Precursors to the 666 and the Mark of the Beast Part 1

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Authored By  :
Bill Kochman

Published On :
December 30, 2004

Last Updated :
January 3, 2009


NOTE: This article or series has not been updated recently. As such, it may possibly contain some outdated information, and/or ideas and beliefs which I no longer embrace, or which have changed to some degree.

Know History And Watch The News - Keys To Understand Prophecy Daniel's Prophecy, Running To And Fro - Modern Transportation Knowledge Shall Be Increased, A Link Between Developments And Spiritual Influence, Not All Knowledge Is Good, International Banker's World Wide Web, Challenge Of The Prophets, Satanic Power And Endtime Events, Babylon Destroyed, Fire From Heaven A Nuclear Bomb Or Laser Technology, Judah And Tamar, Pharez And Zarah, Lion Of Judah, Hints Regarding Identity Of Babylon Saved By Grace Not By "Good Works", 666 - Mark Of The Beast, Global Market, A Literal Event And A Marriage Of Technology, World Of The Future, Campaign Of Inconvenience, Guilty Until Proven Innocent, Americans' Stigmatization, Applied Digital Solutions, VeriChip And Digital Angel, Secular Humanist View Peace And Safety In The Lord, False Promise Of Peace, VeriPay


As I point out in a few of my other articles, it's my belief that in order for us to properly understand Endtime Bible prophecy, not only do we need to have a basic understanding of certain past events, that is, world history, but we also need to keep ourselves abreast of current world developments in a variety of different areas. These would include such spheres as politics, religion, economics, etc. Of course, it would also include the area of science and modern technology as well. It has occurred to me that there is the possibility that what may have appeared as "magic", or perhaps as great spiritual power to the ancient Prophets, may in actuality be easily explained by technological advances in our modern day.

One prophetic Bible verse which I mention in other writings, is found in the Book of Daniel, and reads as follows:

"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."
Daniel 12:4, KJV


In the previous verse, we are basically being informed of three important things. First, that the meaning of Daniel's prophecies would not be fully understood until the time of the end; that is to the say, the Endtime, or the Last Days. Next, in only a few words, we are given a clear picture of what perfectly describes the vast transportation networks of our modern day, in which people travel all around the world by a variety of means, including jet airliners, transoceanic ships, bullet trains, subway systems, cars, trucks, buses, helicopters, private planes, etc. Everybody is busy trying to get somewhere.

But it is the final point in the previous prophecy which I would like to bring to your attention at this time. We are told that knowledge shall be increased. As I point out in my article "Science And Technology: The Forbidden Knowledge?", no one can deny that this has most certainly happened. Man's knowledge in a wide diversity of areas, such as in the field of science and technology, has increased at an unbelievable rate during the past century; and like an avalanche rushing down a mountainside, it continues to increase as each year passes. Only God knows where it will end, and this is of some concern to me. Allow me to tell you why I feel this way.

As I have pointed out before, whether we realize it or not, we are all influenced by spiritual forces. In a sense, being as knowledge can be inspired by both good and evil spiritual forces, it can be correctly stated that modern developments are indirectly the result of spiritual power. Sadly, not all modern developments are necessarily good; simply because the spiritual forces which inspired them, and gave the wisdom to create them, are not good. Consider such hellish weapons as the nuclear bomb and other Weapons of Mass Destruction which so many nations are now trying to acquire or in fact already possess. The Apostle James plainly informs us that not all wisdom -- from the Greek "sophia" -- descends from above; that is to say, not all knowledge comes from God in Heaven. Some wisdom, and the things which it produces, is in fact demonic; it is devilish. James wrote:

"This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish."
James 3:15, KJV


In such articles as "666: Patience Of The Saints" and "Mondex And The Mark Of The Beast", I point out how there is a great deal of evidence which suggests that some of the leaders of the Endtime, particularly those who are involved in the area of international trade, banking, and online eCommerce, will use modern technology to their advantage, in order to catch people in their financial web which they have tightly woven around the world. The widespread use of such things as debit cards, Smart Cards, ATMs, etc., is clear proof that this is indeed true; and in the near future, all of these things will be directly connected to, and easily accessible from, one's personal computer. You may already know that computers with a port for connecting a biometric scanner, such as for a fingerprint scanner, are even now being developed, and will hit the market soon.

