The mark of the beast is described in the following passage:
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.The mark of the beast will be some type of number that is assigned to people. It will be different than a credit card; it will be placed on the head or hand. I'm sure when a person will shop, or make financial transactions, a scanner will take their number and charge their account.
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.
(Rev. 13:16-18 NIV)
It is very possible that this system could be used in the near future, but it will not be the mark of the beast during the first few years that it is used. In order to confirm what the mark of the beast is, certain events need to occur prior to one's receiving it.
According to Revelation 13:1-15, the Antichrist will blaspheme God, do great miracles, begin to kill Christians, and give life to an image that will kill anyone who doesn't worship it. Then the Antichrist will demand people worship the beast and take the mark of the beast.
If we had an opportunity presently to have charge card or checking account numbers imprinted on our hand or forehead, I don't believe it would be the mark of the beast. I say this because the Antichrist must be revealed, and commit the above mentioned atrocities, prior to any specific imprint becoming his mark.
Knowing what I do about the mark of the beast and the chronological order of events, I'm still not certain that I would ever allow a mark or implant on my hand or forehead before the Antichrist is revealed. I'm sure God will give us wisdom when the time comes.
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Joe Cameneti Sr. is the lead pastor of Believers Church, located in his hometown of Warren, Ohio. Pastor Joe, along with his wife Gina, pioneered Believers Church in 1983 following his graduation from Bible School.
In addition to leading a thriving local church, Pastor Joe is the host of a weekly show called "BCTV." The program is aired locally, reaching over 30,000 people each month.
Pastor Joe is a gifted communicator, skilled in the art of building bridges to unchurched America. Transparent and authentic, you'll walk away challenged and encouraged to connect with God in a deeper way.
