Once the coming Beast empire is ruled by the proud, boastful blasphemer, a person without the Beast mark will be considered to be of questionable allegiance, perhaps an enemy. All this will also mean that the Christ coming will be only a few years away. Be ready now, in the short term, but also be ready for the long term, since it might be soon when all this starts, but most likely it could all be a few decades away. You may need to hold out, for all that time. Tip: daily encouragement of each other, like is done online. The scriptures are encouraging, as is sound instruction. But it needs to be sustained long term. Decades even. We do not know exactly when the severest trials will start. Like civilians living in territory likely to be soon taken by a hostile army, it could happen soon or after several years of waiting. When the territory is taken by the invader, they treat local civilians harshly with necessary suspicion. The Beast people will be harsh on those who do not take the Beast mark. They will use deadly tactics. Those accepting the heavenly council by refusing that mark, their lives will be in danger. For three and a half years until the Christ returns. It will be a severe test. Heaven will reward the faithful with a crown of life: a thousand year reign with the Christ and immortal eternal life. In a war soldiers wear a mark to show the side they are on. The mark of the Beast will show a person is on the side of man, not God. Man versus God.
