Regarding the title of this thread, a good example of the need to study end-time events, including the information regarding the mark of the beast is that, most Christians don't even under stand that the technology for the mark has been with us for several years!
When God first called me at age 14, I was immediately drawn to end-time events and still am. I had studied it enough to know that when the first ATM''s went up, I new that this was relevant to the mark technology. Following that came the Universal Product Code (UPC), followed by the Point of Sale system, which allowed everyone to begin to make their purchases (buying) by swiping their cards. There have been and are other methods such as FOB's and cell phone bank apps to perform the same function.
This electronic crediting and debiting system (buying and selling) is in place and has been evolving in preparation for that coming antichrist/beast and his mark. The direct technology for the mark is also here. Beginning in Sweden, businesses have been offering employees the option of having an RFID chip implanted under the skin of the hand for the purpose of building security, the use of company machines and making food purchases. This technology has now come to the US.
I believe that this RFID chip will continue to evolve into something more applicable, leading up to the revealing of the antichrist. When the time comes, all other methods of buying and selling such as cash, checks, card swiping, etc., will be made obsolete by the beasts kingdom, leaving his mark as the only valid means of electronic crediting and debiting an individuals bank account.
Yes, we should be obsessed with understanding end-time events, including the information God gave us regarding the mark. Like I said, many of those in Christ don't even understand where we are in regards to end-time events. They just think that this electronic crediting and debiting system is just man-made technology and nothing more.
Once this mark becomes the only valid means of electronic buying and selling, it will be that proverbial line being drawn in the sand. From that time forward there will be no gray area. No fence sitting. The choice will be reject it or receive it. Those who reject it will not be able to hold a job, pay their bills, mortgages, rents, food, gas, or buy anything at all. Those who will reject it, will be those tribulation saints, for they know that the beast and his mark will be against God. Those who do receive it to save their lives, will suffer the following in the lake of fire:
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Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. “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.” - NASB
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It's important for us to understand this information so that we can warn unbelievers about what is coming, as well as to other believers.
