666 and RFID chips

[puddleglum]

This is from Alexander Pope’s poem An Essay in Criticism.

A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep or taste not the Pierian spring.
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again.

(In Greek mythology the Pierian spring was a fountain which was sacred to the Muses and imparted learning to anyone who drank from it.)

There are times when having just a little learning about what the Bible says can be a dangerous thing.

Most people have heard of the mark of the beast and they know that it is associated with the number 666 but don’t know anything else about it. One result is that many people are afraid they will take the mark without meaning to and be eternally condemned as a result. Here are two examples.

The first is from a news story by UPI.

A Kentucky high school student athlete declined to participate in her team’s cross-country race after she was assigned the number 666, saying it would have gone against her religious beliefs.

The number 666 is often associated with the biblical “mark of the beast.�

The second is a post on a Christian forum.

Hey guys so I’m 17 and after high school I would like to join the military (AIR FORCE!!!) but I’ve read online they might start RFIDing soldiers. I’m worried if I do enlist I will be forced to get the chip and if it turns out to be the mark of the beast…well I’m done for I guess. So can someone tell me about this? Are they really going to do this? If so is the RFID chip the actual mark of the beast? I would appreciate any help I can get guys.

Are their fears justified? The best way to answer this question is to look at what the Bible actually says about the mark of the beast. First the beast is introduced.

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.

One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?�
Revelation 13:1-4 ESV

The beast will receive power and authority from the dragon, Satan, and will become an object of worship for the whole world.

And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.

And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear:

If anyone is to be taken captive,
to captivity he goes;
if anyone is to be slain with the sword,
with the sword must he be slain.

Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
Revelation 13:5-10 ESV

Then a second beast is introduced.

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.

It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.
Revelation 13:11-15 ESV

Finally everyone on the earth is required to take the mark.

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, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.
Revelation 13:16-18 ESV

The mark of the beast will be given at a time when the beast is ruling the earth and is already requiring that he be worshipped. An order will be issued requiring everyone to take the mark. There will be laws in effect that forbid anyone without the mark to buy or sell. None of those conditions exist today so it isn’t possible for anyone to receive the mark now.

The number 666 will be associated in some way with the beast but now it is just a number like any other. It is simply one more than 665 and one less than 667. It might not even be the number of the beast. There are some manuscripts of Revelation that have the number 616 instead.

It is possible that taking the mark may include implanting an RFID chip as a means of identification but if that is true the chip itself won’t be the mark; it will only be a tool used to implement it. An RFID chip is simply a device that can be used for either good or evil purposes. Perhaps the beast will use it for evil; that shouldn’t keep others from using it for good.

Sometimes having only a little knowledge can be dangerous; the way to remove this danger is to acquire more knowledge. If you are afraid you might accidentally take the mark the best way to overcome your fear is to study Bible prophecy to learn more about what will happen in the future.

Here are two good sites that can help you:

http://compellingtruth.org/truth_End.html

http://raptureready.com/

[YahDough]

[Replying to post 1 by theophilus40]

I glanced at this study of yours. I think you are going in the wrong direction and are trying to decipher a failed prophecy.

Revelation was written when Christianity was just starting to spread and there was a real threat by Nero et al to extinguish the followers of Christ. I think the 666 person was Nero, and there is nothing clothed in mysterious symbolism about the prophecy. The Christians were going to be "branded" and killed off. That is an undertaking that could have been accomplished back then (If the LORD would have permitted.)

The early Christians rejected Revelation. It was reintroduced about 400 years after it was written. It has contradictions and inconsistencies that are notable.

All power in heaven and earth have been given by God, the Father to Christ Jesus.

The LORD owns this world. I can't see Him giving it up to some 666 dude.


Ex:19:5: Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

[Nickman]

[Replying to post 1 by theophilus40]

I think that a literal interpretation leads people to think that there will be a chip or actual mark. At the time that this was written, it was not good to be a Christian. Domitian persecuted Jews and Christians heavily during the end of his reign which is thought to be the time frame when The Book of Revelation was written. My thoughts are that it was written in a very ambiguous way so as to not merit any futher persecution for John or the recipients. Also, it may never had made it to its intended audience had it said "and those damn Romans will pay when Jesus comes down and destroys them!" I think that this "revelation" must be read with the understanding of what was happening at the time. Furthermore, anyone who thinks that the "mark" will happen in the future, has to explain why the Book continuely states;

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass;

3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

If a person thinks that this mark will happen in the future, then they need to explain this. Obviously the time was not at hand for those that read Revelation in the 1st century, because they read it and heard it.

