Some people assume the Apocalypse of Saint John describes the Mark of the Beast as symbolic, but as we shall see the mark is not symbolic but literal. (It may be considered a symbol of loyalty to the Antichrist, however). The method to be used to employ the mark has been the subject of numerous debates and countless articles. The method most feared is the microchip and also that the microchip will be forced upon all. However the latest research indicates that neither of these assumptions are true.
First we present the Bible verses that describe the literal mark of the Beast that is put on the subjects of the Antichrist.
Apocalypse 13:16-17: “And it will cause all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, to have a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads.
“And it will bring it about that no one may be able to buy or sell, except him who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of its name.”
Apocalypse 14:9: “And another, a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark upon his forehead or upon his hand…”
Apocalypse 16:2: “And the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a sore and grievous wound was made upon the men who have the mark of the beast, and upon those who worshipped its image.”
Apocalypse 20:4: And I saw thrones, and men sat upon them and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the witness to Jesus and because of the word of God, and who did not worship the beast or his image, and did not accept his mark upon their foreheads or upon their hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
We note in all these passages of the Bible that the mark is put ON or UPON the right hand or the forehead and NOT into. The original Greek word used is “epi” which primary definition means, “upon, on, at, by, before.” The secondary definition is “of position, on, at, by, over, against.” The third definition is “to, over, on, onto, at, across, against.” The Greek “epi” is also related to the Greek “epheco” meaning to hold upon or to mark.
According to the Bible passages cited, the mark is placed ON the skin, not in or under. The Greek word for in is “eu.” The Greek’s primary preposition, “hupo” (under or beneath) is also not used which means the mark is placed ON the skin NOT in, under or beneath. Thus the mark of the Beast will not be a microchip implant in or under the skin.
As to how the mark will be applied is already been researched and developed. Consider the following:
“How will the mark be applied? When considering advancements in technology, prophecy scholars and students alike understand that data collection technologies will be critical to the implementation of the mark, which may be applied by a laser tattoo using permanent invisible RFID ink. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) ink can be read through the hairs of animals for tracking and other purposes. In 2007 the ink was first made available in the marketplace with a tattoo made up of numbers separated by markers like bar codes. The application process was developed by Somark Innovations, and is applied by a geometric array of micro-needles and an ink capsule, used to tattoo animals in a matter of seconds. A spokesman said the company had created a synthetic biometric fake fingerprint with bio-compatible chipless RFID ink, that could also be used to track and rescue soldiers.
“Future applications of the ink could be with laser etch machines which apply tattoos on the surface of the skin. The use of infrared light, bar code readers and various wireless communications are other rapidly developing technologies. Experts in the field of nanotechnology consider RFID ink groundbreaking. Research on neural interfaces that provide a two-way connection between the human nervous system and computers is rapidly expanding. Merging technologies such as ‘ambient intelligent environments’ open the way for the use of nano-scale devices placed on the human body. This ‘molecular computing’ allows biological and artificial components to communicate physical and psychological information received by scanners and sensors which are rapidly decoded and acted on.
“Other experts suggest this artificial communications technology can be telepathic, and could lead to the creation of an advanced internet where everyone is permanently connected by a ‘global brain’ leading to a myriad of mind controls. A chipless RFID tattoo being used as a wireless (WIFI) direct neural interface has endless possibilities. For example, nano-scale electronic components can now be printed on various substances, including skin, using ‘electronic ink.’
“Automatic Identification and Mobility (AIM) technologies, plus the Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC ) industry are a diverse family of technologies that share the common purpose of identifying, tracking, recording, storing and communicating essential business, personal, or product data. In most cases, AIM technologies serve as the front end of enterprise software systems, providing fast and accurate collection and entry of data. AIM has developed a ‘standard emblem’ to prevent fraud and to properly track items. These technologies are integrating with RFID to enhance reliability. This technology is already being used in passports.” (“The Mark of the Beast: What You Should Know.” Sound Christian website).
