For a further insight into the End Times,
check out Bob Yandian’s teachings on the End Times.
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read more related to the topic of the End Times.

Since the invention of credit cards and laser scanners, many Christians have been apprehensive about the mark of the beast. Some Christians have actually refused to get a credit card because they were afraid of it being encoded with the number 666 which is the number of the beast in Revelation. Understanding what the Bible teaches about this subject will bring peace to the Christian, and dispel fear or confusion.

It is important to know several things when it comes to interpreting end time prophecies.

First, there are different groups of people to which biblical prophecies apply. Second, there are different time periods in which individual prophecies belong. To properly interpret prophetic scripture you must know what people group it refers to and what time period the prophecy addresses.

The Bible divides all of humanity into three groups of people. We see this in 1 Corinthians 10:32:

Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles,
nor to the church of God:

It is important to know that you, as a believer, are part of the church of God. You are not the in the category referred to as Jews nor in the group called the Gentiles. There are certain prophecies that refer to and deal with the Jews and Gentiles that do not refer to or deal with you as a Christian.

It is also very important to understand that God has divided human history into time periods and that He deals with mankind differently in each time period. There are seven time periods or dispensations mentioned in scripture and they each revolve around a covenant God enters into with man.

The Seven Dispensations :

 1) Innocence (Genesis 1:26, 3:6): Before the fall of Adam and Eve
 2) Conscience (Genesis 3:7, 6:7)
 3) Civil Government (Genesis 6:8-11:9)
 4) Promise or Patriarchal Rule or the Jewish Age (Genesis 11:10, Ex. 18:27)
 5) Mosaic Law (Exodus 19:1, Acts 1:26): This includes the seven years of the Tribulation
 6) The church or grace age or the mystery (Acts 2:1, Revelation 4)
 7) The Millennium (Revelation 20:4-15): The 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ on earth

What is referred to in the Bible as the mark of the beast, will not occur until a special time period called the Tribulation, which will be seven years in duration. (See Daniel 9:27. The word “week” refers to a seven year period of time.) This seven year span is actually the culmination of the fourth time period listed above: The age of Promise or the Jewish Age. As we have referred to in the previous question about the Rapture (see Real Answers archives), the time period of the Church was a mystery to those who lived in Old Testament times. According to the prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27, the time period between the command given by God to rebuild the temple, after it had been destroyed by Babylon, to the coming of the Messiah (Christ) would be 483 years or (69 weeks). However, it also clearly says that God would give the nation of Israel 490 years (70 weeks—literally seven sevens) before it is fully restored. The end of these 490 years will usher in the Millennium reign of Jesus Christ.

In essence, God stopped Jewish time after Christ’s death (483rd year) and inserted the time period of the mystery, which is the church age. After the rapture at the end of the church age, the time period will revert back to the final seven years of the Jewish Age, completing the 490 years prophesied of concerning the nation of Israel. During this seven year period, the Tribulation, Anti-Christ will rule and exert satanic influence throughout the earth. During this seven years, people will have their last opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. At the end of the Tribulation, Jesus will destroy Satan, the Antichrist and every demonic force, which culminated in the Battle of Armageddon. Then Jesus will set up His Millennial Kingdom in Jerusalem. It is important to know that all born again believers will be removed from the earth prior to the Tribulation.

Second Thessalonians 2:1-7 teaches that the Anti-Christ cannot be revealed until the Spirit indwelt Church is removed. It is the Spirit indwelt church that is restraining the manifestation of the Anti-Christ. (For more complete dealing of this please see the archive question: Will the church grow cold before the return of the Lord?)

To reiterate, the time period when people will take the mark of the beast is a different time period than the one in which we live. Christians/ the Church will be removed before the Tribulation period so the last seven years of Jewish time can be fulfilled. God has not destined the Church to experience God’s wrath, which will be poured out during the Tribulation period (see 1 Thessalonians 5.9). Again, the Tribulation Period deals with the Jews (completing the 490 years of the Jewish Age) and the judging of the unbelieving nations (Gentiles) at the battle of Armageddon.

Now to the subject of whether those in the Tribulation period can be “tricked” into taking the mark of the beast. I believe all those who take the mark of the beast will have had many opportunities to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. After the Rapture, many will question where all the Christians went. Immediately following the Rapture, 144,000 will be converted, will become witnesses, and there will be world-wide evangelism according to the book of Revelation. During the seven year period of the Tribulation, there will be a succession of judgments, and each one will be a perfect opportunity for sinners to repent of their sins and turn to Christ. We see that those who do not believe will not be persuaded by preaching or the judgments coming on the earth. They will not love truth and will open themselves to the deception of the Antichrist and his world system, including his mark. In the end, those who trust Christ will be protected and ushered into the Kingdom of God forever! Those who do not believe and trust in Christ will enter eternal judgment. If you have not trusted Christ as your Lord and Savior, this is the day to do so! Jesus died for your sins on the cross and was raised from the dead to bring you to God. If you believe this in your heart and confess him as your Lord, according to Romans 10:9-10, you will be saved and will never have to face the fear of eternal judgment. When Jesus returns for His Church, you will go to be with Him in the clouds and so you will be with Him forever!

Do not be afraid to use the technology we have available to us today. We are in the world, but not of the world. Those who stay in the Word of God will not be deceived by false doctrine or live in fear in these last days. Rest in Christ and trust in His keeping grace. Amen.

Blessings,

Rick McFarland bio
Director/Singles Director
Real Answers bookstore
Grace Church