Do You Bear the Mark? - The Watch Letter

In the time of tribulation, aka the end times, the mark of the beast will be displayed on those who will be deceived and give their allegiance and worship to the antichrist. Even some who turned to God will give in to the temptation to have the right to buy and sell in the economy rather than stand for Christ and against evil (Revelation 13-14).

No one wants to believe they will accept that mark.

But the possibility is there if we don't arm ourselves against that mark now and teach those who come after us to do the same.

That armor is choosing to accept the mark of Christ by how we live.

Recently, our pastor and prophet, Chief Apostle H.C. Gunn, shared that the mark of a Christian is to be willing to give up your rights like Jesus did.

How can the temptation of the enemy be overcome unless we choose to deny ourselves?

Chief Apostle Gunn has taught us that it is in prayer, time with God and His Word, and with a sincere heart and obedience, that we surrender our rights.

We cannot surrender when we think we are entitled to anything or want to do things our own way. Learning this is helping me to let go and release, even as I type this.

In the context of the mark of the beast, we have to decide if we want the right to have what we want or think we need, or if we want to be with and serve the Lord more.

When talking about the mark of a Christian, Chief Apostle Gunn explained that giving up our rights also means continuing to face opposition by standing with God no matter what and how that opposition makes us feel — whether that opposition is in our homes, relationships, jobs and finances, schools, politics, society, and communities.

We have to ask ourselves in every situation: Is getting what we believe we are entitled to, or even what would make us feel better and justified, going to glorify God and help someone be won to Christ?

Chief Apostle Gunn also said you can’t surrender your rights if you don’t listen.

You have to be taught what to do when you face opposition. You have to listen to God’s urging, voice, Spirit, and His messenger when you face opposition. But when we get so consumed with having what we think is owed to us or refuse to relinquish our rights, we turn a deaf ear.

Jesus is our greatest example. He was abused, accused, disrespected, rejected, ridiculed, and belittled — but he obeyed God to the very last breath on the cross. He gave up His right to call for the angels to come get Him. He gave up His right to be angry with those who abandoned him and His own community, who cheered for His crucifixion. He gave up his right to be treated as king. He gave up the perfection of his heavenly body to carry and feel our pain, grief, sorrows, and sickness.

When you can give up your rights, you can deny yourself like Jesus did. And if you can deny yourself, you are able to choose to take upon your body the mark of Christ and not the mark of the beast.

In Galatians 6, the Apostle Paul said:

• Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

• If a man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

• Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

  
  

He also said in Galatians 6:17: “From now on let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”

He made himself a bondservant to the Lord. He remained humble and without his own agenda, even though he knew he would be scourged, imprisoned, and shamed for the cause of Christ. His life displayed the marks of self-denial and of Christ, by decreasing the importance of his desires and even needs, so the Lord could increase in the hearts of men.

Chief Apostle Gunn reminds me of Paul. For more than two decades, I have watched him literally lay himself down on the coldest, hardest floors so that others may be lifted up, so that God can be elevated. He has given up homes, cars, money, family time, friendship, recognition, and retribution for the cause of Christ. And by his example, he teaches others to do the same.

This is the mark of Christ.

What mark do you — or will you — bear?

1 Corinthians 8:9: “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to them that are weak.”

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