Revelation 13:16-17 English Standard Version

16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17 so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

All shall be marked. No one is left out of that process.

Revelation 14:9-10 English Standard Version

9 And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.

It is not all who have received the mark but all who have the mark and worshiped the beast and his image. Many who read these passages believe that having the mark alone is sufficient for God’s wrath. This is why they fear the number 666.

Strong’s definition of mark here is χάραγμα cháragma, khar’-ag-mah; from the same as G5482; a scratch or etching, i.e. stamp (as a badge of servitude), or scupltured figure (statue):—graven, mark.

The mark has given way to the imaginations of those who fear it, what it might look like and what form it might take. Ideas have been tossed around that it might be a microchip or possibly a tattoo. Some have gone so far as to imply that it might be the barcodes that are scanned to buy and sell in the market place using scanning chips embedded in our debit cards and credit cards.

Considering the implications and the connection between fact and fiction, we should be mindful that this marking only occurs in the later half of the Great Tribulation.

From all indications of prophetic words, we are not there yet.

If we should still feel like time is running out then do as the Lord commands.

Preach the gospel and call His bride to the wedding feast.