Reasonable Analysis...Re:Crazy Cult Beli.... (Score 1)

What almost all scholars agree on is that whoever the beast may be is irrelevant when one simply holds to the principles that the bible teaching when dealing with the beast as with dealing with anyone, thus finding the beast is pointless. Unfortunately, not all Christians are scholars and some like to draw shaky parallels and make accusations without merit.

Your "almost all scholars" are terribly missinformed. The specific scriptures regarding "finding the beast" state clearly that it is neither "pointless" nor "irrelevant". It is actually "wise" to do determine who the beast is and scripture even tells you how to determine who the beast is (calculate the number of his name), which you contradict readily without any references to back up your statement other than a vague reference to "almost all scholars", here's the scriptures your scholars would have to use as the basis of your arguement.

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It is not a good thing to get the mark. So avoiding this is important...

Rev 14:9-11
9 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,
10 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.
11 "And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name."

Being decieved by the beast and false prophet is directly related to recieving the mark.

Rev 19:20
And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone.

This says it's _wise_ to determine who the beast is.

Rev. 13:18
Here is wisdom Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.