He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands, or on their foreheads; and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name. Rev 13:16-17

It is commonly believed by many that "the mark" will be in the form of an electronic chip implanted under the skin, in one's forehead or hand, which will function something like an RFID smartcard or barcode. In this scenario the chip will indicate the allegiance of the person to the "beast" - the anti-messiah himself. Having the "name" and/or "number" of the beast is analogous in this scenario to having the certification of the "beast" imprinted as data within the electronic "mark," identifying the party who has accepted the "mark" as belonging to the "beast." This mark will be required to buy or sell within the global "beast" system that will then be in force. To receive the mark equates with worship of the "beast" so must involve some act of worship as a condition of receiving the mark (Rev 16:2, 19:20). This will likely be in the form of a pledge of allegiance or oath of allegiance to the "beast" as one's god, as a condition of receiving the mark. All those who bow to the pressure to receive the mark will be eternally damned (Rev 19:20). The Overcomers will NOT take the mark, and will be blessed as rulers of the Millennial Kingdom (Rev 20:4).

Will the mark take the form of an RFID chip or barcode? We will have to wait to see exactly what technology will be used at that time. Perhaps by then both RFID chips and barcodes will have been superseded by a more advanced technology. The more important issue has to do with worship of the "beast." The larger symbolism makes the point that we must not surrender either our minds (forehead) or hands (work/service) to the anti-messiah system, even upon pain of death. Yes, there is something worse than death, as all those who take the mark will one day discover (Matt 10:28). As Messiah so aptly put it: "..For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’” (Matt 4:10)

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!” Act 23:6

Paul saw that the only way out of this rapidly deteriorating situation was to divide the court against itself. This was a brilliant strategy, given the circumstances. In this context Paul observed that the Council was composed of Sadducees and Pharisees. A defining difference between the two was that the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, while the Pharisees did. Here, Paul puts on his Pharisee hat and declares that he is being judged as a Pharisee over the issue of the resurrection of the dead! The strategy worked, so that the Pharisees defended Paul on this issue against the Sadducees, effectively causing gridlock of the court. (Acts 23)

Paul was a Pharisee as he was a Roman. Truthfully enough by birth, and worth declaring when needful. As Barnes' Commentary states:

The son of a Pharisee - What was the name of his father is not known. But the meaning is, simply, that he was entitled to all the immunities and privileges of a Pharisee. He had, from his birth, belonged to that sect, nor had he ever departed from the great cardinal doctrine which distinguished that sect - the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. Compare Phi_3:5.

From Eliyahu

As the Four Horsemen of Revelation advance their ride toward Tribulation such as the world has never seen, anxiety and fear grip the hearts of many. The bondslaves of Messiah need not be among those who are fearful of the future! They need not fear the "mark of the beast" since, well before that mark is offered, they have something else inscribed upon their foreheads, sealing them as belonging to YHWH. They have His NAME upon their foreheads! That name means He accepts responsibility for them as His own possession. Here at Tsiyon, as in this week's program, we speak of those things prophesied to soon occur. We speak of those things, not to cause anyone to fear, but to help you prepare for the future. We all need to prepare, practically so far as is possible, but more importantly, we need to prepare spiritually. Now is the time to take the mind of Messiah as our own, and to put His Kingdom first in our lives. So long as we do this, anti-messiah and his cursed mark not withstanding, we shall have all we need. Stand firm then, in the strength of His might, and you shall see the magnificence of His Glory, manifested in this world through ..YOU!