It is amazing to me that everything happening in our world has been so perfectly prophesied in God's infallible Book. Nothing occurring on the world scene is an accident. Our Sovereign God is orchestrating our course toward His plan. It will be perfectly fulfilled; therefore, the only source on which you can rely is the Holy Bible. Does the Bible instruct us about a mark or identification that will be worldwide and that will be used to secure all transactions and business deals? It certainly does.

"Global" has become one of the biggest words in the Economics of our world. Every business with much of a dream is talking global. A global economy demands a global identification. We already have such an idea in our credit cards. I paid for five long distance telephone calls to my wife from Iraq (over $200) when I visited the rebuilding of Babylon. I paid for them with a credit card. They were happy to get my US dollars. But, remember, credit cards are being falsified by the millions and we need something that cannot be falsified so easily.

The "Mark" - A Global Standard
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself was given by His Father the revelation that we call the "Book of Revelation." The word "revelation" means "to take the cover off." It is His unveiling of His coming glory. The book was introduced with these words, "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him (Jesus Christ), to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John." (Revelation 1:1). This book is the last words that Jesus sent His church and is plainly given to set the course of the end.

What did Jesus tell us about the "mark" that is coming upon the whole world? He described three ominous creatures: a dragon, which is Satan; a beast out of the sea, which is Antichrist; and a beast out of the earth, which is Antispirit. The third beast is the creature that is to take control of the world by requiring identification and worship. The Lord's description of this third creature, his powers, and his control sets the text for this article.

"And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six." (Revelation 13:15-18).

It is important to clarify that a worldwide method of identification is not the "mark" itself. It is a means of identification and such methods will develop and continue to grow more sophisticated and acceptable. We must understand that the system the Antichrist and the Antispirit uses will already be developed and growing in acceptance before the deceivers arrive on the scene. All that is happening is preparing the way for the man of sin and his co-equal false prophet. I call this false prophet the Antispirit because he will do for the Antichrist the imitation of what the Holy Ghost has done for the kingdom of Jesus Christ.

The Mark "In" Your Right Hand or "In" Your Forehead
This is a remarkable statement. It is not just something tattooed on your skin. It is a mark "in" your very person and flesh. The King James Bible is the only noted English translation of Scripture that translated the original words in Greek "in" your right hand or "in" your forehead properly. Let's look at a few other translations:

NIV: "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." (Revelation 13:16).
RSV: "Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead." (Revelation 13:16).
NKJV: "He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads." (Revelation 13:16).

The original Greek word "epi" was translated "on" in many translations, but was translated "in" by the scholars for the King James Bible. It has a variety of meanings, some of which are "upon, on, at, by, before" or in rare cases "in." In Romans 6:21 and Titus 1:2, it is translated "in." Let's note those words, "What fruit had ye then in ("epi") those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death." (Romans 6:21) "In ("epi") hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." (Titus 1:2) Clearly this word can be translated either "in" or "on" depending on the context.

When we look at the developing methods of identification, to put a mark "on" the right hand or forehead would not make any sense at all. There would be an unending list of people ready to falsify a tattoo or an external mark on your skin. Our present world scene demands a mark "in" the skin by a method that cannot be easily forged. What's amazing is that such a method is being tested even as I write. In fact, the idea of a mark "on" the skin is so outdated today that it is juvenile to even give it consideration.

The "Mark" is More Than a Mark
The idea of this mark is clearly connected to the worship of the Antichrist. The fact that the word "worship" is embodied in this text and that miracles are an intimate part of the Antispirit activity shows us that a false religious system is the source that imposes this mark on the people. Anyone that receives this mark from the system that will be in place will be eternally connected to the three ominous creatures that they worship. This is Satan's final design to be worshipped by the world. The Mother of Harlots is already preparing the One World Religion to serve the cause.

You are not taking the "Mark of the Beast" when you get a credit card or apply for a Social Security number. The beast must be revealed before he can demand the "mark." There are almost as many ideas of what this mark is as there are interpretations of other Scriptures. Thousands of people spend more time trying to figure out the mark and the beast than they spend giving total surrender to Jesus Christ and worship to Him.

The Digital Angel
The newest technology is a small chip that fits in an encasement the size of a grain of rice. No one knows if this is going to be the final method of worldwide identification. Technologies are exploding so quickly that tomorrow could hold incredible advancement over this creation. That it will be "in" the skin of the person seems certain. The fight is already developing over the civil liberties encroachments this could entail.

