Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

The Mark of Papal Authority

What does the prophet say this second ecclesiastico-political power will attempt to enforce upon all the people? BR-ASI9 198.1

“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.” Revelation 13:16. BR-ASI9 198.2

Note.—This mark, called in verse 17 “the mark . . . of the beast,” is set over against the seal of God in the book of Revelation. (See Revelation 14:9, 10.) BR-ASI9 198.3

What means will be employed to compel all to receive this mark? BR-ASI9 198.4

“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.” Revelation 13:17. BR-ASI9 198.5

Note.—That is, all who refuse to receive this mark will be boycotted, or denied the rights and privileges of business and trade, or the ordinary means of gaining a livelihood. BR-ASI9 198.6

What is claimed as the mark of papal authority? BR-ASI9 198.7

The setting aside of the Sabbath given by God in the fourth commandment—the seventh day—and the substitution of Sunday by the authority of the Catholic Church. BR-ASI9 198.8

Note.—“Ques.—How prove you that the [Roman Catholic] Church hath power to command feasts and holydays? BR-ASI9 198.9

“Ans.—By the very act of changing the Sabbath into Sunday, which Protestants allow of; and therefore they fondly contradict themselves, by keeping Sunday strictly, and breaking most other feasts commanded by the same church.”—Henry Tuberville, An Abridgment of the Christian Doctrine (reprint with approbation, 1833), p. 58. BR-ASI9 198.10

Since the Sunday sabbath originated with the Roman power (the first beast), to whom will men yield homage when, knowing the facts, they choose to observe Sunday, instead of the Bible Sabbath, in deference to compulsory Sunday laws? BR-ASI9 198.11

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey?” Romans 6:16. BR-ASI9 198.12

Note.—“The observance of Sunday by the Protestants is an homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the [Catholic] Church.”— Louis Segur, Plain Talk About the Protestantism of Today (1868 ed.), p. 213. BR-ASI9 198.13

The conscientious observance of Sunday as the Sabbath on the part of those who hitherto have supposed it to be the Sabbath, has, without doubt, been accepted of God as Sabbathkeeping. It is only when light comes that sin is imputed. (John 9:41; 15:22; Acts 17:30.) BR-ASI9 198.14

What does Christ say about our duty to the state? BR-ASI9 199.1

“Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” Matthew 22:21. BR-ASI9 199.2

Note.—The Sabbath belongs to God. Its observance, therefore, should be rendered only to Him. BR-ASI9 199.3

What special miracle is finally to be performed to deceive men, and fasten them in deception? BR-ASI9 199.4

“And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.” Revelation 13:13. BR-ASI9 199.5

Note.—In the time of Elijah, in the controversy over Baal worship, this was the test as to who was the true God—the God that answered by fire. (1 Kings 18:24.) Now, as a counterfeit test, fire will be made to come down from heaven to confirm men in false worship. BR-ASI9 199.6

To what length will this effort to enforce the worship of the image of the beast be carried? BR-ASI9 199.7

“And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause [decree] that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” Revelation 13:15. BR-ASI9 199.8