by Rich DuBose
To the destroying angels in the end-time, God says, “Do not harm the earth nor the sea nor the trees until we seal (mark) the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads” (Revelation 7:3, AMP). In other words, don’t let the earth spiral into total chaos until my people have been “sealed” or settled into their intentions to follow me.
Revelation speaks of a mark that will identifiy those who are opposed to God (who embrace hate, division, and selfishness). It is called the “mark of the beast,” meaning it will be an identifying characteristic or behavior of those who choose to go their own way. The beast is a nation or entity that elevates its authority above God’s sovereignty. It will attempt to speak on God’s behalf and force people to follow its dictates (see Revelation 14:6-14, NLT).
God’s seal is something people can experience and embrace that demonstrates their dependence upon him and their allegiance to him. It is oppositional to what the beast represents and causes anger among those who give power to the beast and who falsely believe they speak for God.
For many, the Sabbath is such an experience. In a world where people define their lives with non-stop work, profiteering and the accumulation of wealth, the Sabbath is an act of rebellion. Nobody stops what they’re doing to think about their origins, their responsibility to others, the earth, and God’s claim upon their lives, except those who long for a gentler, kinder kingdom that’s built on the principles of the golden rule (Matthew 7:12). Such people have inklings and longings for something the world can never give or produce.
Where We Are Headed?
In the Bible, the book of Revelation shows that a day is coming when pseudo religious people and entities will conspire to make the world follow their dictates. They believe they are doing God’s bidding, but will use the devil’s tactics. In their minds the end justifies the means, so they will use all the resources they can muster—their twisted views of God, their guns, religious rhetoric, civil laws, and lawsuits, to force compliance. Their goal is to strong-arm people everywhere to submit to their “kingdom agenda.”
When we reach this point, persecution and violence will be rampant, and the earth will be ripe for Jesus to rescue those who adore what he values—right-doing, civility, truth-telling, forgiveness and love. The rule of kindness is the foundation of God’s kingdom.
Jesus warned his disciples, “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues [churches], and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning” (John 16:1-4, NLT).
Rich DuBose writes from Northern California | Photo by Ivan S, with Pexels.
On the web at: richdubose.com. All Rights Reserved © 2025. Join me on Blue Sky @spiritrenew.bsky.social.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.