As to the future of this Mark of the Beast applied micro-electronic technologies the following is quite revealing.
“The popular journal Science revealed in 2011 that a new micro-electronics technology, called an epidermal electronic system (EES), has been developed by an international team of researchers from the U.S., China and Singapore. The scientists had a goal to develop electronic technology that could ‘integrate with the skin in a way that is mechanically and physiologically invisible to the user.’ Forces called ‘van der Waals interactions’ (attractions between molecules) dominate the adhesion at the molecular level, so these electronic tattoos adhere to the skin without any glues and stay in place for hours. The devices are wireless, nearly weightless and require so little power they can fuel themselves with miniature solar collectors or by picking up stray or transmitted electromagnetic radiation.
“What is remarkable about this technology is that the devices are less than 50-microns thick (slightly thinner than a human hair), and are as soft as skin. The developers claim the hair-thin electronic patch technology will have many uses in the medical field, and could transform medical sensing, computer gaming and even spy operations.” (Ibid).
The actual type of the mark of the Beast is not revealed in the Bible. Some researchers and prophecy experts suggest the mark will be some type of emblem of the kingdom of the Antichrist. One thing is for certain, the mark will be a symbol of irrevocable allegiance to the Antichrist. Others feel the mark will be a simple bar code containing all possible data on every person. Still others think the mark could have nano-electronic capabilities that could allow the Antichrist to control thoughts and moods. (Some experts say controlling moods could effectively control thoughts).
Regarding the later nano technologies, the implantable microchip employing nano-particles are actually a forerunner to imprintable epidermal electronic mark that could very well also use nano-particles. (We reported on the microchip version of this technology in our volume 5, p 235). Either method whether microchip or epidermal imprint mark can employ nano-micro-electronics that would interface with and alter a persons DNA turning him into something rather beastly cell by cell. Through this micro-electronic epidermal imprint mark employing DNA altering nano technology would make it possible for the Antichrist to change not only moods and thoughts of his subjects, but to alter and change them cell by cell thereby transforming them into something like a beastly zombie that only appears to be human.
Whether this mark is visible or invisible (though evidence suggests it is visible), such a mark of the Beast will be binding and permanent. No one who is marked will be able to reverse it and it will represent a permanent separation from God. The mark makes one a subject of the Antichrist and is also considered a form of idolatry which is forbidden by the first Commandment: “I am the Lord, Thy God, thou shalt not have any gods before me.”
For those who accept the mark will most likely find themselves in a painful situation. Most prophecy experts point out that human DNA is incompatible with the mark. In Apocalypse 16:2 and 11 we are told the mark will become grossly infected and will cause the whole body to break out in painful sores. The long term effect is that the skin over the whole body is compromised. The skin is considered an organ of the body (actually the largest) and as such will reject the mark much like those who suffer organ rejection after a transplant. As the body becomes covered and engrossed in agonizing sores, the mark is rendered useless, having the secondary effect of collapsing the Antichrist’s Mark of the Beast economic system.
During the Great Tribulation the Chosen of God will be given His mark and these people will be under the protection of His angels and under the protection of His Heavenly Mother’s Blue Mantle. Such people will not be forced to take the mark of the Beast but will be forced into hiding and fending for themselves. A portion of those who do not accept the mark will either be killed or die of starvation for only those who have the Beast’s mark will be able to buy or sell.
The goal which will be a precursor to the mark is to have all workers to carry a ID card that would have complete identification via biometers that include fingerprints. This is planned for full implementation by 2015.
T The implantable bio-microchip is to be fully implemented by 2017. This implantable bio-microchip is a precursor to the very final goal which is the imprintable epidermal micro-electronic mark. This imprint mark will be implemented in anticipation of the Antichrist’s rise to power in the climax of the Great Tribulation.
MARK OF THE BEAST – ELECTRONICS