[followthelamb]

This is from Alexander Pope’s poem An Essay in Criticism.

A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep or taste not the Pierian spring.
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again.

(In Greek mythology the Pierian spring was a fountain which was sacred to the Muses and imparted learning to anyone who drank from it.)

There are times when having just a little learning about what the Bible says can be a dangerous thing.

Most people have heard of the mark of the beast and they know that it is associated with the number 666 but don’t know anything else about it. One result is that many people are afraid they will take the mark without meaning to and be eternally condemned as a result. Here are two examples.

The first is from a news story by UPI.

A Kentucky high school student athlete declined to participate in her team’s cross-country race after she was assigned the number 666, saying it would have gone against her religious beliefs.

The number 666 is often associated with the biblical “mark of the beast.�

The second is a post on a Christian forum.

Hey guys so I’m 17 and after high school I would like to join the military (AIR FORCE!!!) but I’ve read online they might start RFIDing soldiers. I’m worried if I do enlist I will be forced to get the chip and if it turns out to be the mark of the beast…well I’m done for I guess. So can someone tell me about this? Are they really going to do this? If so is the RFID chip the actual mark of the beast? I would appreciate any help I can get guys.

Are their fears justified? The best way to answer this question is to look at what the Bible actually says about the mark of the beast. First the beast is introduced.

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.

One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?�
Revelation 13:1-4 ESV

The beast will receive power and authority from the dragon, Satan, and will become an object of worship for the whole world.

And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.

And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear:

If anyone is to be taken captive,
to captivity he goes;
if anyone is to be slain with the sword,
with the sword must he be slain.

Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
Revelation 13:5-10 ESV

Then a second beast is introduced.

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.

It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived.

And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain.
Revelation 13:11-15 ESV

Finally everyone on the earth is required to take the mark.

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, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.
Revelation 13:16-18 ESV

The mark of the beast will be given at a time when the beast is ruling the earth and is already requiring that he be worshipped. An order will be issued requiring everyone to take the mark. There will be laws in effect that forbid anyone without the mark to buy or sell. None of those conditions exist today so it isn’t possible for anyone to receive the mark now.

The number 666 will be associated in some way with the beast but now it is just a number like any other. It is simply one more than 665 and one less than 667. It might not even be the number of the beast. There are some manuscripts of Revelation that have the number 616 instead.

It is possible that taking the mark may include implanting an RFID chip as a means of identification but if that is true the chip itself won’t be the mark; it will only be a tool used to implement it. An RFID chip is simply a device that can be used for either good or evil purposes. Perhaps the beast will use it for evil; that shouldn’t keep others from using it for good.

Sometimes having only a little knowledge can be dangerous; the way to remove this danger is to acquire more knowledge. If you are afraid you might accidentally take the mark the best way to overcome your fear is to study Bible prophecy to learn more about what will happen in the future.

Here are two good sites that can help you:

http://compellingtruth.org/truth_End.html

http://raptureready.com/

The enforcer of the mark of the beast is here
The beast is a kingdom
The seven heads are seven kings which have power over a kingdom
The ten horns are kings who are made kings with the beast tho they are in the kings kingdom

Behold the desolator is here and he will destroy all of gods people to whom it was appointed. He will gain all the isles save for edom moab and the chief of the children of ammon.

For 3 and a half years will the holy ones be slain, There will be 2 who will have power over all plagues to smite the earth as often as they will during the days of the desolator mark.

After the ships of chittim come against him he will enforce the mark upon all the world.

The leader of the islamic state is THE ANTI CHRIST SEEN IN THE VISIONS OF DANIEL

[Adstar]

[Replying to post 1 by theophilus40]

Your post missed out on some crucial scriptures about the Mark of the beast.

Revelation 13:17 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.

This points to the mark of the beast being a physical thing rather then some form of spiritual mark.

The system will be set up so that no one will be able to buy anything or sell anything unless they have the Mark of the beast

The chips mentioned are probably the closest thing we have to a fulfillment of the prophecy. Because they can be used as a form of identification in a pure electronic fund transfer system. And they can be planted under the skin. The Prophecy of the mark says it will not IN the hand or In the forehead. Meaning that the mark of the beast will be sub dermal..

Revelation 13:16 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:

But you point regarding the timing of the introduction of this system i agree with. The Bible says that people will be worshiping the image of the beast and who ever refuses to worship the image of the beast will be beheaded. This comes before the Mark of the beast is mentioned. It therefore can be reasoned that receiving the Mark of the beast shall be a Reward for worshiping the image of the Beast.

