No, Digital Currency Is NOT A Sign That The End Is Near

The Christian Post did a recent interview with Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel about how digital currency fits into Bible prophecy.  I have nothing against Jack Hibbs personally.  In fact, from what I've heard about his bold preaching on controversial issues like abortion and homosexuality, and his fight against government overreach during the coronavirus pandemic, I have a lot of respect for him.  However, his take on digital currency and Bible prophecy is way off.

Referring to Revelation 13, which is where we find the beast of Revelation and the Mark of the Beast, Hibbs confidently claims that "there will come a time where a global economic system is digitized."  Let me assure you that the Bible says nothing about a digital currency.  Read Revelation 13 for yourself.  Nothing about a digital currency.

Hibbs also claims that "all those who participate in a global economy will need to do so with what we call a prefix, meaning a number that is the head of an account," and that "your account will be preempted by the number 666."  But again Hibbs is departing from Scripture.  Revelation 13 does not say that 666 is a prefix.  It is a stand-alone number that anyone who wants to buy or sell must receive on his right hand or forehead.

But Hibbs is way off for another big reason.  Revelation 13 is not about an end-times figure.  It is about a first-century character referred to as the "beast."  The beast is none other than the Roman Emperor Nero Caesar, who ruled over the entire civilized world at the time.  The word "beast" fits his character perfectly, as he was the first emperor to persecute Christians.  He was worshiped by the citizens of Rome.  Just as predicted in Revelation 13:5-7, he persecuted Christians for forty-two months -- from November AD 64-June AD 68.  And the Hebrew spelling of Nero's name was Nrwn Qsr (pronounced Neron Kaiser), the numerical value of which is exactly 666: n [50] r [200] w [6] n [50] q [100] s [60] r [200] = 666.

I'm not defending digital currencies like Bitcoin.  Personally I'm very leery about investing in it, especially after scandals like FTX.  Even Warren Buffet says cryptocurrency is risky, worthless, and will eventually come to nothing.  With that being said, the Bible doesn't say anything about digital currency.  It has nothing to do with the Mark of the Beast, and it is not a sign that the end is near.

For a quick explanation of Revelation and the Mark of the Beast, check out my sermon "The Mark of the Beast."