Q: In the last days do they believe the lie and take the mark because it's easier than believing the truth?

A: Yes, that idea is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12 (NASB), which explains a sobering dynamic in the last days:

“The one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not accept the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.”

This passage shows:

• The mark (Revelation 13:16–17) isn’t just about buying and selling—it reflects worship, allegiance, and trust in the beastly system.
• People refuse the truth (not just fail to understand it).
• Because of this, God allows a delusion—not to trap the innocent, but as a consequence of hardened hearts.

So yes: it’s “easier” in the flesh—socially, economically, emotionally—to go along with the system than to suffer for truth. But it's also a spiritual judgment. They take the mark not merely out of convenience but because their hearts already rejected God’s truth and loved unrighteousness.

Additional Biblical Evidence:

Romans 1:25 (NASB)

“For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

John 3:19–20 (NASB)

“And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil.”

Revelation 14:9–10 (NASB)

“If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God…”

2 Timothy 4:3–4 (NASB)

“For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine... and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”

Together, these passages confirm: the deception of the last days is not accidental. It's a consequence of hardened hearts, false worship, and the rejection of truth for a more convenient lie.

The Delusion Deepens — Replacing the Voice of God

The universe doesn't malfunction — it obeys. Scripture is clear:

“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their lights.” — Psalm 33:6 (NASB)

The stars, the seas, the systems of nature — they are not random. They are still aligned with the voice of their Creator. It’s not creation that is out of sync — it’s us.

But instead of listening to God's voice, humanity tries to override it with machinery, algorithms, and control. We treat the groaning of creation (Romans 8:22) not as a spiritual signal — but a technical flaw.

“He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly.” — Psalm 147:15 (NASB)

Yet instead of praying, we patch. Instead of repenting, we reprogram. We are building a god to fix problems that still answer to God's voice.

But Building Solutions Isn’t Wrong — Replacing His Solution Is

God gave us the earth to manage. The call to "subdue and rule" (Genesis 1:28) includes advancement, technology, and stewardship.

It is not wrong to:

• Heal the sick
• Use AI wisely
• Study the stars
• Protect ecosystems

But it becomes rebellion when we:

• Put our trust in systems instead of the Savior
• Try to save the world without repentance
• Replace the Holy Spirit with human progress

“Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it…” — Psalm 127:1 (NASB)

The winds and the waves still obey Him. The question is: will we?

God gave mankind dominion — but that dominion was over the earth, not the heavens. “The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, but the earth He has given to the sons of mankind.” — Psalm 115:16 (NASB)

Subduing the earth is obedience. But when we reach to rule the skies, rewrite the laws of life, or define spiritual truth apart from God, we cross into territory that was never given to us.

Creation still knows its boundaries. It listens when He speaks. The question is — do we?