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The Mark of the Beast, Book One: The Mark
The dollar collapses, the stock market crashes, and another “Great Depression” latches itself on America, causing massive inflation, unemployment, homelessness and hunger.
When the grocery stores run out of food, mobs, gangs and desperate people spill out of the cities like hungry locusts scouring the countryside. No home, farm or retreat is safe. Overwhelmed local police and county sheriffs can’t stop the violence. In response, the President declares martial law and dispatches the army to every city and town in America.
The army arrives in Shiloh, Montana to enforce martial law, and orders everyone to get a new biometric ID chip within a month. Without it, people won’t be able to buy food or anything else.
Nobody likes martial law or the ID, and some Christians think that the chip is the mark of the beast, because nobody will be able to buy anything without it. However, most don’t – their pastors tell them it’s not the mark because the rapture of the church hasn’t taken place yet.
Since the church is still on earth and there’s no Antichrist, how could the ID be the mark? Besides, nobody’s going to let their children starve because of some Bible verses.
Retired Army Colonel Micah Smith thinks the ID is the mark and decides to leave town. He and his close friends, the Lees slip away into the nearby Rocky Mountains.
On a hunting excursion, they run into an army patrol. Soldiers die in the firefight and Micah is captured. Running from a high-tech military, how can the Lees survive in the mountain wilderness? Will Micah die in prison? Is the ID really the mark of the beast?
Find out – get your copy today!
John Rock is a committed, Bible-believing Christian writer who writes clean, suspenseful novels set in the United States during the end times.
When the grocery stores run out of food, mobs, gangs and desperate people spill out of the cities like hungry locusts scouring the countryside. No home, farm or retreat is safe. Overwhelmed local police and county sheriffs can’t stop the violence. In response, the President declares martial law and dispatches the army to every city and town in America.
The army arrives in Shiloh, Montana to enforce martial law, and orders everyone to get a new biometric ID chip within a month. Without it, people won’t be able to buy food or anything else.
Nobody likes martial law or the ID, and some Christians think that the chip is the mark of the beast, because nobody will be able to buy anything without it. However, most don’t – their pastors tell them it’s not the mark because the rapture of the church hasn’t taken place yet.
Since the church is still on earth and there’s no Antichrist, how could the ID be the mark? Besides, nobody’s going to let their children starve because of some Bible verses.
Retired Army Colonel Micah Smith thinks the ID is the mark and decides to leave town. He and his close friends, the Lees slip away into the nearby Rocky Mountains.
On a hunting excursion, they run into an army patrol. Soldiers die in the firefight and Micah is captured. Running from a high-tech military, how can the Lees survive in the mountain wilderness? Will Micah die in prison? Is the ID really the mark of the beast?
Find out – get your copy today!
John Rock is a committed, Bible-believing Christian writer who writes clean, suspenseful novels set in the United States during the end times.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
December 19, 2025
Different than most post-apocalyptic fiction
Most of the Christian fiction books in this genre assume that the Rapture occurs first and then the story begins. This book takes on the whole "woke" agenda by revoking the Constitution and instituting martial law. They start by confiscating weapons and instituting a cashless society. It has come to my attention through the reading I do (I strongly recommend Jamie Lee Grey's and Mark Goodwin's series on Kindle Unlimited), that this 'indoctrination' is occurring at Allianz Field in Major League Soccer where cash is not accepted anywhere inside the stadium and 'gay pride' is openly celebrated and there are widespread public out-cries for gun control laws. Guns don't kill people. People kill people using guns as tools. We have a raging mental health crisis in our country and it needs to be addressed! It's also a matter for serious prayer because of the spiritual warfare involved. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
Most of the Christian fiction books in this genre assume that the Rapture occurs first and then the story begins. This book takes on the whole "woke" agenda by revoking the Constitution and instituting martial law. They start by confiscating weapons and instituting a cashless society. It has come to my attention through the reading I do (I strongly recommend Jamie Lee Grey's and Mark Goodwin's series on Kindle Unlimited), that this 'indoctrination' is occurring at Allianz Field in Major League Soccer where cash is not accepted anywhere inside the stadium and 'gay pride' is openly celebrated and there are widespread public out-cries for gun control laws. Guns don't kill people. People kill people using guns as tools. We have a raging mental health crisis in our country and it needs to be addressed! It's also a matter for serious prayer because of the spiritual warfare involved. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
April 19, 2024
end times novel
I wanted to like this book but it just lacked cohesiveness. The storyline was forced, the sequences were far fetched and the ending just fell apart. A good editor could fix some of the grammatical issues. The author has the basics and the plot was spot on. There just was not a believable sequence of events. I’ll give his other books a try and perhaps the writing gets better.
