Bitcoin and Bible Prophecy: 5 Reasons the Cryptocurrency Shouldn't Be Considered the Mark of the Beast

Some Bible prophecy advocates think Bitcoin — a form of digital currency — could become the "Mark of the Beast" mentioned in the New Testament's Book of Revelation.

The Mark of the Beast is thought to be among the characteristics of the "tribulation years," and 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.

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However, not everyone agrees. Here are five reasons some say the Bitcoin cryptocurrency shouldn't be considered The Mark of the Beast:

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.

According to Omegashock, "As Bitcoin gains in popularity and usage, each blockchain will increase in size. Right now the blockchain for most Bitcoins is over a gigabyte in size. In the future the Bitcoin blockchain will increase to more than a terabyte. And THAT is just not going to work — especially if you are trying to create a global currency."

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.

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He added, "There is no fundamental issue of capabilities of repaying it in anything which is universally acceptable, which is either intrinsic value of the currency or the credit or trust of the individual who is issuing the money, whether it's a government or an individual."

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."

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