The Mark of the Beast

The Unforgivable Sin

"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 can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name."
--- Revelation 13:16-17

"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."
--- Revelation 14:9-10

The final week (7 years) of the end times is called the tribulation or 70th week of Daniel. The Antichrist, or the beast, will rise to power at the midpoint, three and one-half years into the tribulation. At the Abomination of Desolation, the Antichrist will declare himself God. (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4)

At this time, the world economy and society will be in shambles due to the first world government, called in the Bible, Mystery Babylon.
Initially Mystery Babylon "sits on the beast" (Revelation 17:3) controlling him. But with the help of a foreign god, (Daniel 11:39 NASB) the Beast (Antichrist) will rise in power. The Beast hates Mystery Babylon and will destroy her.

The overtaking of this first world government by the Antichrist delights most of the world, and the Antichrist will look like a savior, counterfeiting Jesus.

The Antichrist enforces power through economic controls. No one, no matter his social class or influence, will be able to buy or sell unless he has a mark on his forehead or hand to signify devotion to the beast. (Revelation 13:17 NLT)

Remember, the mark of the beast cannot exist until the beast himself is in power during the tribulation, though there will probably be precursors to it beforehand.

The beast’s unstoppable authority and rule will spark fear and admiration in those dwelling on earth, and they will worship the beast. (Revelation 13:5)

The Antichrist will use deception, fear, intimidation, and violence to persuade everyone on earth to take the mark of the beast and worship him (Revelation 13:8). He kills everyone who does not take his mark and worship him (Revelation 13:15).

The Antichrist's rise to power marks the beginning of the "Great Tribulation," in which he will try to kill all Jews and Christians and anyone who will not worship him and take his mark.

As believers, we must prepare ourselves for what the Bible calls the greatest time of anguish and distress in history. (Daniel 12:1 NASB)

As believers, we are called upon to persevere and remain faithful to our Lord. We must remain loyal despite the persecution and difficulties that lie ahead. (James 1:12 NASB, Hebrews 10:36 NIV)

The Mark:

It is unclear from scripture what exactly the mark of the beast is.

It is my belief that the mark will change human genetics, making human beings "less than human" and consequently, "unsavable." This parallels what happened in the days of Noah when demonic angels contaminated the gene pool.

The end time verse in Isaiah 13 points to the scarcity of human beings (as opposed to genetically altered beings):
I will make people harder to find than pure gold and human beings more rare than gold from Ophir.
Isaiah 13:12 GW
Human beings will be scarce because the Antichrist will hunt down all who refuse to take the mark of the beast and kill them. Most people in the last days will be genetically altered and unsavable.

Some believe it will be a chip implant. The Bible does not say.
What we do know for certain from the Bible is that if you take the mark of the beast, you CANNOT BE SAVED. There will be no repentance available after taking the mark.

Taking the mark of the beast is "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit," which the Bible calls an unforgivable sin.
(Matthew 12:31 NLT, Revelation 14:11)

Sadly, there will probably be some "born again" Christians who take the mark of the beast. These are true Christians, not pretend ones.

I believe that scripture possibly gives us a foreshadowing of this in the Garden of Gethsemane. One of the disciples, Judas, betrays Jesus in the garden. Judas turned from following Jesus (John 6:66) and betrayed Him.
Could this foretell that about 1/12, or 8%, of true Christians will take the mark of the beast?
If so, it is sobering.