Prophecy Sign #8: The Mark of the Beast

Sign #8:

The Mark of the Beast

Revelation 13:16-17 (NIV)
¹⁶ 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,
¹⁷ 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.

Revelation 14:11-12 (NIV)
¹¹ There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name."
¹² This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.

What it looks like

People will be required to take the identifying symbol 666 on the forehead or on the right hand. It is a mark of allegiance - one of the most specific identifying characteristics of end-times.  Without such mark, no person allowed to buy or sell. Do NOT take this mark.  Those who accept the mark will forfeit any further opportunity for salvation.

The Mark of the Beast is the identifying symbol (666) that the Antichrist and his False Prophet will demand of every person on earth at the midpoint of Daniel's 70th week.  Today, RFID is all around us and is commonly being used to ID animals, and now, people.  Many are speculating that RFID is the technology to fulfill the prophecies concerning the Mark of the Beast.  It may be, but the truth is, we don't know for certain. (I am not so sure. I wonder if it might be something much simpler, like a tattoo indicating loyalty to the Antichrist.)

The actual Mark of the Beast won't come to pass until the Antichrist has come to power.  The Mark of the Beast serves two purposes: First, it will separate the followers of Antichrist from those who reject his blasphemy.  Those who believe in Jesus, will see through Antichrist's deception and will refuse to take this mark of allegiance to the Beast.   Those without the Mark will be easily identified as enemies of Antichrist's Empire. Second, the Mark of the Beast will be an additional tool in Antichrist's arsenal of persecution. Individuals who do not take the Mark of the Beast will be unable to buy and sell. As a practical matter, this will perform a great hardship on believers, as they will have great difficulty buying food and other necessities. 

At the midpoint of Daniel's 70th week, an angel will announce a warning to the entire world concerning the Mark of the Beast and the reign of Antichrist. The angel will explain that anyone who receives the mark will be eternally damned, and will forfeit any further opportunity for salvation. The angel tells the faithful to persevere, keep God's commandments and their faith in Jesus.  Revelation 16 reveals that God will visit physical plagues on those who have received the Mark of the Beast.

Current Status

NOT FULFILLED