In the Book of Revelation the number “7” is one of the most significant numbers indicating completion. In the book of Genesis God made all in 6 days and he rested on the 7th as he completed creation. The judgments in the end consist of groupings of 7, there are seven seals, seven trumpets, seven bowls of the wrath of God, seven thunders. 7 is a number of completion. The numbers of judgment are broken into 7 and at the end of each 7th judgment begins another grouping of 7 more intense. In the book of Revelation we see the Beast claims to be God, and wants worship. Behind him is the power of the dragon, the Devil who wants to rule and control the world, And though he was created as the greatest creature in the universe he and mankind will find out that he can never replace God.

Those who study prophecy are aware that a man who is to be the false messiah who we call the antichrist is coming. That many false prophets and false Christ's that will precede and prepare the way for this ultimate deceiver who will be welcomed and recognized as a man of peace. He will be welcomed by the world because they will recognize what He is saying as the same things they have been taught by the Spirit or spirits they have been following. They will willingly allow him to lead them onto the road of peace that he will offer.

At the breaking of the first seal, John saw a white horse whose rider” went out conquering and to conquer” This is a counterfeit Christ, one that most scholars throughout history have called the anti-Christ. Contrary to what some think that this rider is actually Christ, all 4 horsemen are a judgment. They are not Christ plus three that destroy. They all are destructive. He has a crown as do many kings, he goes conquering throughout the world. Christ never told the Church to conquer, we have different riding orders. The Bible tells us the antichrist will conquer peacefully. At the breaking of the first seal, John saw a white horse whose rider” went out conquering and to conquer” Dan. 8:25 “And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.”

In Rev. 19:11-16 Jesus returns with all his saints from heaven on a white horse ending the tribulation. He does not ride on the horse in the beginning to conquer; it is the antichrist that does this.

There is much superstition today in the Church about the mark of the beast. Carefulness is exercised in credit cards to social security numbers . Some even claim it is the day one worships on. The reason this all fails logically and biblically is the penalty for receiving either the mark or worshipping the image. Killing is a moral command that no matter when it is broken it is forgivable, if one repents. However the taking of the mark is unforgivable, there is no repentance available for anyone who accepts it. Just as the sin of blasphemy for Israel at the time of Christ is unforgivable, this too at the end of time cannot be forgiven. So if it is worshipping on Sunday as some claim there is no way out.

There is a teaching  by some teachers that say they can be can tattooed from head to foot with the number called the mark of the beast it does not matter as long as I love the Lord. Well one would not receive the mark if they really loved the Lord. The Bible says that those who believe refuse the mark, the number or his name and are killed. If any man--receives the mark, the name or the number of his name- the wrath of God is theirs, they will have everlasting torment.  God    is warning us not to take this mark.

2 Thess.2 tells us he (Satan) will have all power, not politically but supernaturally to perform all signs and lying wonders. Rev. 13: 3-15 “He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.( fire in the Old Testament and new were related to the glory of God in the temple , at the transfiguration and at Pentecost, so he will counterfeit this) And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. (To my knowledge no pope has done any signs and wonders yet, Jesus said this would be his basis of operation Mt.24:24. Notice it states the whole earth makes an image of the beast, where would this be? 2 Thess.2 tells us it will be erected in the temple. The physical temple is to be in Jerusalem as Jesus tells those in Judea to flee when they see this event occur (Mt.24:15-16). It could not have taken place in 70 AD. as preterists state because he has told us in  Mt.24 the gospel of the kingdom is to first go out to the ends of the earth and 2 Thess.2 that the falling away comes first and this man sits in the temple declaring himself to be God. None of which happened during the early church, so there is a future fulfillment to this.

Revelation 13:16-17 tells us that he will have power to control and punish and it is linked to a future universal economic number which is the name, called the mark of the beast - “He causes everyone, both 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.” V.18 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.”

All the different types of people are included in this system. There are three pairs John contrasts: the small and the great, referring to position in society; the rich and the poor, referring to possessions and financial status; and the free and slave, referring to their legal/political status. This mark of the beast will be imposed on everybody throughout the world, with no exceptions. If you don't have the mark, you cannot buy anything and you cannot sell anything. He will enforce an economic system that will probably be welcomed by the population, especially if there is a financial crises and unrest in the world.

