Are Microchips the mark of the beast?

The prophecies in the last book of the Bible point to a time when no one will be able to "buy or sell, unless he who has the sign, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name." (Revelation 13:17) It follows from this that there will be a system of control of all commercial transactions in the last days, controlled by a power represented by the "beast", the mystical animal of the Revelation.

Therefore, the emergence of chip cards, the internet, and other systems that facilitate the control of all transactions is seen as a sign of the end of time. The use of "chips", electronic implantable devices in the hand or forehead, containing a person's data and replacing documents such as ID, is a matter of discussion, especially among Christians. Some news circulates telling that the best places to implant this device are the right hand and the forehead - the same places where the Bible says the mark of the beast will be implanted. Hence, many concluded that the chip would be the dreaded brand. It is noteworthy that not everyone believes in it.

An in-depth study of the book of Revelation shows that the chapter dealing with the chip is essentially symbolic. Thus, the "mark" symbolizes not a physical device, but a spiritual condition achieved after choosing to believe in a false religious system. The seal, or sign of God, is a day of rest (Ezekiel 20:12,20; Exodus 31:15-17). It is, therefore, a spiritual mark. The beast and its mark make opposition to God. Hence, it is understood that the mark of the beast must be a day of rest different from that established by God.

Nonetheless, the “chip” is seen by everyone as an important device in complementing a system capable of controlling all people. Once implemented, each person could be “read” by machines similar to current credit card readers. A pass in front of the forehead would allow the police officer to know the suspect's criminal record. Likewise, the supermarket could directly debit the purchase price from the customer's bank account. And what about those who didn't have the chip? They would not be able to buy or sell.

In the past, several news outlets announced that President Obama would have signed the law that establishes the chip as mandatory as of 2013. However, they demonstrated a false alarm. The rumor arose from the text of law number HR3200, proposed on July 14, 2009. The original text of the law proposed the establishment of a data record of products implanted in the body to maintain the patient's life*. They could be pacemakers, prostheses, and others. The text does not imply that it is an implantable chip. The "chip" was not even mentioned. Notwithstanding, the law has not passed Congress. Instead, it was replaced by law number HR3962, passed in Congress, but which did not become law.

A similar law, HR3590, passed the US Senate. In 2010, the chamber abandoned its proposed law in favor of the one proposed by the Senate, which became the law named "Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010." The word "implantable" is not even in the law. In other words, to summarize the story, the chip has not yet become law, nor has it been approved by Obama.

Some took the expression "implantable" and made a series of misinterpretations from it. They considered that the approval of the law HR3590, on March 21, 2012, was a confirmation of the text of the old bill numbered HR3200. Then, they spread the rumor that, when signing this law, Obama had approved the chip.

The Lord wants us to be guided more by the prophecies of the prophets of the Bible, than by the sensationalist news: "And we have, very firmly, the word of the prophets, to which you do well to be attentive, as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the dawn star appears in your hearts. (2 Peter 1:19). We can know what to expect in the future by giving heed to biblical prophecies. We know from the Bible that we live in the last days, because several of its prophecies are being fulfilled. I quote one of them: “However, you know this: that in the last few days hard times will come. Because there will be men who love themselves, miserly, presumptuous, proud, blasphemous, disobedient to fathers and mothers, ungrateful, profane, without natural affection, irreconcilable, slanderers, incontinent, cruel, without love for the good, traitors, obstinate, proud , more friends of delight than friends of God, Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its effectiveness. ” (2 Timothy 2:1-5) We live in these days. Therefore, it is not known when the mark of the beast will be forced on all who do not make Jesus Christ their only hope in this life. Until the time comes, we are advised: "You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life in them, and they are the ones who testify of Me." (John 5:39)

Would you like to study the Bible thoroughly and obtain eternal life? Join us. Contact us by e-mail: [email protected]