#18 The Mark of the Beast, Part 1

From a letter by Ernest Graf.

In the beginning when the Apostles lived and many years after, Satan went about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he might devour. Those were the days of persecution when the saints had to seal their faith with their life's blood. Then it was easy to see the work of Satan. But the time came when he saw that he could gain more for his kingdom of darkness, if he would take on a form of religion where he could deceive the sons of man. In the thirteenth chapter in the Revelations we read of a beast which John saw rising out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns full of names of blasphemy; unto this beast the dragon gave his power, his seat and great authority. Now this is the Roman Catholic church, and the dragon which gave power unto the beast, except those whose names are written in the Book of the Lamb. Here is the patience and faith of the saints, for they endured untold suffering.

Then in the eleventh verse we read of another beast which came out of the earth. It looked partly like a lamb but its speech was that of a dragon. This is another deception. When the so-called reformers appeared a few centuries ago, it looked as if the power of Rome was to be broken. One of the heads of the first beast received a deadly wound, but it was healed again. The second beast exercises all the power of the first beast, for though it looked like a lamb it speaks the same language of the first, which is the language of the dragon.

These are the churches who, though unlike the Catholics in appearance, yet speak the same language and deceive the children of men. They have set their man-made traditions before the Word of God, thereby dishonoring Him. This is the great Harlot, riding upon many waters (religions). And so our brethren and forerunners in the faith who received light and understanding from on high, turned their back to this forever. They went out from among them and were separated, never again to touch the unclean things.