James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
And as a result, instead of building sterling character the mind was habituated to search for the easy way out, and thus, over a period of many years the habit was formed of taking the path of least resistance. Therefore, in Revelation chapters 13 and 14, where our patterns of decision making are set to become permanent, persons should not expect to suddenly change course overnight, because of some looming emergency, if all along they have been obeying the other voices inside their heads.
At this point the prince of darkness will be seeking to make decisions in his favor permanent, and if he succeeds, like Judas, he will enter into persons and take entire control of the man. This is why the Bible does not use the word “Force” in Revelation chapter 13. Instead, it repeats the word “Cause” because he will use his favorite, and most successful of snare, food. At that time, God will only be feeding persons who have made it a habit to trust in Him,.
But, those who all along, have been seeking for loopholes to avoid doing God’s will, would have only two bad choices on the menu. Some who hate Babylon, but never surrendered to Christ would have to choose between starvation, or taking the mark in order to live for a while, however, either way the result would be the same. Such persons will be subject to death any which way because either choice will result in damnation.
Revelation 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judges her.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!