Does a digital identity represent the mark of the beast and fulfill the end-time prophecy of the Antichrist?
Our world is constantly creating new digital identities. Everything from driver's licenses to passports will soon be only accepted as a digital form. Are those forms dangerous to Christians and the same as receiving a mark on the forehead from the Antichrist himself?
The Bible doesn't specifically mention digital identities, but it does talk about our identity in general. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This verse reminds us that God has a good plan for our lives and that we can trust Him no matter what.
In addition, the Bible mentions that we are all God's children. Romans 8:16, it says, "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." This verse reminds us that we are all valuable and loved by God. We can find our identity in Him no matter what else happens in our lives.
Many Christians believe a digital identity is a precursor to the Antichrist and have asked lawmakers to allow a religious exemption from getting any license that uses biometrics. They recited revelations in the request to which it was denied.
The end-times prophecy says that one day Antichrist will arise, and he will deceive the world with his words. Once Antichrist has arisen, he will proclaim himself to be God. He will claim to have all the power and authority of God, and he will demand that everyone worship him. He will also try to change the laws of God so that people can only worship him. Anyone who does not bow down to Antichrist will be persecuted.
The Antichrist will rise to power in the last days and establish a global economic system that allows him to control the buying and selling of goods and services. (Revelation 13:17) He will be a master of manipulation, and his economic policies will be ruthless. The poor will suffer while he amasses great wealth.
Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.
—Revelation 13:11–18
What is the Mark of the Beast?
Christians are very familiar with the mark of the beast, which is also associated with the number 666 and represents Satan. A mark from the beast is seen as a tribal identification and punishment. It is believed that a mark is seen as a sign of ownership and the person displaying the mark is a disgrace. The mark is placed on a person's forehead or hand. Now with the breakthroughs in chip implantation and the push for digital identities, there has obviously been an increased interest in the mark of the beast.
Digital Identity and the Mark of the Beast
Getting a chip implant or even a digital identity form does not represent the mark of the beast. In Revelations, it is said that only those who worship the Antichrist will receive the mark. If you stay true to your Christian convictions, you have nothing to worry about. Be wary of false Christs but do not fear a digital form as this will not be the mark of the beast. The Antichrist will be much more deceiving, as Christ warned. As long as you stay focused on the real Jesus, you will live a life of glory.
A digital identity does not promote greed or arrogance. It instead allows for more efficiency and accuracy in communication. The Antichrist will instead try to enter your life in the form of a false god, so be wary of any figure that asks you to worship them when their message is not in line with the word of God. The true God will never ask Christians to worship anyone other than Him.
As a Christian, ask yourself if you have neglected the righteousness of God, and if you have, you still have time to repent. God will never leave those in the hands of the Antichrist that believe in his holiness.