Rev.13:16 “He causes (the NIV translation says “He also forced everyone forces” by demand) all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, “the word on is epi within the context of Gr. It says “the hand of them, the right one or upon the forehead of them (the bible uses the word hand for anything from the forearm to the fingers. It says Jesus showed the nail prints in his hand yet we know this was in his wrist not the palm. In the head means literally on the actual forehead and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”(this is a personal mans name arithmos anthropou) This calls for wisdom. ( not speculation) If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number, His number is 666.”

G190 Thayer Definition:

1) upon, on, at, by, before

2) of position, on, at, by, over, against

3) to, over, on, at, across, against

Part of Speech: preposition

1) a stamp, an imprinted mark

1a) of the mark stamped on the forehead or the right hand as the badge of the followers of the Antichrist

1b) the mark branded upon horses

2) thing carved, sculpture, graven work

2a) of idolatrous images

Rev.13:18 the number we notice is a number of a man, not just a title, a role or a system. It is either the name- which is the name of the beast that is referring to a man. Here we see it say the mark is the name of the beast and his number which is equivalent to his name.

The mark has to do with worship of a person not of a day! 7th Day Adventists have a vivid imagination. Satan has always wanted to be worshipped as God, this is why he was first cast out from Heaven. It is a person and his image that will be worshipped.

If one cannot buy or sell I hardly think this would mean the day they go to church. considering our interconnected society today for one to have free ability to do commerce it must be something numerical or else how would we allow it. Vs.18 the number we notice is a number of a man, not just a title, a role or a system. It is either the name Which is the name of the beast referring to a man. also in gr. the number is a mans number, literally “is a man” and “the number of him” is hexa kosioi hexakonta hex .These are words of numerals which are in 3 groups = 600 ,6-10’s=60, and 6 adding up to 666. Food for thought, there may be significance that this is written out this way. In other words it does not indiscriminately add up to 666 but is added up in a specific way.

We are expected to (calculate) count the number of this man’s name to identify him! Robertson's Greek words says “The stamp (the mark) may bear either the name or the number of the beast. The name and the number are the same. They could write the name in numerals, for numbers were given by letters. Swete suggests that it was “according to a sort of Gematria known to the apocalyptist and his Asian readers, but not generally intelligible.” In other words one would probably have to be Jewish or know the Hebrew alphabet and its attached numerical system. Its not in Latin nor Greek but Hebrew that always had a numerical value to its letters.

Its not a card, its not a an empire, its not a day, its the number of a man. The beast is a man! That man has a name! His name has a numerical equivalent! Rev.13 warns of 3 things in relation to this, the mark which is some type of symbol. The name of the beast or the numerical value of his name. Revelation 13 tells us that no one will be able to buy or sell without the mark of the beast. Everyone is not be given different numbers but the same number, which gives them all the ability to make a living. Revelation 13 tells us it is the name of the beast, the number of his name and the number of a man, which equals six hundred and sixty six. The Hebrew language has always had a number assigned to the 22 letters in its Alphabet. By calculating this mans name in Hebrew you can identify who he actually is (Revelation 13:18).

“All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” (One is not a Christian who worships the beast because their name is not in the book of life. But we get our name in there by believing in Christ not by keeping the Sabbath! It also says all worship him, this word for all means-- ALL…just like all have sinned, not just many. But notice it says they worship a person not on a certain day, their is no day mentioned.

This number or name is something that is visible that is on the outside not on the inside, once taken their is no turning back. This will be something so evident that someone would literally have to climb over Jesus’ command to receive it. Rev. 16:2 “So the first angel went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.” They will be literally tortured for doing this. Can anyone actually think this has taken place already! Before anyone can conduct any of their daily business. All private and public transactions will require that all the parties have this mark. Those who do not have it will be subject to persecution.

Right now we can know who the beast is not. Until he is on the scene we cannot know who he is. There’s been a lot of speculations over the years which I don’t think we can take too seriously except to have some fun. I was sure some prophecy decoder would figure this number in with Y2K. but it did not happen.

