Summary

The "Mark of the Beast" is a permanent indicator for anyone accepting the Antichrist as god during the Tribulation Period where they will receive a "Mark" on their right hand or their forehead, Revelation 13:16-17.  Doing this action also sets a spiritual mark on their inner being that automatically condemns the person to eternity in the Lake of Fire.  The person will also be immediately be given over to the Great Lie of 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12. 

External Token and Acceptance Mandates

On the external body, those accepting the "Mark of the Beast" will require them receiving some type of "Token"* on their right hand or their forehead, which means:

1. Acceptance of the Antichrist as god, who is possessed by Lucifer.  This is Lucifer's attempt to get worship which is for God only.
2. Acceptance to process all financial transactions through the allegiance to the Antichrist.  This most likely means the Antichrist is going to be receiving a financial percentage of all monetary transactions along with controlling financial institutions.
3. A mandate to the immediate goal of the elimination (murder) of all Jewish people in the world, unless the Jewish person has the Mark of the Beast.  If Lucifer can accomplish the murder of all Jews then Lucifer can prevent Jesus Christ from Returning as this is an absolute prerequisite for Jesus Christ's return.  Israel has to recognize Jesus Christ as their Savior and ask Him to return where if there are no Jewish people left then this can't occur and then the Tribulation Period never ends.  Of course, this is not going to happen!
4. A mandate to be part of the force to have all other religions in the world, and all other non-religious people in the world to worship the Antichrist, which is also a new type of religion that the world has not seen before.  This is why those who refuse to do so are also murdered.

This Token Mark, as believed by many modern-day Biblical Scholars, is most likely a computer chip of a more advanced design than anything currently engineered and built thus far, which is this author's belief also.  An additional theory of this author is it is conceivable that the computer chip will also have the ability to send and receive data along with even the possibility of creating artificial endorphins or inflicting pain stimulus. 

Currently there are many types of electronic devices that are surgically implanted which control heart beats, stop seizures, dispense insulin and other types of life changing improvements.

Prior to the advent of computers, there was a belief that the "Mark of the Beast" would be either a branding by hot iron or an ink insignia like a tattoo.  The problem with the Mark of the Beast being a branding or tattoo, is there can be no controlling of people with branding or tattoos.  

* A Token is a visible or tangible representation of an idea, where in computer data algorithms means a sequence of data elements that can be transferred back and forth between computer data collection points that are hubs.

Counterfeiting God's Mark

Lucifer has always used methods and ideas stolen from God to counterfeit and try to emulate God.  Throughout history, God has used a "Mark" on those who believe in Him that made them "sealed" for redemption into eternity with God.  For example:

• Cain received a mark, a type of sign, on him that protected him from death by others because of the murdering of his brother Abel.  (Note that there are some Biblical Scholars including this author that believe Cain received Salvation through his repentance and acceptance of the Mark that required Faith in God for the Mark to work.  This is explained in the Cain topic.)
• There will be 144,000 Jewish virgin Evangelists during the Tribulation Period who will be protected from every type of harm that the Antichrist can try during the Tribulation Period.  They will have a seal or mark on their foreheads.  See Revelation 7:3-4.
• When anyone accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, they are sealed or marked permanently to go to heaven where their Salvation cannot be lost.

Does the Mark have Relevance on Earth Now?

Prior to the advent of computers, it was impossible for those reading the scripture prophecy of the "Mark of the Beast" to understand how this scripture could be relevant and even possible.  Events in recent history have begun the process of understanding how it could be possible. 

Biblical Scholars, beginning at least 80-years ago, began to theorize that the mark will be some sort of number that somehow will be able to control the recipient as the scripture indicates.  There were two events in the history of the United States, and other countries, that gave all of us an understanding of the potential on how the "Mark of the Beast" would be possible.

1. When the United States first starting assigning Social Security Numbers, in November of 1935, there were many Christians who thought this was the first step in this "Mark of the Beast" being set up for Lucifer's ultimate goal of the Antichrist in power.
2. Additionally, some Christians also believed the use of a private central bank, that controls monetary funds for a country, as also a step into this direction, where in the United States the Federal Reserve is such an entity. 

Both Social Security Numbers and a Central Bank for a Government are by no means currently tools being setup for the Antichrist, but realistically they are proof that shows there can be a way to control people and money supply through a central system.

Furthermore, with the advent of:

• Credit and Debit Cards linked to Banking,
• GPS Chips being implanted in animals for tracking that is also done with humans,
• Passive and Active Computer Chips used for accessing buildings, going through toll roads and other areas, and
• Computer Systems that have reached the ability to process world-wide data in real-time without batch processing

it is now completely possible to have a type of system that literally the entire population of the world can have their payroll, purchases, savings and retirements associated with a single identification number.

Scriptural Reference and Earthly Consequences

The "Mark of the Beast" full scriptural reference is in Revelation 13:11-17. 

The visible scriptural consequence, while on the Earth, for those who have the Mark of the Beast:

The other commonly known quoted scripture is the consequence of believing the Great Lie which will lead those who have the Mark of Beast into a multitude of ways to dishonor themselves with all kinds of sinful actions.

666 Identification and Significance

Unfortunately, most of the entire world who are not even Christians, probably have heard of the number "666" while not knowing much else about Christianity.  The unfortunate part is there far more important points to understand and know about concerning the real central part of the scriptures, which is Jesus Christ.

