2023 Replies Reply to two threads Each reply should contain at least 100 words and | Assignment Collections

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Reply to two threads. Each reply should contain at least 100 words and include at least 1 citation. Each reply should say something meaningful rather than just “Great job…Well-said…I really agree with you…” Use this as an opportunity to discuss the topic. This will likely be a heated debate as many people are quite passionate about the topic. Please remember that as you approach these replies, it is fine to hold different opinions, but these differences should always be addressed with kindness. As you write your replies, remember Christ’s humility, kindness, and love for all of us as he bore our sins on the cross. Model your replies after Jesus’s example. 

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Thread #1

 RFID’s are one of the many technologies that people believe are the  coming mark of the beast. I however do not think this is the case, let  me explain why. Revelation 13:16 says “He required everyone, small and  great, rich and poor, free and slave, to be given a MARK on the right  hand or on the forehead” (Holy Bible NLT).  The word MARK is orginally χάραγμα pronounced  khä’-räg-mä (Strong’s).  This word means a stamp, imprinted mark, something carved, much like a  brand on horses. This word is used in the same way in Acts 17: 29  “Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think  that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, GRAVEN by art  and man’s device” (Holy Bible KJV). This is significant because the  scriptures refer to the MARK as a stamp or etching rather than an  implant of some kind. 

        Here’s what would make more sense to me. Databases are being  created and our information is being saved everyday. Not just the things  we like to eat and places we like to go, but how about when we go to  the airport, are we not under surveillance? Actually, we’re under so  much surveillance that our faces are being ran through biometric  scanners. These scanners can track the wrinkles on our face to our  fingerprints. They force everyone through these scanners too. The anti  christ doesn’t need to touch us or implant us with something to track  us. We are tracked everyday through the technology that we choose to use  like the phones in our pockets. Therefor, it would seem to me that the  mark of the beast would be more of what the root word says that it is,  an etching, carving, or stamp that would be used with biometric  scanners. It says in the Revelation that peoples heads were being  chopped off for not taking the mark. This tells me that we will know  what the mark is when it comes. Rest assured, we win in the end and the  beast will be crushed once and for all. 

Thread #2

Are  RFIDs destined to become the mark of the beast?  I don’t believe they  are.  I don’t believe that the use of a technological device would mark  me as a follower of evil.  These verses inspired my thoughts for this thread:

“And  I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads,  with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And  the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s,  and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his  power and his throne and great authority. One of its heads seemed to  have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole  earth marveled as they followed the beast. And they worshiped the  dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped  the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against  it?” And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous  words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months”  (Revelation 13:1-18)

“For  we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,  against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,  against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12)

             I believe the mark of the beast will be more of a symbolic thing.  I  believe that when there is an uprising of evil those who follow this  evil will choose to mark themselves in some way to show their allegiance  and to allow recognition of fellow followers.  Perhaps I am confusing  this with the past and how Hitler used the swastika as his symbol?  

I  believe that giving your life to God and not harming others will be  what defines our connection in this world and beyond.  It is my belief  that God gifted us with knowledge and the desire to grow  intellectually.  A desire for creation and to test boundaries. “But test  everything; hold fast what is good” (Thessalonians 5:21).   With this  gift we must choose to use these creations for good or for evil.  I  don’t believe RFIDs, which could be placed anywhere in the body and may  not even leave a residual mark, is the “mark of the beast”.