What do you believe the mark of the beast is, or will be?
Revelation 13:16-17 foretells, “And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name” (NASU). The mark of the beast will be received by those who follow after the antimessiah/antichrist, and it will be required for them to conduct in commerce. Given the advent of modern technology and electronic transactions, it is reasonable to conclude that the mark of the beast will probably be some kind of microchip or biotechnology implant. There will be seemingly “logical reasons” given by global authorities in the future, for the necessity of such implants, including the dangers of identity theft and terrorism. Nevertheless, the eternal status of those who take the mark of the beast will not be a pleasant one:
“And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name” (Revelation 14:11, NASU).
