John,

You had mentioned:

The bible says the authority (power) will be given to him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. Revelation 13

I believe that is true:

Revelation 13:2d  and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Revelation 13:4a And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast:

Revelation 13:5b  and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Revelation 13:7b and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Is it possible that it may be more a matter of worship (Rev 13:4, above), rather than a matter of fear?

Won't people willingly worship the beast and worship his image?

Won't they then willingly, as a matter of worship, take the mark of the beast?

Isn't it possible that the mark of the beast won't be to scare people into taking the mark out of fear of starvation?

But rather as test to see who the worshippers of the beast really are, and to expose those who do not?

People who will not worship the beast, will not take his mark, and can that be how they will be discovered?

Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.