“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,  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.” Revelation 13:16-17

Without the mark, no one will be able to “buy, sell, or trade.” Since the power of the beast will mainly come from controlling the economic systems of this world, those who are his slaves and people will be marked with his seal on their hands and forehead to signify that they are his ownership. This is in great contrast with how the Lord will mark His people by sealing them with the Holy Spirit. In fact, the beast that will come out of the earth will actually cause people like in the times of Daniel to worship the image of the first beast by breathing life to the image or idol of the beast (in blatant transgression of the First and Second commandment).

He will cause those who are easily manipulated, those who do not have love for truth to stand and then bow to this idol. Since the very source of the livelihood of the people will be in his hands, that is, the commerce and economic system will be run and controlled by him. Only those who have his mark will be able to trade and sell in his system. This makes the mark of the beast mainly economic in nature. The reason for this is the prevalent deception among men today, people trusts in money as their security more than in anything else. Why do people go abroad and find jobs there? Why are many Christians rather led by opportunity than Christ’s call? Why do we often disregard the call to send missionaries or pay our tithes faithfully? Again the answers to these questions determine how deeply rooted is our trust in money or in Christ.

Idolatry is the greatest affront to God. The very reason why the economic systems of this world are being shaken is precisely for the Lord’s people to let go of their trusts in money, gold and their possessions. Other than that, this will awaken us for our need of God’s Kingdom economics. His Kingdom cannot be shaken even though the whole world will shake and tumble into the sea. Ultimately, we will be pressed on the valley of decision where we have to make a choice, whether we will continue worshipping idols in this world or follow God’s Kingdom. The love of money is one of the ultimate idols of the human heart and shows who we really are serving.

Financial responsibility is therefore one of the increasingly important issues of our times. For this reason, we should become financially independent, not necessarily wealthy, but that all our decisions should never be colored by how much money we have in the bank but whether we are in God’s will or not. If we are truly seeking the Kingdom of God daily then we should never worry even when the world’s economic systems collapses. If we have built our lives on the kingdom of God, we have an unlimited resource—“an abundance for every good deed” (II Corinthians 9:8). We will not be insecure or feel lonely or sad if we do not have money because all our needs will be abundantly supplied for by our Father. If however we failed to deposit on our heavenly accounts and do not have any accounting on these, then we truly are scared because we are still fashioned on the world’s system of commerce, “buy, sell, or trade”.

It is abundantly clear from the Scriptures that even when the worst famine or the worst drought comes on earth, God has a way of delivering His people. The case of Elisha strongly speaks to us that even when we are besieged by enemies from the outside, God is more than enough to provide for our needs. However, those whose lives are given to simply living for themselves will suffer much such as those two women who foolishly killed one of their children for food. Such depravity unseen even among the lowest animals on earth just speaks who we actually serve.

When Elijah was confronted by his enemy, Jezebel, the Lord has a way of even hiding and providing His prophet. During the darkest of times when everything is being shaken and people will run after the beast for their provision, God will abundantly make clear the difference between those who believe in Him and those who don’t. There will be light and food in the dwelling places of the righteous while darkness and sickness will pester those who have given themselves to worshipping the beast.

Should we worry then? No, because the Lord, who is our strong tower and refuge in times of trouble will come to our rescue. His Holy Spirit whose name means Helper will be there for us. In Luke 12:22-31, the Lord makes clear that in this life, we should not worry about our bodily needs and wants nor should we run after the things that this world run after. Superficial belief will melt when we have truly met the Lord who was crucified and now stands on the right hand of God with great power.

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.

Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?  “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin.

Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.

For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well” (Luke 12:22-31).