Consider this statement from an Associated Press release. "Other uses of the technology, from an added device that would allow satellite tracking of an individual's every movement to the storage of sensitive data such as medical records, are already attracting interest across the globe for tasks such as foiling kidnappings or assisting paramedics.
"Applied Digital Solutions' new VeriChip is another sign Sept. 11 has catapulted the science of security into a realm with uncharted possibilities - and also new fears for privacy." ("Under-skin ID Chip is Ready," Associated Press, by Christopher Newton, Friday, March 1, 2002.)

It's easy to see the advantage for control of our highways, those who travel by airplanes or that desire to visit Washington or other key cities. If the global tracking satellites can determine who is in each car or in line for boarding an airplane, it would be great security for all of us. Terrorism could be stopped in its tracks by such a system and the Antichrist will impose something equivalent. We, Americans, deplore such an idea, but much of our world has already been programmed.

A Florida family has become the first family to test what is called the "VeriChip." TechTV.com reported their feelings, "'We definitely, wholeheartedly believe that this technology will change the world, and it really is an honor to be a pioneer of a technology like this,' said Leslie Jacobs. Her husband Jeffrey and 14-year-old son, Derek, said they share Leslie's pioneering attitude about the new VeriChip. 'We're doing something that is good for mankind,' Jeffrey said. 'I feel like I'm going with the flow of nature, and doing exactly what we're here to do to improve the problems of the world.'" (www.techtv.com website.)

Jeffrey's purpose appears to be medically related. "For Jeffrey Jacobs, the VeriChip could be a lifesaver. He's been severely disabled by Hodgkin's disease and a serious car accident. He says if he's ever unconscious, the device could provide instant, electronic access to his complicated medical history and long list of medications -- saving valuable time and maybe his life. 'It's a great feeling,' he said. 'I can be more comfortable not having to worry about myself in case of an emergency. I have more sense of security.'" (Ibid.)

But, read this carefully. It sounds prophetic when you remember the Antichrist is soon to appear. "'The first concern is that it will fall into the hands of an evil and oppressive state,' said Laurie Zoloff, a bioethicist in San Francisco. 'If you're thoroughly known, then you can be thoroughly controlled, because they'll know more about you than you want to be known.'

There's another issue: Could the chip ever become mandatory, like an inoculation? 'I don't envision a time like that because we live in the USA, [the land of] freedom of speech [and] democracy. It's your choice. You elect to have a chip because it's gonna provide a benefit to you,' Applied Digital Solutions' Bolton said." (Ibid.)

This Mark is Eternal Damnation
Everyone that takes the "mark" that the kingdom of Satan, with his Antichrist and Antispirit will require are damned forever. You must understand that this mark is a form of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. The third member of this unholy trinity, who masquerades as the Holy Spirit, will promote the "mark". His miracle, his worship, and everything he does is an imitation of the Holy Ghost and to worship at his invitation or to reverence his "mark" is to blaspheme the true Holy Spirit. There is no repentance for this act.

Read carefully as this pronouncement is made about those that receive this "mark." "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb." (Revelation 14:9). Again, we have worship of the beast and his image that is to be erected in the Tribulation Temple in Jerusalem and the "mark" in the forehead or in the right hand tied together.

There is eternal damnation for this terrible blasphemy but it is different than found elsewhere in Holy Scripture. Even in this judgment time of the seven years there is a constant picture of judgment with mercy offered to those that repent. But, this picture is different and two words express that difference. This Scripture states that judgment is poured forth "without mixture." Those that take the "mark" will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

Chapter sixteen of Revelation is a picture of judgment specifically against the kingdom of the Antichrist and everyone that joins his kingdom with his "mark." There are seven progressive vials that are going to be directed toward the Antichrist crowd. It starts with judgment against those that have taken his "mark" and worshipped him. "And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image." (Revelation 16:2). It ends with judgment on the capitol city of his one-world government, Babylon. "And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great." (Revelation 16:19-21). The "mark" of the beast is clearly the ultimate folly of Satan and will damn a multitude.

Conclusion
The "mark" is being prepared, but cannot be connected to the Antichrist until the Restrainer is removed and the Rapture of the saints occurs. Yet, please be careful to understand that the spirit of the Antichrist will continue to prepare for his evil reign on this earth. Some people are so busy looking for the "man of sin" that they do not even realize that his spirit has already invaded their life. Many churches are so full of the spirit of the Antispirit that the blasphemy of his deception is already controlling the people's lives. Any idea, spirit, emotional manifestation, phenomena that is contrary to the Bible is not of God but of the deceiver.

Satan has used his minions to deceive a multitude. Much of the church world has left off to preach about these closing developments leaving their flock vulnerable to being led astray. Search the Scripture, especially the Book of Revelation. In His Word are infallible truths that cannot fail.