Tim LaHaye's False Doctrines About Taking the Mark of the Beast

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Tim LaHaye's False Doctrines About Taking the Mark of the Beast

Tim LaHaye: It Appears Christians Will Not Have the Mark of the Beast
Introduction:

Tim LaHaye is teaching some alarming doctrines concerning the mark of the beast via his non-fiction books.

Among these teachings are:
The Bible only appears to teach that during the Tribulation those who do not worship Antichrist will not have the mark of the beast.
The Bible is ambiguous about whether the Mark of the Beast is final.
The Bible is not clear that he who receives the Mark of the Beast will not be forgiven.
Each of these points is addressed under its own subheading below.

Tim LaHaye Says the Bible is not Clear about Whether Those Who Don't Worship the Beast Will Have the Mark of the Beast

The Tim LaHaye Prophecy Study Bible: King James contains a dangerous statement by Dr. Tim Lahaye. He wrote that it appears that those people who refuse to worship Antichrist will not have the mark of the beast upon them. He is teaching that scripture is not perfectly clear that Christians will not have the mark of the beast.

Let us examine Tim LaHaye's statement in context:

"The 'mark of the beast', which the False Prophet will require of all people, will bring the entire world into a global economy, a world government, and a world religion. In order to buy or sell, every person will have to have this mark on his or her forehead or right hand for identification. In Revelation 13:8, we are told that some will refuse to worship Antichrist, and it appears that these will not have the mark upon them." (Tim LaHaye Prophecy Study Bible: King James pg. 1387)

In this context, appear means to have an outward aspect. Tim LaHaye is saying the Bible has only the appearance of teaching that the saints of God (who are the only ones who will not worship the beast) will not have the mark of the beast. He is taking absolute truth—the Holy Bible—and making it relative.

What the Bibles states is absolutely true; it does not merely have the appearance of being true. Tim LaHaye's statement that it appears that Christians will not have the mark [of the beast] sends the message that the Bible is unclear or even relative on the subject of the mark of the beast.

Relativism, or the belief in no absolute reality, is the New Age way to present "truth." Relativism means that "what is true for you is your truth, and what is true for me is my truth." Tim LaHaye's use of the word "appear" in conjunction with a straightforward bible doctrine gives the impression that he advocates a New Age way of arriving at truth, which is not truth at all. Tim LaHaye's remarks pave the way for God's people to rationalize taking the mark of the beast, because he is indicating that the bible's teaching on this matter is only indicative of possible truth.

Tim LaHaye is Not Sure if the Mark of the Beast is Final

Tim LaHaye also made the serious doctrine of a Christian having the mark of the beast doubtful in his book, Revelation Unveiled:

"It may be that believers will have the mark of God on their foreheads, whereas unbelievers will feature the mark of Antichrist. I am inclined to believe both marks are final." (Revelation Unveiled page 150)

I will quote him again emphasizing his deliberate choice of words which turns absolute truths into uncertainties:

"It may be that believers will have the mark of God on their foreheads, whereas unbelievers will feature the mark of Antichrist. I am inclined to believe both marks are final." (Revelation Unveiled page 150)

Tim LaHaye, an evangelical preacher whose teachings regarding the mark of the beast are alarmingly at odds with Scripture, has stated that it may be that believers will have the mark of God, and it may be that unbelievers will feature the mark of antichrist. Does the Holy Bible teach that such things may be? Is the word of God unclear about the doctrine of the mark of the beast? No.

Please note the New Testament uses the word "seal" of God, and this seal which the Bible does not indicate is visible, is given to the 144,00 of all the tribes of the children of Israel. (See Rev. 7:5)

The Bible does teach that all Christians are sealed with the Holy Spirit, so in this respect we have the seal of God. Unbelievers will be marked with the mark of antichrist, and this mark will be final, not may be final. Why is Tim LaHaye trying to place doubt into the Christian reader's mind about this most eternally serious doctrine in his non-fiction books as well as in the Left Behind Series?

Tim LaHaye wrote that he is "inclined to believe" that both marks are final. The Bible straightforwardly reveals that the mark of the beast is definitely final:

"if any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."--Revelation 14:9-11

In the following verse God made it positively clear about what Christians must do when the lost are receiving the mark of the beast and thus sealing their doom forever:

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."--Revelation 14:12

It is obvious that having the mark of the beast is not keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The Scripture leaves no room for any doubt as to the fate of anyone who takes it.

Tim LaHaye is Not Sure if Receiving the Mark of the Beast is an Unpardonable Sin

Let us look at Tim LaHaye's mixture of truthful and erroneous teachings regarding the mark of the beast in his book, Are We Living in the End Times? In reference to Christians during the Tribulation, he wrote,

"But they should understand this: Once the choice is made, it is eternal!" (Are We Living in the End Times? page 198)

Dr. LaHaye referred to receiving the mark of the beast in this quotation. This sounds right, and it is right. However, he inserted leaven only three sentences later. Tim LaHaye belied his previous statement by reverting to the word appear again when referring to whether receiving the mark of the beast is permanent:

"It appears that receiving the mark of the Beast is an unpardonable sin—which is why we should warn the unsaved never to consider taking that mark or worshiping the Antichrist." (Are We Living in the End Times? page 198)

The Bible does not appear to teach that taking the mark of the beast is unpardonable and irreversible. The Bible makes it clear that it is unpardonable and irreversible! The Bible is true; it does not merely appear to be true. Let God be true and every man that says God only appears to be true, be a liar.

Also, I must remind you that people who have received a gospel witness prior to the revealing of "That Wicked" (the man of sin) and refused to love the truth will believe the lie and be deceived into taking the mark of the beast. God will send them strong delusion to do so, as recorded in 2 Thessalonians, chapter two.

Warning the lost— who have knowingly and deliberately rejected Christ to the point of the revealing of "that Wicked"— not to take the mark of the beast is probably fruitless. The bible says they will be damned because they received not the love of the truth so that they might be saved. Right now, while it is still day (before the Tribulation begins,) we must witness to the lost and warn them that the mark is coming, and urge them to repent and believe the gospel.
Tim LaHaye, in violation of the inerrant, immutable Word of God, is introducing doubt regarding the mark of the beast and making it seem as if it only appears that receiving this mark is an unpardonable sin and unforgivable sin. Who is the author of this confusion? Jesus or Satan?
Related Article:

Tim LaHaye's False Doctrines About Taking the Mark of the Beast in His Book Are We Living in the End Times? (they parallel the teachings in his fictional book, The Mark)