Revelation 13:16-17 (NIV) says that "It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, 17 so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name."
This topic is very serious because it has been predicted on the bible. But the question is, is this prophecy refers to our newly decentralized system which is the Cryptocurrency, specifically the Bitcoin?
Well, some believe Bitcoin is in a position to fulfill the prophecy by becoming or morphing into the one-world currency the anti-Christ will use to gain economic control worldwide. However, not everyone agrees. So now we will tackle the five reasons why the Bitcoin cryptocurrency shouldn't be considered The Mark of the Beast or the prophecy told in the Revelation.
1. Could be a fad: According to Catholic Online, Bitcoin's volatility, security issues and potential regulatory challenges raise questions as to whether it's just a fad.
2. Blockchain: Each Bitcoin contains a "blockchain" that keeps a record of every transaction made using Bitcoin since the system was initiated in 2009.
3. High Prices: Alan Greenspan, former Federal Reserve chairman described Bitcoin as "a bubble" that lacks intrinsic value, according to Bloomberg. In December 2013, Greenspan said that Bitcoin's prices as being unsustainably high.
4. People respect dollars more: The change to virtual currency may come at a relatively slow pace because people have built up respect for currencies associated with nations, according to Catholic Online. People respect dollars, mostly because of their track record and relatively stability.
5. Bitcoin is a way to beat the Beast: Instead of being the Mark of the Beast, Bitcoin may be a way to beat that mark. According to Christian Money, "One of the key elements of the Mark of the Beast is to be able to prevent those that refuse to take the Mark from buying and selling. Bitcoins are decentralized and prevent any such control."