Revelation 13 16-17: “Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one may buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. (ESV – all emphasis is mine.)
There are nations in the world today that are replacing credit/debit cards with a microchip that is implanted in a person’s hand. They weigh less than 1 gram and are encased in a material similar to plastic. To make a purchase, for example, one just needs to pass their hand near an instrument that can read the implanted chip. Then, if their bank account is sufficient, a purchase can be completed without handling any form of currency.
During my lifetime, getting different forms of identification numbers has been instilled in my mind as absolutely normal. Driver’s license, social security, Military ID, phone numbers, and numerous debit and credit cards have become a part of my life. Some I can still quote from memory, even though it’s been decades since I had them.
From what is described in Revelation 13, only one form of identification will be necessary, and it will cover every life application necessary. However, there is a major problem with this.
Revelation 14:9-11 gives a true warning. “And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of His anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the Holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.’”
Some people have said that if they were to be in that time, they would take the mark simply to be able to get necessities. However, the Bible makes it clear that to take the mark is to pledge allegiance to the beast and ultimately to Satan. To make that pledge is to curse our Heavenly Father, Our Lord and Savior, and the Holy Spirit. That is unforgivable.
Today, to pass from this earth without Jesus as your Savior is an automatic appointment at the Great White Throne of Revelation 20:11-15. No one there can seek forgiveness, as all in that line are condemned forever. The Judgment is to determine the degree of punishment each person will receive. It would stand to reason that a person such as Hitler would receive harsher conditions than a person who basically was good but never received and accepted Jesus as Savior. Either way, it’s torment for all eternity.
The best way to avoid all this would be to have already received and accepted Jesus as your eternal Savior before taking your last breath on this earth. With that being the case, you would not even be here for the most terrible seven years this earth will ever experience.
Beginning with 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17:
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep [died].
“For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the Trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then, we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
In 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, Paul gives a bit more information about this event: “Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last Trumpet. For the Trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.”
All who will be condemned to the lake of fire will have an immortal body that will be designed to receive punishment forever. Needless to say, this will be a most unpleasant experience. There will be no pardons or reduced sentences there.
On the other hand, all who will be spending eternity with Jesus will receive an immortal and imperishable body designed for eternal life in Paradise with our Lord and Savior forever. This will include all pre-Calvary souls who were in the will of the Father, and all from Calvary to the end of this earth who had received and accepted Jesus as their Savior.
It shouldn’t be too difficult to say which body we would all prefer to have. Best news is it’s totally our choice which one we will receive. Our Heavenly Father will not force us either way but will respect whichever choice we make.
Also, the Father has promised that all who have accepted Jesus as their Savior prior to the tribulation will not go through any of it. This is found in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, and Revelation 3:10. We will already be with Jesus prior to the antichrist coming out.
As stated, which eternity you are bound for is totally up to each and every individual. Romans 10:9-13 gives the steps to Salvation which are: Admit you’re a sinner in need of a Savior; Believe Jesus is the Son of God and His shed blood on the cross is what has saved all who have received and accepted Him; and finally, Call out to Jesus to be your Savior. This is known as the A-B-Cs of Salvation.
All who do not do so will have an appointment at the Great White Throne – no exceptions. There is no third option, no matter what any false prophet may try to tell you.
Today would be a good time to make your call if you haven’t already done so. Tomorrow is not promised, and the Rapture will be over in less than one second (twinkling of an eye).
If you’re ready to have Jesus as your eternal Savior, He’s ready to take your call. He is never too busy to add another soul to His precious flock (John 10). Call Jesus – Call Him Today – Call Him right now! It’s the most important decision you will ever make in your lifetime.
Shalom! (Peace) Maranatha! (Come, Lord Jesus!)