The UPC bar codes are generally divided into two parts by three bars, one at the beginning, one at the end, and one in the middle. These bars may be longer than the numbers, but they may look the same as one of the codes for the number six. Some bar codes do have the number 666 built into it. This may or may not be significant sometime in our future since no one may buy or sell without the number. Time will tell on this one, lets not make it happen before it really does.

The issue in this future story is that of worship of a creature, not God. People must vow their devotion to one whose ministry is greater than any of the other false Christ's who came before or is now present. Those ministries which are marked with signs and wonders that lie, his will be greater so people will allow either his name, or the number to be placed on them as a symbol of their allegiance.

So what exactly is the Mark, It is the badge of allegiance for the followers of Antichrist, stamped on the forehead or right hand. The same as a scratch or etching, it is an engraving an impress, a stamped image, an exact copy.

Robertson's Greek words says” A Mark means to engrave, used in Acts 17:29 of idolatrous images, but in Rev. it is the brand of the beast on the right hand or on the forehead or on both. the ancient official business documents in papyri often have the same name and image of the Emperor, with the date as the official stamp or seal and with the charagma as the name of this seal. Animals and slaves were often branded with the owners name, as Paul (Gal.6:17) bore the stigmata of Christ. Ptolemy Philadelphus compelled some Alexandrian Jews to receive the mark of Dionysus as his devotees (3 Maccabess 3:29). The servants of God receive on their foreheads the stamp of the divine seal (Rev.7:3) Some believe John gets his metaphor from the Tephillim (phylacteries) which the Jews wore on his left hand and forehead. At any rate, this “mark of the beast” will be necessary for life and all social business relations. On the right hand, that is plain in sight. Upon their forehead (epi ton metapon).”

Whether it is put under skin does not matter as it is clear from the words it will be seen on the outside in some matter.

Strong’s Concordance GR. charagma, “a stamp” or “imprinted mark.” From the root word charrasso (to sharpen to a point; related to the idea of scratching); a stake, taw, “mark” Ezek 9:4,6. In Ezekiel's vision of the destruction of the wicked, the mark to be set upon the forehead of the righteous, at Yahweh's command, the man clothed in linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side, was told to mark upon their foreheads those whom God would save from judgment by His sheltering grace. Taw also appears as a ”signature made to a document,”

The equivalent Hebrew letter taw (“t”) in the Phoenician alphabet and on the coins of the Maccabees had the form of a cross (T). In oriental synods the T was used as a signature by bishops who could not write. The cross, as a sign of ownership, was burnt upon the necks or thighs of horses and camels. It may have been the “mark” set upon the forehead of the righteous in Ezekiel's vision.

Ezek. 9:3-7 “Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub, where it had been, to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed with linen, who had the writer's inkhorn at his side; and the LORD said to him, “Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it (here we see the mark is written by the man with ink).”

John seems to get his metaphor from the Tephillim (phylacteries) which the Jews wore on his hand and forehead. This “mark of the beast” is necessary for life and all social business relations. On the right hand, that is plain in sight. Upon their forehead (epi ton metapon).” Deut. 6:5-9 “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes (on the forehead) “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

This tells us about the Jews who made phylacteries, little boxes with scriptures inside which they would bind on their foreheads and on their hands, where people could see, and where they themselves could never forget it was Gods authority they were under. That they were to obey his word having it always before them. These little boxes had a piece of Scripture in them, and are still displayed outside their homes today. This practice is called a mezuzah where they kiss their hand and touch it as they go in and out of the house.

Instead of the word of God written on ones hand or forehead it will be the name or the numerical value of the beast. Clearly a challenge to God's word. Interesting that Bible says when people receive the Mark of The Beast they will be allowed to buy and sell so the mark is not present in our system yet ,without a prohibition first. But the mark itself is a sign of allegiance, an act of worship of Antichrist ( false Messiah). Its similarity to wearing phylacteries in the Old Testament and Ezekiel's inkhorn cannot be overlooked. It will be an admission that the wearer is under the authority of Antichrist, and gives his allegiance to his cause. We know as far back as the ancient Egyptians have marked their bodies with tattoos, cut marks into their skin, which is pagan ritualistic worship. The Torah teaches against such things, as the Lord specified to Moses in the law, Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks upon you: I am the Lord” (Lev. 19:27-28). Deuteronomy 14:1 further warns against cutting the body. Elijah confronted the 450 false prophets of Baal who performed this cutting of the skin as worship as they decided whose God was more powerful.

