Answer
The mark of the beast is a popular end-times topic and has been for centuries. More recently, technological advances have sparked more speculation as to what the mark will actually look like and how it will be administered. An intriguing possibility gaining traction lately is that of an RFID chip.
The RFID Chip
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags (or chips) attached to objects. This technology has been around for decades and currently has many uses such as tracking pharmaceuticals, library books, vehicles, jewelry and other valuables, and wildlife and pets. RFID allows for the simple locating of these things as well as rapidly identifying them. RFID is the basis for transponder-key vehicle ignitions and contactless payment methods. And now the RFID chip is being used in humans. Some firms have made RFID chip implants available to their employees; with an implanted chip, an employee can wave a hand to open doors, pay for food in the cafeteria, and gain access to the copy machine.
Proponents of the RFID implants in humans envision a streamlined future in which no one has to carry a wallet or a passport, children and the elderly can be located when they wander off, kidnap victims can be found readily, and EMTs can access the medical records of an unconscious patient. RFID technology in humans is gaining popularity around the globe, but there are concerns medically, technologically, and ethically. For the reader of the Bible, an RFID chip sounds suspiciously like the mark of the beast prophesied in Revelation, especially given that most transponder implants are being placed in a person’s right hand.
The Mark of the Beast in the Bible
The book of Revelation gives us some details about what the mark of the beast does. When the Antichrist, or the beast, comes to power, “all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, [are forced] to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:16–17). In mandating the mark, the beast will be able to control commerce and, if it’s an RFID chip, track everyone and have access to their personal information.
The Timing of the Mark
Revelation 13 lays out a chronology leading up to the forced application of the mark of the beast. These events will take place in order:
• the Antichrist rises to power (verse 1)
• the Antichrist is healed of a deadly wound (verse 3)
• people openly worship the dragon (Satan) and the Antichrist (verse 4)
• the false prophet performs miracles on behalf of the beast, including calling fire from heaven (verse 13)
• the false prophet constructs an image of the beast and causes it to speak (verses 14–15)
• the image of the beast orders the death of anyone who will not worship it (verse 15)
• after all of the above, the false prophet orders everyone to receive the mark of the beast (verses 16–17)
We believe that these events will take place after the rapture of the church (see 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12).• the Antichrist is healed of a deadly wound (verse 3)
• people openly worship the dragon (Satan) and the Antichrist (verse 4)
• the false prophet performs miracles on behalf of the beast, including calling fire from heaven (verse 13)
• the false prophet constructs an image of the beast and causes it to speak (verses 14–15)
• the image of the beast orders the death of anyone who will not worship it (verse 15)
• after all of the above, the false prophet orders everyone to receive the mark of the beast (verses 16–17)
We Aren’t There . . . Yet
We don’t know for sure what the mark of the beast will be. Technology similar to RFID may be what the Antichrist will use to mark people during the tribulation. Or an RFID chip could be exactly what the mark of the beast will be—the technology is already here. What we do know is that the mark of the beast isn’t upon us yet. Since the Antichrist isn’t yet on the world stage, at least openly, there is no mark to be taken yet. Is it possible that the mark of the beast will be an RFID chip implanted in the right hand or the forehead? Yes. Does that make the technology itself evil? No. It is the sinful use of a tool that is wrong, not the tool per se.
The RFID Chip and the Mark of the Beast: Conclusion
Regardless of what the mark of the beast will be—an RFID chip or some other means of tracking and control—Christians should redeem the time: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15). We have much to praise God for, much good to do in the world, and many people to reach with the gospel. All the while, we look for “the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Maranatha.
