Mark of the Beast. The Bible

[smellybeanpole]

In your opinion what could this be?

[BizzyFizzy]

Difficult to comment on one small phrase. Revelation 13 is full of complex imagery.

The beast is the forces opposed to the church, such as paganism is even forces masquerading as the church. The mark of the beast is a mark on those who follow these forces, with symbolism taking from marking, for example, slaves.

[smellybeanpole]

I always found this really difficult to understand. What should I be looking out for ? I actually thought it was the literal meaning. An actual mark.

[BizzyFizzy]

It could be an actual mark. This is prophesy, so goes well beyond biblical times.

I think there are some Christians who are extremely anti-tattoo, for example, and this is one of the passages they use to support their views.

You could think of all the tangible trappings of our lives that separate us from God, and view these as the marks.

[smellybeanpole]

Good point.
I was Just thinking if it's not clear . How can you protect yourself ? I know this is where the very narrow road comes in. But with so many christians having so many different views who are we supposed to listen to ? Actually I've never even heard my church teach this.

[Jason118]

Are you saying you are actively looking out for people who may have a mark that you could construe as being evil? Or are you trying to understand the concept in an abstract way?

[speakout]

Christianity needs a bogeyman. Go figure.

[smellybeanpole]

Jason. yes. Just trying to understand the concept.

[Userwhocouldntthinkofagoodname]

Is this to do with the Rapture being canceled yesterday?

[speakout]

Userwhocouldntthinkofagoodname

Oh no and the weather was quite good for it too.

[speakout]

Many of my family are fundamental Baptists.
The " mark of the beast" is taken quite literally.

To do with trading, possibly barcodes or the new fingerprint payment system.
Personally I think Cernunnos gets a very bad press.

[PerfectlyPooPoo]

My grandfather used to say it would be like a barcode people would have tattooed on them. Without you wouldn't be able to buy anything so those that had faith would effectively starve and then be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven.

He felt very strongly about this and used to talk about it a lot.

[Userwhocouldntthinkofagoodname]

Ah I just googled it... So the Anti-Christ will be born with a birth mark of 666 on them so we will know who he is. Part of the tripartite of the Devil, Horned One and the Anti-Christ. You dont hear about them as much anymore, is the church sidelining them because of the optics?

[cheapskatemum]

I thought it was 666. So far I've only seen it on a heavy metal album cover

[headinhands]

It will be whatever is in the nr distant future. It was barcodes 30 years ago. Now it's fingerprint tech. When that comes and goes without any hoohaa it will then be the next up and coming development. Just far away enough to make you think the apocalypse is a scary reality but not so far away it doesn't affect you.

[Jason118]

Another fear led control device then?

[smellybeanpole]

Thank you all. I'm thinking it's literal too. So a barcode would be needed if you needed to buy and sell with.

[Vitalogy]

I thought it was 666. So far I've only seen it on a heavy metal album cover Oh it's all over the place.

[purpleangel17]

I don't think it is literal. It is full of Old Testament imagery and symbolism. There are many possible interpretations but I think two things stand out for me. One is that the book was addressed to seven churches in Asia that were, at the time, under Roman persecution. So its purpose was to comfort and reassure them. Secondly, in the Book, Jesus said the events would happen 'soon'. Now you could interpret soon as being millennia from God's perspective but the fact the Book was written to reassure Christians being persecuted leads me to believe that the section with the Beast etc refers not to the Second Coming but to the fall of the Roman Empire. Some theologians believe the Beast is Nero. This gives an interesting summary:

www.christianbiblereference.org/faq_Revelation.htm

[tendergreenbean]

I think it is literal, being unable to buy and sell things without it for example is really quite specific.
I think possibly some sort of chip or barcode too.
Something that replaces paper currency, and passports etc.
Some company (can't remember which), already implanted ID chips into it's employees - some global scale version of this I think is most likely.

[AttillaThePun]

Revelation is written to the heavily persecuted churches of the time, to tell them that yes, shit’s going down, but don’t worry, God still loves you.

The symbolism is related to contemporary (as in of that time) events and 666 (or 616 in some texts) is probably then-Emperor Nero.

It’s prophetic symbolism, but it’s also code because you can’t just say THAT NERO (or whoever) HE’S A RIGHT BASTARD in writing, the churches were in enough trouble as it was.

I think you would be better served not looking for contemporary parallels to a letter aimed at a specific audience. Even if they might exist, surely it’s better to focus on following Jesus and worshipping Him than fretting over whether barcodes are going to lead to the end of the world, hey?

[HeebieJeebies456]

I think it's got something to do with biometric/RFID chips.

There's a theory going around that cash-based trading is being phased out - which when we look at all the online/contactless options plus the closure of high street banks and ATM machines, could well be true.

They're already developing chips that can be swallowed which will release 'medications'.
Rumour is that they are also developing chips which will hold and record all our medical, financial, lifestyle and location data. These chips would be inserted under the skin and can be controlled remotely by the shady government/people.
So the minute you refuse to do as you're told or take indepedent action, they can remotely adjust the settings on your chip so you no longer have access to your own bank accounts/money/house/appliances etc.

It's a big thing among the conspiracy circles.

[Vitalogy]

tendergreenbean and HeebieJeebies456 were your posts supposed to be on the cashless society thread. btw I agree with you both.