I'd just like to say thank you for your prayers and for the help on the site. And thank you for your emails, I will respond to all as soon as possible. I went to the doctors this morning and they found that both my ears are blocked with wax, and this may be what is causing the dizziness. They've given me drops to take, and I will go back next week to have them syringed again. Hey, at least I can't complain of itching ears! (2nd Timothy 4:3). 

My friend Nicole sent me an email today about the VeriChip corporation. As many of you know, this corporation has come under attack from conservative Christians who believe their product may be a precursor to the Mark of the Beast as described in the book of Revelation.

The VeriChip consists of a small RFID chip, radio antenna and capacitor encased in a glass capsule, which is inserted by a syringe into the upper forearm of an individual. The VeriChip can be used for everything from asset tracking, security and identification purposes and financial transactions. One such place that use the chip for this purpose is the Baja Beach Club in Spain, which has its VIP members chipped, enabling them to pay for their bills without the need for carrying cash of cheques. The VeriChip corporation has recently come under fire for a new programme in which elderly Alzheimer patients are being implanted. Some have slammed the targeting of the young and elderly, who are unable to make a conscious decision as to whether they want to have these chips embedded on their bodies. The head of VeriChip has also offered to implant illegal immigrants to the United States, and is also in discussions with the government to replace military dog tags with the chip.

Many Christians believe the targeting of these vulnerable groups will eventually lead to a time when many groups of people will be chipped for one reason or another, and the general public will inevitably face financial and political pressure to do the same, whether it's admitted or not. I'm not sure the Bible describes a situation in which the Mark is enforced, rather Revelation says the False Prophet "causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark". I think the case will be made by the governments for the adoption of the Mark, and that those who don't receive it will face extreme financial hardship for they will not be able to buy or sell without it (Revelation 13:16-18).

News that the company is changing its name from VeriChip corporation to "Xmark" ought to send alarm bells ringing in the ears of many.

Quote: "Welcome to Xmark, the new corporate identity for our healthcare security products. Our new name emphasizes our focus on healthcare security. You may have known us under the eXI or VeriChip brand, but we are now bringing all our products under the Xmark name.

The Greek translation of the word "mark" mentioned in Revelation 13 is "charagma", and it's literal interpretation means an "incision" or a "cutting". This is how Strong's concordance renders it... 

G5480
χάραγμα
charagma - khar'-ag-mah
From the same as G5482; a scratch or etching, that is, stamp (as a badge of servitude), or sculptured figure (statue): - graven, mark.

This reveals to us how the Mark of the Beast will be applied, though an incision or injection into the flesh. And this is exactly how RFID chips are implanted, through a cutting in the skin. As you can also see, the first letter of the word "charagma" is also the letter X or "Chi" in the Greek. So it seems the new name "Xmark" is quite intriguing, for its Greek translation identifies it closely with the book of Revelation.

The Bible also makes it clear, those who haven't received Christ as Saviour will receive the Antichrist during the tribulation period (Revelation 17:8). And the Bible states that those who receive the mark will seal their eternal destruction in the lake of fire. Turn to Christ for salvation today.

Revelation 14:9-11
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Source Wikipedia, Path Guy 

http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page12678.asp

The PM explained that the Government would be consulting on four options for changing the 28-day limit. While one option would reduce the risk of holding a suspect without charge for 28 days by allowing post-charge questioning, other options would increase the amount of time that, in rare circumstance, a suspect could be held. Mr Brown explained that the Government had constructively engaged with the human rights organisation, Liberty, when drawing up the proposals.

The PM also announced plans to "strengthen the powers and surveillance capability of our border guards and security officers" by establishing a unified border force. Starting next month, people arriving in Britain will be met at the border by a highly visible, uniformed presence. A single primary checkpoint for both passport control and customs will be introduced shortly afterwards.

Additionally, he confirmed that as well as the biometric visas already in place for immigrants from high-risk countries, within nine months, biometric visas will be extended to all visa applicants.

Mr Brown reaffirmed the Government's commitment to the introduction of ID cards, stating that UK citizens would carry the first biometric ID cards from 2009 and any foreign nationals coming to the UK for more than six months will be required to have a biometric ID from the end of 2008. He said that this would "prevent people already in the country using multiple identities for terrorist, criminal or other purposes".

He also said that he wanted to consult on how intercept evidence was treated and new provisions for pre-charge detention and post-charge questioning.

The PM went on to say:

"Since the attacks of July 7th 2005 communities in Britain and across the world have come together in a common front against terrorism and against the propaganda that fuels it. And this requires not just the security measures I have outlined but that we work with all communities and all countries through debate, discussion, dialogue and education as we tackle at root the evils that risk driving people, particularly vulnerable young people, into the hands of violent extremists.

"Here schools, colleges, universities, civil society, faith groups - indeed every institution in our country - have a part to play."

To help support local authorities and community groups in fighting violent extremism, Mr Brown announced that an additional £70 million would be given to local authorities and community groups.

The Government will also support a new skills qualification in citizenship and community cohesion for faith leaders, sponsor English speaking imams, propose interfaith bodies in every community in the country to build greater understanding, and update guidance to universities. Funding will also be made available for a BBC Arabic channel and an editorially independent Farsi TV channel for the people of Iran.

I know this article is almost a month old but it shows a real problem that Christains, in the U.S. and possibly other countries, will be facing in the very near future regarding a real possible "mark of the beast."

REAL ID may be more than just a real pain: It may have serious privacy implications as well.