Many people have heard that the Bible says the Antichrist is about to rise and the world will end soon, and they’re not eager for the world to end. They’re just about to retire and are looking forward to enjoying the fruits of a lifetime of labor. Or they’re just entering the labor market and wonder if the system will keep from collapsing before they reach thirty. The last thing they want is for their next-door neighbor to disappear in the Rapture and to read in the next week’s headlines that everyone must have 666 branded in their right hand or forehead if they want to be able to buy or sell.

Recent economic crises have wreaked havoc with financial markets around the world and wiped out many people’s life savings; that, together with revelations about banking scandals and ponzi schemes has done much to destroy hope in a secure financial future. Many Christians predict, in fact, that the world must collapse into economic chaos to make the world desperate enough to accept the Antichrist’s “solution.” All this makes people on the cusp of retirement—as well as those just entering the job market—concerned about the future.

People ought to be concerned, whether we first pass through another Great Depression or not, because the Bible says that once the Antichrist takes over the world, he passes a law that everyone must receive his number, the Mark of the Beast:

“He forces all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no one might buy or sell, except for those who have the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom: let him who has understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is 666” (Rev. 13:16–18).
Is the Mark of the Beast an actual brand? Not necessarily. For the first time in history, cutting-edge technology enables mankind to implant smart chips in pets—and even in people. There is talk about implanting an ID chip/banking chip in everyone’s hand to stop identity fraud and credit card theft. It would be a tiny computer chip inserted under the skin. You won’t even be able to tell it’s there, but computers will pick it up, and people would simply place their hand on a scanner at the checkout. The chips will very likely double as tracking devices—allowing Big Brother to know where every ‘marked’ person is at any given time. In addition, his super-computers would contain lists of every person who has received the Mark and who hasn’t.

Apart from the Big Brother aspect, implanted credit/ID chips seems like a good idea to many people. They’re tired of identity theft and carrying around so many bank cards, credit cards, and ID. By the millions they will gladly receive the Mark, especially since they can’t buy or sell without it. But there’s a catch: receiving the Mark of the Beast goes hand in hand with worshiping the Beast, the Antichrist, as God. And Rev. 14:9–11 makes it painfully clear that the price for worshiping him and receiving his Mark is to be sent to hell. Remember this when that day arrives! Millions upon millions of people will put off turning to God and receiving Jesus Christ as their savior, and will wake up one morning to find the new law in effect. That’s why Jesus warned:

“Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be consumed with carousing and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, so that that Day comes upon you unawares. For like a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth” (Lk. 21:34–35).
When that day arrives, many people will finally believe in Jesus, and by the millions, will follow his advice (Mat. 24:16) to flee into the as-yet-unregulated countryside and remote hinterlands and take up farming to survive. If you are still living and here when that day arrives, you should definitely flee the cities, since the Antichrist’s regime will execute those who don’t accept the Mark of the Beast and worship him and his image (Rev. 13:15).

This may not be the happiest information you’ve ever heard, but it’s best to be warned about what’s coming. And the good news is that as much as the Antichrist tries to control the world, untold millions who resist the Mark will survive his regime and come out on the other side!