But allow me to ask you something. Is it possible that the Prophets of old, such as John for example, may have looked at these developments from the perspective of where this knowledge was acquired from in order to create such things, and thus have rightly described it as being Satanic power? Obviously, they could not understand the science which is associated with the things they were seeing, but they did know the real source of the wisdom, and it was clearly not of God. So because what the Prophets saw in some of their visions was far beyond their comprehension, they may have struggled to find a way to describe such things in a way which would be understood by later readers. While it may have been a challenge for them to comprehend their visions, one thing that they did want us to know, is that the things they were seeing, whatever they were, were of Satan, and that we need to watch out for them.

Concerning connecting ancient prophecies with technological developments of our modern day, allow me to give you a few examples. In Revelation, we are told that the mysterious wicked city of the Endtime known as Babylon the Great, will in some way be destroyed by fire. We are told by John that her destruction will be so complete, that she will be found "no more at all". As if to emphasize this point, please note that the phrase "no more at all", as well as two variations of this phrase, are used a total of eight times. Consider these verses:

"And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled."
Revelation 17:16-17, KJV


"Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her . . . And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all . . . And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived."
Revelation 18:8, 14, 21-23, KJV


A few chapters earlier, in Revelation thirteen, we are also informed that the Second Beast, that is to say, the False Prophet, will in some way make fire come down from heaven, that is, from the sky, in the sight of men, as we see here:

"And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,"
Revelation 13:13, KJV


Given the scientific developments of our current day, is it possible that the Prophet John may have witnessed some kind of modern technology, such as satellite-based laser weapons, or possibly even a nuclear device? While regular fires can in fact result in a lot of destruction, the description of the destruction of Endtime Babylon the Great seems to imply something much more complete. "No more at all" offers a hint that reconstruction may not be possible for some reason.

An urbanized area can obviously be rebuilt following a fire, no matter how great the damage may be; but sadly, as we have clearly seen with such cases as the Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Bikini atoll nuclear tests, the 1979 Three Mile Island partial meltdown, the devastating 1986 Chernobyl incident, and other nuclear-related incidents, in addition to the massive physical damage which can result from a nuclear reactor meltdown, or from a nuclear explosive device, deadly radiation levels can leave an area completely uninhabitable for many decades to come, not to mention curse people with afflictions which can not only incapacitate them and their offspring, but which may eventually kill them as well.

Before leaving this example behind, I would like to share one more observation I have made while discussing the destruction of Babylon the Great. While the Lord could destroy Babylon by a variety of means, why is it that He specifically chooses some type of fire? As I pondered this thought, a clear answer came to me: In the Old Testament, according to the Levitical Law which existed before the time of Moses, burning one with fire was apparently the punishment which was prescribed for a woman who was found guilty of committing whoredoms. This becomes clear in the example of the story of Judah and Tamar. We are told that after Judah had unknowingly impregnated his daughter-in-law, Tamar, with his child, upon learning of the development, the following occurred:

"And it came to pass about three months after, that it was told Judah, saying, Tamar thy daughter in law hath played the harlot; and also, behold, she is with child by whoredom. And Judah said, Bring her forth, and let her be burnt. When she was brought forth, she sent to her father in law, saying, By the man, whose these are, am I with child: and she said, Discern, I pray thee, whose are these, the signet, and bracelets, and staff. And Judah acknowledged them, and said, She hath been more righteous than I; because that I gave her not to Shelah my son. And he knew her again no more."
Genesis 38:24-26, KJV