I wanted to like this book but it just lacked cohesiveness. The storyline was forced, the sequences were far fetched and the ending just fell apart. A good editor could fix some of the grammatical issues. The author has the basics and the plot was spot on. There just was not a believable sequence of events. I’ll give his other books a try and perhaps the writing gets better.
August 30, 2024
I did not finish it, and here are a few reasons:
The author is post tribulation.
I decided, oh well,
I can still read it anyway.
But then, there was a lot of discussion among the characters
If the digital money system ( in order to buy or sell),
and the need to have a chip implanted in your hand,
was the mark of the beast.
The author seemed to think it was....
However, he missed the 3rd and most important part of the mark,
In my opinion:
and that is the giving of allegiance to the antichrist!
However, in this novel the antichrist, had not yet stepped onto the world platform.
It is not so much the people using digital money
( is my take on Scripture about this subject....
tho, I am absolutely not a fan)...
but the 'damning' part is turning your back completely on Jesus,
and totally worshipping the antichrist as God,
AND the other elements to the mark.
But even then, I thought,
I can still continue to read.
Also, I really did not like the sassy, disrespectful, talking back with much anger,
and attitude , of one of the teenage boys...
But, I thought, that might resolve in a while....
However, what absolutely stopped me from continuing
is when they kill the female captain or whatever her rank,
of part of the army...
Well, that was bad,
but it was the gutter talk of the men,
about her....
Of course, I know, men in the world talk like that...
but it can be 'implied' and not written in detail!
So tho there was some of the Bible quoted,
and discussed, but from my perspective,
not what I believe....
Oh! Which reminds me,
the characters went to 'a 'church.....
with a woman pastor..
another NO!.... for me.
So, I can no longer, say,
that I can let the crude talk etc. etc. go on.
( hoping in time, it will get better)
I get enough of that just walking around in the world today!
Plus, there was just too much suspense,
everything went wrong so fast,
and kept going wrong
and wrong
with nary a break...
Some may enjoy that,
but so far, for me, being only about 1/2 way through ,
this first book in the series,
I just can't keep waiting for any glimmer
of God, rest, hope, even a love relationship etc.
The trash talk is what did it in, for me tho!
That was the last straw for me.
The author is post tribulation.
I decided, oh well,
I can still read it anyway.
But then, there was a lot of discussion among the characters
If the digital money system ( in order to buy or sell),
and the need to have a chip implanted in your hand,
was the mark of the beast.
The author seemed to think it was....
However, he missed the 3rd and most important part of the mark,
In my opinion:
and that is the giving of allegiance to the antichrist!
However, in this novel the antichrist, had not yet stepped onto the world platform.
It is not so much the people using digital money
( is my take on Scripture about this subject....
tho, I am absolutely not a fan)...
but the 'damning' part is turning your back completely on Jesus,
and totally worshipping the antichrist as God,
AND the other elements to the mark.
But even then, I thought,
I can still continue to read.
Also, I really did not like the sassy, disrespectful, talking back with much anger,
and attitude , of one of the teenage boys...
But, I thought, that might resolve in a while....
However, what absolutely stopped me from continuing
is when they kill the female captain or whatever her rank,
of part of the army...
Well, that was bad,
but it was the gutter talk of the men,
about her....
Of course, I know, men in the world talk like that...
but it can be 'implied' and not written in detail!
So tho there was some of the Bible quoted,
and discussed, but from my perspective,
not what I believe....
Oh! Which reminds me,
the characters went to 'a 'church.....
with a woman pastor..
another NO!.... for me.
So, I can no longer, say,
that I can let the crude talk etc. etc. go on.
( hoping in time, it will get better)
I get enough of that just walking around in the world today!
Plus, there was just too much suspense,
everything went wrong so fast,
and kept going wrong
and wrong
with nary a break...
