Re: the Mark, Could This Be It?-Fingerprint Scanners Help Companies Track Workers

[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Fingerprint Scanners Help Companies Track Workers (http://wcbstv.com/topstories/Fingerprint.Timecard.Popularity.2.685864.html)

NEW YORK (AP) ― Some workers are doing it at Dunkin' Donuts, at Hilton hotels, even at Marine Corps bases.

Employees at a growing number of businesses are starting and ending their days by pressing a hand or finger to a scanner that logs the precise time of their arrival and departure—information that is automatically reflected in payroll records.

Manufacturers say these biometric devices improve efficiency and streamline payroll operations. Employers big and small buy them with the dual goals of keeping workers honest and automating outdated record-keeping systems that rely on paper time sheets.

The new systems have raised complaints, however, from some workers who see the efforts to track their movements as excessive or creepy.

[DoctorDoom]

I don't know about Dunkin Donuts, but the Marines have a right to know where people are on their bases. And industries definitely need something more reliable than time-clocks and cards, which by nature invite abuse.

Having spent 38 years in GE, I've seen such abuses. Years ago, employees had a coworker clock them in and out while they spent the afternoon at a county fair playing the horses. That's all too common. The idiots never think about what would happen if the clocked-in guy were injured while offsite.

[Kathy30]

Would that just be too much. After agonizing hand wringing over the mark of the beast, seeing it in bar codes, credit cards and social security numbers, it turns out to be fingerprints and retinal scans.

[TeenageRepublican]

I'm tired of people trying to predict when the apocalypse is going to occur or what the mark is.

I heard a guy being interviewed on the radio and he said that the apocalypse was going to occur in March of 2008. Where is it?

The Bible specifically says that no one will know when the apocalypse happens.

I believe that some people love to milk money out of Christian fear of the apocalypse. It's been going on for the longest time. And thanks to them, a lot of people end up turning away from the Lord because they have been converted out of fear, not out of grace.

The military designed this chip that they embedded in some soldiers. A lot of people thought that was the mark and to this day a lot of them do. When it was really for identifying (did I spell that right? If not, I apologize) dead soldiers that, for example, have their heads blown off.

[DoctorDoom]

... it turns out to be fingerprints and retinal scans.Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

It's quite possible that a subcutaneous RFID "chip" in the hand will be the most effective way to usher in the "mark", although retinal scanners will certainly play a role. IAC, the technology itself, whatever it is, will be neutral. The use to which it will be put, and the willingness to accept it, will be the downfall of the "marked".

[2thePoint]

I'm tired of people trying to predict when the apocalypse is going to occur or what the mark is.

I heard a guy being interviewed on the radio and he said that the apocalypse was going to occur in March of 2008. Where is it?

The Bible specifically says that no one will know when the apocalypse happens.
Actually it's not that simple. "No one knows the day or the hour" cannot be taken in isolation of "But that day must not surprise you like a thief" and that we must watch for the "season". Jesus reprimanded people who should have known better for not recognizing the signs of his first coming, and he told us that when we see all the signs we should look up and be ready.

I agree nobody can know the day or hour, but we have no excuse for not knowing the season. And when we consider Daniel, Jesus, Paul, and John, the season is surely upon us; the time is imminent. Some with more distant vision have sounded the alarm first, while others in turn will sound it as they see it coming. This does not mean the ones sounding the alarm are mistaken or stupid, but that they see from a greater distance. But it is a shame that some of them try to be more specific than scripture warrants.

So we cannot know the precise day but we can know what to look for. The greatest and most obvious sign was the return of Israel to its ancestral homeland, against all odds. The fig tree began to sprout buds, so to speak. Since then, social upheaval, knowledge, technology, evil, wars, natural disasters, and political realignments have accelerated greatly. For the first time in history the entire planet is poised to be divided into ten "kingdoms" (see This Article (http://www.fether.net/2006/12/01/2006-12-01-prophecy-fulfilling-south-america-kingdom/)).

a lot of people end up turning away from the Lord because they have been converted out of fear, not out of grace.Yes! I just blogged (http://www.fether.net/2008/03/23/resurrection-day/) about that last week.

The military designed this chip that they embedded in some soldiers. A lot of people thought that was the mark and to this day a lot of them do. When it was really for identifying (did I spell that right? If not, I apologize) dead soldiers that, for example, have their heads blown off. The bottom line on "the Mark" is (1)timing and (2)purpose. This mark will not be imposed until the middle of the Tribulation, when the Beast declares himself God. Specifically, it's after trumpet #7 is sounded, and all you have to do is look at what had to happen before it to know when it's even possible for this mark to be given. Also, it states expressly that the purpose of the mark is to conduct financial transactions, and is the number of the Beast's name.

