"And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:" Revelation 13:16.
In the Greek language the word for mark is "charagma" which means a stamp, mark or impress. Many people envision that the every government in the world will force the entire population of our planet to have a social security type number tattooed into their foreheads with invisible ink. This number, they say, will be able to be scanned with ultraviolet light for identification purposes. The idea is debatable.
The thought of people receiving a mark could not have been new to John the Revelator. In Ezekiel 9:4, the prophet in vision is told, "...Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof." In this case, Ezekiel is told to put an "x" upon their foreheads.
While this was all seen in vision, it is important to strongly emphasize the principle behind the instructions. The only ones receiving the mark were the people who genuinely cared about the corruption they saw all around them. They were characterized as being so deeply upset that they were sighing and crying in sadness. The point to be made is, it was their character that set them apart, the mark was only an outward sign of what God saw in them inwardly. Those that had the mark were not to be destroyed.
In the vision seen by John the Revelator, the marking is reversed. This time the mark is placed on them that are to be destroyed. However, the principle is the same, those who reflect the character of God will not need to worry about the mark.
Further mention is made of setting aside people in Revelation 7:3, "Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads." Again, the emphasis is upon those who are "the servants of God." Here instead of a mark, a seal is used. The idea being much like the ancient practice of placing sealing wax on an object or letter and impressing one's seal in the soft wax with a signet ring. It showed ownership.
Somehow the idea of all the governments of the world acting as the Devil's agents to round up everyone on the planet and mark them seems to be a magnificent stretch the imagination. However, this very idea strikes fear and terror into the hearts of many Christians. They worry that the Devil is going to sneak up behind them or trick them into receiving the dreaded mark. However, one asks, what happened to the promise of Jesus that says of His followers? "And I will give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10:28. And furthermore, what of the promise mentioned in Jude 24 which speaks of Jesus being able to keep you from falling?
One should never forget that because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins, we can be citizens of heaven. It is only by Christ substituting His goodness for our badness that we are saved. We can neither add anything to it or take anything from it. "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart..." Psalm 24:3,4.
Is there a "Mark of the Beast"? Indeed there is! However, it is not based upon some literal stamp on the forehead or hand. It is all about allegiance and one might say it is most likely stamped on the heart.

Blessings in your study of God's Word!

Marvin Hunt

There is never a charge for my articles, and if you have a good reason, there is no limit to how many you may request. However, if you find them valuable you may want to order my latest book, History, Mystery and Facts About the Bible. Order at 1-800-845-7618 (ext. 301). You may also order from Amazon.com. Proceeds from the book go to support this ministry.

Blessings!
Marvin Hunt

Http://www.biblehistory.com

p.s. A new column is posted weekly. Be sure and bookmark the site or put it on your favorites list.