 
It is commonly taught that the time of "the last days" will come during a time of world war. However, according to the Bible, it will come during a time of world unity. Mark 13:7 quotes Jesus as stating that when one hears of wars and rumors of wars, to not be troubled for the end will not be yet. And Mt. 24:7, 8 clarifies that nation rising against nation is only the beginning of sorrows. Rev 13:4 speaks of "the last days" as having a ruler of world authority who will be worshipped, one whereby no one will wage war. In addition, Rev 13:8 makes it clear that all who are not devoted to Jesus Christ will follow this world authority. Rev 13:11-18 shows that a second world authority will enforce the rules of the first, causing all people of the world to receive a mark (666) in their right hand or forehead. This mark will be required world-wide in order to buy or sell. According to Rev 13:5, this leadership is to last 42 months. A mark of this kind would require a cashless society which is becoming more and more likely. Computerized consumer control is common practice. Cash flow is difficult to monitor. Cash is easily lost, damaged, laundered or stolen. An interdermal mark as described in Rev 13:1-18 would be the most logical choice for human identification. It could monitor each person's records of birth, health, education, employment, criminal status, banking transactions and more. It could help protect society from embezzlement and financial fraud. Even the funding of terrorism could be monitored and eliminated. Many other forms of human identification that may work on a personal level, such as scanning one's retina, have too many factors with the potential for error to work on a large scale. Retinal or eye identification is flawed in the fact that a person's eye(s) could become damaged or surgically removed. Finger print and voice recognition also hold similar complications. It is simply amazing to me how the Bible, written over 2000 years ago, could be more accurate about world consumer monitoring than some of today's most educated scientists.
It is now time to discuss the matter of refusing 666. According to John 10:27, the people who follow Jesus also listen to his words. Rev 1:1 & 22:16 declare this book to be his word of what must shortly come. Rev 14: 9-11 warns of eternal damnation from God if one takes the mark. And Rev 3:21 says that anyone who overcomes shall inherit the same prize that Jesus received. However, this means that anyone who refuses the mark will not be able to buy or sell for the 42 months. Not being able to buy or sell would mean severe chaos, especially for those who are unprepared and remain accustomed to convenience. This world authority would never permit such disorder. Mass starvation, among many other reprocutions of refusing 666, would have to be controlled. Refusing to honor this world authority, by not accepting the mark, would demand human extermination. So, it is not which bomb is going to go off first or what world destruction is brewing that will dictate "the last days." The Bible makes it clear that 666 is coming and for the true believers of the Bible, it will definitely be a time to hold fast to one's faith. Rev 20:4
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