Nigeria launched a national identification card last week, which also doubles as an electronic payment device. Enrolment for the new card began last October, and the government expects around 13 million cards to be issued during the pilot phase of the project. The information on the card includes the bearer's name, birth date, and also a unique identification number that can be used to access biometric identification details from a central database. That unique number can also be used to make small financial transactions using a payment chip supplied by MasterCard. President Goodluck Jonathan was the first to receive his identity card last week. The government hopes that the new system will provide greater security for its citizens in a country rife with corruption, as well as granting wider access to financial services..

Quote: “"The card is not only a means of certifying your identity, but also a personal database repository and payment card, all in your pocket," President Jonathan said at the launch in the capital, Abuja.

It's not the first time I have commented on news regarding national identification cards or electronic payment methods. But I think this is the first time I have commented on a card whose purpose is both to provide proof of identity and to be used for financial transactions. The Bible also speaks of a time when people will be issued with an identifying mark, without which no person will be able to buy or sell...

Revelation 13:16-18
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: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Of course I am not saying that the identification system that we are talking about today is the Mark of the Beast. First of all, the Bible states that the Mark of the Beast will be enforced by the False Prophet, a world religious leader who will rise up during the last days. Secondly, in the book of Revelation, receiving the Mark of the Beast and worshipping the Beast are always mentioned together, as if one cannot be done without doing the other. Receiving the Mark in the right hand or forehead shows that one has given their full allegiance to the Antichrist and his world system. And since God will bring both into judgement, special warnings are given to those of earth who will receive his Mark (Revelation 14:9-11). The book of Revelation also offers true believers in Christ this assurance, that since their names are written in the Lamb's book of life, they can never worship the Beast or accept his Mark...

Revelation 13:8
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

The Mark of the Beast itself may not be here, but as you can see, the technology to implement it already is. We have spoken in times past about the problems of national identity cards, the benefits of implantable RFID chips like VeriChip, and the fact that they are now being implanted in the right hand and forehead. And when you look at the trouble in the world today, the pandemic of global terrorism, it is easy to see how the case will be made for a worldwide identification system. It will be man's last great attempt at bringing peace to this troubled world. But there will be no peace.

Only when the Messiah returns, will there be true “peace on earth and goodwill to all men”. Psalm 72:7-8 says of Him, “In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth”. Do you know Him? As the saying goes, 'No Jesus - no peace, know Jesus - know peace'. For He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7). He came the first time to bring us peace with God. He made that peace “through the blood of His cross”, Colossians 1:20. Through His great offering for sin, He brought us forgiveness. For He bore God's punishment for our sins when He died upon the cross (Isaiah 53:11). And all who put their trust in Him can know their sins forgiven and have everlasting life in heaven (John 14:3). Have you trusted in Him for salvation? Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

John 1:12
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Source BBC