The only place outside of the Book of Revelation in which the Greek term for “mark,” which is “charagma,” appears is within Act 17 whereby it refers to idols being graven/charagma.
I generally think that much too much has been made of the, specific, “mark” of the beast. This is mostly because the key text regarding the mark of the beast is Revelation 13 which refers to they who:
receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Thus, the specific “mark” is one of a three part either or system: mark or name or number of name.
Revelation 14 refers to they who “worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand” and also they who receive “the mark of his name.”
Revelation 15 refers to “his mark” and “the number of his name.”
Revelation 16 and 19 refer to the “mark of the beast” and they who “worshipped his image.”
Revelation 20 notes they “which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands.”
Now, whatever the “mark” may be, I would recommend caution in seeking to identify it. Yes, we must constantly be vigilant of its employment. However, that which we may think of it today could not have been imagined years if not centuries or millennia ago much like that which it may be though to be years from now may be something that we cannot imagine it to be today.
For example, a pop-interpretation was that it was a barcode and today’s pop-interpretation is that the mark is a computer chip. Some claim that this will be a whereabouts tracking chip, may contain your DNA sequencing, etc. Others think that the chip will alter one’s DNA so as to make them no longer human. Still others think that it will affect the pineal gland (see my short story I, DID (or, On the Splitting of the Pineal Gland)).
Pop views on the mark
of the beast de jour
Yet, technology is progressing to the point that we will soon have to jettison the computer chip interpretation or the specific RFID chip interpretation and will have to shift over to the nanobot interpretation or the silicone based tech interpretation and on it goes.
One last note is that the “mark” of the beast (keeping in mind the name and number thereof) seems to be a styled juxtaposition to that which is referred to in Revelation 9:
And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
The beast’s mark on the forehead may be a counter or counterfeit of God’s seal on the forehead. I will note, however, that the mark is “charagma” and the seal is “sphragis.” Also, there is no reference to the seal of God in the hand not the name of God or the number of His name.
Thus, this may not be a juxtaposition but may be something upon which to ponder further.
So, do not solidify one interpretation based on the popular view or highest tech de jour and keep in mind that the “mark” is not all there is to it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A plea: I have to pay for server usage and have made all content on this website free and always will. I support my family on one income and do research, writing, videos, etc. as a hobby. If you can even spare $1.00 as a donation, please do so: it may not seem like much but if each person reading this would do so, even every now and then, it would add up and really, really help. Here is my donate/paypal page.
Due to robo-spaming, I had to close the comment sections. However, you can comment on my Twitter page, on my Facebook page and/or on my Google+ page.
Twitter: #666, #MarkoftheBeast, #Eschatology
Facebook: #666, #MarkoftheBeast, #Eschatology