Power to think does not mean safe choices. When martial law says I must die or submit to decree that designates where my loyalty and allegiance must lie the choice is between God and creature. Not many are equipped to wrestle with the options presented.

If there is going to be government enforcement of an allegiance test in my lifetime I want to be found in the likeness of Caleb and Joshua, saying no to a generation that refused to believe. I belong to a generation that woke up to British colonialism five decades ago and since then the wide lanes of the road to ruin have not seemed less attractive than they do today. My hat is on a high peg because my ancestors have been pioneers of greatness and integrity. I want to take my cues from two sources when martial law says I must die or submit to decree that designates where my loyalty and allegiance must lie. As long as protest and civil disobedience are possible I will let the daughters of Joseph and the three Hebrew boys light my way.

Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 9) he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 10)

Rev 14

Life, not merely livelihood, is at stake.  Eternal life is not at risk. If we know where Caesars exercise authority we are safe. Since we know the prince of the kings of the earth let us stand as God’s house.

15) And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16) And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,

Rev 13

The irreverent are afraid. The leaders of the commercial world are terrified at the prospect of executions producing heroes and the chaotic speculation about what the worship, image and mark of the beast are continues to deepen.