Revelation 13:15-17

Without a doubt, this infamous mark is going to reach its zenith, its very peak, during the time that we know of as being the tribulation.

The events of the seals—please make a connection here because the mark of the Beast is a part of the fifth seal—and if past history is any indication, the events of the seals do not just suddenly appear. Rather they are gradually imposed on mankind in a way that almost seems as though they are sneaking up on us like a thief. And they will come, like I said, and they will reach a peak of intensity and then they will wane, and seemingly slip into the background, maybe for several generations, and then they will come back again with greater intensity than they had before.

We do not want to be caught when they are upon us and then have to deal with it. It is my sincere hope that none of us within the sound of my voice and many others besides ever have to deal with this thing when it reaches this intensity, because I guarantee you, you are not going to live through it. But we are going to have to deal with it between now and then, before it reaches that point. I do not think the time of the imposition of this thing is all that far off.

Revelation 13:11-18

Well, we have a different symbol, but it's clearly the same personage and organization. Again the time element is the end, he is clearly associated with the beast, and he speaks persuasive words deceiving people into idolatry (worshipping the beast, himself or the image). Now is this the work of someone who is the leader of a small—I mean, by worldly standards—true church? Hardly! This is a person of major worldwide religious and political organization. Political, because of his association with the beast. Does the church of God have political associations? None at all that I know of. We are not talking about the leader of the church of God. Revelation 16:13, Revelation 16 is the seven vials of God's wrath.