The Course of the World

"Christians need to use discernment in dealing with the issues of the world. We were all worldly at one time, but God set us free and raised us to walk in the newness of life. The course of the world is not one of righteousness; it is one of division and ungodly living. "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world ..." (Ephesians 2:1-3). * What is your take of Revelation 3:10? "Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth." * Did I understand correctly that if I've given my life to Christ, I can take the mark of the beast and still reconciled with God?