Considering the Old Testament warnings on cutting oneself or prohibitions of tattooing, The tattooing all over ones body today is preparing us for the marks acceptance. It’s no longer strange to think that one would take the mark on their body. Seeing how open we are today to cut ourselves and put pierced jewelry and rings in different parts of the body.

Rabbi Maimonides said, it was a custom with the Gentiles to mark themselves with their idols, showing that they were their bought servants, and were marked for their service.

Today there are all kinds of tattoos accepted and even in fashion, some quite hideous. I've seen people put them on their hands and in the middle of their forehead. We wear hats with names on them for teams, we wear T-shirts, even our cars have emblems. Christians have worn a cross to show who they follow, as well as T-shirts so this has become engrained in our culture. So it is not hard to make a leap to having some kind of computerized or engraved tattoo that will be a sign of allegiance to the new world orders new leader, the Devils substitute. Considering the OT warnings on cutting oneself or prohibitions of tattooing, it should not surprising that one would take the mark on their body seeing how open we are today to cut and put jewelry and rings in unlikely places and tattoo's all over our bodies. We are literally prepared to accept this. Today their are all kinds of tattoos accepted and even in fashion, some quite hideous, it is this spirit that we see moving mankind to accept a mark.

The New age Movements view on 666

In her book The Rays and Initiation, occultist Alice Bailey discloses that variations of the numerical 666 are “experienced” and “expressed” by the initiate on his path of ascendancy to the perfect state: “In an ancient book on numbers the INITIATE is defined as 'the one who has experienced and expressed 666 and found it naught; who has dropped the 6 and become the 66, and thus found himself on the Way; later, again, he drops the 6 and becomes the PERFECTED 6-FORM, the instrument and expression of spirit.”

Bailey states “the perfected 6-form” meaning the hexagram or six-pointed star. In the occult mystery religions, the hexagram is significant because the number 6 in astrology represents the god, Saturn. In astrology, the planets are considered to be gods.

Alice Bailey in her book A Treatise on (666) Cosmic Fire, on page 306 said that 666 “holds the mystery hid of one of the three heavenly men.” The Keys of Enoch, a New Age “Bible,” instructs the reader to use the numerical sequence 6-6-6 as frequently as possible. Use of the number is to attract “higher intelligence” from either another dimension or outer space to our planet.

What’s interesting is the mark on the forehead is relative to the third eye of illumination in the new age movement. Marilyn Fugueson has 666 intertwined on the cover of her book the Aquarian conspiracy -- personal and social transformation in the 1980’s. Some new agers actually invoke 666 to come in their meditations. They look it as part of the light bearer and that Lucifer is not bad as the Bible depicts him but is actually the illuminator. New ager David Spangler in his book Reflections on the Christ p.44-45 has said, Christ is the same force as Lucifer... Lucifer prepares man for the experience of Christhood. (He is) the great initiator.... Lucifer works within each of us to bring us to wholeness, and as we move into a New Age ... each of us in some way is brought to that point which I term the Luciferic Initiation ... for it is an invitation into the New Age.”

On the Art Bell program Benjamen Crème was asked about the anti Christ.

Barbara Marx Hubbard says, Each shall be “sealed” with the seal of the living God. This means that they shall be marked, visibly identified, first to themselves, then to others. This means that their inner eye in the forehead will be fully opened by this touch, henceforth awakening them from the womb of selfcenteredness (p.149 The Book of Revelation). the inner eye, in the forehead, is the place where most say illumination happens, it is a chakra seal recognized in Hinduism and the new age. Isn’t this amazing its right where God said it would be in the forehead; they call it illumination.

On May 13, 1997, United States Patent Number 5,629,678 was granted for a ``personal tracking and recovery system,'' consisting of a miniature digital transceiver -- implantable in humans -- with a built-in, electromechanical power supply and actuation system. These features enable the device to remain implanted and functional for years without maintenance. This transceiver sends and receives data and can be continuously tracked by Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology. Because of this technology put in place every person with a chip could be easily tracked by satellite. You can be seen where you are and what you are purchasing. 

