Revelation 13:16-17

Verse 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:"

Everyone seems to know about this mark, even people who know nothing else about the Bible. Everyone will be required to receive some sort of mark. Everyone. This is probably one of the reasons back in the Old Testament Laws that God told people that they were forbidden to put marks on their bodies. God was thinking ahead. This mark goes in either the right hand or in the foreheads.

Now comes a question. If people are forced to take the mark, even if they do not want to take it, would a Christian forced to take the mark then be sent to hell? What of a person who wants to acceps the Lord after being forced (or even willingly under duress) to take the mark? Is there anything in Scripture that will cover this problem? I believe there is. Matt. 5:30 "And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast if from thee; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." (Note that the right hand specifically is mentioned here.) Mark 9:43 "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched." Mark 9:47 "And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire." Note that the alternative to removing the offensive limb, so as to be able to enter into life (as in eternal) or into the kingdom of God (as in Millennium), is to be cast into hell. I think God gave us these verses for this very purpose. It would seem that possibly having one's head cut off may be the only solution to removing the offensive mark forcibly put there, and may be a second reason (added to that of the Muslim traditions) as to why beheading is the means of death for Christians during the tribulation. If put there forcibly, antichrist may have it put it on our foreheads, as God marks us on the forehead to claim us as His own, and Satan knows this. Branding us with his mark in the same place would be his way of mocking God.

Verse 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."

Without the mark, people will not be able to buy or sell. That means no food, no shelter, no fuel, no anything. Think of the consequences that implies. It is a well-known fact that we are moving into a cashless society and that things are being set up in such a way that people are being chipped. In fact, in some countries being chipped is now getting to be not only the norm, but mandatory. One article I read said that they are hoping to chip everyone in Israel. Is that not ironic? Of all places. Of course, not ironic when you realize who is really behind it. At this point, although one still cannot say for certain, it appears that the "mark" is in fact a chip. Information that I have read or heard indicates that these chips are being created with shut-off switches so that when people do not comply as desired, the chip is turned off and they will no longer be able to buy or sell. So even if they receive the chip or mark, they still have to be careful not to step out of line or they will find themselves in the same boat as Christians.

It seems that the "mark" which is always assumed to be one specific thing is not the only way of marking people though. It says the mark, OR the name of the beast, OR the number of his name. This implies there are three ways of marking people. Possibly the chip for more technological societies, and then some other form such as a tattoo for those in more backward third world countries, tribal areas in remote locations, or such conditions where technology is not available to monitor people in that way. The name of the beast, or the number of his name marked on people will be sufficient for the purpose. Again, this is Satan marking his people just as God marks Christians (and the 144,000). That is why a tattoo would also suffice.