by Wayne Croley | Mar 5, 2012 | Bible Prophecy, End Times, Science and Technology, Spiritual Warfare, The Mark of the Beast, Unfulfilled Prophecies | 23 comments
I was asked recently how we would know when the Mark of the Beast system is in place. The concern this individual had is that the Mark of the Beast would be given to the public without anyone’s knowledge. I want to address this person’s concern in an article because a lot of people who are worried about the Mark of the Beast may have a similar concern.
Today I’ll discuss some of the main indicators we can look at to tell whether the Mark of the Beast is about to be given out to the public.
Revelation 13 provides an overview of the general timeframe when the Mark of the Beast will begin to be given out to the public. Revelation 13:4-7 mentions that the beast (Antichrist) will be given power over the world for 42 months:
Revelation 13 provides an overview of the general timeframe when the Mark of the Beast will begin to be given out to the public. Revelation 13:4-7 mentions that the beast (Antichrist) will be given power over the world for 42 months:
(4) And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (5) And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (6) And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (7) And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (Revelation 13:4-7)
The False Prophet will arise as a major player on the world stage around this time as he will be authorized by the beast to exercise his power. The False Prophet will encourage people to worship the beast and to accept the Mark of the Beast.
(11) And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. (12) And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed… (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: (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. (18) Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (Revelation 13:11-12, 16-18)
The detail about the beast being given power for 42 months is important because it provides us a good indication of how soon the Mark of the Beast can conceivably be given out to the public. The Antichrist will establish an abomination that causes desolation/demand the world to worship him at the midway point of the seventieth week of Daniel, the seven year period commonly referred to people as the “tribulation”.
- The time remaining at the midway point of the seventieth week of Daniel is 42 months (3 years x 12 months in a year + 0.5 Years x 12 months in a year = 42 months).
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make itdesolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Dan 9:27)
“(3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4) Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2 Thess 2:3-4)
Thus, the Mark of the Beast system is unlikely going to appear until at least the midway point of the seventieth week of Daniel.
- Now that we know how soon the Mark of the Beast can appear in the End Times timeline we can now identify what type of events people who are leery of the Mark of the Beast should watch out for to see whether the Mark of the Beast is ready to be given out to the public.
One important thing people should watch out for is the confirmation of a seven year (one prophetic week) “covenant with many” since it is the event that will initiate the start of the seventieth week of Daniel.
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make itdesolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Daniel 9:27)
Once the seven year covenant is confirmed there may be as little as 3.5 years before the Mark of the Beast system is put in place.
Another thing people should watch out for is a lot of global unrest and conflict since the rise of Antichrist will be accompanied by global unrest and conflict:
“(36) And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. (37) Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. (38) But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. (39) Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.” (Dan 11:36-39)
“(3) And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see (4)And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” (Rev 6:3-4)
“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” (Matt 24:7)
Third, people can know that the Mark of the Beast’s arrival is imminent when they see the Antichrist sitting in a Jerusalem temple and demanding to be worshipped as it will occur approximately at the midway point of the seventieth week of Daniel (compare 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 with Daniel 9:27).
- The Antichrist will be someone with an unparalleled ego so I imagine this event will be televised to the world. Therefore, people should be able to see this event take place and understand that the Mark of the Beast will appear shortly.
Similarly, people can tell it is the midway point of the seventieth week/about time for the Mark of the Beast’s introduction when they see Jerusalem surrounded by armies. The surrounding of Jerusalem is indicative that Antichrist is about to establish the abomination that causes desolation:
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. (Luke 21:20)
Fifth, people will definitely know that the Mark of the Beast is ready to be given to the public when the False Prophet (the future world ruler/Antichrist’s top religious assistant) begins to demand that people get a mark, the name of the beast, and/or the number of the beast on their right hand or forehead if they want to be able to continue to buy or sell.
- The False Prophet will try to get everyone in the world to adopt a mark, the name of the beast, and/or the number of the beast’s name, so the campaign for people to become part of the Mark of the Beast system should be much publicized. As a result, people probably will hear about the public efforts to implement the Mark of the Beast system and the efforts to get everyone to be a part of the system.
Given all of this, I think people should not be afraid that the Mark of the Beast will be introduced to the public tomorrow. There will be signs to look for/indicators to alert people that the implementation of the Mark of the Beast is on its way, so it is unnecessary for us to lose sleep over the Mark of the Beast just yet. However, this does not mean that we should ignore the efforts by policymakers and researchers to develop the technology and infrastructure that will someday be part of the Mark of the Beast system. I have no doubt that there are people out there working to make the Mark of the Beast system a reality.
My name is Wayne. I am the founder of Prophecy Proof Insights. I hold an M.B.A. (concentrating in Finance), a bachelor’s degree in Managerial Economics, and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. I like researching and analyzing Bible prophecy-related topics and following current events in politics, economics, finance, and many other areas. I encourage you to like this page on Facebook, add this page to your circle on Google+, or follow me on Twitter so you can keep up to date on my latest thoughts and findings.
The anti-christ cannot come until the great restrainer / holy spirit is taken away (and as Christians we are always promised that). Hence, we’ll be raptured or “snatched away” prior to the revealing of the anti-christ, which would make us also gone before the mark is implamented.
So, I would think the answer to his question is, if you truely believe, you won’t have to worry abou the mark.
As to those that become believers during the tribulation, then yet, I think they’ll have to chose. And once anyone choses the marked, they are forever damned with no chance of redemption.
I.e the proposal is put forward – time given to think to it over and then it is confirmed and signed by all parties.