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Answer
In Revelation 13, the second beast compels everyone worldwide to receive a mark on their right hands or foreheads, and “they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name” «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. », (Revelation 13:17). It is often theorized that, for the Antichrist or the beast to regulate all transactions, a cashless society will be required during the tribulation. While cash is in use, transactions can be conducted discreetly, but if all currency transitions to electronic form, every transaction can be monitored.
Nevertheless, a cashless society is not a prerequisite to meet the criteria of Revelation 13:17, nor does progress towards a cashless society imply that “the end is near” for the following reasons:
1. The “end times” commenced with the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. We have been in the “end times” for the past 2,000 years. Paul characterizes his contemporary generation as those “on whom the culmination of the ages has come” «Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. », (1 Corinthians 10:11). He cautions Timothy about conditions in the last days as if Timothy will face them (2 Timothy 3:1-5). In Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost, he identifies the outpouring of God’s Spirit on believers as a sign of the last days «And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. », (Acts 2:17).
And your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams: », (Acts 2:17). James 5:3 warns the rich that they are hoarding wealth in the last days, when they should be helping the poor. We are currently living in the end times, cash or no cash.
2. The conditions described in Revelation 13:17 existed in the first century, without a cashless society. In Asia Minor (the area of the seven churches to whom the book is addressed), if a tradesman wanted to practice his craft, he would have to be a member of a trade guild. Each guild had a patron deity, and, in order to be a member of the guild, the tradesman would have to participate in worship of the deity. If a Christian tradesman refused to worship the deity and join the guild, he was prohibited from practicing his trade and thus unable to earn a living, effectively preventing him from buying and selling. This is the background of Revelation 13:17. In modern communist countries, Christians have sometimes been blackballed. The authorities make it clear that no one is allowed to buy or sell to Christians, nor is anyone allowed to help them with donations. If Christian parents are incarcerated, no one is allowed to help their children. Other groups have been persecuted in this way, too; a cashless society is not needed to keep certain people from doing business.
3. Even in a cashless society, there will always be ways around the system. Barter of goods and services and the black market will always exist. Revelation 13:17 does not require that the beast maintain absolute control over every single transaction, only that the official policy forbids these transactions, making them illegal and punishable and therefore more difficult.
In the final analysis, a cashless society may make it easier for a totalitarian government to control its citizens. This is a fact of human existence and not necessarily linked to the “end times.”
“A cashless society is not an indicator that the Lord’s return is imminent because believers of all ages have been warned and encouraged that the Lord may return at any time. This was true when no one had even imagined electronic transactions. The most that can be said is that every day that passes brings us one day closer to the Lord’s return.”
