主是我們的源頭─啟示錄 

現在我們來看啟示錄十三章11-18節，這是在啟示錄中關於『獸的印記』最常研讀與最有名的經文。在我們挖掘其意義，並如何可以應用在我們身上前，我先請您來讀這一段經文。

我又看見另有一個獸從地中上來有兩角如同羊羔，說話好像龍。

他在頭一個獸面前，施行頭一個獸所有的權柄，並且叫地和住在地上的人拜那死傷醫好的頭一個獸。 

又行大奇事，甚至在人面前，叫火從天降在地上。

他因賜給他權柄在獸面前能行奇事，就迷惑住在地上的人，說：要給那受刀傷還活著的獸作個像。 

又有權柄賜給他，叫獸像有生氣，並且能說話，又叫所有不拜獸像的人都被殺害。

他又叫眾人，無論大小、貧富、自主的、為奴的，都在右手上或是在額上受一個印記。

除了那受印記、有了獸名或有獸名數目的，都不得做買賣。

在這裡有智慧：凡有聰明的，可以算計獸的數目；因為這是人的數目，他的數目是六百六十六。

有別於上個獸從海中上來，此獸從地中上來。在先知性象徵中，此通常指著屬地的思想，就是高舉地上與這世代的事情過於神，以及神藉著祂的國度所彰顯之永恆目的。 

我們常常崇拜我們最關注的事物，顯然我們住在這世上，為了存活並供應我們個人與家庭，我們必須關注這世上的一些事物。照著我們所呼召的來愛我們的鄰舍，意味著我們成為我們所蒙召的鹽和光，來為我們的鄰舍、社區與國家做事。我們被吩咐做任何事，像是對主做的一樣，因此基督徒應該在工作與專業上表現優異。然而，倘若我們主要的擺上與關注是地上而非天上的事物，我們將處於屈服於此獸的危險中，這段經文是要我們遠離此的一個警告。 

貫穿整個教會時期，許多人都在猜測此獸的印記將如何臨到，但這不是這裡最重要的議題。受了獸的印記本身並不是罪─它不過是罪的證據而已，也就是拜獸。比知道此印記怎麼臨到更重要的是，在於能認出此獸，好讓我們不事奉他。 

正如這段經文所言，六是人的數目，這是因為人是在第六天被造。許多人相信此獸的數目666，與世俗人道主義把人放在一切事物的中心，試圖取代三位一體的神有關。或許是，但我們確實知道這是以崇拜人為中心，而基本的控制方法就是要求有『獸的印記』的人，才可以『買賣或交易』。此經濟的印記使人能連上獸的經濟和貨幣。 

在此獸裡面，我們有三個人類的主要偶像包裝成一個：1）崇拜人至上，2）崇拜世上的事物（此邪惡的世代），3）崇拜瑪門。崇拜不單是我們所熱愛的東西，還包括我們對其的信靠取代了神。這是對人類靈魂終極陷阱的終極考驗。 

拜獸與受了印記的關鍵解藥便是遵守歌羅西書三章1-2節：『所以，你們若真與基督一同復活，就當求在上面的事；那裡有基督坐在神的右邊。你們要思念上面的事，不要思念地上的事。』藉此方式我們定意信靠主，而不是這世代的力量。那些認識主並把主當成他們源頭的人，不會被試探受獸的印記，只為了可以買賣或交易。那些不把主當成他們源頭的人，才處在危險之中。 

此議題顯然相當重要，下週我們將繼續來討論。 

 (摘自喬納 word for the week,Week47, 2017)

 
The Lord As Our Source—The Book of Revelation
Week 47, 2017
Rick Joyner

         Now we come to Revelation 13:11-18 and one of the most studied and famous passages in Revelation about “the mark of the beast.” I ask you to read this passage before we dig into what it means and how it may apply to us today.

Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb and he spoke as a dragon.

He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.

He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men.

And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life.

And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,

and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.

Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.

         This beast is distinguished from the last beast as it comes up out of the earth instead of the sea. In prophetic symbolism, this often relates to earthly mindedness, which is exalting the things of the earth and this age above the things of God and His eternal purposes manifested by His kingdom.

         We often worship that which we give most of our attention. Obviously we live in the world, and there are some things in this world that we must give our attention to in order to survive and provide for ourselves and our families. To love our neighbors as we are called to means that we do things for them, our communities, and countries by being the salt and light we are called to be. We are commanded to do everything that we do as unto the Lord, so Christians should excel at their jobs and professions. However, if our main devotion and attention is on the earthly rather than on the things above with Christ, we will be in jeopardy of succumbing to this beast. This text is a warning to keep us from this.

         Throughout the church age, many have speculated about how this mark of the beast would come, but that is not the most important issue here. Taking the mark is not the sin—it is merely the evidence of the sin, which is worshiping the beast. More important than knowing how this mark will come is being able to recognize the beast so that we do not serve him.

         As we are told in this text, six is the number of man. This is because man was created at the end of the sixth day. Many believe that the number of this beast, 666, relates to how secular humanism places man at the center of all things and seeks to displace the Trinity. Perhaps, but we do know that this is centered in the worship of man, and the basic method of control is the “mark of the beast” that is required of anyone to “buy, sell, or trade.” This economic mark enables one to be connected to the economy and the currency of the beast.

         In this beast, we have the three primary idols of the human race wrapped into one: 1) the worship of man as supreme, 2) the worship of the things of this world (“this present evil age”), and 3) the worship of money. Worship is not just what we have love and affection for, but what we put our trust in instead of God. This is an ultimate test by the ultimate traps of the human soul.

         A key remedy to the worship of the beast and taking the mark is obeying Colossians 3:1-2, “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” In this way we resolve to put our trust in the Lord and not the powers of this age. Those who know the Lord as their Source will not be tempted to take the mark of the beast so that they can buy, sell, or trade. It is those who do not know the Lord as their Source who are in jeopardy.

         This issue is of obvious crucial importance, and we will continue discussing this next week.