Cradle Catholic here. I do not live in a cage. I have heard all of this amazing interpretation of Revelation too. Unlike others, I do not entirely reject it. Sometimes a shot in the dark hits the bullseye.
For the time being, I am not too concerned. When the Mark does turn up, I expect that there will be no mistaking it. The Pope will forbid us to take it. We will be warned in every homily. If that doesn’t get through our skulls there will be a little voice in our heads that says, “Don’t do it!” We will probably get all three and more.
Maybe I am wrong, but I doubt very much that Jesus would permit his sacrifice go to waste because of some petty bureaucrat’s administrative convenience. If you take it, it will be out of worldly fear, greed or defiance.