Which means that we can rest assured that no kind of chip or tattoo is The Mark until all 7 Seals and Trumpets have passed, and that there is a world ruler who orders it. You can't accidentally get this mark or unwittingly give allegiance to the Beast.

my study of Revelation (http://www.fether.net/cmntry/index.php?id=716&gltr=rev)

[Elgalad]

The Beast from the Earth

Revelation 13:

11 And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.
12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. And he makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
13 And he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men.
14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life.
15 And there was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast might even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed.
16 And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead,
17 and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.


** The earlier portions of this passage really do seem to suggest that the 'beast from the earth' may be a machine or a collection of machines. The reference, "he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon" could be a physical description of any sort of machine. The reference, "and he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of the heaven to the earth in the presence of men" could be applicable to any sort of air to ground weaponry already in existence from missiles to rockets, or something we haven't seen yet, like a satellite based weapon. The reference, "And there was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast might even speak and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed." sounds a great deal like television or some other video link. Finally the reference, "And he causes all ... to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead," sounds a great deal like an embedded chip or tattoo that will be readable by a scanning device.**

**I believe verse 16 is key though, because it specifically states, "he causes all .. to be given a mark on their right hand, or their forehead." I believe the Mark will be voluntary, and not forced. It may be presented initially as a quick, safe, and convenient way to conduct business. No need for cash or plastic since you'll have your bank account's records right under the skin of your hand or in your head. Cash and even banks would no longer be needed in fact, and it may seem a great boon to everyone who 'gets with the program'. There will eventually be severe legal penalties for not 'receiving the Mark' of course, and Revelation states that those who finally refuse it won't be able to work or buy/sell anything at all. But in Revelation 14, the penalty for 'receiving the Mark and worshipping the Beast' is laid out clearly and seems to indicate that 'Accepting the Mark' is tantamount to declaring worship for the Beast, so again I don't believe it will be forced. Since biometrics is the science of identifying people from genetic differences that we have no control over, I do not believe they will be related to the Mark of the Beast.**

**All that in mind, I strongly believe that the End is coming very quickly now. For well over a century people have been pointing to signs like wars, natural disasters, and other occurrences as proof of it, and they are. But it seems to be more the Frequency that these things are occurring that is most noticeable. Prophecy IS being fulfilled whether we are willing and able to notice it, or not.**


**To Atheists and other non-believers:

This surely all sounds like doom and gloom and hysteric paranoia. But what if it's true? Are you willing to take the chance that this life you treasure so much isn't the end in itself, but only the brief moment you have been given, with which to make an eternal decision? If we Christians are wrong, we'll end up dead and consumed by dust just like you. Maybe in your mind we'll have wasted 80 years that we could have better spent partaking fully in life's wonders without the silly notions of 'sin' and 'religious faith'. But that's our loss, right?

Now what if we are Right? Those 80 years you had to live, to enjoy, meant nothing. Their memory will only serve to increase the suffering you will experience throughout an Eternity separated from God, separated from everything and everyone you hold dear. Forever.

So why do we Christians care so much about 'converting others'? Because we were once non-believers too. We were saved only by God's everlasting Grace and through the sacrifice of His Son. Having received that, there is simply no way we can Not share that Gift with others. Would you ignore a man dying of thirst? Neither can we refuse to share the Water of Life entrusted to our care. It's right here, Please take it.


-Elgalad

[Taylor1]

Whens the VCHIP discussion gonna start, heck, thats where this is going.

[DoctorDoom]

The Bible specifically says that no one will know when the apocalypse happens.Actually, the Biblical reference is to the return of Jesus for His Bride, the Church. The events described in Apocalypse (aka Revelation) from Chapter 4 to the end will follow the departure of the Rapture Express, so one can say that it's beginning cannot be predicted. However, we can say with certainty that it will NOT come prior to Christ's return, ergo we can limit its timing, which does not fit the day-and-hour premise.

Matt 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

I highly recommend "Beloved Thief" (http://store.levitt.com/cgi-bin/perlshop.cgi?ACTION=ENTER&thispage=video-music.html&ORDER_ID=!ORDERID!#VBT), a DVD from the Zola Levitt Ministries that describes the parallels between the Jewish marriage rituals of Jesus' time and His coming for His Bride. It's professionally staged, acted and sung, and is entertaining as well as informative.