I ran across this article describing a digital tattoo:
Engadget: You can now unlock your Motorola phone with a ‘digital tattoo’
For those of you who know your Bible, does this scare you? Does it sound like something from Revelation?
Revelation 13:16 — 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:
So, we should just make sure that we don’t put the “digital tattoo” on our right hand or forehead, right? Could this really be the mark of the beast? Well, first of all, the mark is not a swirly mark. It is the name of the antichrist or his number:
Revelation 13:17-18 — 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. 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.
I think that the most important part about the mark is that it is an act of worship of the beast or the antichrist. It seems that every time the mark is mentioned, it is mentioned in conjunction with worshiping the beast.
Revelation 13:15-16 — And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 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:
Revelation 14:9 — 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,
Revelation 14:11 — And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever 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.
Revelation 16:2 — And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
Revelation 19:20 — And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
Revelation 20:4 — And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
So, is the digital tattoo wrong? I would argue no. It has nothing to do with worship. Instead it is a convenience and security feature. It makes it easier to unlock your phone. In fact, it helps you make it so that you are the only one who can unlock your phone and access your sensitive information.
I’ve met some people to refuse to get credit cards and fear this technology that has any hint of the “mark”. I think this is the point they are missing: the mark of the beast is an act of worship. It’s not just a technology of convenience.
The “mark” probably will be given in the guise of convenience though. The Bible does say that the people will receive a delusion and will get tricked into taking the antichrist’s side. If you don’t choose God now, don’t think that you will choose him when the end comes.
II Thessalonians 2:11 — And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
Revelation 13:14 — And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Still, I think that God will make it clear that those taking the mark are making a choice. It will be a choice between God and the antichrist.
With the progression of technology, we can see how these marks might work though. It makes sense that the “mark” will include some sort of RFID technology. The Bible says that you will need the mark to buy and sell. The NFC chip in the Google phone is a perfect example. You can simply swipe your phone across the credit card scanner to make a purchase tied to your credit card. So, it makes sense that the mark might have similar technology.
Revelation 13:17 — 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.
The chips embedded in pets are an example of how such technology might be embedded into a living thing for tracking purposes. So, all of the technology is available. What remains is the component of worship. Thankfully, there is no cause to use this technology as an act of defiance against God yet.
So, use your technology, and enjoy it. Let’s just make sure we use it for God and to further His kingdom.
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