Is it not written that there is but one sin alone that endures with no forgiveness? For it is an eternal sin? Which is a sin that perpetuates even unto eternity. And, by the very same token, that every sin and blasphemy besides this solitary sin is by contrast therefore forgivable? Which tells us that every other sin is not necessarily an eternal sin. Which means that in the context of eternity, it can be wiped away and forgotten and blotted out. That both its truth and its consequence can have an end. Which means that neither its truth nor its consequence need ever persist for eternity. Which is that significant moment and event when the mercy seat of God calls such a sin not merely out of remembrance, but entirely out of existence. Which is when the potent finger of the Almighty God draws a line in the sand and says beyond this time you shall have no more authority or voice. But that this one other sin, on the other hand, can never be blotted out. That even the relentless sands of time are unable to hide it from existence. For it is an eternal sin.

     And of this singular sin, is it not true that it is written that this sin is the significant sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit? For does the Word of God not counsel, “Truly I tell you, all sins and blasphemes will be forgiven for the sons of men. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin.” [Matthew 3:26-30]. And yet is it not also written, “And a third angel followed them, calling out in a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image, and receives its mark on his forehead or on his hand, he too will drink the wine of God’s anger, poured undiluted into the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented in fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment will rise forever and ever. Day and night there will be no rest for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name”? [Revelation 14:9-11]. Does this then not mean that to take the mark of the beast is also an unforgivable sin? For surely if such a sin’s consequence be that “their torment will rise forever and ever”, that such a consequence is an eternal consequence? Which is a consequence completely without end? Which is a sin that cannot be forgiven, for its consequences are eternal? Thereby making the taking of the mark of the beast an unforgivable sin?

     But how, then, shall that be? For is it not written that only the sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin? And yet it is clear that the sin of taking the mark of the beast is unforgivable? How can this be? Unless it is so because taking the mark of the beast is somehow linked and connected to blaspheming the Holy Spirit? And is in fact the very evidence or the very fruit of blaspheming the Holy Spirit? For is it not written that every man shall be known by his fruit? Which tells us that if we are known by the mark of the beast, that the mark of the beast is a kind of fruit by which we can be known?

     And if this is true, is it not also true that we may be known by another kind of fruit? Which is to be known by another kind of mark? For is it not true that in all of life, there is always a spiritual counterbalance? That where there is dark, there is light? Where there is truth, there is the counterfeit of truth, being the lie? For if there is a mark of the beast, where the beast is the offspring of the evil one, surely there is also the counterbalance of the mark of the Lord too? For does it not say in the book of Revelation that the redeemed bear a seal on their foreheads? Where this seal consists of the name of the Father, and which shows that the redeemed belong to God (Revelation 14:1)? Does this not mean that the mark of the beast, therefore, will consist of the name of the evil one, and is to likewise be named as therefore belonging to the evil one?

     And is it not written that to everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven? And is there not a season and a time when the mark of the beast shall make its presence and its purposes known? And is that time and season not the time of the great tribulation? And is its purpose not to make known to all, all those who may be known by the name of their father, the devil? For does John 8:44 not say, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do”? But is it not also written in Revelation 9:4 that during the tribulation that all those who bear the mark of the Lord shall not be harmed? For is the mark of the Lord then not the spiritual counterbalance of the mark of the beast? And when the correct season and time comes, is the purpose of the mark of the Lord not to identify all those who may be known by the name of their Father? That they may not be harmed? Which is for such a season and a time as the great tribulation? For shall the great tribulation not be fraught with great tribulation like has never been seen before or since? Which is to say that all those who take the mark of the Lord, that they cannot also take the mark of the beast? Which is a case of one or the other. Just as with the two trees.

     So, then, rather than worrying about taking the mark of the beast, surely it makes much more sense to focus on ensuring that you receive the mark of the Lord instead? For if you receive the mark of the Lord, there is no way you can ever also take the mark of the beast. Which is precisely why the counsel of the Holy Spirit says what it does. “Therefore, brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble, and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” [2 Peter 1:10-11]. For if you receive the mark of the Lord, you will never stumble by taking the mark of the beast. And on that day when the fifth trumpet sounds, although there be those who will seek death, but will not find it, who will desire to die, but death shall flee from them, there shall be those who shall not be harmed, for they shall be all those who have the seal of God on their foreheads. And they will all receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.