Amazon Envisions Paying with your Hand

On September 7th, 2019 I posted an article, Prelude to the Mark of the Beast III, concerning hand scanning technology that Amazon has been testing in secrecy and eventually plans to roll out to their Whole Foods stores. Now in an article published by the Wall Street Journal, Cash, Plastic or Hand? Amazon Envisions Paying With a Wave, they discuss how Amazon “wants to make your hand your credit card” (1). Below is an excerpt from the article further elaborating on this.

“The tech giant is creating checkout terminals that could be placed in bricks-and-mortar stores and allow shoppers to link their card information to their hands, according to people familiar with the matter. They could then pay for purchases with their palms, without having to pull out a card or phone.”

“The company plans to pitch the terminals to coffee shops, fast-food restaurants and other merchants that do lots of repeat business with their customers, according to some of the people. Amazon declined to comment.”

“Amazon, like other tech companies, is trying to further integrate itself into consumers’ financial lives, leaving banks and card networks on edge. Apple Inc. introduced a credit card last year, and Google is rolling out checking accounts. If the Amazon terminals succeed, they could leapfrog mobile wallets such as Apple Pay while expanding Amazon’s already-extensive access to consumer data” (1).

They also explain how they believe this system could be handled, “Amazon envisions that customers would first use the terminals to link their debit or credit card information to their hands, the people said. The company is weighing a few options for how to do so, one of the people said. For example, customers might insert cards into a terminal and then let the terminal scan their hands. From then on, they would only need to place a hand over the terminal to pay at a participating merchant” (1) .

From ID Badges to Biometric Systems and Microchips

The Wall Street Journal also published in their article, The Humble Office ID Badge is About to be Unrecognizable, that “humble ID badge is starting to be replaced by biometric identification systems, microchip implants and tools that monitor workers’ gaits or typing habits—technologies that might not only make workplaces more secure and easier to navigate but also generate personalized health and productivity data” (2).

The article stresses the security risks associated with having a regular ID card. After all, anyone could potentially use a lost or stolen card to access the workplace right? “For many employees, the workday starts by swiping a plastic ID card to enter the office. But employers can’t always be sure who’s holding the card…It’s easy to see why some employers are already using technologies like face and iris scans, which are more difficult to spoof than standard plastic ID cards” (2).

Therefore to ensure utmost security for the workplace and its employees, biometric technology including implantable microchips is increasingly being seen as an attractive alternative for the future. This may all sound like a sci-fi reality that’s still a ways away, but in my article, Prelude to the Mark of the Beast? II, I touched on the fact that a UK firm – BioTeq – has already been offering businesses and individuals the ability to implant themselves and their workers with microchips.

As of the November 2018 article, Alarm over talks to implant UK employees with microchips by the Guardian, 150 individuals have voluntarily been fitted with microchips. This of course caused concerns over a business’ ability to access and control their employer’s personal data.

The article stated, “We know workers are already concerned that some employers are using tech to control and micromanage, whittling away their staff’s right to privacy. Microchipping would give bosses even more power and control over their workers. There are obvious risks involved, and employers must not brush them aside, or pressure staff into being chipped” (3)

The Coming Tribulation

Since my first article concerning this kind of technology back in October 2018, I’ve been frequently shedding light on this issue from a biblical perspective and will continue to do so. I’ve frequently stated that I believe that the technology we’re currently seeing being developed and implemented such as hand scanners, electronic tattoos, RFID implants, and microchips could be used to create what the bible calls the “Mark of the Beast”.

The bible tells us that there is coming a future 7 year time period known as the tribulation. After the rapture of the church – in which Jesus takes those who have placed their faith in his finished work at the cross off the earth – those who did not will be left to face the horrors of the tribulation. It’s in this time period where the mark of the beast will ultimately be realized, “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (Revelation 13:16-17).

My purpose in writing these articles isn’t to be “sensational” or “over-hype” this topic. Many unbelievers have already heard of the mark of the beast and how Christians believe it involves some type of chip being implanted in you. Mention of this topic is often met with eye rolls and mocking from the unbelieving world but in my experience is a growing trend among those who also call themselves Christians.

If we call ourselves followers of Christ, and we believe the bible is the ultimate source of truth given by God to mankind, and that in this book God has revealed to us his plans, purposes, as well as what the future will hold, shouldn’t we be serious in taking in and proclaiming this truth to the world around us?

I don’t take this lightly as the bible makes it crystal clear what awaits those who take the mark of the beast that will ultimately come about during the 7 year tribulation. Taking the mark means the recipient swears allegiance to the antichrist and Satan, effectively condemning themselves to the lake of fire, permanently sealing their eternal fate.

The Good News

As bad as this all sounds God does offer hope to all of us before the tribulation. He has extended his free gift of salvation to all of us if only we would be willing to accept it. For those who find themselves in this time but later come to the knowledge of the truth, it’s still not to late to accept this free gift, although the cost will be much higher.

Those who finally believe in Christ during the tribulation will most likely have to pay for it with their life (Revelation 20:4). Accepting the mark of the beast means certain eternal doom for the recipient, but denying it means certain bodily death. However, to those who deny the mark, the bible presents this as “victory”!

As a Christian, bible prophecy isn’t meant to scare the believer but instead prepare us. We will not be going through the tribulation. We should use this knowledge to warn others of what’s to come and share the hope we have in the Gospel.

If you’re an unbeliever and you came to this article by what you may believe was “chance” I want to encourage you that you have been led here. Don’t simply brush these events and what the bible says off without first examining its claims.

Sources

1. Cash, Plastic or Hand? Amazon Envisions Paying With a Wave (January 18th, 2020) – The Wall Street Journal
2. THE HUMBLE OFFICE ID BADGE IS ABOUT TO BE UNRECOGNIZABLE (January 6th) – The Wall Street Journal
3. Alarm over talks to implant UK employees with microchips (November 11th, 2018) – The Guardian