Ellen Chat Conversation

Ellen White identified the mark of the beast as the "observance of the first day of the week" (8T 117.4), which she also referred to as the "papal sabbath" (LDE 224.1). This mark serves as a sign of allegiance to the papacy rather than to the authority of God. In her writings, Ellen White explained that the mark of the beast is the "opposite" of God's sign and "distinguishes those who acknowledge the supremacy of the papal authority from those who acknowledge the authority of God" (8T 117.4). She identified the "beast" itself as the papacy and noted that the "image to the beast" represents "apostate Protestantism which will be developed when the Protestant churches shall seek the aid of the civil power for the enforcement of their dogmas" (GC 445.2). By choosing to obey a precept that has "no higher authority than that of Rome," individuals "honor popery above God" (Ev 233.4). However, she clarified that no one has received this mark yet. It is only that the issue is "plainly set before the people" (Ev 233.4). At that time, those who "continue in transgression" by choosing the commandments of men over the commandments of God will receive the mark (Ev 233.4). She further noted that "not all in regard to this matter is yet understood nor will it be understood until the unrolling of the scroll" (LDE 17.2). For practical application, this counsel emphasizes that the mark of the beast involves a conscious choice of loyalty. Ellen White pointed out that and that whoever should "understandingly keep the law as thus changed would be giving supreme honor to that power by which the change was made" (4SP 279.1). The mark is received in the "forehead" or "hand," representing the mind's acceptance or the hand's outward compliance with human laws that contradict God's law (PH086 6.2). In conclusion, the mark of the beast is the sign of allegiance to human authority—specifically through Sunday observance—chosen in direct opposition to God's requirements once the truth of the Sabbath has been clearly presented and legally challenged. --- 💡 **You might also want to explore:** • What did Ellen White say about the "seal of God" as the opposite of the mark? • How does the "image to the beast" relate to the enforcement of the mark? • What is the role of the "beast with lamb-like horns" in enforcing this mark? --- 📚 **thousands of passages found** containing these search terms — [Explore in Full-Text Search](/advanced-search?q=mark+of+the+beast)