The War Against the Cross: How Religion Opposes Christ and Ushers in the Mark of the Beast

1. The Foundation: Salvation Is Christ’s Work Alone

The good news of the gospel is not about what you do—it is about what Christ has already done.

“Now I am making known to you, brethren, the evangel which I bring to you, which also you accepted, in which also you stand, through which also you are saved… that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was entombed, and that He has been roused the third day…”
—1 Corinthians 15:1–4

This is the gospel—not an offer, not an invitation, but a declaration of what Christ has done for mankind. His death for sins, His burial (proof of death), and His resurrection (proof of victory) are entirely sufficient. Nothing more is needed. No works. No decision. No response. No law. No religion.

“For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this is not out of you; it is God’s approach present, not of works, lest anyone should be boasting.”
—Ephesians 2:8–9 (CLV)

The salvation of mankind is not co-authored with man. It is the complete work of God through Christ. Paul says even faith is not of ourselves, but “God’s approach present.” You didn’t conjure it up. You didn’t choose. You didn’t qualify. You were given it, as part of God’s plan.

2. Christ Will Save All—In Time

Contrary to popular teaching, Christ didn’t die just for those who “accept” Him. He died for all.

“For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified.”
—1 Corinthians 15:22

All humanity is born into death through Adam—not by choice. In the same way, all will be made alive in Christ—again, not by choice. God is not asking permission to save. He intends to save.

“For this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Saviour, God, Who wills that all mankind be saved and come into a realization of the truth.”
—1 Timothy 2:3–4

“We rely on the living God, Who is the Saviour of all mankind, especially of believers.”
—1 Timothy 4:10

“Consequently, then, as it was through one offense for all mankind for condemnation, thus also it it through one just award for all mankind for life’s justifying.” —Romans 5:18

If Christ only saves a few, then He is not the Savior of the world—He is the Savior of the responsive. But the Scriptures say He is the Savior of all. Believers are especially saved now (in this age), but ultimately, all will be saved.

“For God locks up all together in stubbornness, that He should be merciful to all.”
—Romans 11:32

3. God Is Sovereign. Man Does Not Have Free Will.

The reason this plan works is because God is in absolute control—even over man’s will.

“For to be disposing is man’s heart, but from Yahweh is the answer of the tongue.”
—Proverbs 16:1

“The heart of the king is channels of water in the hand of Yahweh; wherever He desires, He shall turn it.”
—Proverbs 21:1

“For it is God Who is operating in you to will as well as to work for the sake of His delight.”
—Philippians 2:13

Every decision, every belief, every step in your journey—God is the One working it. Free will is a myth, a lie of religion meant to make you think you play a part in your salvation. But Scripture declares the opposite: God causes all things to work according to His counsel (Ephesians 1:11), and man is subject to God’s will, not his own.

4. Religion Opposes Christ

Religion says, “Do this and live.” Christ says, “It is finished.”

Religion—whether Judaism, Islam, Catholicism, Evangelicalism, Mormonism, or any works-based sect—always teaches that man must do something to be saved:

• Obey the law
• Believe hard enough
• Repent enough
• Confess enough
• Get baptized
• Stay holy
• Make a decision for Christ

This is anti-Christ.

“Are you so stupid? Undertaking in spirit, are you now being completed in flesh?”
—Galatians 3:3

Paul fiercely rebuked the Galatians for mixing law with grace. Any time you add a requirement to salvation—even your response—you pollute the gospel. The cross becomes insufficient, and you become the savior.

“If it is by grace, it is no longer out of works, else the grace is coming to be no longer grace.”
—Romans 11:6

Grace and works are mutually exclusive. If your salvation depends on your response, then Christ did not do enough. You finish what He started. And this is blasphemy.

Religion puts the focus on what man must do. The gospel puts the focus on what Christ has done. One is freedom. The other is bondage.

5. The Mark of the Beast: Enforcing Access to God Through Law

With this understanding, consider the mark of the beast not just as a physical implant or economic ID, but also as a symbol of religious enforcement. It represents a system of law-based control, where access to life or acceptance is conditioned on obedience to man-made rules.

“And he is making all… that they may be giving it a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and that no one may be able to buy or sell except the one having the mark…”
—Revelation 13:16–17

This is about control—economic, social, and yes, spiritual. The antichrist is not just some evil dictator. He is likely a religious figure, demanding loyalty and law-observance to access “God,” promising life through obedience.

What better way to deceive the masses than to make salvation appear holy, legal, and earned?

“Having a form of devoutness, yet denying its power…”
—2 Timothy 3:5

What is the power of devoutness (godliness)? It is the cross. To deny the power is to deny that Christ’s death, entombment, and resurrection are enough. And that’s what religion does every day.

So if the mark of the beast enforces access to life through law, it is in direct conflict with the gospel, which declares:

“I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one is coming to the Father except through Me.”
—John 14:6

The way to God is not by your hand (law) or your forehead (belief)—but by Christ alone.

6. Conclusion: Trust in Christ Alone

Religion teaches that salvation depends on your choice, your obedience, your faith. But Scripture teaches that Christ is enough—and not just for you, but for all.

Let go of religion. Let go of effort. Let go of fear. And behold the glory of a Savior who needs no help.

“For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified. Yet each in his own class… thereupon the consummation… that God may be All in all.”
—1 Corinthians 15:22–28

When Christ has finished His work—and He will—there will be no more religion, no more separation, and no more law. Only God. All in all.

Bottom Line:
If you know you are saved solely by Christ’s finished work on the cross—and that no one can take it away, not you, not your pastor, not the antichrist, not the law-keepers, not anyone—then you won’t bow to any law or religious system that claims to offer salvation. Why would you? You already know salvation is complete in Christ.

But those trapped in the delusion that salvation depends on their own law-keeping will be the first to bow to the antichrist’s demands. When you think your works secure you, you’re vulnerable to any counterfeit that promises “God’s approval” in exchange for obedience. True faith in Christ’s finished work is the only safeguard against that deception.