I honestly don't know exactly what it meant to be burned in this fashion, as the Bible doesn't make it clear; and to be quite frank, just thinking about it kind of sickens me; but what we do know from the Scriptures, is that Judah was at fault here, because he had refused to fulfill his obligation to Tamar, by giving her his youngest son, Shelah, after the older two sons had died. In the end, Tamar bore twin sons by Judah; Pharez and Zarah; and Pharez was an ancestor of Jesus Christ; which is why Jesus is called "the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David" in the Book of Revelation. Here is the end of the story, as it is found in the thirty-eighth chapter of the Book of Genesis:

"And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb. And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first. And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez. And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah."
Genesis 38:27-30, KJV


While I discuss Babylon the Great in much more detail in my article "Who is Babylon the Great?", let me just mention here that what these verses from Revelation may be indicating, is that in some way, Babylon represents a false religion, or perhaps even a false church, which, while she is supposed to be married to Jesus Christ, she has betrayed her spiritual husband through her unfaithfulness, and has gone whoring after the pleasures of this modern world. As a result of her sins against Him, she is burned with fire. So, perhaps if we view these verses in this context, we can begin to obtain a better idea of which modern city might possibly represent Babylon the Great. Two other Scriptures which add support to this speculation are the following, and you will find more of them discussed in the aforementioned article:

"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God."
Romans 7:4, KJV


"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
James 4:4, KJV


One final hint I would like to offer here before moving on, is that the first verse above seems to imply, that whereas our Salvation is supposed to be based upon our faith in the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone, maybe the mysterious Babylon is still depending upon her own "good works", such as through her observance of the Mosaic Law, or perhaps even through her observance of vain church laws and traditions, to save her, but this simply will not do; for as it is clearly written:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."
Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV


"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"
Titus 3:5, KJV


"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work."
Romans 11:6, KJV


Allow me to share another example with you which again shows how the fulfillment of some ancient prophecies may possibly be explained by technological developments in our modern day; and this will tie in directly with the title of this series. As I noted earlier, the infamous Mark of the Beast, or "666", could very well be explained by the current developments in banking and computer technology. While certain Bible teachers have tried to totally spiritualize the meaning of the "666", personally, I think it is foolish to do this, because buying and selling, in other words, world commerce, is very much a real, physical part of our modern world; and the strong push towards globalization will make it even more so as the years progress. Furthermore, advanced technology will be required to make everything work smoothly and effectively, even as it is already the case now.

While it is indeed true that whether or not one chooses to accept or to reject the Mark of the Beast system, will have great spiritual significance, even affecting our Salvation, nevertheless, what is being described in Revelation chapter thirteen seems very much to me like a literal event. It will be a technologically-based development; and its precursors are already apparent at this current time, as I mentioned a moment ago. I ask you to again consider exactly what God's Word has to say about this devilish economic system:

"And he causeth 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 man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."
Revelation 13:16-18, KJV


Aside from the fact that what John wrote seems to be rather literal to me, it is also as a result of the many technology articles which I have read and archived over the years, that I remain convinced at this current time, that the final 666 Mark of the Beast global credit system, will be a "marriage" of such technologies as microchip implants -- such as Applied Digital Solutions' "VeriChip" and "VeriPay" -- external RFID chips -- Radio Frequency Identification chips, which are now being utilized by large American retailers such as Walmart -- embedded RFID chips -- such as those embedded in Smart Cards and digital passports -- biometric scanners -- such as facial, retinal and fingerprint scans -- and GPS - Global Positioning System - technology -- such as the "Digital Angel" location device. If we add to this the worldwide campaign to create National ID databases and National ID Cards, which I believe will probably also contain an embedded microchip, it is not too difficult to see where everything is headed. I will be discussing some of these technologies in more detail as we proceed with this series.

