There is another earth-shaking event that will take place at the same time. A one-world
economic dictatorship will be established, and only those who follow the Beast’s leadership and
worship him will be permitted to buy or sell.
He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his
right hand or on his forehead, 17so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is
the name of the beast or the number of his name. – Revelation 13:16-17
The false Messiah (Paul’s “man of sin” in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12) will enter the Third
Temple in Jerusalem and declare himself to be God. That event Jesus had said, in the Olivet
Discourse, would bring great peril to the residents of Jerusalem. The peril for believers in Jesus
at that time period will include the immediate danger of military invasion of Jerusalem by
foreign armies (Luke 21:20). The believing remnant of Jews, who are in Jerusalem at the time
the false messiah makes this move, will also be in grave danger of their lives because of his
vigorous persecution of believers–that is, those few Jews who believe in the God of Abraham,
Isaac, Jacob and Jesus.
Earth’s last Caesar will rise to the position of virtual dictator of the earth. With the help of
the ―False Prophet,” he will require people to receive a “mark” on their right hand or forehead in
order to be able to buy or sell (Revelation 13:7-18). An angel will warn everyone that all who
receive the mark will be doomed to eternal punishment (Revelation 14:9-11; compare Revelation
20:4).
There are at least three powers at work in the world even now that make this economic
dictatorship possible.
Political Power – Revelation 13:5-7 – One-World Government
The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority
for forty-two months. 6He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his
dwelling place and those who live in heaven. 7He was given power to make war against the saints
and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. –
Revelation 13:5-7
The first beast will lead the development of the emerging one-world government, or New
World Order, which has been planned for centuries by the super rich behind the scenes. See
Chapter 5 – Satan’s Final Empire.
These power brokers are used to controlling who will be chosen for political positions,
based on their ability to manipulate their pawns in high places. They will present the Beast as a
benevolent dictator. They will undoubtedly think that they can control him for their own
advantage. But he will be very powerful, drawing his energy from the devil. He will do as he
pleases, though it is likely that much of what he does will also please the powerful elite group
who has given him support.
Religious Power – Revelation 13:8, 11-15 – False Prophet
All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the
book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world…
11Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke
like a dragon. 12He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth
and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. 13And he
performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in
full view of men. 14Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he
deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast
who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. 15He was given power to give breath to the image
of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be
killed. – Revelation 13:8, 11-15
As can be seen even in our own American politics, support from religious groups can be
very helpful to a politician. Revelation 13:11-15 tells about a False Prophet who is most likely
the head of a one-world religion. This religious unity will finally be possible because after The
rapture, born-again Christians will be absent from public life. Even in the Churches, those who
are left are those who have never had a personal relationship with Christ. These people, for the
most part, will not take the Bible literally. They will be willing to give up their doctrines for the
sake of unity. The New Age Religion may be the uniting force behind this since it already draws
heavily from various religions. The head of this union could be the leader of the United
Religions, the World Council of Churches or an apostate denomination.
Technological power – Revelation 13:16-17 – Electronic Commerce
He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his
right hand or on his forehead, 17so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is
the name of the beast or the number of his name
18This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is
man’s number. His number is 666. – Revelation 13:16-18
According to Revelation 13, the Beast, energized by the devil, (who is called the “god of
this age” in 2 Corinthians 4:4) will be considered so wonderful that many of the people of the
earth will voluntarily offer to worship him. They will see him as a benevolent dictator. Not
content with this, at the height of his power, he will make it mandatory for everyone to give him
homage. In order to enforce this, his religious leader, the False Prophet, will set up an image of
him to be adored. (Revelation 13:11-15).
This “living image” will probably be a technological deception; perhaps some marvelous
new holographic image, a genetically-engineered clone, or some other bio-tech “invention.” In
any case, it is clear that it represents the Beast, and it must be worshiped.
Modern technology has made it possible, not only to produce this deception, but to also
do what the Bible predicts about literally controlling the right of individuals to buy and sell.
Here are some of the technological wonders of our age.
