Yes — some will hesitate and many will refuse, because the mark is a physical mark on hand or forehead tied to the Antichrist's economy, and believers of that day refuse it even at the cost of hunger and poverty.
The mark must be received in the right hand or forehead, and no one may buy or sell without it [Clip 6]. Les teaches it will be an 18-digit computer number used for all electronic transactions, and it will not appear until the tribulation [Clip 2]. The 144,000 Jews will proclaim the gospel of the kingdom, and those who believe will refuse the mark, even though it means seven years of hunger, thirst, and nakedness [Clips 1, 5]. Because taking the mark brings immediate judgment — the first bowl pours a noisome and grievous sore on its bearers [Clip 7] — the decision carries eternal consequences that many will not rush into.
Revelation 13:16-17 — This is the foundational passage showing the mark is placed on the right hand or forehead and that no one may buy or sell without it — the very requirement some people are slow to accept.
Revelation 16:2 — This verse shows the immediate judgment that falls on mark-bearers, making acceptance of the mark a weighty — and possibly delayed — decision.
Revelation 13:16-17 (KJV) says: '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.' This is a universal economic decree: everyone, regardless of wealth or status, must receive the mark in the right hand or forehead to buy and sell. Revelation 16:2 (KJV) adds, 'And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.' The Bible thus shows the mark as a bodily, commercial requirement that brings immediate divine judgment. The text does not explicitly say people will be slow to accept the mark; rather, it reveals the coercive requirement and the fearful consequence — the gravity of which naturally makes the decision one that many would not rush into.
Les Feldick teaches that the mark of the beast will be an 18-digit computer number placed on the right hand or forehead — possibly visible only under ultraviolet light — through which all salaries and purchases will be processed electronically [Clip 2]. It will not appear until the Antichrist comes in the tribulation, and since believers today will be gone, no Christian needs to fear being forced to take it [Clip 2]. A false religious leader will cause all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive this mark so that no one may buy or sell without it [Clip 6]. Les sees a divided response. Those who have rejected the gospel are deluded by a sovereign act of God and take the mark "at the drop of a hat," because they are convinced the Antichrist is the man the world is looking for [Clip 4]. But those who believe the gospel of the kingdom proclaimed by the 144,000 Jews will refuse the mark. They remain eligible for salvation, yet because they cannot buy or sell or transact business, they will end up hungry, thirsty, and naked over the seven-year period [Clips 1, 5]. Finally, Les points out that the moment people accept the mark, they will never succumb to the gospel of the kingdom [Clip 5], and the first bowl judgment will fall on them with a noisome and grievous sore [Clip 7]. These heavy consequences — bodily marking, economic coercion, and irrevocable judgment — help explain why some people may be slow to accept the mark.
Yes, some will. Les teaches that those who heard the gospel and rejected it are condemned and will be the first to embrace the Antichrist. Because they have been completely deluded by a sovereign act of God, they accept the mark of the beast "at the drop of a hat," believing the Antichrist is the man the world is looking for [Clip 4].
Les teaches that people who do not have the mark will still be eligible for salvation, but they will not be able to buy or sell or transact any business. Over seven years, they cannot buy groceries, pay rent, make house payments, buy gasoline, or pay doctor bills. They will end up hungry, thirsty, and naked, suffering the same privations as the 144,000 Jews [Clip 1]. Those with the mark, on the other hand, will never respond to the gospel of the kingdom [Clip 5].
Les points to Revelation 16:2, where the first angel pours out his bowl on the earth, and a noisome and grievous sore falls upon those who have the mark of the beast and worship his image. He says this happens "just as soon as people accept that mark," comparing the mark to a computer number and a European transaction card that already carries health records and bank balances [Clip 7].
No. Les teaches that the mark will not come on the scene until the Antichrist appears in the tribulation, and believers today will not be there. He says a Christian does not have to worry about ever being forced to take the mark of the beast [Clip 2].
The World's Data Surveillance
Les describes how hotel and corporate computers already track personal preferences and business data, showing that the infrastructure for the electronic mark system has been building for decades.
The Cost of Refusing the Mark
Les teaches that those without the mark are eligible for salvation but cannot buy, sell, or transact business, so they end up hungry, thirsty, and naked over the seven-year tribulation.
The Mark as an Electronic Number
Les teaches that the mark will be an 18-digit computer number placed on the hand or forehead for all electronic transactions, and it will not appear until the tribulation.
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream That Predicted Every World Empire — Daniel 2
So, I have taught since computers came on the scene in the early seventies that I'm convinced that this mark of the beast is nothing more, nothing less than an 18-digit computer number that will either be put on the hand or on the forehead, maybe in such a way that only an ultraviolet light will make it appear, so that as people come through a checkout line or they receive their salaries or so for…
Deluded People Accept Instantly
Les teaches that those who rejected the gospel are deluded by a sovereign act of God and accept the mark of the beast at the drop of a hat.
Mark-Bearers Cannot Be Saved
Les teaches that once people have the mark of the beast, they will never succumb to the gospel of the kingdom.
The Mark Controls Buying and Selling
Les explains that the false religious leader will cause all people to receive the mark in the right hand or forehead so that no one may buy or sell without it.
Immediate Judgment on Mark-Bearers
Les notes that just as soon as people accept the mark, the first bowl judgment falls on them with a noisome and grievous sore.
Revelation 13:16-17: 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.
This is the foundational passage explaining the mark's purpose: forced universal participation in buying and selling.
Revelation 16:2: And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
This verse shows that accepting the mark triggers immediate divine judgment — a sobering reason to hesitate.
No. Les teaches the mark will not appear until the Antichrist arrives during the tribulation, and believers today will already be gone. A Christian does not have to worry about ever being forced to take the mark [Clip 2].
Because they have rejected the gospel and are deluded by a sovereign act of God. Les says they accept the mark of the beast at the drop of a hat, convinced that the Antichrist is the man the world is looking for [Clip 4].
According to Les, no. People who have the mark will never succumb to the gospel of the kingdom [Clip 5], and the first bowl judgment falls on them as soon as they accept it [Clip 7].
Watch the Teaching: The Mark of the Beast & the Unholy Trinity Explained