It has been many years, decades even, since I have gone into the end time prophecies. I am still not going to go back to re read them...it scarred (yes scarred, not scared, though that applies as well) me so much.
So I am unable and unwilling even to quote chapter and verse but my understanding was that even the most devout could and would be fooled into taking the mark, even though they have their guard up. Do I have this wrong then?

Which am I wrong about? Can you be more specific?  Thanks.

my understanding was that even the most devout could and would be fooled into taking the mark, even though they have their guard up.

It has been many years, decades even, since I have gone into the end time prophecies. I am still not going to go back to re read them...it scarred (yes scarred, not scared, though that applies as well) me so much.
So I am unable and unwilling even to quote chapter and verse but my understanding was that even the most devout could and would be fooled into taking the mark, even though they have their guard up. Do I have this wrong then?

How many early Christian martyrs died because they refused to offer a handful of grain to a false pagan god? Others rationalized that they had to do so in order to feed their children, perhaps making a "mental reservation." In so doing, they denied Christ.

When St Cyricus was martyred at 3, along with his mother, St Julitta, under Diocletian, her two servants took flight, and she had to bring her small son with her.
 
 At the sight of his mother’s tortures, Cyricus began to shed tears. Prefect Alexander tried to quiet him with caresses and kind words. But he scratched Alexander’s face with his nails, crying out, “I am a Christian!”
 
Astonished, the prefect asked him who had taught him to speak. Cyricus answered, “Thy lack of wit is a wonder to me, that seeing my age, you need ask who instructed me in the knowledge of the true God! I am a Christian!” The Holy Ghost inspired a toddler to declare, “I am a Christian.” Enraged, Alexander hurled the child down, dashing his head on the steps and killing him.
 
His mother joyfully gave thanks to God that Cyricus had gone before her into heaven. She did not have to wonder, “What will happen to my boy? Will he grow up to reject the true Faith?” God provided for her son in a better way than she could have, insuring that they would not be separated in death. She herself was then flayed, plunged in boiling pitch, and at last beheaded.
 
 St Cyricus is the St Cyr found in several French place names.
 

Under Septimus Severus,  the dark and oppressive atmosphere of the prison frightened 22 year old Perpetua, and her terror was increased by anxiety for her child. Two deacons succeeded in gaining admittance to the imprisoned Christians and helped alleviate their sufferings. Perpetua's mother brought her little son, whom she was permitted to nurse and retain in prison with her.
 
St Felicity was in her 8^th month. As the law forbad execution of a pregnant woman, she feared her death would be postponed, so she and her companions prayed and Felicity went into labor and brought forth a little girl whom a sister adopted.
 
Perpetua and Felicity went to the amphitheater "joyfully as though on their way to heaven" and Perpetua sang a psalm of triumph.  They were scourged, a wild heifer were set on them, and then were put to the sword. They died in Carthage, Tunisia, in 203 AD. The Basilica Majorum was erected over their tomb.

 God strengthened Sts. Perpetua and Felicity to staunchly resist, for the cause of Christ, the claims of human affection, thus winning the palm of victory.

Well said, Cera! And many of those were parents who were concerned for their children. But God does not abandon his own.
Here are a couple of examples of such mothers in the early church:

Sts Perpetua and Felicity also have a tale to tell.