The Mark of the Beast

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. - Matthew 24:24

It [the beast] also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. - Revelation 13:16, 17

This pandemic reveals a lot about America. I never knew America could be frightened into giving up freedom simply with consistent propaganda. I always thought it would require bloodletting, but that isn't the case. Convince Americans that surrendering their freedoms will save their lives, and the war is over before it starts. That is what's happening right now. America as we once knew it is not too far away from extinction. If I had to guess very conservatively, I would say two more generations. It is the first major step to ushering in the end times and the rise of the antichrist.

This pandemic also showcased a notable first: the effort to insist ALL people in the world do something - namely, wear a mask. Of course, non-believers don't see anything special about this; people are just trying to protect their health, right? But as a believer, I see something different. For the first time, I see the entire world marked with something that shows compliance with an edict issued from a very small group of people.

If you ever have the opportunity to ask a person whether they would receive the mark of the beast predicted in the Bible, most likely they will either say "No way!" or laugh it off as ridiculous. I think with both responses, a person imagines some kind of evil dictator with lambent flames playing about his head coming at them with a branding iron.

But that is not what the Bible predicts.

No, the Bible predicts a charismatic leader that all the world will love and adore. He will bring peace and healing, at least initially. He will appear indomitable, a genius, the leader we've all been waiting for. In fact, he will seem like anything but the antichrist, and as a corollary, I think his mark will seem like anything but the mark of the beast.

I'd like you to have a look at a not so recent development. Go ahead. I'll wait.

Hmmm...how about that? Thousands of people getting microchips inserted...where was it again? Oh, yes...in their hands. They can exchange information...buy things with a wave of a hand. And why are they doing it? It's convenient. It makes life easier. No more keeping track of a stack of credit cards or bank statements - it's all stored on a tiny microchip. And it's safe. Much more difficult for identity thieves to practice their trade. And if you have an accident - bam! all your health information right at hand, so to speak. Plus, it's downright cool. Why, there's every good reason in the world to do it. Why wouldn't a person do it?

Here's how I think the road to the mark of the beast will unfold (this is NOT in the Bible). I think this biochip technology will continue to spread throughout the world. Within ten to twenty years, biochips will be as common and relied upon as cell phones. Cash will disappear. People will become accustomed to updating the chips in their hands to accommodate changes in data, function, or digital infrastructure, much like our cell phones. Of course, there will be a few who do not have biochips, like there are a few today who do not have cell phones.

But after years of these updates, one update will include utterly amazing functionality that will revolutionize the ability to "connect". Those steeped in biochip use will be able to access almost godlike abilities by today's standards. This update will be touted as the next major step in the evolution of man, and as such, it will be mandated for the good of mankind. It will be propagandized as the linchpin for the health, safety, and prosperity of the world, and those who stand against it will be looked upon as evil people standing in the way of human progress, germs to be disinfected. They will be killed.

And included in this wonderful, sensational update that will save the planet and humanity, will be a small little number code, probably barely even mentioned if at all, buried under the excitement of the final digital cure for man's woes. It will be a code of allegiance, a signature of the man who invented this panacea. It will be the number of the antichrist, the mark of the beast, and the entire world will clamor for it.

Those who believe in Jesus Christ need to stay watchful and vigilant. The time is short, and we do not know when the Master will come.

P.S. Someone reminded me of a previous post of mine posted two years before the Swedish microchip article. The actual exchange probably happened about nine years ago. If you're interested, it's right here.