For over a decade now, I have written about the steady, ongoing march   
   towards a totally cashless society, which many Christians view as a stepping   
   stone towards the final, Biblically-prophesied Mark of the Beast global,   
   computerized, identification and credit system. Many of my readers will be   
   familiar with the following verses that are found in the thirteenth chapter   
   of the Book of Revelation, which briefly describe this demonic system:   
      
   "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: 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. 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."   
   Revelation 13:16-18, KJV   
      
   As you may know, currently, the prevailing belief is that when it finally   
   arrives, the Mark of the Beast system may implement either a computer   
   microchip -- or biochip, such as the FDA-approved, RFID microchip known as   
   VeriChip that was formerly being promoted by Applied Digital Solutions in   
   Florida -- just under the skin of each recipient, or it may implement an   
   invisible RFID laser tattoo, such as the one that is currently being   
   promoted by Somark Innovations. You can learn more about these various   
   technologies by reading the following articles, all of which can be found   
   listed on our Endtime Prophecy Net home page:   
      
   666 - Mondex And The Mark Of The Beast:   
      
   www.endtimeprophecy.net/Articles/mndxmrk1.html   
      
   666 - More Proof Of The Coming System:   
      
   www.endtimeprophecy.net/Articles/666proof.html   
      
   666 - Precursors To The 666 And The Mark Of The Beast:   
      
   www.endtimeprophecy.net/Articles/precurs1.html   
      
   666 - The Patience Of The Saints:   
      
   www.endtimeprophecy.net/Articles/666pat-1.html   
      
   666 - Verichip, Somark And Microsoft Unmasked!:   
      
   www.endtimeprophecy.net/Articles/verichip.html   
      
   At this point in time, it is well-established that the future of the world   
   economy -- and consumer purchases -- lies with the Internet. When I think   
   back to the early days during the late 1990's when I set up our very first   
   web page, I am amazed by the advances which have been made in Internet   
   technologies since that time. But, at the same time, it also annoys and   
   frustrates me the way that Big Business interests have taken over so much of   
   the digital terrain. Yet, if I am honest with myself, even as a   
   Bible-believing Christian, I cannot deny that the ease of making online   
   purchases is something which I find attractive.   
      
   Many of you reading this no doubt fully understand exactly what I am talking   
   about. Between Amazon.com, Apple's iTunes store, and so many other online   
   businesses, purchasing online items can very easily become a money-draining   
   addiction. Never mind that companies such as PayPal make it even easier for   
   us to spend our hard-earned cash.   
      
   Well, now it seems that Square -- a new start-up that is based in California   
   -- has intentions of totally upending the established order, by offering   
   services which make it possible for mobile device users -- such as cellphone   
   and tablet users -- to turn their devices into credit card terminals.   
   Similar to the way that PayPal currently operates, using the Square system,   
   a consumer will be able to make payments at participating businesses simply   
   by providing their name; and in certain cases, their PIN number, for the   
   sake of security.   
      
   In other words, Square's vision is to do away with cash, wallets, paper   
   receipts, POS systems at your local business, and even intermediaries such   
   as PayPal. Each consumer will be able to make a payment directly to a   
   particular participating merchant, just by providing their name to an online   
   store, or to a cashier at a store. No fumbling with a wallet, credit card or   
   debit card. No writing out a check. No waiting for a printed receipt. No   
   problems with a cashier who accidentally punched the wrong UPC or amount   
   into the cash register. No point-of-sale whatsoever. Just give them your   
   name, wait a few seconds, and you are done. Fast and simple.   
      
   Before you are too quick to shout "Hurray!", please notice carefully that   
   the verses from the Book of Revelation clearly state that there will be   
   three ways of making payments. One must possess one of the three following:   
      
   1. the mark of the Beast   
   2. the name of the Beast   
   3. the number of his name   
      
   So how much longer will it be before we actually reach that point? If you   
   ask me, given the current rate of technological development, I don't think   
   that we have too much longer to find out. It will be upon us before we know   
   it.   
      
      
      
   Jeff Snyder, SysOp - Armageddon BBS  Visit us at endtimeprophecy.org port 23   
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