Study Foundations
1. Worship
In the Bible, worship is more than a service; it is obedience. We worship whom we decide to obey. It is the surrender of the will to the supreme authority.
2. Seal of God
A legal seal contains: Name, Title, and Territory. In God's law, only the 4th commandment (Sabbath) identifies the Lawgiver: Lord (Name), Creator (Title), Heavens and Earth (Territory).
3. Mark of the Beast
Not a physical object or chip, but a sign of rival authority. It is the acceptance of a human law in direct opposition to God's law (the Sabbath), by convenience or imposition.
Key Points to Focus On
Double Punishment
Worshipers of the beast will receive two punishments: the seven plagues of God and burning in the lake of fire, resulting in eternal death.
Identity of the Beast
The beast is identified as the papacy - a religious power that exercised global authority and persecuted the faithful.
Mark of Authority
The Catholic Church itself declares that the change from Saturday to Sunday is its mark of authority over the Bible.