The Mark of the Beast

[SAC]

Another Biblical question...

The Book of Revelation (13:16-18; 19:20-21) talks about the mark of the beast, and says--

"And [the beast] causes all...to be given a mark upon their right hand or upon their foreheads, and that no one should be able to buy or sell except that has the mark..." and then--

"those who received the mark of the beast...were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh."

I imagine the mark of the beast to be something like a Social Security Number, or National Insurance Number, which is very much required of us to do many things in our lives today. However, most of us were given those numbers as children. Well before we could determine for ourselves if we actually wanted it.

If the mark turns out to be like this, and we are given it to us by our parents before we can choose...will God forgive us?

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Hello Sac, and welcome to the site.

I doubt seriously that the Bible was referring to someone's Social Security Number. Then again, I don't put any stock in the Bible to begin with, so you can't really go by me.

TVOR

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

If the mark turns out to be like this, and we are given it to us by our parents before we can choose...will God forgive us?

Given his reputation, I seriously doubt it.

 

[michel]

Another Biblical question...

The Book of Revelation (13:16-18; 19:20-21) talks about the mark of the beast, and says--

"And [the beast] causes all...to be given a mark upon their right hand or upon their foreheads, and that no one should be able to buy or sell except that has the mark..." and then--

"those who received the mark of the beast...were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh."

I imagine the mark of the beast to be something like a Social Security Number, or National Insurance Number, which is very much required of us to do many things in our lives today. However, most of us were given those numbers as children. Well before we could determine for ourselves if we actually wanted it.

If the mark turns out to be like this, and we are given it to us by our parents before we can choose...will God forgive us?

Personally, I would interpret 'The mark of the beast' as being another one of those 'figurative' interpretations; something about the person that immediately says "I don't trust him' in your mind. I'm certainly no expert on the bible, and my faith doesn't require mwe to understand it - although, out of interest, I want to study it. Perhaps that means that you should ignore my answer as it is from 'an outsider'

 

[Melody]

I imagine the mark of the beast to be something like a Social Security Number, or National Insurance Number, which is very much required of us to do many things in our lives today. However, most of us were given those numbers as children. Well before we could determine for ourselves if we actually wanted it.

If the mark turns out to be like this, and we are given it to us by our parents before we can choose...will God forgive us?

Sac,

Many people think the mark of the beast will be an actual number. Here's another way of looking at it and I'm going to quote so I don't mess it up:

"The devil has so deceived the world, even the church. For example, even the church is full of divorces because the government and society say it's acceptable. They also say abortions are acceptable, so we have abortions even in the church. The beastly system has crept into the church and we're being marked by it. Many have it in their minds that divorce and abortion are acceptable, then they've committed those deeds with their hands. They've been marked in their minds and on their hands without even knowing it. They're waiting for some tattoo, thinking they'll refuse it when it comes, yet they're already receiving the spiritual mark of the beast. Should they come to a literal mark, they'll not be able to refuse it because the beast system has already become such a part of them. If we're not getting our minds marked with the Word of God (reading and meditating in the Bible and obeying it's commands), when the hour comes for a literal mark we'll not be able to say no to the system. "

For complete text, click here.

 

[jimbob]

HI, SAC!!!! Good to see more scottish folk on here. WOOHOO!!!

 

[Snowbear]

16 And it causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark on their right hand, or in their foreheads, 17 even that not any might buy or sell except those having the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of its name. 18 Here is the wisdom. Let him having reason count the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. And its number is six hundred and sixty-six.

Looks to me like it's spelled out. It doesn't say what the mark is, but it could also be the beast's name (whatever that is???) or the number of his name (666). The text does spell out where it will be stamped (forehead or right hand) and what it will be used for (will need it to buy or sell stuff.) I also read that all will have a choice to accept or reject the mark when it is offered. I think it will be visible to everyone, not just to God and the beast.
Backing up to Rev 13:8

And all dwelling on the earth will worship it, those whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain, from the foundation of the world.

To me, this is clear.... if my name is not written in the Book of Life, if I'm still alive on earth, I will be worshipping the beast when it is given power for those 42 months. I don't want that. Whatever the consequences, I will not be taking the mark

 

[almifkhar]

sac the this mark of the beast that you speak of is not something like a s.s. # it states that you will not be able to buy or sell anything with out it. if this does come to pass it would be something more along the lines of a chip implanted, or money as we know it would not exist and money would be exchanged with say a credit card type deal. personally i do believe that this is something that could very well become a reality.

 

[michel]

sac the this mark of the beast that you speak of is not something like a s.s. # it states that you will not be able to buy or sell anything with out it. if this does come to pass it would be something more along the lines of a chip implanted, or money as we know it would not exist and money would be exchanged with say a credit card type deal. personally i do believe that this is something that could very well become a reality.

Almifkhar,

I don't mean to sound as if I am 'rubbishing' your thoughts, but do you really think that the provenance of an implanted chip could have been forseen when the Bible was written?

 

[Era]

Ok , another bedtime story from the Bible . The number does not represent any dramatical name or any beast . The number 666 means 9 . Nine is the number of humanity , of man . If this story will come true , then this will be the time when man will finaly understand that he is the only one. This moment could be the fight between religious and anti-religious people .

 

[Era]

Ok , I got the point . Tell you the truth , from my point of wiew I don`t see anything wrong in this . But yes it could be a reason for the church or for media to explore the fact .

 

[Melody]

I don't mean to sound as if I am 'rubbishing' your thoughts, but do you really think that the provenance of an implanted chip could have been forseen when the Bible was written?

If the bible is the divine revelation of God, then "yes" since God could foresee the future.

 

[Melody]

Just as it is no coincidence that this thread went to hell in a handbasket...

TVOR

I'd frubal you if I could!

:biglaugh: :biglaugh: :biglaugh:

 

[Dayv]

speaking of 666, Melody, nice high score! LOL

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Given his reputation, I seriously doubt it.

This response is practically perfect in every way. Thanks, Deut.

 

[Pilgrim of this Reality]

hows anyone considered the mark of the beast isnt a visible mark? its a mark on the forehead (the mind) and the hand. In other words, the mark of the beast is on all people who fail to have faith in God (the mind) and act according to His Will (the mark on the hand) Because of this a person would be worshiping the beast. In other words, man himself.

 

[john313]

This response is practically perfect in every way. Thanks, Deut.

so you believe that God will punish everyone for doing nothing wrong? for something our parents did? would one also be forever damned if his parents did not have him circumcised?

 

[SK2005]

I just recently read that the mark of the beast is just found out to be 616 instead of 666.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

so you believe that God will punish everyone for doing nothing wrong? for something our parents did? would one also be forever damned if his parents did not have him circumcised?

Deut and I approach this problem precisely opposite. He is adequately summing up his view of God, and I think that it is well put. From my point of view:

Given his reputation, I seriously doubt that he would not forgive.

After all, I am a Christian, and confess that I believe in Jesus Christ, who is the Christian's Advocate to the Father for everyone who chooses to believe in Christ.