The Book of Revelation paints a picture that has been the subject of all kinds of speculation by the Christian Church throughout history. To discover the truth, Christians need only to turn to Scripture.
Today, with the advent of modern technology, conspiracy theories spread across the globe at lightning speed. This is especially true in regards to the conjecture surrounding the anti-Christ and the "mark of the beast" as related in Revelation. Many have stated that the mark refers to social security numbers, national ID cards or might even be delivered through vaccines. None of this is true says Dan Corner, Director of Evangelical Outreach. He recently had this to say:
As technology continues to advance and as we persist in hearing of wars and rumors of wars that Jesus warned about in Mt. 24:6, certainly many will wrongly think that the infamous mark of the beast is already out before it actually comes into existence. Such a view has also led to an unfounded anti-Christ conspiracy. The truth is, as of July 2019, neither the anti-Christ, nor the mark of the beast is here yet, even though the technology may be available for the mark. As you can be assured that one day the antichrist will be in global control, you can equally be certain that the mark of the beast will be issued on a worldwide scale at that same time. For this to occur, globalism will indeed lead to a one world government/organization led by the anti-Christ himself.
According to the Scriptures, the mark of the beast is received on the right hand or forehead. With modern technology, it is very possible that this mark may be directly linked to the RFID computer chip; whether it is or not, everyone who is living immediately before the return of Christ will be forced to take this mark in order to buy or sell anything.
Furthermore, the mark of the beast is a mark which refers to the anti-Christ, who is called the beast in Revelation. In fact, to be more precise, it is the number or name of this vile person who will get his power from the devil himself.
Please know that the mark of the beast is not any of the following: it is not the social security number nor is it the national ID card; it is not Sunday worship as the Seventh Day Adventists believe; nor will it be sneaked in a vaccine or some other medical procedure. There will be nothing hidden or secret about the mark of the beast when it comes out.
Rev. 13:15-18 reads: "He [the false prophet] was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man’s number. His number is 666."
Some people think that they will just be able to hide out from the anti-Christ in the woods or mountains, but even in the early 90’s there was technology to detect a campfire on earth from outer space. Now today, radar in the home can detect a person who is there just by his breathing alone; there will be no escaping the anti-Christ.
"If anyone is to go into captivity, into captivity they will go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed. This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of God's people" (Rev. 13:10).
Hence, this Bible warning applies to Christians; Christians will not be raptured out of here before things get tough and the anti-Christ comes to reign. There is no pre-trib rapture, and there is no Once Saved Always Saved; do not be deceived by the Left Behind series and other popular false teachers who claim otherwise. Do not believe anyone, no matter how prominent or smooth-talking, who claims that taking the mark of the beast is a sin that can be repented of and forgiven like others; that one act of disobedience and idolatry will damn your soul to the lake of fire, as is warned in Rev.14:9-12 by God's angel.
Regarding "that day" or "our being gathered to him" (2 Thess. 2:1), the Bible says:
"Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction" (2 Thess. 2:3).
"Finally, please remember this: If you receive the mark of the beast you will be tormented with burning sulfur" (Rev. 14:9-12):
A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name. This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.”
You must not take the mark of the beast, even if you have to die, which will happen sooner or later anyway. Victory over the anti-Christ and his mark is spelled out in Rev. 12:11. Memorize the following verse and act upon it!
"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
"Those who do take the mark of the beast were deceived by miracles performed by satanic power: But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur" (Rev.19:20).
"But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast" (Heb. 3:6).
"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Mt. 28).
"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21).
Fear God more than the anti-Christ; he is only a man who will one day be thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20 cf. 20:10)! Instead, strive to be faithful to the very end to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Dan Corner, a former pastor and ex-Catholic, is the author of a number of books including 'The Believer's Conditional Security: Eternal Security Refuted', 'The Myth of Eternal Security' and 'Is this the Mary of the Bible?'.
Dan is available for media interviews, including debates, and can be reached using the information below or by email at eternallifeblog@gmail.com, by phone at 724-632-3210 or by mail at PO Box 265, Washington, PA, 15301. His websites are https://www.evangelicaloutreach.org (EOMIN.org) and http://www.AlcanceEvangelistico.org (DBN-MIN.net) and http://www.EternalLifeBlog.com.
About Dan Corner:
After graduating from college, Dan Corner got saved by reading the Bible. For over four decades, he has diligently served the Lord Jesus. Dan Corner's pastoral, apologetic, counter cult and street evangelism experiences have equipped him to contend for the faith and win souls to Jesus from many backgrounds.
He is an ordained minister and director of Evangelical Outreach who pastored for almost seven years and has authored hundreds of Christian articles, answered thousands of emails and letters and has written several books of vital importance in our day.
Contact:
Dan Corner
eternallifeblog@gmail.com
EvangelicalOutreach.org (EOMIN.org)
AlcanceEvangelistico.org (DBN-MIN.net)
EternalLifeBlog.com
724-632-3210