Click here for more recent articles on the [new technology being used] to incorporate a global system

In 1983, 6,000 Swedes participated in testing an invisible laser identification mark on the back of their hand. With today's computers and scanners, it's easy to do. “Pay Point” debit cards are already very common in the U.S. eventually it will be easier to just scan your hand.

Bar codes can be stamped on peoples foreheads as we have seen on the cover of Time Magazine. Although numbers might even be tattooed on or implanted in us. The number that will be displayed on the hand or forehead will not be our individual number, but the Antichrist's. The physical taking of the Mark either on the forehead or on the right hand will merely signify what has already taken place spiritually in the heart. A willingness to serve the new system of mankind that will be a combination of unity with politics and religion.

Over four million people are already using a free small, portable transponder called Speedpass, that is used at fuel pumps and cash registers. Payment is automatically made and charged to the credit card or check card. It even knows what credit or check card you wish to use. You simply wave the Speedpass “wand” across the area of the pump or register that says “Place Speedpass Here.”

The computer software giant Microsoft has been granted exclusive rights to this ability of the body to act as a computer network. Two weeks ago the company was awarded US Patent 6,754,472, which bears the title: Method and apparatus for transmitting power and data using the human body.

The technology also raises the prospect of an array of sensors fitted around the body to monitor health...Some civil liberties groups have expressed concern over Microsoft's move. "Body parts, in this case skin, should not be in any way patentable," said Jim Thomas of the ETC group, which monitors developments in technology. "There are big questions here about whether individuals will be able to refuse this technology if it is used in, for example, tracking devices."http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1254860,00.html 

Numerous mass population identification and tracking systems have been developed, such as a surgically implanted chip or a transponder placed in a plastic wristband. This Identification and Tracking technology will be used in the Global order system for the global economy. Right now on the books the US has a patent for a number tattoo for everyone in America. There is also a patent for a digital transceiver chip called digital angel. This is a “implantable transceiver sends and receives data and can be continuously tracked by GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) When implanted within a body, the device is powered electromechanically through the movement of muscles, and it can be activated either by the ‘wearer’ or by the monitoring facility. A novel sensation feedback feature will even allow the wearer to control the device to some degree. The ‘smart’ device is also small enough to be hidden inconspicuously on or within valuable personal belongings” (On December 10, 1999, Applied Digital Solutions, Inc. (ADS) acquired the patent rights to this technology, which the company refers to as “Digital Angel.”) 

news articles with  chips/biometrics in humans

VeriChip, is similar to the biochips that have been used to identify pets and livestock for years.
Made by Applied Digital Solutions (ADS), the VeriChip stores six lines of text and is slightly larger than a grain of rice. It emits a 125-kHz radio frequency signal that can be picked up by a special scanner up to four feet away.
The company initially plans to market the chip in the United States as a medical device that would allow hospital workers to simply scan a patient's body in an emergency situation to access their health record.

The Jacobses, who live in Boca Raton, Florida, first heard about the microchip in a television news report. Derek, an eighth-grader who became a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer at
age 12, 'I want to be the first kid to be implanted with the chip,'“ He also fantasizes about merging humans and machines. Jeffrey Jacobs, who is severely disabled, was interested in the device for health reasons. So Leslie called up Palm Beach-based ADS and offered her family as guinea pigs once the microchip is approved for testing by the FDA.
Since the VeriChip was announced in December, the company has been bombarded with queries from people interested in the device, “Right now we have over 2,000 kids who have e-mailed, wanting to have the chip implanted,” he said. “They think it's cool.”

The VeriChip is awaiting FDA approval in the United States, the company recently announced a deal to market the chips to potential kidnap victims living in South America, such as corporate executives. The device could be used to identify abduction victims who are unable to communicate with their rescuers because they are unconscious, drugged or, in a worst-case scenario, dead.

Of course this would also become necessary with all the abductions of children going on, they would want to have the chip for protection to track them. The company hopes to get a green light in the next couple of months. Also the threat of terrorism may bring a demand of a chip for protection of the people and finding who the terrorists actually are. Many people would not mind having a chip to replace their credit card or license. We are slowly being conditioned from tattoos to chips for a universal system that will benefit and insure all. It all makes sense from a the secular point of view.

