Just like we were gradually weaned off of cash and now use mostly cards for purchases, the world is being conditioned to a new reality of receiving a "mark", right now in the form of a chip, to buy and sell, and have our medical records on our person, and to be located if we go missing, and to be identified if we are found dead - the list of reasons of why this is a good idea is endless.
The fact is, the technology is here, it is already in use, and, pretty soon, there will be a guy who comes on the scene to fix all the problems and part of the problem-solving will be implementing a new world economic system, and part of that new system will be a "mark" on a person's right hand or forehead.
God said it will happen and it is in the process of happening. This should be a wake-up call to everyone of how close we are to the Tribulation, and to Christ's return for His bride, and to the end of this current age.
A national ID Card, something which has existed for at least 100 years, is suddenly the precuser to the MotB?
I guess all those cards we now have are also a part of the global conspiracy - banks, insurance companies, the Illuminati and all the rest (depending on who you listen too, the list is EXTREMELY long) in one big old conspiracy - centuries old - with only one purpose ....
And as to being prepared or “waking up” as you put it ...
No one knows when the Time will come, - AND
No one knows when the LORD has decided that thier time has come;
Therefore, simply logic will say that a wise man, knowing both of the above, would live in contant prepardness. All of the so called “signs” have occurred, or were believed to have occured, several times over the last 2000 years. Why believe them “more” now?
We KNOW it is coming - so we should always be prepared!
The LORD did not command us to try and stand in the way - or try to “scare” others with End Times prophecies. He commanded us to spread the Good News to everyone. That is how we prepare others. Repent or Die generally doesn’t work - accept Christ and you will be forgiven is a much stronger argument.