirit of the world.

Eve was beguiled in the garden into thinking she would not die if she partook of the forbidden fruit, in fact she was persuaded she would just really begin to live - and be as god, knowing good and evil. IN SEEKING TO LIVE SHE DIED - BUT IN DYING TO THE WORLD, WE SHALL LIVE IN HIM WHO IS OUR LIFE, and possess the fulness of victory.Babylon-- and all the bestial systems thereof, seek to ensnare you body, soul, and spirit. And it will direct its handiwork and brain-washing towards you from three points - politically, economically, and religiously. A system with a mark, a name, and a number (Revelations 13:17).We shall not try to categorize the various aspects into their relationship to body, soul, and spirit; or in their political, economical, or religious applications. Suffice it to say for now that every part of this will seek to leave its imprint of character upon every man. But this much we know, many a vessel is being marred today because they are yielding to this marking. And, God will have to break the vessel, and reshapen it before He can imprint it with His own glorious image.

The Mark of the Beast Produces a False Image

The action of the handiwork and brainwashing of every part of the Beast only produces the manifestations of a false imagery. Mental images are formed which pervert the truth of the Spirit, and form a caricature of our God. It was the suggestive influence of the beast in the garden that distorted the thinking of Eve, thus causing her to disobey God. And it is the distorted thinking forced upon our minds which are unholy. Mental imagery in place of the truth of the Spirit."Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? - So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the wall around about. And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah (a visionary exciting to idolatry) the son of Shaphan, and with every man his censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up." (Ezekiel 8:12, 10-11)

IN THE CHAMBERS OF OUR IMAGERY, in our own minds there has been too much setting up of distorted truth, self opinionated ideas and imaginations, the product of the spirit of this world influencing the formations of our thoughts. Jaazaniah-- whose name means, Jah is hearing, stood in the midst of the ancients of Israel, and excited them to idolatry. There are many today who claim to now be hearing from God, and their message is BRAIN-WASHING the people and causing worship of a false image. This man was the offspring of deceiving slyness fulfilling his inborn nature. Wolves in sheep's clothing, as angels of light with a form of worship, but not of God.

IMAGES - every form of creeping thing, and those bestial images become reproduced in the life and character of the one possessing them. As a man thinks, so he is.It was an image of a golden calf that Israel danced around, and it says, "the people were naked." (Exodus 32:25) Because they exchanged their knowledge of God in Truth for a false concept, and a lie."Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass." (Psalm 106:20)."Changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things." (Romans 1:23)Exodus 32:7 says, "they corrupted themselves", and man is the image and glory of God (1 Corinthians 11:7), thus they corrupted God's glory, and distorted the whole by this false image. Even as Adam, in his bright nature, made in the image and likeness of God, exchanged that realm for that which pertains to the bestial system. And man in the natural today is most bestial except when he is controlled by the Spirit of God. Man, in his imagery, is corrupted into the similitude of beasts, therefore the manifestation of his character is portrayed in the nature of the same.

Man still worships corrupted forms of a man - a santa with a fat belly; bunnies and chickens and all of the like, all markings of the world-system.Perhaps we have dropped many of the idols once used by man in his worship, but methinks we still retain in the chambers of our imagery far too much of the thinking - the practices of the mark of the beast.

Thank God for all the purgings today which are cleansing us from the impressions of the character of the beast, that we might receive another mark - even the mark of God.

The Mark of God Being Brought Forth in His Chosen

What rejoicing fills the heart as we realize that GOD has a mark which HE is engraving upon His people. The bestial mark is only a counterfeit to this mark. What grace and love God is bestowing upon men, that He will erase, purge out, and put to death all of the character of the bestial and bring forth a new creation wherein His own divine nature shall find expression."For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed (HAVING THE SAME FORM WITH) to the image of His son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29)Conformed - to have the same form. Not a form like to His form, for God desires no imitations, but that this shall be the manifestation of His own character, of His own substance, revealed through His redeemed creation."But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18)We have borne the image of the earthly, now we long to "bear the image of the heavenly" (1 Corinthians 15:49) There is such a deep desire within us to be freed form every part of the character of the beast - our very language is filled with phrases pertaining to the beast domain. "Dumb like and ox" - "Stubborn as a mule" - "Sly as the fox" - "Wise as the serpent" - "Silly as an old hen", and there are many more, character traits of the flesh which is imprinted with the mark of this world. It is with thankful hearts we turn to behold HIM who is ALTOGETHER LOVELY. For there is another image, which is the brightness of glory, and the express image of HIS person, the manifestation of His essence, which is unchangeable.How wonderful is the process and plan whereby this new image is to become our form of expression. For HE who was "in the form of God" (Philippians 2:6) took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was found in fashion as a man, that we, who are now in this body of humiliation, might be raised up and conformed to His glorious image and expressed character.O, for a clarity of expression of the full image which is being engravened upon us by the working of the Spirit, and the operation of the mind of Christ. For like as the mark of the beast was placed upon the hand, and upon the forehead, so shall the CHARACTER OF GOD shine out through our works, and through our thinking. This shall be revealed when man no longer builds a kingdom for self, but fulfills THE WORK OF CHRIST to reconcile an estranged creation back to its Creator.Far too long have we tried to reconcile others to ourselves, surround ourselves with followers which are to build "our selfish kingdoms". But God is bringing forth a people who will lay their lives down for those who are to be RECONCILED TO GOD, and the Kingdom shall be the LORD's. For the mark of God is the tender and loving compassion which gives all, and asks nothing in return. Love's outflow, "to wit, that God is in Christ reconciling the world to Himself."

When every action of our handiwork is only for the upbuilding of creation to restore it back to God, that is the CHARACTER OF LOVE - revealing the mark of God.Likewise the impressed character of God in our thinking-- no more the carnal-mindedness which is enmity to God, but thoughts in perfect harmony with God's mind - that every expression outwardly manifest from inward thoughts is an exact reproduction of the mind of God. The world shall see, and know that this is indeed the mark - i.e. the character of God in the sons of God.