Some may enjoy that,
but so far, for me, being only about 1/2 way through ,
this first book in the series,
I just can't keep waiting for any glimmer
of God, rest, hope, even a love relationship etc.
The trash talk is what did it in, for me tho!
That was the last straw for me.
May 4, 2024
A good pastor does not a post-apocalypse author make. I really like the end times doctrine presented in this book. As mentioned, there’s not many Christian end times authors that use a mid or post rapture (or no rapture) system when writing books. Unfortunately, the apocalyptic genre has developed tremendously over the years and even Christian readers are pretty sophisticated when it comes to military tactics, weapons, and survival skills.
I think the storyline would have held together better if the author did greater research regarding the prepper community and the military. It’s hard to fake such topics at a basic level nowadays.
I think the storyline would have held together better if the author did greater research regarding the prepper community and the military. It’s hard to fake such topics at a basic level nowadays.
November 21, 2024
This has been the most ridiculous book I have ever read. Not only is the author very very very far off in his theology but both the story line as well as the dialogue in the book is totally random. The dialogue is inept at expressing real emotions that should follow some of the scenes in the book. The story line takes off on a side trail and then leaves it there. It's pieced together, disjointed with a lot of grammar mistakes to boot. This was probably the worst series I have ever read. I will never read anything from this author again.
February 10, 2025
End times story about people being made to take the mark on their right hand or forehead but the story lacked cohesion in accordance to what the Bible portrays in Revelation 13:16 that the he will cause everyone great or small to receive the mark. While I agree this is a fiction story and people will be arrested and killed one day for not receiving the mark of the beast, this story doesnt related the mark of the beast to the Antichrist. Story was good but I lost interest because the concept doesn't match the Bible.
December 13, 2025
Great story telling, but too many typos
This is a wonderful interpret of the coming tribulations. However, there are way too many typographical errors, misspelled words, repeated words, conflicting verbs, etc. A competent editor would elevate this to the next level. That being said, I am all in for the series. The character developments is a little sloppy but the reader develops a kinship with Micah and Shawn’s family. I wish there were more scriptural references to back up the dogma.
This is a wonderful interpret of the coming tribulations. However, there are way too many typographical errors, misspelled words, repeated words, conflicting verbs, etc. A competent editor would elevate this to the next level. That being said, I am all in for the series. The character developments is a little sloppy but the reader develops a kinship with Micah and Shawn’s family. I wish there were more scriptural references to back up the dogma.
May 7, 2024
This book starts a series that I will not finish. The story lines are just beyond unbelievable, but it is a work of fiction. There were a few decent parts that fully painted a picture in your mind as you read. Unfortunately they were like islands in a sea of drivel.
I'm not disappointed in reading a book very often. The subject range is wide and deep with me. This book may excite others or find it interesting. I'm just not in that group.
I'm not disappointed in reading a book very often. The subject range is wide and deep with me. This book may excite others or find it interesting. I'm just not in that group.
October 19, 2024
Being a believer in Christ I love to read Apocryphal books of the end times & see how much it follows Daniel & Revelation. This was a great Apocalyptic book….but it gets 3 stars for the horrible proofreading! We are talking duplicated paragraphs, misspelled words, missing words, wrong grammar & punctuation. It was awful but I truly loved the story. The teenage characters were a little far fetched but it was fiction & a good read. I have started the sequel, The Prophet. We will see if Mr. John E. Rock has a better proofreader for his next book.
Note: I love the fact that Mr. Rock didn’t write about a pre-tribulation rapture like so many other books do. The fallacy of a pre-tribulation is a John Nelson Darby & CI Scofield concoction. It was very refreshing to know there was a like minded believer that hasn’t been deceived by the largest Christian myth of the 1800-1900’s.
Note: I love the fact that Mr. Rock didn’t write about a pre-tribulation rapture like so many other books do. The fallacy of a pre-tribulation is a John Nelson Darby & CI Scofield concoction. It was very refreshing to know there was a like minded believer that hasn’t been deceived by the largest Christian myth of the 1800-1900’s.