Revelation 13
15 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.
16 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:

So the way i see it. The mark will be a reward for worshiping the beast. I also believe that the infrastructure has to be set up before the actual mark comes into being. I see the current electronic efptos system and the push to the cashless society as the building of the required infrastructure.

[RaiderGonzo]

IMO the mark of the beast does not need to be in a physical form, i.e, a literal stamp on the forehead, a RIFD embedded chip into your skin or something in the like., the mark of the beast will be in your allegiance to the system other than God's Word.

If you serve anything or anyone, other than God's Word, you have the mark the beast already, and you don't need to worry about the end times or 666, for you are already living it in your life!

[OnceConvinced]

IMO the mark of the beast does not need to be in a physical form, i.e, a literal stamp on the forehead, a RIFD embedded chip into your skin or something in the like., the mark of the beast will be in your allegiance to the system other than God's Word.

If you serve anything or anyone, other than God's Word, you have the mark the beast already, and you don't need to worry about the end times or 666, for you are already living it in your life!

Cool! Someone who sees it the way I used to see it when I was a Christian

I used to go along with the whole physical number of the beast thing in my early years as a Christian, but it makes way more sense to see it as a kind of symbolic thing, ie, you have the number of the beast if you are not a Christian. I also believed that the Antichrist was a spirit, not actually a person. So you could have the spirit of antichrist in you.

It sure beats crying wolf about a whole lot of stuff that would clearly never happen. Even Atheists would refuse to have a physical mark placed on them. There would be too much fear of cancer or other things. Dictators (like the so-called anti Christ) are never looked upon with favor. In this day and age they are met with resistance. No one would ever accept such a person. This antichrist would have to work behind the scenes without anyone knowing who he is for him to be able to rule, but the bible tells us of someone who will be a very public figure. It'll will just never happen the way futurists preach.

[RaiderGonzo]

IMO the mark of the beast does not need to be in a physical form, i.e, a literal stamp on the forehead, a RIFD embedded chip into your skin or something in the like., the mark of the beast will be in your allegiance to the system other than God's Word.

If you serve anything or anyone, other than God's Word, you have the mark the beast already, and you don't need to worry about the end times or 666, for you are already living it in your life!

Cool! Someone who sees it the way I used to see it when I was a Christian

I used to go along with the whole physical number of the beast thing in my early years as a Christian, but it makes way more sense to see it as a kind of symbolic thing, ie, you have the number of the beast if you are not a Christian. I also believed that the Antichrist was a spirit, not actually a person. So you could have the spirit of antichrist in you.

It sure beats crying wolf about a whole lot of stuff that would clearly never happen. Even Atheists would refuse to have a physical mark placed on them. There would be too much fear of cancer or other things. Dictators (like the so-called anti Christ) are never looked upon with favor. In this day and age they are met with resistance. No one would ever accept such a person. This antichrist would have to work behind the scenes without anyone knowing who he is for him to be able to rule, but the bible tells us of someone who will be a very public figure. It'll will just never happen the way futurists preach.

What do you mean when you where once a Christian., you're still bought and paid for by Christ's blood., you ain't out of the woods yet, just because you think that you've gone so far adrift and awry that you can't fit in., You already have His Word in your heart, you just struggle with it., but don't despair, for even Jacob struggled against the Angel of God.. You have strength, and you are gifted with talents., you are enlightened, and you see things that most will never ever question, but you do, and that is not wrong for you to do., what i wrong for you to do is to deny the good work that was done in your heart by the Spirit, and you know that it is a Good Work., therefore my brother, gather yourself in Christ and take up your cross, for it i not over yet an you still have a task at hand!

[RaiderGonzo]

*What do you mean when you where once a Christian., you're still bought and paid for by Christ's blood!!!., you ain't out of the woods yet; just because you think that you've gone so far adrift and awry that you can't fit in., You already have His Word in your heart, you just struggle with it., but don't despair, for even Jacob struggled against the Angel of God.. You have strength, and you are gifted with talents., you are enlightened, and you see things that most will never ever question, but you do, and that is not wrong for you to do., what is wrong for you to do is to deny the Good Work that was done in your heart by the Spirit, and you know that it is indeed a Good Work., therefore my brother, gather yourself in Christ and take up your cross, for it is not over yet and you still have a task at hand!

[followthelamb]

[Replying to Adstar]

Brethren I agree with u that the mark is not spiritual but u must understand

The king who will enforce the mark of the beast was one of the ten horns
A king who does not have a kingdom yet
I tell u the man who that is is the leader ofnthe islamic state

I don't think it will be a chip but I tell u abu bakr al bsghdadi is the man who will enforce it