The mark of the beast is a defining element of the end times. It identifies those who serve Satan from those who serve the living God. Satan’s followers are in the majority, while only a remnant truly serves the King of Kings.
Revelation 16:1 Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God."
16:2 So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and it became a loathsome and malignant sore on the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.
16:3 The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood like that of a dead man; and every living thing in the sea died.
16:4 Then the third angel poured out his bowl into the rivers and the springs of waters; and they became blood.
These first three bowl judgments seem to come one right after the other. But, notice who is it directed toward, only those who had the mark and worshiped the beast.
16:5 And I heard the angel of the waters saying, "Righteous are You, who are and who were, O Holy One, because You judged these things; 16:6 for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. They deserve it."
For those who believe that the US Church will not suffer persecution, what do you do with this verse? The ‘they’ are the followers of the beast who have killed the saints.
16:7 And I heard the altar saying, "Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Your judgments."
16:8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given to it to scorch men with fire.
16:9 Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory.
What is keeping them from repenting as they endure God’s wrath? The beast, Satan’s servants, has been so deceived that they have believed that Satan is good and God is evil. Don’t underestimate the power of false beliefs. The major religions of the world should give you plenty of examples.
16:10 Then the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom became darkened; and they gnawed their tongues because of pain, 16:11 and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they did not repent of their deeds.
Who are they blaspheming? The God of heaven! They are not ignorant of who is pouring out these judgments. But, they accuse God of being evil, unfair, and unjust. Satan, who appears to them as an angel of light, is fighting for his spiritual life. He knows his time is short and still thinks he will triumph. So he enlists most (90+%) of the world to fight with him.
What will God do?