Is This How the Mark of the Beast Will Sneak In? - TAYLOR BERGLUND CHARISMA NEWS

These microchips could change the way businesses operate. (Flickr/fdecomite)

Is This How the Mark of the Beast Will Sneak In?

 4/4/2017 TAYLOR BERGLUND  CHARISMA NEWS

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A Swedish company offers employees a small, rice-grain-sized implant that can mimic the function of swipe cards. These chips, already in effect at Epicenter, can open doors, operate printers or purchase food, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The small chips are powered by Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.

The microchip implants, described in the article as potentially "dystopian," are beloved by the company's employees. Epicenter employees reportedly hold parties for new people who sign up to get the chip.

Some believers may wonder whether this new technology could become the mark of the beast, as described in Revelation.

Patrick Mesterton, the CEO of Epicenter, has addressed possible concerns about the technology. He told the Orlando Sentinel, "Of course, putting things into your body is quite a big step to do and it was even for me at first. But then on the other hand, I mean, people have been implanting things into their body, like pacemakers and stuff to control your heart. That's a way, way more serious thing than having a small chip that can actually communicate with devices."

The technology is also one-way, so while other devices can glean information from a user's chip, they cannot input new information. 

Still, how do you feel about this new technology? Comment and let us know. 

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Implanted in Hand, Microchip Lets You Pay Mark-of-the-Beast Style - TAYLOR BERGLUND CHARISMA NEWS

Could a microchip be implanted in the back of your hand? (Flickr/David King)

Implanted in Hand, Microchip Lets You Pay Mark-of-the-Beast Style

12/8/2016 TAYLOR BERGLUND  CHARISMA NEWS

Join us on our podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

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United Arab Emirates telecommunications companies recently revealed new technology that could allow total payment of goods and services using only an embedded microchip.

According to Shoshana Kedem of 7days.ae, the technology comes from a new process called "bio-hacking, where an alien device is embedded on the back of the hand between the thumb and forefinger using a special syringe." The technology was unveiled at GITEX 2016 in Dubai. The microchips are capable of storing all credit card and identification data.

A universal mark on the back of the hand may remind believers of Rev. 13:16-17, where John writes, "He causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, so that no one may buy or sell, except he who has the mark or the name of the beast or the number of his name."

Though there are no indications bio-hacking will be mandatory, the implant may be permanent. Medical tattoo artist Hazim Naori told 7days.ae, "It's like a piercing, it doesn't hurt, but it feels a bit uncomfortable for the first day. The bio-hacking improves and enhances your body and will be not just a wearable device, but a device within yourself. You cannot replace or lose it, if you have an accident it's still with you."

Naori could not, however, say what role the device might play in society. He compared its potential to credit cards and online accounts, which link multiple accounts and enable quick commerce. The only obstacles to microchip implementation are infrastructure and international approvals.

What do you think about bio-hacking? Let us know in the comments section. 

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