You need not worship the beast to recieve its mark. A rich man who would need the mark to buy and sell might worship his money, and therefore recieve the mark so that he can continue to buy whatever he wants. Food, medicine,anything.
It's used for buying and selling. Anyone who wants to buy will take it.
Jesus prophecies of a time when his disciples would preach the gospel throughout Israel. They are not to carry money.
Jesus tells them they will be persecuted and put to death. Some will be betrayed by thier own family members.
I learned from my studies, this takes place in a 42 month time period. The same amount of time Jesus preached the gospel throughout Israel, so will his followers preach until he comes.
The little horn shall persecute those saints for a time, times and a half. 42 months.
But like I said, I don't live in his kingdom.
I don't live in Israel, so I won't need to worry about being persecuted in Israel.