Is prepping a reasonable strategy to avoid the Mark of the Beast

1. The mark of the beast being a physical mark in the forehead or hand.
2. The mark of the beast being a physical mark that you have to have to buy or sell.

Freth said:

A Physical Mark?

A couple things mentioned in the video that I disagree with.

1. The mark of the beast being a physical mark in the forehead or hand.
2. The mark of the beast being a physical mark that you have to have to buy or sell.

The Seal of God is given by angels which points to it being a spiritual mark (see Revelation 7:2-3). If the Seal of God is a spiritual mark, it makes sense that the mark of the beast is also a spiritual mark.

According to Revelation 13, there are actually three identifiers.

Revelation 13:16-17 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 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.​

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The identifiers (mark, name, number) are symbolic of allegiance to the beast whether by thought or action. The forehead is symbolic of the mind. The right hand is symbolic of action. The mark can be received by conscious choice or action. The Seal of God can be received by conscious choice only because salvation is not by works (see Ephesians 2:8-9).

Whether or not you receive the mark or the Seal comes down to who you worship (see Revelation 13:11-18).

While technology will most likely be used to enforce compliance with the dictates of the beast, no part it can be a literal mark of the beast if the mark of the beast is spiritual. There will not be a physical mark in the forehead or right hand, just as there will not be a physical Seal of God in the forehead.


Faith

I agree with the sentiment of the video, that we should have faith in God, that He will provide. I also believe that we should do what we can to reasonably provide for ourselves, and have a little set back for emergencies. I don't mean stockpiling huge amounts of food, I mean having a bit extra on hand in case the power goes out for an extended period of time, or food/supply shortages.


Fleeing to the Mountains

Jesus gave a prophecy in Matthew 24, that there would be a time to "flee to the mountains". This has been a repeating prophecy throughout history; Christians fleeing persecution. It will happen again in the last days when great tribulation starts.

Matthew 24:16-18 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.​

Notice that Jesus said when the time comes you should flee immediately without taking anything with you. This points to the fact that the Lord will provide for His people in the wilderness.

The fleeing of Christians from persecution has always been from populated areas to the wilderness. In other words, country living.


Country Living

Many Adventists are moving to the country and living in communities where they can be self-sustaining and support each other. In this way the lifestyle isn't prepping in the traditional sense, but growing and living off of your own food.

If you're living in the country you are already away from the cities and won't have to flee. You can sustain yourself. If your sustenance fails then have faith that God will provide.

Considering the upheaval that happens before Jesus returns, there will come a time when Christians will have to have faith and rely on God for food and water before Jesus returns.

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reddogs said:

Also, SOP tells us anything we 'prep' will be taken. Let me see if can find it..

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joechristianwarrior said:

You don't think there is a difference in the Revelation between the children of God being 'sealed', and the children of the devil receiving a 'mark' - but one is spiritual (God's), while the other is physical (mark)?

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• The sign of allegiance; the mark of the beast.
• Choose the commandments of men and continue in transgression -> receive the mark of the beast.

joechristianwarrior said:

Hey y'all,

I have recently been engaging with different believers on the concept of prepping, and the various pros and cons around it. I think we'd all (or most of us at least!) agree that "tearing down barns to build bigger) is not the most consistent strategy when it comes to the end times or the Mark of the Beast for a Christian living by faith in God. That said, I think there are reasonable arguments in favor of responsible and moderate "preparation"... although we might debate on what that looks like exactly.

Anyhow, I'm curious to hear what you think of the arguments made in this video, and whether you think its position is reasonable or not. I think to the COVID time period in particular, where everyone felt glad they had some 'stocks' of things like toilet paper in advance, before things got all closed down on lockdown. We don't know what exactly will be the surrounding circumstances when the Mark fully comes. But it does make sense to give it some thought in advance, before that time fully comes.

Here is the link for the video:

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• Ultimately It's about a spiritual choice of allegiance and worship.
• It's about choosing to obey God's law (including the Sabbath) or the dictates of a corrupt religious/political system (symbolized by the beast and its image).
• It signifies allegiance to the world system that opposes God's authority, especially concerning worship.