Written by by Michael E. O'Brien
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Ever since the first century when St John wrote the Book of Revelation,
people have pondered and calculated and disputed in their attempts to
determine the hidden meaning of "666" and the "mark of the beast".
He [the second beast] caused everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; so that no one could buy or sell unless they had the mark, or the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that has=0Aunderstanding count the number of the beast, for it is a man's number. His=0Anumber is 666.
Over the last two or three decades there have been amazing advances in technology. However, one of these in particular, appears certain to become that infamous "mark of the beast". In this article we shall look at what it is, how it is being used and how well it fits with Scripture. It's a special purpose computer chip, similar in size and appearance to a small pebble or grain of rice, that can be implanted under the skin using a specially made syringe. The original purpose was said to be to rest mobility to people with severed nerves, then it was discovered that it could modify behaviour (which opened a whole new area of research and development), but finally, it was realised that it had far more important uses for both government and commercial reasons. These more important uses begin with a simple version of the technology that is already being used world wide to keep track of pets and other animals. For example: The trovan system offered by InfoPet has been endorsed by the ASPCA and has been selected as the global standard for zoos and aquariums by the Captive Breeding Specialist Group of the IUCN. Hundreds of zoos worldwide, as well as government agencies in at least 21 countries are using the trovan=0 system for animal identification purposes. The most important drawcards for the authorities are positive identification and control. And because it has the ability to uniquely identify over 34 billion recipients and locate any one of them via satellite to within a few feet of their location, it's understandable why testing and development for use in humans is also well advanced in numerous countries. It has been reported that many of these tests have been with military personnel and prisoners, etc, but tests are increasing dramatically. For example, several years ago Sweden tested the chip in 6,000 men, and the U.S. in 17,000 babies (neither found any ill effects). There are two ideal locations for the insertion of the chip in the human body. The chip contains a small lithium battery with a charging circuit that is activated by the changing temperature of the skin. Therefore, it must be placed in a position where temperature changes occur most rapidly. Reportedly, "Over one and a half million dollars was spent finding out that the two places in the body that the temperature changes the most rapidly are in the forehead (primary position), right below the hairline, and the back of the hand (alternative position)." The more advanced versions of the chip contain the same information and ability as the SmartCard. That is, it can store large amounts of personal information - such as your photo, and all about your identity, criminal record and your purchasing history. It also has the ability to be used in the same way as any credit, debit or EFTPOS card, but with the added ability that it can be "filled up" with a cash value that can be used whenever you do shopping. (Won't that bring a new meaning to "self worth" and "personal net value"!!) The purpose of the SmartCard (which uses a chip instead of a magnetic strip) is to replace all other cards with the chip technology - so expect to see widespread use of Visa and Mastercards having SmartCard technology very soon. It is also intended to prepare the way for the "chip in the hand". That a very definite plan is in place to make acceptance of the chip natural, logical and beneficial to the general public is quite evident. This is one beast that would like to appear as a harmless (even desirable) lamb - in order to obtain the greatest possible acceptance. At first its use will be voluntary, driven by commercial forces - just like credit cards - and a great proportion of the population will receive them very willingly - with the following benefits being pushed: Never lose your money or credit card again.
No more credit card fraud - because no-one can steal your chip or even
use your chip number separately from your chip.
No need to carry money - just charge up your hand with a cash value
that
can be used in public transport and other places that don't have a
phone link with banks.
(You'll be able to get a "hand-full" of "chip-money" from anywhere
that is on line, in the same way that you can now get cash through
EFTPOS.)
No need to carry a driver's license or passport because all the
information can be contained in the chip. (This may be applied later
because part of the chip can be re-programmed.)
There will certainly be other benefits promoted, but I'm sure you get
the general picture.
As its use becomes more widespread and accepted, expect to see the alternatives gradually disappear until the chip eventually becomes the only accepted way to buy or sell or do any kind of business. There will probably be a few years before the chip becomes commonplace, especially while the SmartCard runs its course; but then expect the following to occur: No one will be able to use government services or receive government
benefits without the chip to identify themselves.
No one will be able to get employment without the chip to identify
themselves.
The highest tax rates will apply to anyone who has not identified
themselves with the chip.
You won't be able to withdraw your pay or do any form of banking or
bill paying without the chip.
Hand-readers will become commonplace in the average home to allow
internet buying and selling.
Passports and driver's licenses will be completely replaced by the chip,
so both international travel and driving will eventually be limited to
those who have the chip.
The ability to buy or sell ANYTHING - without the chip - will gradually
diminish and eventually disappear altogether.
Eventually, it will become law for everyone to have the chip. (Especially because of the Christians who refuse to accept it.) In fact, the President of the United States is already empowered to enforce the use of the chip. (Section 100 of the Emigration and Control Act of 1996.) There are also bills before the U.S. Congress right now that will allow them to inject a=0 microchip in your baby at the time of birth for identification purposes. So How Does All This Relate To Scripture? As with most of the New Testament, the book of Revelation was written in Greek, so it is important to note that any interpretation will need to consider the Greek version of the text in order to get the clearest possible understanding. Let's have another look at the verses mentioned at the beginning of this article (Rev 13:16-18), and then we shall pick out some of the key words and have a closer look at their meaning. {17} so that no one could buy or sell unless they had the mark, or the
name of the beast or the number of his name.
{18} Here is wisdom. Let him that has understanding count the number of
the beast, for it is a man's number. His number is 666.
"Etching" may refer to the incision into the skin, but more likely it refers to the chip itself, because that is exactly how microchips are made - by etching a piece of silicon with a sharp or pointed electron beam. The Antichrist will proclaim himself above all that is called God. Hence, "by one claiming to possess the Godhead" makes perfect sense. That some will be able to operate using "the authority of the beast" or with "the number of his authority" suggests that a select few, will have the authority to buy and sell etc. without the chip being implanted in their hand or forehead. If "the number of his authority" is interpreted as "the number of his name", then it could mean that you would be able to use your identification number manually (for phone or internet purchases) but this is inconsistent with the purpose of the chip. "...count the pebbles as the number of the beast..." As mentioned earlier, the chip does look like a pebble - and it does contain a man's identification number. It's an excellent play on words. (Rev 16:2) "... and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men who had the mark of the beast ..." This is exactly what will happen if the lithium in the chip escapes into the body. Although there are numerous ways that the secular world has used the number 666 (such as in barcodes) in apparent mockery of the biblical prophesy, the nterpretation of chi xi stigma as a number (666) seems quite irrelevant in the light of this understanding - it was just another very clever play on words!
Considering how closely the microchip fits the description in Scripture there would seem little reason to doubt that it represents the mark described by St John; and therefore, that we are indeed very close to the time of the Antichrist and the tribulation. It is important to note however, that according to Scripture, the time of tribulation is limited to 7 years - and is followed immediately by Jesus' glorious and triumphant return. As a final word about the identity microchip - DON'T RECEIVE IT. Many Christians will give up their faith over the issue of whether or not to receive it, because resisting it will be very hard - even to survive - but the God-breathed, unchangeable Word of God has this to say about it. {9} And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, {10} The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his dignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: {11} And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. (Rev 14:9-11) Praise God that he has given us forewarning and the chance to prepare for while God will certainly look after his own, without doubt, the time of the tribulation - which is only a few short years away - will be much easier for those who prepare than for those who don't.
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