Nancy’s Strong Example
Global Experience In The Days Ahead
Nancy grew up a Baptist. She was a sheep type, one who, for the most part, conformed to and supported her home church’s doctrine, life-style and ministry activities. In a day of growing disrespect for Christian leadership, her honoring demeanor was seen as such a precious commodity. Given the direction the world was heading in relationship to this giving respect to whom respect is due, Nancy applied the principle while at the same time honoring another biblical principle: It is better to obey God than to follow the examples and dictates of the ruling human authorities, be they individual or the collective majority. In her respect for leadership, she in turn gained the respect and admiration of others.
It was in her youthful vigor at the age of thirty-five when she met Mark, a man eight years her senior. Enjoying a healthy relationship (in the eyes of the nominal American church – others would describe it lukewarm), Nancy and Mark, as single adults, grew to enjoy each other’s company. During the years they spent together, their relationship matured. Over time, it blossomed into love for one another. Given the way they both were wired, they had no problem it being a platonic one.
One day Nancy’s ears fell captive to a sermon simply titled, “The State of the Church.” It seemed to be a fair presentation, for both positive and negative observations were communicated by this visiting circuit preacher. But it was what Nancy heard in the negative that really impacted her. At times she wondered about these very issues, including the lack of intimacy with her Lord and the passionate life of devotion to eternal things. Another concern of hers was how the church in general, it seemed, was so like the world. Conflicting-with-Genesis-One views on origins, a renewed (but different) emphasis on the formation of the Christ-spirit or “Christ-power” in you, and a promoting of optimistic human potential to see realized a new dawn of global harmony were only a few of the things that concerned her. These messages were not only being heralded at her work and social settings, they had crept into her church as well. These seemed foreign to her until about five years ago when she first began hearing more and more appeal toward the end of how Christianity must change or die. But it just so happened that the visiting preacher touched upon many of these shared concerns. “Is this by coincidence?” she thought.
This message caught her attention—so much so that she decided to give up her Sunday evening and catch the same speaker for a seminar titled, Truth Matters! On Creation, Christ & Cross and Consummation. Since she had the afternoon free, she took the sermon notes and visited a web site that was mentioned in the message. At first she was confused by it all until she read one small quote that helped put all the pieces together. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man; it is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” (Psalm 118:8,9) “Wow,” she said to herself, “what a simple concept, yet one that runs deep. ‘Simplicity in profundity.’ Hmmm, I like that,” she said. As she read over pertinent messages and concise philosophical statements about the issue of truth and how one comes to truth, the light further brightened. Now she definitely didn't want to miss the evening presentation. She was taken back by a reading on the third web site (the first site had links to multiple sites) that appealed to Jesus’ application in Matthew 15—how God disdained the practice of religious traditions of man being placed above (as more authoritative than) God’s Word.
It was during this reading that Nancy received an email from Mark. He was writing to invite her out to dinner, to which she responded, “Well, I’m going to attend a seminar this evening. Would you care to join me?” “Wonderful,” Mark thought when he received her immediate response, “she is online.” “I’ll tell you what,” Mark replied, “let’s catch both.” And that they did. Little did they realize at the time how much that evening would forever affect their relationship. To make a long story short, Mark was offended by the message, labeling it as another one of those fundamentalist, doom-and-gloom perspectives about the last days. Nancy on the other hand, took the free devotional titled The One Year Book of Bible Prayers and a simple but quality printout of a list of Scriptures about the days just prior to the return of Jesus Christ. Ten minutes into their dinner, they agreed not to talk about the seminar content, for it had become too controversial. With the redirection of conversation topic, they went on to once again enjoy one another’s company that evening.
This day began for Nancy a ten-year journey into the study of contemporary issues in light of biblical prophecy. At the end of this period, which included a major inductive study of the Word of God, Nancy found herself discerning culture through a biblical grid as opposed to one offered by the contemporary religious community, which by that time had gone from being pluralistic in perspective to syncretistic in mandate. “More than just interesting!” she thought. She also critically observed that the two positions (the biblical one and the spiritual one offered by the contemporary church) were rapidly growing to be in direct opposition with one another. Again, this fascinated her.
