There is no one like you, or me either. We stand out as unique, even under the microscope. Our DNA structure tells the story of who we are, and our ancestry. We also have other things and ways that can identify us.
One way, which I thought at one time would be a career for me, was fingerprints. As a young teenager, I had saved enough money to buy a fingerprint kit at a local store here in Orlando that sold “unusual things.” Spying equipment, briefcases with secret compartments and an inexpensive fingerprinting kit with complete idiot-proof instructions were just one of the many things offered. I bought the kit; it was about ten dollars when all was said and done. This included the money I spent on the cards used to house the prints. It was a wonderful purchase that delighted me for years. I fingerprinted all my willing family and friends. The key word here is: willing.
The most unique thing about a human fingerprint is that they are one of a kind; absolutely no two are alike. I read stories all the time about serial criminals who mutilate their fingertips in order not to be identified. The national database here in the United States is quite large. If you have committed a crime, you are in this database. So is your photo.
Facial recognition is the newer technology. It has developed—advancing very quickly in recent years. Many companies and military installations also use retina scans to identify and grant access to high security areas.
It’s a new world we live in these days…a far cry from my little ten-dollar fingerprinting kit from the spy store. In the book of Daniel, one the prophetic signs of the latter days is an increase in knowledge, combined with people going to and from, or back and forth. Sounds like a time of increased travel combined with technological advancements is suggested in this ancient scripture. Let’s read:
“But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase” (Daniel 12:4).
We are surely in the latter days described here, as technology is fast-forwarding and people travel more than they ever have before. When airports are bogged down and flights are cancelled, it can make the world go absolutely crazy!
Identity is important, but so much more important than that is who a person identifies with – who we, in fact, belong to. If we identify with a particular god, we line up behind that god with word and deed. A profession of faith and allegiance to him is necessary. For those who are Christians, it is the one and only way to be saved. It is simple, but a requirement, as we put our faith and belief in the only one that can save us from our sin. For us, it is a two-step process: confess and believe = salvation and righteousness.
“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).
I sincerely hope you have made this decision and identify yourself with Jesus Christ through belief and confession. I have, and I am identified with Him.
After the Rapture, which I personally feel is imminent, a new identification process will be implemented here on planet Earth. No one will be exempt. All peoples of the earth will have to choose. If you say yes to this branding system of identification, or mark, it will bring about two things:
— identify you with a man called the Antichrist, and the worldwide system which he rules for a seven-year timeframe. There will be a man at his side who will be in charge of the implementation of the marking system. This future marking system will most likely be a microchip implant. The Bible refers to this man as the False Prophet. He will make sure this identifying mark is implemented throughout the entire population.
— You will receive, willingly, an identifying mark; thus, the microchip on your right hand or forehead. It will be your credit card for every purchase you make. You don’t have to worry about leaving home without it. It will be a part of you. No, you do not get bonus points back each month for having this mark. You are never able to remove it or change your mind. Having this mark will seal your eternal fate; you will be destined for everlasting destruction and separation from God.
“He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666” (Revelation 13:16-18).
Having willingly received this mark, you will be fully identified with the Antichrist. You will also incur God’s judgment for doing so.
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. 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 ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name” (Revelation 14:9-11).
Scripture makes it very clear what happens to those who receive this mark.
Those who deny the mark have one last chance to believe and confess, putting their faith in Christ. They all will suffer martyrdom. There is a promise of resurrection after the tribulation, bringing these believers bodily back to life again, and allowing them to reign for a thousand years with Christ upon the earth.
“Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:4).
You will have a choice to refuse the mark, but you will suffer decapitation at the hands of the Antichrist. Your reward, however, will be rulership with Christ on the earth for a thousand years. You will have identified with Christ and will have great eternal reward.
If you or I identify ourselves with Christ, our identity is in Him. The name “Christian” means “follower of Christ.”
Taught emphatically in the scriptures is our spiritual bond with Christ for all eternity—there is to be no other. There should be no one else we follow more closely, knowing and realizing we are fully identified in Him. It is a new identification process, since at the moment we believed upon Him—we became a new person, sanctified, and justified by grace. Christ imparted these things to us, and a new identity was born.
In these last days, a great identity crisis is happening within our world. People claim to identify with God and the things we know from the scriptures that are characteristics of God. Yet, on the other hand, these people who claim to be Christian identify with individuals and groups whose ideologies are clearly defined in the Bible as not from God. As a matter of fact, these espoused beliefs are the complete opposite of God and his nature. These two worlds and belief systems cannot mix. In these last days, pull away from anything that puts you into an identity crisis where Christ is concerned. Don’t identify with those who are wicked and hate God.
One example of identifying is how you vote—who you vote for. Vote for the very best candidates you have available on your ballot. If there are none in that slot, move on to the next slot. Make the best choice with the information you have. I had checked out someone thoroughly, but overlooked an important moral value to me. He was very proud about a certain stance he had, unashamedly so. I gave my vote to another, who I thought would uphold righteousness.
I want to always identify with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in everything.
My prayer is the same for you, my dear readers.
Sally Law