As I point out in "666: Patience Of The Saints", in coming years, every single citizen will either be a marked, tracked, and chip-bearing member of the New World Order, with rights to travel, buy and sell as he or she pleases, or else he or she will be ostracized as an outcast of society, due to not being willing to receive the mark of the damned; that is to say, the "666" Mark of the Beast microchip implant. Even now, these satanic developments are insidiously being forced upon people through a subtle "campaign of inconvenience"; and the people of the world are being psychologically manipulated, and coerced into accepting them. Even in places like America, people are grudgingly sacrificing long-established personal liberties, all in the name of fighting Bush's so-called "war against terrorism". It is becoming increasingly difficult to function normally in this world, unless one embraces the new technology which surrounds him, but this is by intentional design. If you wish to better understand what I mean by a "campaign of inconvenience", please read the aforementioned article. Your eyes will be opened.

Ironically, it used to be that people were innocent until they were proven guilty. Now it seems that since the tragic events of 9/11, we are all guilty until proven innocent. We are all potential suspects; and countries like the USA are turning into veritable police states, as fear and paranoia grip the populace, from high government officials to common citizens. Perhaps if the United States of America were to change some of its foreign policies, America wouldn't be so hated and despised abroad; and American citizens would have less to fear. It says a lot when traveling Americans try to pretend to be Canadians, in order to avoid the increasing stigmatization which has become associated with being a citizen of the United States of America.

But as I was explaining a moment ago, it is obvious that the precursory technology which will lead to the ultimate "666" Mark of the Beast system, is already in existence. It's just a matter of time before this technology will be perfected, and will all be brought together when the moment is right. I really don't know how soon that moment will arrive, but I am sure that when it does, people will be willing to accept it. In fact, because of the current psychological manipulation, and the climate of fear, many people, particularly those who reject the truth of God's Word, will gladly embrace the Mark of the Beast, as a way to supposedly protect themselves from the evils which are even now befalling the world.

As I already said, in certain countries, including the USA, these kinds of technologies are even now being employed by certain government agencies, as well as by manufacturers and large retail outlets. But this madness does not stop there. Marking warehouse products with RFID microchips in order to tighten inventory is one thing, but marking real people is quite another in my view.

It may shock some of you to know, that in 2002, the US Food And Drug Administration approved the use of Applied Digital Solutions' "VeriChip" microchip implant. A problem developed with the FDA concerning the status of "VeriChip", but it was cleared up this past October -- 2004 -- and ADS is now free to also distribute "VeriChip" as a medical device. It was also in 2002 that the first American family, the Jacobs, who live in the state of Florida, received their microchip implants. According to one report that I read some time ago, they are rather delighted with it. While the Jacobs family were the first American family to receive the "VeriChip" implant, as you will see later in this series, they were not the first people to be implanted with the chip.

Since two years ago when the microchip was approved, Applied Digital Solutions has continued to distribute thousands of the "VeriChip" implant. The popularity of this ungodly chip is sure to expand, as Applied Digital Solutions continues to promote their evil products in a positive light; which is exactly what they have been doing for some time now.

Exactly how are they doing this?

Quite simply, in an increasingly insecure world, where war, violence and terrorism-related events fill the mass media on a daily basis, security is the name of the game; and through products such as Digital Angel, VeriChip, and VeriPay, ADS promises in their periodic press releases, to provide their clients with personal security, due to the GPS technology which is built into their Digital Angel location device; as well as medical security, through a unique ID code which is stored in their VeriChip implantable product; and banking security, through the unique ID number which is encoded in their VeriPay chip. In short, indirectly, Applied Digital Solutions seems to be saying that our security, well-being, and peace of mind, are no longer the result of the Lord's blessings upon our lives. Instead, through technology, we can provide these things for ourselves without His help.

This idea goes right along with the secular humanist view that human governments are our true benefactors, and that peace, security and other good things are the result of the actions which they take in order to protect us. For example, consider the heightened airport security; yet they were not able to detect or stop 9/11. Or consider the so-called "war against terrorism". Osama bin Laden remains free after more than three years of searching for him, and at least 1,400 American soldiers have died in Afghanistan and Iraq, not to mention thousands of Iraqis, Afghanis, and people of other nationalities as well. Or how about the creation of the US Department of Homeland Security, which slowly robs American citizens of their basic rights? And then there is the much publicized "Star Wars" Missile Defense Shield, which was an economic and physical impossibility from the start. Now we are promised a new form of protection through a devilish microchip implant. It seems that they promise and promise, and yet are unable to deliver the goods.