More recent news on VeriChip - MEXICO CITY - “Borrowing from technology for tracking pets, a U.S. company on Thursday launched Mexican sales of microchips that can be implanted under a person's skin and used to confirm health history and identity.”

“The microchip, the size of a grain of rice, is implanted in the arm or hip. Hospital officials and security guards use a scanning device to download a serial number, which they then use to access blood type, name and other information on a computer.”

The microchip is already available in the United States, many hope it will alleviate concerns for Kidnappings, robberies and fraud. A chip costs $150 with a $50 annual fee. The scanning device and related software cost $1,200.

“In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration has said it would not regulate the implant as long as it contains no medical data. Thus, the information is stored in a separate database and not on the chip itself.”

“Antonio Aceves, the director of the Mexican company in charge of distributing the chip here, said that in the first year of sales, the company hoped to implant chips in 10,000 people and ensure that at least 70 percent of all hospitals had the technology to read the devices.”

“Company officials said they are working on developing similar technology that would use satellites to help find people who may have been kidnapped.”

(excerpts from New Chip Can Be Implanted in Humans By ALONSO SOTO JOYA Associated Press Writer July 18, 2003)

Under the heading Microchips: The New Surrogate Parents? July 29, 2002
 http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,58945,00.html
This article cites new devices that claim to help parents keep an “eye” on their children - even when they're not around.
The most controversial of these gadgets is an under-the-skin personal location device from Applied Digital Solutions. Using Global Positioning Satellite technology, a microchip surgically implanted in the body finds children and notifies parents of their whereabouts.
ADS says the device, which is the size of a wristwatch-face and may become even smaller, could be used to find kidnapped children, locate young kids who wander away from parents and track teens who participate in at-risk behavior.
“With an implanted device, the child doesn't have to remember to wear it. It can't be lost or stolen or stripped away. And it's totally concealed.”  
VeriChip has produced an under-the-skin, tamper-proof method of identifying one person against another for $200 plus $9.95 a month
Digital Angel is a wearable GPS device that indicates when a person has moved beyond certain preset boundaries. The alerts may be sent to cell phones, computers or pagers. The cost $399 plus $29.95 a month.
Many feel these devices are nothing short of miraculous. America's Most Wanted host John Walsh, whose 6-year-old son was kidnapped and killed in 1981, said on Larry King Live GPS could be “lifesaving.” 

Yes it makes sense to do this when one does not know where it is heading to.

On May 10, 2002 vision met reality as it became the official day for the chip to be implanted in humans.

The technology is already here, and it is all working toward the time when a certain individual will bring all the economic and religious concerns together. Remember the true mark is tied to the name of a word ruler who comes in on the platform of peace. We may see this system implemented in a primitive way before the Lord comes for His church. We should be aware of this and realize we are racing toward the time of the tribulation. Our part is to do the will of the Lord as we see evil increasing all around us.

As the mark will definitely be issued one day, Scripture declares, the eternal fate of all who receive that mark will also be sealed! To take this mark will prove you are not in the kingdom of God, written in the lambs book of life. Those who do will suffer eternal torment over this single act of disobedience, according to Scripture! The specific generation at the end will be tested like no other.

The saved those whose names are written in the lambs book of life will be with Jesus forever and see all the wonders God has in store for them throughout eternity. The time to make a decision for Christ is now before it becomes a test of giving your life and find yourself in the tribulation period.

The Rolling Stones sang a song “time is on my side,” have you seen how they look lately. Time is not on their side! The Bible says today is the day of salvation, the Devil always says tomorrow. Time is not on our side and it is rushing to its inevitable outcome in the future that God foretold through the prophets. Don't put off today for tomorrow, don't assume there will be one.

As Jeremiah writes in 12:5 “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you run with horses? And if in the land of peace, in which you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?

If one cannot see their need for being rescued from sin and make a decision to follow Christ in the time we live now, how will they decide when the whole world is going the other way. In the tribulation period you will literally will have to give your life to gain eternal life as the Beast kills the believers.