There is a strong historical correlation with the beast mentioned in Revelation and the emperor Nero who burned Jerusalem. There are a number of people who see the events of those days as being fulfilled in John's prophetic visions. There have been a lot of attempts in the past 75 years or so to tie together Daniel, Revelation, and other books as all being future events -- and while a lot of events are very similar, they may be referring to different times, and some prophecies have already been fulfilled.

As far as a mark or number, I've heard everything from the European Union to credit card chip implants to tatoos. I've even heard that it may not be a physical mark at all, but rather those who have given themselves over to a particular philsophy or regimen that the antichrist dictates. The point of all of this is, we don't know how or when we will be raptured -- either alive or dead -- but it will happen, and you are right, we should be ready.

Sorry, my 1st attempt at a comment went arwy. Revelation 13:18 is the key verse here. In the English language, our letters have no meaning other than themselves. A=A, B=B, etc. In Hebrew however, each of the letters has a corresponding numerical value. If one looks at the name of the Beast(a.k.a. the Antichrist) spelled out in Hebrew(which has not yet been revealed,) and take the numerical value of each letter in his name, those values will add up to be 666, six hundred sixty-six, not 6,6,6, six, six, six. This will be the 1st. revealing of the beast to "those who have wisdom." (quite possibly Messianic Jews. As for fearing the Rapture of the Church spoken of in 1 Thessolonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15, you can BE ASSURED of going if you are alive then by accepting Jesus as your savior. The last several verses of John 10 tell us that if we are saved, no one can pluck us out of the Father's hand. If the Word of God says it you may stake your eternal soul on it. God cannot lie!

Mercy, I am going to have to get out my bible....doesn't Jesus say He can blot your name out of the book of life? And it is better to not have known Him than turn back on HIm? Bear with me guys, I want to have a discussion, not denigerate any ones views, if you don't agree tell me so, site your references and ask 'still friends?'

I love watching Tim LaHaye who comes on Sunday nights from 1100 to 1130. This coming Sunday he will be talking about prohecy and the antichrist. I want to make sure my latern is let when He returns.

That concern relates to Revelation 22:19, which contains a specific warning against anyone who takes away(aphaireo) from the words(logos) of the scroll(biblos) that contains the prophecy(propheteia) - the prophecy contained in the Book of Revelation. Namely, The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

I don't think anyone need worry about the "rapture". If you are just and righteous, it will take you. Look for it on Yom Teruah. Anyone's guess as to which one is as good as the next. There are two days during this appointed time that run together. It's known as the "day that no man knows." So, even the particular day is in doubt, but is narrowed down. There are other indicators as to the thought that Yom Teruah will be the point in time for the catching away of the bride.

As for the "anti-Christ":

Dan 11:29-35 "At the time appointed he shall return and come into the south, but it shall not be this time as it was before. For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant. Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. And the wise among the people shall make many understand, though for some days they shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder. When they stumble, they shall receive a little help. And many shall join themselves to them with flattery, and some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time."

A particular event was fulfilled with Antiochus Epiphanes back in... I think it was 156 B.C., so this particular event wasn't what the Messiah was speaking of when he talked about this man of lawlessness elsewhere.

What covenant is being spoken of?

The passage in Revelation that speaks of the mark in the forehead and the mark in the hand will have a dual purpose. The portion of the brain in the forehead is where the seat of devotion is at. This is known as the "third eye" in certain cultures. The mark on the hand is in regards to the works of your hand. That "mark" will show who you are devoted to in your mind and in the works of your hand. This is clearly indicated today. As for the physical mark that is to be taken, it will take effect in the form of identification control. People will take to it readily and already have, although the final form is not yet here. With the States, Canada and Mexico going to the "Amero" we will be a giant step closer to this particular mark. It will be easy to control people at the touch of a button, as it is, today. Just threaten them with their bank account, and you own them.

People who hold to the covenant of YHVH will have these privileges (sp) taken away from them and won't be able to buy or sell. Again, what is this covenant that they hold to?

There is a similar thought as to this battle for the covenant that is shown elsewhere:

Pro 28:4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.

Pro 28:9 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.

Looking elsewhere in this thread, Nero did not burn Jerusalem. He was a few blocks away in Rome.

For the number of 666, it point to the number of the name of a man. It would seem to make sense that this name could be found in a few different languages, just as a failsafe condition, so that individual people would not be named as the "Anti-Christ" But, if you look for the particular position a man might hold, you have a better understanding. It starts by a passage in Rev. 17:9-12. You'll see the ten divisions of the world, under the concept of this one world religion/bank that is just about upon us. Go Google it and you'll find out what I'm talkin' about. As for the man, here's an interesting thought:

Lateinos - or Latin Man - in Greek = 666.

Romiith - or Roman Kingdom - in Hebrew = 666.

The three words written on the Pope of Rome's mitre [hat] is Vicarius Filii Dei (Vicar of the Son of God) = 666.

For an interesting read that will probably scare you, read "Keys Of This Blood" ( http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=keys+of+this+blood&aq=f&oq= )

I'm sleepy still, as I type this, so I'll come back when I think I can make more sense of this and hopefully be a bit more lucid in my thinking.

The blotting out of the name occurs at the judgement, yes. But it is we who do the blotting with our own actions and idle words. Remember the warning: But I say to you that every idle word, whatever men may speak, they shall give account of it in the day of judgment.

The blotting out of the names are nothing more than the fulfillment of the life that was chosen to be lived by those here on earth. YeHoshua did not come to judge, but came to deliver. We paddle our own boats to the point of the judgement, whichever one one might attend. So it will be by our own choices that our names are either blotted out or they are not. He is not indiscriminate in His selection of names that will ultimately be blotted out.