Is it possible for a person to get the mark of the beast today?

Response

The mark of the beast is a type of seal that adherents of the Antichrist will accept in loyalty to him. The prophecy in Revelation 13:16–17 states that the second beast, known as the false prophet, “caused all people, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number representing its name.”

The appearance of this mark remains unknown. In the past, some believed it would be a stamp or tattoo of the number 666. More recently, there was speculation that it could be a barcode. Presently, a common theory suggests that the mark of the beast will be an implanted microchip enabling access to digital currency. However, the actual form of the mark of the beast is uncertain.

Certain individuals are concerned that they may have already accepted the mark of the beast. This fear could stem from blaspheming God at some point or making a hasty declaration of allegiance to the Antichrist. Some worry about the chip embedded in their credit cards. Others have been cautioned that their worship of the Lord on Sunday instead of the Sabbath could be seen as acknowledging the mark of the beast. One crucial point to note is that it is presently impossible to receive the mark of the beast:

The mark of the beast does not currently exist.

A literal interpretation of Revelation and other prophecies concerning the end times in the Bible reveals a timeline for these events. Daniel predicted seventy weeks (seventy sets of seven years) that signify God’s dealings with Israel. Sixty-nine of these weeks have transpired since Daniel’s time. The final week will be the period known as the tribulation, which is anticipated to be a time of great upheaval.When the Antichrist, or the beast, ascends to power, this ruler will unite ten nations (Daniel 7:24-25; Revelation 17:7) and establish a deceitful covenant with Israel (Daniel 9). The mark of the beast will not be implemented until the beast himself assumes authority during the tribulation.

Another reason why followers of Jesus Christ should not be afraid of receiving the mark of the beast at present is the occurrence of the church’s rapture. During the rapture, Jesus will gather all believers, whether alive or deceased, from the earth (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:50-54). Even though individuals may still come to faith in Christ after the rapture, all those who have faith in Jesus before the rapture will be taken to be with the Lord. According to pretribulationism, believers who live in the church era will never have an opportunity to accept the mark of the beast.

Therefore, there is nothing that anyone can do today to obtain, acquire, or accept the mark of the beast. Implanted chips, barcodes, tattoos, blasphemy, or verbally declaring, “I pledge allegiance to the Antichrist and embrace the mark of the beast” — none of these actions will result in receiving the mark of the beast. The mark of the beast cannot come into existence unless the beast/Antichrist explicitly demands it.