Ezekiel 7-9 / Hebrews 5 / Psalm 105:1-15 / Proverbs 26:28
Territory and property are marked and claimed in different ways. If you own a home and land, you have boundary lines that a surveyor measured and marked, and you have a deed to your property showing what you own. If you’re married, you have a marriage certificate, and most people wear wedding rings, so others know they are “taken”. If you were born in this country, you have a birth certificate that confirms your gender, age, and place of birth.
Everyone appreciates being identified and allowing that identity to show to everyone who sees that you are unique. There are probably many identifying factors and markings that one could claim, in addition to the ones I mentioned in the previous paragraph. One identifying mark is of utmost importance and that is an affirmation that we belong to Jesus Christ.
Most people, whether Christian or not have heard of the Mark of the Beast, and most speak of it in hushed tones and with reverent fear. But did you know there is another biblical mark? I’ll call it the Mark of the Righteous. I’m sure you want proof so allow me to offer that.
In Ezekiel 9:3-4 in the New Living Translation, (NLT) this is what we read, “Then the glory of the God of Israel rose up from between the cherubim, where it had rested, and moved to the entrance of the Temple. And the Lord called to the man dressed in linen who was carrying the writer’s case. He said to him, ‘Walk through the streets of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of all who weep and sigh because of the detestable sins being committed in their city.’”
There it is. A man dressed in linen who carried a writer’s case was instructed to go through Jerusalem and put on a mark on the forehead of all who hated sin. I’m guessing the writer’s case included parchment, a quill of some kind, and ink. Instead of being fearful of a Mark of the Beast, I’m looking to be sure I have the Mark of the Righteous. How do I know?
In the Old Testament, before Jesus Christ went to the cross for our sin, a man or woman either followed or ignored the law. Those who followed God’s law were said to be righteous, and those who did not were referred to as the wicked. I’m assuming the man dressed in linen knew who was who as he walked through the streets.
What about you? What about pulling these questions into today’s times? Are you one who weeps and sighs because of the detestable sins being committed in your city, state, nation, and the world? Are you aware that sins that are so horrible; sins I will not speak of. Being done under your very nose?
Sometime in April of 2020, the Lord spoke something life-changing to me. He told me this, “I want you to look into the dark areas around you because I need you to know what has been happening under your watch.” I told the Lord I had an idea of what was happening and that I was afraid I would be overwhelmed with the evil and wickedness I would find. He urged me to open my eyes, take my head out of the sand, and see what I had avoided seeing.
So, I began a journey that I will not describe here. I began to search to find the answers to the horrible questions I knew God wanted me to know. I saw and heard things that broke my heart, made me sick, and made me wish the Lord had not asked me to see. But I obeyed Him. It is now with a broken heart over the deep, dark sin across this earth that I spend time in prayer, asking God to purge evil, bring repentance and have mercy on those who are His.
A few months ago, a phrase came across my view. That phrase was, “God woke you up for a reason.” And I know that’s true. I am part of the remnant. I am one who stands in my generation as both a sentinel and a beacon. The sentinel says, “You shall not pass!” and the beacon says, “This is the way God would have you walk.” God knows who I am because I have come into right relationship with the Father through the Son Jesus Christ.
I have a mark on my forehead. Do you? Do you want a mark on your forehead? Can I tell you a secret? You will have one mark or the other. Maybe the better question is, “Do you want the Mark of the Beast or the Mark of the Righteous?” I want to leave you with these two verses.
Joshua 24:14-15, “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” (NLT)