In the fourteenth year of her close friendship with Mark, global conditions were such that Nancy could not remain as quiet as she had been in the past. Things were heating up eschatologically so much so that she was compelled to speak out. She began telling others about pertinent Scripture passages, web sites, newsletters and videotapes of live presentations concerning crucial biblical themes. Over this year she had countless discussions with Mark—brief ones, for the most part, due to, at times, apparent lack of interest on his part. But it was more than that. Something was clearly wrong, for he seemed even further opposed to her concerns even though her warrants were impeccably justified. The fact that Mark was coming from a Christian background also rang odd, for through the years he had become more outspoken against biblical truths. “He should be more open-minded about these matters,” Nancy thought.
It was almost a year later that she decided to be even more vocal with Mark about her discoveries. She revisited an earlier discussion that she and Mark had had on the eternal consequences tied to following the present global mandate to contribute to world peace through simply joining the established One World Alliance by accepting this mark that provided both essentials-for-living and non-essential pleasantries of great sensual appeal.
To this, Mark finally had to respond. While addressing these very things one day, Nancy continued to cast her points in a very clear and evidenced manner. She was especially addressing this new mark that was being implemented by the global movement. Enough was enough.
Mark shouted back, “But I was always told, ‘Once saved, always saved!’ If that’s really the case, I can do whatever—even take this mark that you’re calling ‘the mark of the beast.’ Come on Nanc! You know full well that we have to take it in order to continue existing given the present-day conditions that are clearly in full swing. God is gracious and will understand our plight. Surely He wouldn’t reject His own simply because we took this silly mark. I’ll tell you what, Nancy, let’s strike a deal. Let’s take the mark and then use it to buy necessary food for the other Christians who aren’t willing to take it. This way we’re safe for sure! God will understand if we use this mark to provide for His people.” After a short delay on Nancy’s part, Mark sought her response. “Honey, I really need your feedback.”
“Mark, I hear what you’re saying, but God has been very clear on this issue. Those who are truly His will not take this mark of the beast that is currently being forced on the world. I know you acknowledge the authority of God’s Word above the global ideas of some of the religious leaders of our day. Mark, I love you dearly, you know that, but you must listen to me for just a minute—please! While I strongly encourage you to read the entire chapters of Revelation 13 and 14 on your own after we part ways in just a few minutes, let me quote some key verses now. Don’t forget, these verses must be read in their context. Mark, would you promise me that you’ll read these two chapters when you go home this afternoon and think seriously about what I’m trying to share with you?”
“Nanc, I know you love me, and yes, I promise to read them when I get home.” His tears began flowing once again, as did hers.
“Oh my love, you don’t know how much this means to me!” Nancy’s voice was so gentle and kind, while at the same time serious and urgent. “While these verses that I want to share with you are few, they are very important, so please listen carefully.” As Nancy read, Mark was impressed, for never before had she spoken with such passion. “… 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 the means 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. (Revelation 13:14-17) … Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. 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 ascends forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:9-11)” *
“Mark, I’m floored by the accuracy of Scripture! You see what’s happening out there, I know you do. It’s not just the taking of the mark that we are commanded to avoid. It’s also understood that those who take the mark are aligning with this evil one. I know you also see this and, like you, I also acknowledge that refusing to take this mark will clearly bring major consequences—possibly even our death, I don’t know. But don’t you see the exchange we’ll be making if we yield?! Let me share one last thing with you, then I have to run to catch an important meeting with Audrey.
“If God’s Word continues to unfold as precisely as it has so far, the fate of those ‘Christians-by-name’ who compromise and take the mark will be much more terrible than those of us who reject the mark and briefly suffer the wrath of antichrist.”
“Nanc, NO WAY! You’re out to lunch on this one,” Mark injected.
