The Mark of the Beast. How close are We?

I don't know how familiar you are with the mark of the beast but it is something that the Bible talks about in the book of Revelation chapter 13.  Here is what verses 16 through 18 state:

16And 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:

17And 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.

18Here 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.  (KJV)  

This passage has been something of great debate within the body of Christ throughout the years but I believe that as time goes by the technology to bring it to pass becomes more and more acceptable to a younger generation who is not as well as informed of this passage of scripture and because of their willingness to trust that all that technology is for man's good.  But I must remind you that technology is indeed neutral when it comes to whether it is good or bad, but the real question becomes whom is in charge of the technology.  If evil men are the ones who are in charge than this technology can become very controlling to those who decide to buy into it.

So what could this mark of the beast look like.  Well man has been micro chipping animals for years as a way to identify them if they should get lost.  Now for the first time that I am aware of their is a United States company in Wisconsin who is offering their employees an opportunity to be micro chipped so that they can work for them.    I believe that we are in a time in the history of the world because of the lack of Bible knowledge that this type of technological offering is very appealing because people are not aware of how much control they are giving away.  

Am I saying that we should not pursue better ways of doing things?  Not exactly.  What I am saying is that as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we need to take a longer look at things through the lens of the Bible to determine whether or not a technological advance is the best for us or mankind in general. We are suppose to be the ones who are on the cutting edge of what God is getting ready to do in the world.  Let us no longer respond to what the world and Satan are doing and let us be the watchmen on the wall who warn those of impending doom and destruction, all along pointing the way to our Savior, who is coming on a to judge all on the earth who are outside His kingdom in the following manner per Revelation 19:11-21:

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.
21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.  (KJV)

Even so come Lord Jesus!