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QUALIFYING THE MARK OF THE BEAST The Mark of the Beast is a BIBLE topic, so we must respect THE BIBLE when studying it, and not lean to our own understanding. Any study on the Mark of the Beast that doesn't respect the following is unworthy of your time and attention: I. The whole Mark of the Beast scenario is centered around a MAN: “it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” (Rev. 13:18) A mere ID number containing three sixes does not qualify. It must be connected to a particular MAN. II. The MARK of the Beast isn’t the only means of being identified with the Beast. There are THREE identification methods: 1. Name of the Beast: Rev. 13:172. Number of his name: Rev. 13:17, 15:23. Mark of the Beast: Rev. 16:2, 19:20 III. The Mark of the Beast is called the Mark of his NAME in Rev. 14:11. So, the whole thing is centered around the NAME of a MAN. A random ID mark or chip with no particular significance other than containing ID info and account numbers DOES NOT QUALIFY. Everyone who takes the actual mark, name, or number of the beast will KNOW that it identifies them with A MAN. (Revelation 13:3-4) IV. The NUMBER of the Beast is to be COUNTED, not simply read: “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding COUNT the number of the beast…” (Rev. 13:18) It takes no understanding to simply READ or SEE the number 666, but to COUNT it is quite a different thing. To COUNT the number implies some sort of mathematics or gematria. So, Bill Gates laying claim to the digits 060606 is probably meaningless, if it's true at all. Satanist Alister Crowley laid claim to the number 666 in the early 1900’s, but he was NOT the Antichrist. V. Taking the Mark, Name or Number of the Beast involves WILFUL WORSHIP. Revelation 13:4 And they WORSHIPPED the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they WORSHIPPED the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall WORSHIP him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Revelation 13:12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to WORSHIP the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. Revelation 13:15 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. 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. No man living today enjoys such loyalty, so the notion that a vaccine will be the Mark of the Beast just doesn't seem likely, at least not to this preacher. Could it eventually "evolve" into the actual mark? Possibly, but not anytime soon. Developments like the rumored Bill Gates ID plan and the fact that some companies are using bio chips to ID employees should not be ignored, since these things serve as indicators to show that the time is certainly drawing near, but let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater and distract ourselves with circumstantial information and conclusions. Now is the time to be about the Lord’s work, not the time to show our ignorance of the word of God by signing on to tabloid spook stories that fall short of scriptural requirements.