February 10, 2025
Good but needs an editor
I enjoyed this title but it was obvious someone did not edit the work because there were a lot of grammatical errors throughout the book. This made it rather distracting trying to understand what the author was attempting to write. If it wasn't for this I would have given this 5 stars. The characters where engaging though sometimes a little hard to believe (a 9 or 10 foot man? Really?).
I enjoyed this title but it was obvious someone did not edit the work because there were a lot of grammatical errors throughout the book. This made it rather distracting trying to understand what the author was attempting to write. If it wasn't for this I would have given this 5 stars. The characters where engaging though sometimes a little hard to believe (a 9 or 10 foot man? Really?).
September 20, 2025
Good story, realistic scenarios
It was a good read and looking forward to the next book. Engaging characters and the story flowed very well. Only reason why it’s 4-stars is because of the typos and issues with grammar. It was noted that the author was an English major, I’m very surprised there were so many errors.. If you would like someone to proofread your books before publishing, let me know.
It was a good read and looking forward to the next book. Engaging characters and the story flowed very well. Only reason why it’s 4-stars is because of the typos and issues with grammar. It was noted that the author was an English major, I’m very surprised there were so many errors.. If you would like someone to proofread your books before publishing, let me know.
July 21, 2026
How Fragile Our Country Is
The big take away is how quick all we know can be gone.
Ah, the story of love, friendship, loss and gain is all there, true as you see the faith that is.
Prophetic, I pray not, though definitely one of the many possibilities the bible sets before us. We call this “Gods Nation” and it is, for without it the world becomes a very dark place.
Pray for the healing of our country, the sanity of our leaders and hopes of all our families, amen,
The big take away is how quick all we know can be gone.
Ah, the story of love, friendship, loss and gain is all there, true as you see the faith that is.
Prophetic, I pray not, though definitely one of the many possibilities the bible sets before us. We call this “Gods Nation” and it is, for without it the world becomes a very dark place.
Pray for the healing of our country, the sanity of our leaders and hopes of all our families, amen,
July 29, 2024
The Mark of the Beast, Book One: The Mark
I enjoyed reading this book. Although I believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, I certainly can enjoy the action filled book of the Tribulation coming without warning on a world unaware. The book was well written. I’ll definitely read the next book in the series.
I enjoyed reading this book. Although I believe in a Pre-Tribulation Rapture, I certainly can enjoy the action filled book of the Tribulation coming without warning on a world unaware. The book was well written. I’ll definitely read the next book in the series.
September 2, 2024
I love the post-apocalyptic and dystopian genres (especially the clean books from them), and REALLY wanted to love this book. It started strong, but I simply could not get past the lack of editing. The author, John E Rock, has a gift for telling an excellent story, but DESPERATELY needs to either fire his editor or hire a new one to make his book more readable.
March 14, 2025
Terrible, DNF
How did this get such great reviews? Zero stars! No character development at all. Josh is so whiney, I would have used him as target practice.
The biblical part was just forced, IMHO. Even this fake authors name is ridiculous. There's not one redeeming quality in this book.
How did this get such great reviews? Zero stars! No character development at all. Josh is so whiney, I would have used him as target practice.
The biblical part was just forced, IMHO. Even this fake authors name is ridiculous. There's not one redeeming quality in this book.
May 16, 2025
La historia está bien en general. Pero algunas acciones de los personajes son forzadas y varias conversaciones reiterativas y cansadas. Por lo demás plantea bien la posibilidad de que un chip digital pueda ser la marca de la bestia. ¿Los cristianos, para defenderse del chip, pueden asesinar? Curiosidad por ver cómo continúa la trama.
December 16, 2025
not biblical. teaches false doctrine
I’m deleting this from my kindle. There are multiple scripture verses that pertain to Christ followers no longer being under the wrath of God. If God is taking His bride to the wedding supper is He going to first beat her up in Hus wrath and take her bloody and beaten to the wedding supper? I don’t believe so.
I’m deleting this from my kindle. There are multiple scripture verses that pertain to Christ followers no longer being under the wrath of God. If God is taking His bride to the wedding supper is He going to first beat her up in Hus wrath and take her bloody and beaten to the wedding supper? I don’t believe so.
May 29, 2026
Fair read
Follow Micah Smith and the Lee family as they bug out to avoid the mark and the new government control. The story is decent but not stellar. There are a lot of weak points in it that are easily seen. It's okay but I will not bother with the rest of the series. Hubby did finish the series but it didn't appeal enough to me.