Before giving information on the scriptural "666" reference, it needs to be said that there is nothing wrong with the number "666", and it can be used in your property address, part of your phone number or the purchase price of an item where nothing evil is going to happen.  This author recalls Hilton Sutton speak about the Book of Revelation back in the late 1980s, where Hilton gave this very similar point and said that his ministry would be happy to take charitable donations for $666.66.  Hilton also mentioned 2 Chronicles 9:13 to point out that the Gold was not evil because of the weight equaling 666.

Yes, 666 in terms of Gematria in the Scriptures means something where that facet is important for showing and proving the amazing Word of God.  The number 6 is identified by Biblical Scholars as the number of man, which is one short of the number 7 that means completeness and associated with God.  For the Mark of the Beast's "666", means that the Antichrist is amongst other things: not complete, not perfect and lacking.

The relevant scriptural verse concerning the 666 number and the Antichrist is Revelation 13:18.  The number "666", according to Biblical Scholars, refers to the adding up the letters of the Antichrist's name which will have a summation of 666.  There are several languages that have letters or have used letters to also represent numerical values.  It has to also be said that there are many people in history that have had their names taken with numerical values for the letters which have added up to 666, and these people were not the Antichrist even if they were people who did evil things.

Prior to the Tribulation Period, those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior must be taken out of the way, Raptured, before the Antichrist can be revealed.  Biblical Scholars point to 2 Thessalonians 2:6-10, along with many other scriptural passages, as encouraging and the proof.

• The Holy Spirit is protecting the Christian from the lawless-one to come into power.  See 2 Thessalonians 2:6.
• The Holy Spirit is restraining, until the appointed time, and the Holy Spirit is protecting (the Church) until the appointed time which will then allow the Antichrist to be revealed.
• The scriptures have many warnings to not be part of the group left on Earth during the Tribulation Period because of not accepting Jesus Christ as a person's Savior, which only requires asking for it through Faith.
  (a) See the warning in 2 Thessalonians 2:10 to receive Jesus Christ as as a person's Savior.
  (b) See the model of the Foolish Virgins where there were brides who were not ready when the groom came, so they were left behind, which symbolizes those left behind had not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.  Note that the foolish virgins wanted to be married but were postponing their decision to prepare which the parable was a warning not to postpone acceptance of Jesus Christ.
  (c) The Sardis Church spoken about in the Book of Revelation that had mental ascent of acknowledgment of Jesus Christ's title but had not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, where the Sardis church is being warned.

Can a Christian Accept the Mark of the Beast

A Christian is marked with the seal of God when receiving Salvation and it is impossible for a true Christian to accept the Mark of the Beast.  It is impossible for anyone to have their Salvation lost. 

According to many scriptures such as 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9, during the Tribulation Period there will be increased Satanic activity from the Fallen Angels and Demons, where the Holy Spirit will not restrain them in order for the prophecies of that time period to occur.  The lawless one of 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9 is the Antichrist.  The "restraineth now" does not mean that God is not in control of all things, as God's goals will still be accomplished. 

The uniqueness of the time period of the Antichrist is because it is the only time in the history of God's protection for Christians does not stop Satanic Forces from killing and martyring all the Christians they can find.  Many Biblical Commentaries point out that this is partially because people should have recognized the events happening on the Earth that was leading up to the 70th Week of Daniel and therefore accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior so that this horrible period of the Tribulation Period could have been avoided.  

The 70th Week of Daniel is a seven-year period that the first 3.5 years are a false peaceful period of time and the second 3.5 years are the Tribulation Period.  Prior to the 70th Week of Daniel, the scripture prophecy concerning the Fullness of the Gentiles had been completed.

Before the Tribulation Period, there is a Rapture event so all the true Christians will be taken away from the Earth.  After the Rapture, the 70th Week of Daniel begins, where many Biblical Scholars have stated there will be a wonderful and great harvest of people accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior through the work of the 144,000 Witnesses, the Two Witnesses, God's Angels, witness of other Christians and also most likely event Theophanies.

The people who become Christians during the Tribulation Period will have these points apply to them:

1. Christians located by the Antichrist's forces will be killed / martyred.  The Antichrist's forces will never have absolute power and control over the entire world but there will be world-wide worship of the beast.
2. Not every Christian will be found and killed.   The second half of the scripture of Revelation 13:10 calls for people, who become Christians, to be patient and endure the time period.
3. The Christians that survive, will go into the 1,000 Millennial Kingdom of Jesus Christ to repopulate the world, which includes the remnant of Israel hidden for 3.5 years.

Two additional points on the Revelation 13:7-10:

1. Those people, who have the Mark of the Beast and then murder others, regardless if the murdered victims are Christians, will be killed in the same manner according to Revelation 13:10 (shown above).  This shows that God will still be controlling limits to events and His Plans which will have judgment on murders to be killed in the same way they murdered others.
2. The "All inhabitants of the earth" is rendered differently in several Bible Versions, where several Biblical Commentaries note that the meaning intent is the people on Earth who consider their home as the Earth.  All Christians consider their home as Heaven.  There are over 35 scriptural passages that indicate the Faithful Person, since the times of the Book of Genesis until the end of the Revelation, consider themselves as sojourners.

What to read next?

What is Salvation?  Is it possible to lose Salvation?  We have eternal life.  Evolution is not real.  When a Christian suffers is there benefits from it.  Rewards in heaven.  Do we Tithe?  What does the 3rd Commandment tell us?  What is Grace and Mercy?  Is there an Age of Accountability?  Is there a place of unending punishment and exile form God?