Mark of the Beast (April 13, 16-17)

 Mark of the Beast (April 13, 16-17)

Fr. Cristoforo

NOTE:  All opinions expressed are not necessarily that of TradCatKnight's 

Going forward in reading the book of the Apocalypse is like entering a maze. Who has some smattering on the subject of the Bible knows very well that the language of this book is very cryptic and at times enigmatic. I think that only through prayer and a great Light of the Holy Spirit can one understand a small part of it. The Book of the Apocalypse of Saint John deals with the last times. 



Of what will happen in the imminent return of Jesus Christ. As you have noticed in this period I am analyzing with you some passages of the Old and New Testament that help us to better understand the reality we are living. It is impressive how these words are true and are gradually being realized before our eyes. It is not easy for me to write about these issues. In fact, I must first devote much time to prayer, not only to be enlightened, but also to be "protected" by Our Lady. Because when I prepare to write these lines, I am deeply attacked by the devil in every way. And only the prayer, and the statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe that I always carry with me, help me to carry out these reflections every time. I do not know how much the Lord wants to keep our blog alive. I therefore ask you to keep these biblical articles, because perhaps, one day, we will need them. I also state that I am nobody. I am a Priest by the grace of God, and surely the Lord is using my littleness to transmit, with all my limitations, His Word. In this context, the drafts also make sense. From the Vatican we know that they are not at all happy that we "blur" what happens in Santa Marta. But this too is part of our mission.
That said let's go to the piece in question. The text of Ap 13: 16-17 is this:
"Καὶ ποιεῖ πάντας, τοὺς μικροὺς καὶ τοὺς μεγάλους, καὶ τοὺς πλουσίους καὶ τοὺς πτωχούς, καὶ τοὺς ἐλευθέρους καὶ τοὺς δούλους, ἵνα δῶσιν αὐτοῖς χάραγμα ἐπὶ τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῶν τῆς δεξιᾶς ἢ ἐπὶ τὸ μέτωπον αὐτῶν, καὶ ἵνα μή τις δύνηται ἀγοράσαι ἢ πωλῆσαι εἰ μὴ ὁ ἔχων τὸ χάραγμα, τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θηρίου ἢ τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ ".
"It meant that everyone, big and small, rich and poor, free and slaves received a mark on his right hand and on his forehead, and that no one could buy or sell without such a mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of his name ".
The part that interests us is this: "ἵνα δῶσιν αὐτοῖς χάραγμα ἐπὶ τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῶν τῆς δεξιᾶς ἢ ἐπὶ τὸ μέτωπον αὐτῶν" - "receive a mark on the right hand and on the forehead".
Naturally here San Giovanni speaks of the "mark of the beast", which we will deepen more in another article analyzing the v. 18 where it is expressed in the number 666.
Now we are interested in understanding that this "brand" is the "seal of apostasy", which is received by those who serve "the antichrist", on the right hand and on the forehead.
We know very well that the devil always wanted to imitate God. And he turned his perversions trying to imitate God's Work. Saint John, being Jewish and well acquainted with the Old Testament, had this aspect very clear. Where is Satan wanting to imitate God with this "brand"? It is clearly explained in Dt 6,8, when the Lord gives His Law to Moses, and in the Shema (the Hebrew synthesis of all His Precepts) he recommends that His Words be bound in the "hand" and in "half. to the eyes". More precisely, the Hebrew text is: "וּקְשַׁרְתָּ֥ם לְא֖וֹת עַל-יָדֶ֑ךָ וְהָי֥וּ לְטֹטָפֹ֖ת בֵּ֥ין עֵינֶֽיךָ:" - "You will tie them to your hand as a sign, they will be like a pendant between your eyes".
The Lord therefore recommends that His Law, His Truth, always be on the forehead and on the hand of His children. What does this mean? It means that God wants His Word, His Truth to always be in our thinking (between the eyes - forehead), and in our actions (hand). Our every thought and every action must have its Law as its foundation. This is the meaning.
In the same way, the devil wants his "mark", or his apostasy, to stand on the forehead and on the hand. That the thought of those who will serve him is "apostasy", and that even actions and therefore choices are the result of the same "apostasy".

Many have hypothesized that such "mark of the beast" could be a microchip placed in the wrist etc ... I do not favor this explanation. The mark is the apostasy itself, in the mind and in the actions. And as the "Seal of God" is visible from the thoughts and choices of a person, so the "mark of the beast" becomes visible from the "thoughts, choices and actions" of a person. Try to think only of yesterday's article of the Triveneto Priests (https://anonimidellacroceblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/16/migranti-ecologia-e-dolce-morte-i-contenuti-grotteschi-della-lettera- di-natale-dei-preti-del-triveneto-di-fra-cristoforo /), or to Monsignor Paglia who invokes the spirit of Pannella (http://www.lamadredellachiesa.it/mons-paglia-su-pannella-lo -spirit-of-mark-us-help-to-live-in-that-same-direction /), or to the General Father of the Jesuits who does not believe in the Word of God (https://www.the-body.co.uk/chies) / 2017/02/22 / news / arturo-sosa-abascal-synod-church-catholic-marriage-family-jesu-relativism-121886 /), not to think of Bergoglio who literally enthroned the statue of Luther in the Vatican (https : //www.antoniosocci.com/bergoglio-nel-giorno-della-madonna-fatima-oscurata-entrare-trionfalmente-vaticano-la-statua-lutero-piu-grande-eretico-un-santo-la-notte-h /), but I could mention a lot of them. They are "thoughts", "choices" and "actions" that indicate a profound "apostasy". It is the mark of the beast. It is visible. I think it's obvious to everyone.
The next verse (17) then says: "καὶ ἵνα μή τις δύνηται ἀγοράσαι ἢ πωλῆσαι εἰ μὴ ὁ ἔχων τὸ χάραγμα" - "and that no one could buy or sell without having such a mark".
In the time of the "beast" this "buy" or "sell" is very significant. I do not think it is to be understood simply with the purchase of material. But much more. One can have "free field" ONLY IF EMBRACES THE APOSTASY! How do you explain that many Prelates and even simple Priests, who manifestly manifest ERESIES of all kinds, continue to carry out their task, undisturbed and never resumed, continuing to sow errors, heresies and perversions? Who remains faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to the True Doctrine of the Catholic Church is persecuted, dismissed or isolated? Those who sow mistakes have "free field". Those who sow Truth are marginalized and persecuted. It is a reality that we now have before our eyes every day.
In my opinion, those who have the "mark of the beast" are very visible. And unfortunately also among simple faithful, who are deceived every day.
We just have to keep ourselves away from this apostasy. As I repeated several times in previous articles, the only way is to hold on to Jesus in the Eucharist. Holy sacrifice and Eucharistic adoration. Look for Holy Priests. Even if they are persecuted and isolated. Stanateli. Participate in their Mass. Listen to their advice. Because these will be the prophets of the last times. Those who will remain faithful to the Sacrifice of Christ.
The watershed will occur with the coming of the last draft. The day when Bergoglio decides to promulgate a "profession of loyalty" to his magisterium (https://anonimidellacroceblog.wordpress.com/2018/01/08/spifferi-parte-lvii-il-pericolo-dello-scisma-di- fra-cristoforo /). It will be at that moment that the True Consecrated will come out. Those faithful to Jesus.
Later I will prepare an article on the meaning of v. 18, if God wants it. Which concerns the name and number of the "beast".
Meanwhile, every comment, addition, completion is strongly appreciated.
Someone will think that they are from TSO. But I heartened that Word that says: "What is foolishness of God is more wise than men" 1 Cor 1:25.