Follow Micah Smith and the Lee family as they bug out to avoid the mark and the new government control. The story is decent but not stellar. There are a lot of weak points in it that are easily seen. It's okay but I will not bother with the rest of the series. Hubby did finish the series but it didn't appeal enough to me.
February 22, 2024
Trust who?
For caught up in the characters and story line right away. Certainly can relate to freedoms in our country eroding with little quarrel from the citizens. I've marked my calendar for the next book, The Prophet coming in August.
For caught up in the characters and story line right away. Certainly can relate to freedoms in our country eroding with little quarrel from the citizens. I've marked my calendar for the next book, The Prophet coming in August.
March 7, 2024
Entertaining first book
As other reviewers have said, this was an entertaining book that was hindered by a lack of proofreading. I still recommend reading it and trust book 2 will be both entertaining and polished!
As other reviewers have said, this was an entertaining book that was hindered by a lack of proofreading. I still recommend reading it and trust book 2 will be both entertaining and polished!
September 24, 2024
Non stop action
You wont be Able to catch your breath As this nonstop action Continues page after page.
What happens when the Tribulation is at your back door and your not ready ?
You wont be Able to catch your breath As this nonstop action Continues page after page.
What happens when the Tribulation is at your back door and your not ready ?
November 3, 2024
Good story line. I like the characters.
I liked the build see up of characters. He paints a suspenseful story line. It is a different view point of the rapture being in the mid point of the tribulation or the end.
I liked the build see up of characters. He paints a suspenseful story line. It is a different view point of the rapture being in the mid point of the tribulation or the end.
December 8, 2024
Great Book
Exciting, intetesting, page turning book. Lots of action on every page. The characters are very realistic and believable. I'm looking forward to starting the next book in this series.
Exciting, intetesting, page turning book. Lots of action on every page. The characters are very realistic and believable. I'm looking forward to starting the next book in this series.
January 24, 2025
Great read
Really love the scripture quotes to support that the rapture is not necessarily going to be pre trib, whatever the case may turn out to be, pre, mid, or post trib it is best to be ready for any evuallity.
Really love the scripture quotes to support that the rapture is not necessarily going to be pre trib, whatever the case may turn out to be, pre, mid, or post trib it is best to be ready for any evuallity.
September 26, 2025
Mark of the Beast, Book One: The Mark
This version of the end times is totally different than anything else I have read before. It is fast paced and interesting. I couldn’t put it down. I’m ready to read the next book.
This version of the end times is totally different than anything else I have read before. It is fast paced and interesting. I couldn’t put it down. I’m ready to read the next book.
November 2, 2025
The Mark is a gripping and intriguing start to the series. The characters are engaging, the world-building is detailed, and the action scenes are exciting. Some parts could have moved faster, but overall it’s an enjoyable read for fantasy enthusiasts.
December 20, 2025
Disappointing
The book was poorly edited, if at all, and there was a mixed bag of end time views. IMHO it could be much better written. I don’t plan to read the rest of the series.
The book was poorly edited, if at all, and there was a mixed bag of end time views. IMHO it could be much better written. I don’t plan to read the rest of the series.
December 20, 2025
A great adventure
What an adventure. For those who believe the church will go through the tribulation it's a look into wheat might happen and what believers will have to endure.
Looking forward to continue this series.
What an adventure. For those who believe the church will go through the tribulation it's a look into wheat might happen and what believers will have to endure.
Looking forward to continue this series.
January 18, 2026
Lively, entertaining and quick!
Rock has put together a great caste of characters that bring the bible stories alive. I really appreciate the way the story parallels and emphasizes christian beliefs.
Rock has put together a great caste of characters that bring the bible stories alive. I really appreciate the way the story parallels and emphasizes christian beliefs.
June 25, 2026
A great easy read!
I enjoyed this book And I'm looking forward to the next 1. There was a lot of action And I've always loved tribulation type books Every since the left behind series It's really all I read anymore and this 1 did not disappoint!
I enjoyed this book And I'm looking forward to the next 1. There was a lot of action And I've always loved tribulation type books Every since the left behind series It's really all I read anymore and this 1 did not disappoint!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews