THE MARK (LEFT BEHIND)

'The Mark: The Beast Rules the World' is the eighth book in the Left Behind series written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins and published in 2000.

Contents

Plot summary

Region Codes

Plot summary

Global Community Supreme Potentate and Antichrist is now resurrected and indwelt by Satan himself. And it is no more Mr. Nice Guy as Antichrist declares that every single person on earth must receive his mark of loyalty and worship his image or lose their head to the guillotine, or "loyalty enforcement facilitator". David Hassid finally finds out that his fiancée Annie Christopher has been killed by lightning called down by G.C. Supreme Commander and False Prophet Leon Fortunato.
Terror comes to Christians in Greece as they are among the first to receive the mark. Lukas Miklos loses his wife, his pastor, his pastor's wife and dozens of fellow Greek believers to the guillotine, while Cameron "Buck" Williams, who is in Greece in disguise along with Albie, help two Greek teenagers escape the detention center.
Meanwhile, back in the states, Gustaf Zuckermandel, Jr. is distraught to find out that his father, whom everyone calls "Big Zeke", has suffered the same fate after being caught helping and supplying other believers (subversives, according to the GC).
At the same time, Rayford Steele and Albie, with the help of Steve Plank, carry out the incredible rescue of Hattie Durham, who finally becomes a believer.
In New Babylon, David, Mac McCullum, Abdullah Smith, and Hannah Palemoon plan to leave, taking Ming Toy's 17 year-old brother Chang Wong (who is also a believer) along with them. But Chang, a computer prodigy, was brought his parents to New Babylon, hoping to get him hired in Carpathia's forces. Determined to "make proud", Mr. Wong has Chang drugged, carried to the mark application site, and held down, even as he protests; and although Chang has the cross of the believer on his forehead, the mark of the beast is forced on him. But even after being given the mark of the beast against his will, Chang still has the mark of the believer clearly visible because he never "accepted" the mark of the beast. In this, David and Chang discover a great advantage: Chang can now be the new Tribulation Force mole in the GC Headquarters Palace when the others escape, since he can come, go, and trade freely.
Everything reaches a climax when Carpathia announces that he will be returning to Jerusalem to occupy what he believes is his rightful house: the Jewish Temple. The Tribulation Force prepares for its greatest military operation yet, a massive exodus of believers which they call: "Operation Eagle".

Region Codes

Each of the ten regions (prophesied in the Bible) in the Global Community, the Antichrist-headed world government, is given a code that is also used when the Mark of the Beast is applied to Global Community loyalists. Each number is obtained from a mathematical expression involving three sixes, the number of the beast. (Example: a citizen from the United Carpathian States would receive a ''216'' on his or her right hand or forehead).

★ United North American States: -6=6-6-6

★ United South American States: 0=(6-6)x6

★ United Great Britain States: 2=(6+6)/6

★ United European States: 6=6+6-6

★ United African States: 7=(6/6)+6

★ United Pacific States: 18=6+6+6

★ United Asian States: 30=(6x6)-6

★ United Indian States: 42=(6x6)+6

★ United Russian States: 72=(6+6)x6

★ United Holy Land (Carpathian) States: 216=6x6x6