In a recent article in a Korean Newspaper, 51 pastors of the Biggest Korean Churches in Orange County has declared that the verichip has nothing to do with your salvation.
This came about after church goers would seek the pastor's counsel after someone had the verichip implanted into them.
That person believed that he had received the mark.
Although I agree that at this time, the verichip might not be the mark of the beast. It is definitely a precursor to the mark. All it needs is the capability to conduct monetary transactions.
I believe that the pastors issued this statement as a political ploy to prevent the chaos it would cause in their congregations. But I disagree with the view that the verichip has nothing to do with your salvation. At the very least, it is a definite percursor to the mark.