Lost and Finding Joy

About 15 years ago, one of our sweet customers always greeted us the same way. We would say, “Good morning, Art. How are you today?” He would often answer by saying, “I’m walking with the Spirit, so I’m not tempted by the flesh.” We loved that response. We still quote it to this day. Those words feel oh so much more critical today. There’s no time left to stay lukewarm with spiritual things. We need to be walking with the Spirit — daily.

Everyday feels like we’re moving closer and closer towards something that’s been revealed by John the Apostle:

Revelation 13:16–18.

“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” (Revelation 13:16–18)

The beast represents a powerful worldly ruler or empire that opposes God. The crazy thing is, we learned about these types of rulers in the 80’s in History class. Back then I didn’t understand why so many people would follow evil leaders like that. After living the past 55 years, I understand more.

I was born during a time that most people cared about other people. If they didn’t care, they at least acted like it. We were taught to share and be polite to each other. We were taught to live and let live. We were free to choose, to do, and to believe what we wanted; as long as we didn’t infringe on anyone else’s rights to do the same. We were taught to “do unto others as we would have them do unto us.”

Over time I’ve seen teachings of a loving God slowly disappear from society. I’ve seen truth being distorted. What was right is now considered wrong, and what was wrong is accepted in society as right. This has led us away from unity, peace, kindness, compassion, and love for one another.

When we removed God from society, we removed love from society:

1 John 4:7–8 (KJV)

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

📖 1 John 4:16 (KJV)

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.”

Going to church used to be something families did together, but now it’s not as common. I, too, temporarily drifted away from the church I was raised in. I listened to the worldly viewpoint, and began to see “religion” as just a set of rules. I reasoned that God was bigger than any single religion. And He is. However, this way of thinking moved me away from some of the morals, values, and habits I used to have. Instead of making me happier, or more peaceful, I became restless and less disciplined. This change happens gradually, without flashing signs telling you that you’re getting away from your spiritual side.

Since returning to my church, I’ve felt more spiritually connected to my Savior, Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. I’ve learned that our spiritual connection grows stronger when we feed it. It grows when we decide to take a break from the challenges of the world each week. Spirituality increases when we listen to the simple teachings of the gospel. Spirituality also comes through singing hymns, partaking of the sacrament, reading and pondering scriptures, and observing the Sabbath.

As a youth, I couldn’t understand how it was possible that so many would follow an evil ruler. Accepting the mark of the beast seemed incomprehensible to me.

I can see it clearly now.

We have been inundated with distractions. Cell phones and other devices know how to draw our attention. They lure us into a trance. They steal our peace. They evoke fear, violence, immorality, and more. All of these distractions have been blinding us, and continue to blind us further.

We have lost the knowledge and understanding that we are children of a loving Heavenly Father.

We ignore the true purpose of life. We don’t think about why we are here or where we are going after this life.

We think it’s all about this world. It’s all about status, comfort, and stuff.

We have lost the understanding that peace is found by developing a relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. We also lack understanding that true comfort comes from this relationship.

We seem to have forgotten that this life is just a brief moment compared to eternity.

When we remove the light from society, the darkness sets in. Just like it says in Ephesians:

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
— Ephesians 6:12

The mark of the beast is coming soon. We are already seeing implants being put into people’s hands to unlock cars, purchase groceries, and enter locked buildings. We can clearly see the technology advancing towards exactly what it says in Revelations 13. As I write this, there is a UK government-mandated plan to require Digital ID for employment in the near future.

This technology sounds a lot like it’s advancing quickly towards not having the right to buy or sell without it. I’m not saying Digital ID is the mark of the beast. I’m saying that it’s a slippery slope.

I do believe we are moving closer and closer to the mark of the beast. It is more important today, and growing increasingly imperative, to understand the true purpose of life — why we are here and where we are going. This place is temporary. Do we choose to accept the mark of the beast for temporary “comfort;” or do we choose faith and trust in our Savior, Jesus Christ and make decisions based on an eternal perspective?

Once we choose the mark of the beast, I believe it will completely disconnect us from our Spiritual side. It will make it impossible to communicate with God.

Revelation 14:9–11 — A warning not to take the mark

“If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God… and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.”

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📖 Revelation 20:4 — The reward for those who refuse the mark

“And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God,
and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image,
neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands;
and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”

It’s imperative that we realize time is running out. Life on this earth is temporary. Now, more than ever, we must walk with the Spirit. This way, we’re not tempted by the flesh, nor are we blinded by it!

~Many Blessings to You and Yours!