The end times are beyond our comprehension. It will be absolutely horrible for everyone on the earth. Anyone who denies the mark will have to run into the mountains and escape persecution in a modern high-tech society. Roman 1st century persecution essentially with thermal imagery, digital ID and drones, perhaps even more advance tech centuries from now. It will seem as if God had abandoned us. But that it exactly what the faithful will realise, it is the ultimate test of faith. The truth is even the biggest bible thumper would struggle, including me.