Contrary to such vain claims, the Holy Scriptures tell us plainly that God is our only true Protector and Provider of real peace and well-being, as we see by these verses:

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
Isaiah 26:3, KJV


"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV


"The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."
Psalm 34:7, KJV


"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God."
Psalm 20:7, KJV


Concerning those who promise us peace and security through all of their modern technology, consider what the Bible has to say regarding such false promises of peace; particularly when God may in fact have Judgment in store for such wicked people:

"There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked."
Isaiah 48:22, KJV


"But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked."
Isaiah 57:20-21, KJV


"They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace."
Jeremiah 6:14, KJV


"For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace."
Jeremiah 8:11, KJV


"To wit, the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 13:16, KJV


"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;"
Luke 21:25, KJV


"For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape."
1 Thessalonians 5:3, KJV


"But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."
Matthew 24:37-39, KJV


"And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues."
Revelation 17:15, KJV


Returning to Applied Digital Solutions and their promise of technological security, I just recently read an article in which it was stated that the VeriChip is now being injected into politicians, business executives and children on a test basis, in Mexico and Brazil. The article stated that Applied Digital Solutions is actively seeking to expand its markets in Latin America and elsewhere. It is that last word that should bother all of us. Elsewhere! In the end, will it be the entire world?

Lest you become confused, at this point, allow me to clarify that Applied Digital Solutions actually sells three closely related products which are based upon the same technology. As I briefly explained a moment ago, the first product is called "VeriChip"; which is a microchip specifically designed to be used in a medical environment. It is a rather simple device which consists of a microchip, capacitor and an antenna coil, which are enclosed in a glass capsule. The "VeriChip" implant doesn't actually contain the bearer's entire medical history; it contains a limited amount of data which would be necessary to know in the case of an unexpected medical emergency.

To gain full access to the person's medical data, this chip contains a unique ID code, which when accessed by authorized individuals, such as a paramedic for example, will give them access to the medical records for the individual in question. The records are actually stored in a remote central database. Yes, central databases alarm me too. Who knows what they may be doing with our private information. I have never actually seen a real VeriChip; I only have various images of it which I have downloaded from a few sites on the Internet. Applied Digital Solutions states that the VeriChip product is about the size of an uncooked grain of rice.

Applied Digital Solutions' second product is also a subdermal implantable microchip which is based upon RFID technology. It has been dubbed by ADS as "VeriPay"; and they unveiled this microchip at ID World 2003, which was held in Paris, France, in November of last year. While "VeriChip" is designed for medical purposes, as its name implies, "VeriPay" is designed specifically for banking purposes. In other words, the unique ID number which is encoded in the VeriPay capsule, is linked to an individual's bank account and credit history, and can be used to make cash and credit transactions. In boasting of the security of this evil device, Applied Digital Solutions noted the following in their 2003 press release:

----- Begin Quote -----

VeriPay's unique, under-the-skin format offers a much more secure, tamper-proof, and loss-proof solution. VeriPay brings to consumers the benefits of fast and reliable RFID technology along with the security of a subdermal format.

----- End Quote -----

Wow! Doesn't that just make you feel safe? The only way that a dishonest person would be able to steal your private info, would be if they dug the microchip out of your body, or cut off the body part where the VeriPay chip is embedded. There is one problem though. First they would have to know where the chip is actually located. From what I have read, ADS is being very secretive about this, for obvious reasons. There is the possibility that an evil person might try to force an individual to reveal their secret ID code, but I wouldn't be too surprised to learn that even the recipient is not given this sensitive information, in order to avoid exactly such a dangerous situation. What one doesn't know, he cannot tell.

We still have a lot more ground to cover, so I trust that you will join me in part two of this series. See you there!

Please go to part two for the continuation of this series.

⇒ Go To The Next Part . . .


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