The RFID is either an active or passive electronic device, which contains information that can be read by a
scanning device. RFID devices come in many shapes and sizes. The most recent innovation to this technology
is a passive device, made by Applied Digital, that is the size of a grain of rice.
It's important to understand a little about the technology used in these types of devices.
First, let's look at active versus passive.
An active device is one that contains it's own power source (usually batteries) and sends
out a signal at all times. It may run in reduced power mode, until it detects a scanner, at which point it
would enter full power mode. The range of an active RFID device can be as much as 100 meters (328 feet) or
more, depending on atmospheric conditions and items (such as structures) blocking the signal. Since this device
requires power, it has a "life span" and would need to be replaced after several years of use (at best) and
maybe even more often. Similar to cellular telephone technology, this device would not enter its full power
mode until it was "requested" to do so by the scanner.
A passive device is one that receives it's power from the scanner and returns a short response.
It relies on storing up power from the signal sent from the scanner and then using that power to make it's response.
Because this power is very low, ranges of the passive devices are usually 2 to 3 meters (6.5 to 9.8 feet) or less.
This device does not use batteries and would have an almost indefinite "life span".
Because of miniaturization of electronic components, it is possible to have both types of
devices in what would be considered to be "tiny" packages, although the passive devices can be much smaller then
active devices because of their lack of batteries.
So how does this fit into Bible prophesy?
In Revelations chapter 13, verses 16 and 17, we find mention of a mark, required by the Beast
(who is Satan), in order for people to buy and sell.
"He (the Beast or Satan) also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave,
to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so 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."
For many years, this mark was thought to be a tattoo or brand. As technology increased over
the years, some thought the mark might be a bar code, to ease in identification. Now with this latest innovation
in technology, the mark of the beast may actually be an RFID device inserted into the body, similar to what is
available today.
Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the VeriChip (Applied Digital's passive RFID device)
for use in humans. It has already been used to track farm animals and pets. A direct quote from their web page
says:
"Every day, the unexpected and sometimes unthinkable occurs. An elderly patient in a nursing home wanders off.
A baby is abducted from a maternity ward. An incapacitated patient is brought into an emergency ward without any
identification.
At Applied Digital, we specialize in helping to safeguard people with the most advanced identification technology." (1)
These do sound like good reasons to get "chipped". Who wouldn't want to protect people, identify loved ones or
offer help quickly by accessing important information faster?
Am I saying that Applied Digital's VeriChip is going to be the mark of the beast? No, I'm not.
But the widespread and accepted use of such devices prior to the event talked about in Revelations 13 will make
it seem reasonable when everyone is ordered to "take the mark".
God has a different take on it.
Let's set the stage:
The Christians have been taken away (raptured) by Jesus. In the resulting chaos, the anti-Christ takes the world
stage and begins to restore order. During his reign, he is killed, but appears to come back to life (he is
actually Satan at this point). He demands that everyone, in order to buy or sell goods, must take his mark
on their hand or forehead.
In Revelations 14:9 and 10 it says:
"A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives
his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full
strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and
of the Lamb."
So what we have here is a clear message from God that anyone, who freely worships the beast,
his image and takes his mark, will be lost and have to endure God's wrath (hell) forever.
So how can one avoid this?
Well, the very best way to avoid even being here (on earth) at that time is to accept Jesus as your savior
now and enter into a relationship with Him. He has promised to return and remove us from harm's way during the
tribulation period (the time between the rapture and the final return of Jesus to establish His kingdom).
If you want to find out more about how to know Jesus that way, click here.
Also, the authors and contributors to these sites have done a great job researching this topic.
Take a moment and see what they have to say about it.
Rapture Alert
Rapture Ready
Contender Ministries
References:
1. Applied Digital, VeriChip