“Wait a minute,” Nancy replied. “Hear me out on this, babe, please! The Word of God clearly says that those who fall into this deception will not only incur the eternal judgment of God but will also suffer His wrath when He has it poured out at the bowl judgments! According to Daniel 12, the Gospels, and Revelation 16, this will be a terrible time!”
“But Nanc, we’ll also be here during that time if we decide to reject the mark and somehow manage to avoid the persecution of this world leader,” Mark responded. "Then we, too, will receive God's wrath in these bowl judgments."
“Mark, that’s NOT correct! The Bible says that God’s obedient people will never incur His wrath. As a result, we will be spared His terrible judgments that He will pour out on the earth during the bowls of wrath. You can read about this very deliverance in Revelation 14 where Jesus Christ Himself comes and reaps His people from the earth in verses 14-16. Those gathered thereafter are gathered for something totally different—the wrath of God. But God’s people in Jesus Christ miss this second gathering—this wrath-gathering—as a result of the first gathering ... the rapture event! Mark, it really does flow consistently.”
“I’m not sure I’m following the chronology here Nanc,” Mark replied.
“The Book of Revelation and the Gospels chronicle this event Mark—it’s awesome! Don’t you remember talking about this with me almost a year ago? The 11th and 14th chapters of Revelation emphatically state this very truth. At the final trumpet, which is mentioned in I Corinthians 15, Matthew 24:29-31, I Thessalonians 4, Revelation 11 and 14:14 and following, God will reap His people from the face of the earth. Shortly thereafter, the bowls of His wrath will be poured out upon those who have ‘the mark of the beast and those who worship his image.’ So, NO, Mark, we will not be around when this time of God’s wrath comes. It’s only those who yield to the deception of the wicked one who will be handed both the bowls of wrath and His eternal judgment. So you see, it’s not worth a temporary waiving of the antichrist’s wrath against us! Remember, it’s those who endure to the end who will be saved. The patience of the saints of God in Jesus Christ is to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus!”
“O.K. O.K. O.K!” was Mark’s hasty comeback. After a moment, though, he responded with more composure. “N a n c, you’ve given me a lot to think over tonight. It really seems that there’s no way in the world you’d ever think twice about receiving this mark. Am I right? Am I hearing you correctly?”
“That’s right, my love.” With that Mark held her tight for what seemed like hours. He was taken back by her extended gesture of verbal care for him. Oh what depth of passion and sincere belief, Mark thought. Gently taking his face in the palms of her hands, they exchanged an emotional kiss and said good-bye. Nancy then ran off to enjoy one last time of fellowship with Audrey.
Four hours later, Nancy was arrested. She had already accepted the possibility of this scenario even prior to her meeting with Mark earlier that very afternoon—this one who had become her dear friend for the past eleven years. Given the Word’s emphasis on deception and specifically Matthew 24:10, Nancy wanted to be one who demonstrated the opposite of that which was prophesied in the last phrase of the verse. She wanted to love Mark even though it was a possibility that he would turn out to be one of many who fulfilled what is predicted in the middle portion of that same verse. She grieved over what seemed to be a confirmation that he was one of those offended by a stand for the true Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. It was now very dark, but not for Nancy. In great and subtle duplicity, the deceiver managed, once again, to lead another astray.
“And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.” (Matthew 24:10) Then, after the initial wave of deception (Matthew 24:4), another round is determined. “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.” (Matthew 24:11; cf. v. 24)
* New King James Version (emphasis ours)
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Are you familiar enough with what the Word of God clearly says concerning our days? Eternity now hinges in the balance concerning these topics, for those who talk themselves into justifying the act of receiving the mark of the beast will, no exceptions, face the earthly wrath of God during the Bowls of Judgment AND the eternal judgment of God in the Lake of Fire. TODAY is a good day to begin, if you have not already, thinking about these future events. They will be here before we know it.
For more information about these concerns, look over the web sites mentioned on the first page of this site. Simply click here to return to that page. Please, your eternity matters—and never forget: Eternity sincerely is a VERY LONG time!