Rev 13:15-18 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. (16) 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: (17) 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. (18) 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.
For a long time many have speculated about the meaning of the "mark of the beast". I have touched on the topic in previous years and also more recently. In this post, I wish to emphasise a point I made previously, that the "mark" need not be a complex device like a buried microchip or flexible circuit and, indeed, it need be nothing more than a simple identifier, a tattoo that fluoresces under a suitable light, as one possible example.
The mistake people often make when attempting to understand scripture is to "read between the lines" when there's really nothing there or, at least, nothing they think they can see. We have a tendency to project onto unassailed mysteries our own understanding, built up from our own experiences and knowledge, which can lead to adding to the scripture that which it does not contain and missing that which it does contain. This is a dangerous mistake to make but I see people making it all too often. In that regard, I have also fallen into that trap on various occasions. None of us are immune and the only immunity we can have is the understanding given to us by God through His Spirit. Without that, we are lost in every sense of the word.
Strong's concordance on the word used at the beginning of each of those verses, the word, "And":
G2532 καί kai kahee
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.
A cumulative force implies grouping things even if not normally connected and a copulative force implies that something does not merely add to a previous one (or to a group) but is intrinsically part of a previously noted thing. This shows something being added to a previous item and, potentially, being an intrinsic part of the previous item, but it does not stipulate precisely the relationship between the two. However, it is the word translated as, "that", which follows "And" in verse 17 which can make the difference in our understanding.
G2443 ἵνα hina hin'-ah
Probably from the same as the former part of G1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare G3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result): - albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare G3363.
So, to make a long story short, there is nothing in the scripture that indicates the physical need for the mark in order to trade, but it only indicates that we will not be allowed to trade if we do not have the mark, regardless of whether that is enforced purely by lawful requirement or through a physical mechanism.
Note the words used at the beginning of verse 16 above, "And he causeth... ". This is then added to by the words, "And that..." at the beginning of verse 17. Taken together we can read verses 16 and 17 as, "(16) And he causeth... (17) And (he also causeth) that...", or, "(16) And he causeth... (17) And (to also cause) that...", since the connective, "And" combined with the word, "that" (seemingly a conjunction in this case), in verse 17 is adding and conjoining (or indicating an existing union) to "things that he (the Beast) causeth", to denote either a consequence or an a-priori reason for what "he causeth", that is, an additional thing the beast causes as a product of the first thing he caused, being the intended purpose of the first cause which is the "mark." I know that is a big mouthful but I suspect you understand the point I am making.
This shows us the purpose of forcing people to receive the mark, that nobody may buy or sell except the one with the mark. This is made clear already in the translation of just about any version of the bible. However, what it does not tell us is that the mark is somehow necessary for the mechanics of the transaction itself and therein is the error many have made, to assume that, without the mark, trade is not possible. It only indicates enough to see that one is not allowed to trade except he that has the mark. This can be merely a legally enforced requirement. The "beast" only needs to demand that you have the mark if you are going to trade in its economic system. One may still be able to trade in some form (such as bartering, for example, or illegally without the mark, though do not hope for these things since they are speculative) but not within the normal (legal) channels of commerce now controlled by a global superstate, the final full manifestation of "the beast".
To conclude, I can only say that it is not necessary that "the mark of the beast" be anything more complicated than a literal mark of some kind, such as a tattoo that fluoresces under infrared or ultraviolet light (making it easy to capture in an instant using modern digital image processing and suitable lighting), or perhaps some other elementary approach, but I cannot simply rule out the idea of an implanted integrated circuit of some kind, though having such a thing in the forehead seems unlikely since it would cause a visible protrusion or distortion of the surface of such a thin layer of skin over the bone. It seems more likely to me that having an embedded electronic circuit required for the actual transaction process would simply be an option (sold easily under the guise of "convenience" and "security") to having some kind of electronic plastic card, but having the mark, as a tattoo normally invisible under ordinary light or in some other simple form, will be mandatory so that should you fail to produce that identifier then, regardless of your ability (or otherwise) to actually engage in trade, you will simply be denied the right to do so. Such a mark can easily carry enough information to both identify the "beast" and yourself (perhaps by way of a global account number), but merely identifying the beast is itself enough to meet the criteria of the prophecy. Although it could be, the mark need not be engaged as part of the mechanics of the actual trade. One can see how easily this approach already fits with the goals of the Gates Foundation, the WHO and the UN.
The one thing to remember is that having "the mark of the beast" then identifies a person as the legal property of the "beast", which is easily understood if considering that a global superstate led by a satanic head will inevitably be socialist (or communist, though practically no different). In such a system an individual is not sovereign, is without rights except those afforded it by the state (certainly, no God-given rights will be tolerated under such a regime since God would be utterly denied) and, like all other capital, is the property of the state. Since such a state that attempts to usurp God as the highest authority will be destroyed, so, too, all its property.
