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“IN” THE RIGHT HAND OR FOREHEAD I’ve wondered at times about (and others have also mentioned) the possible significance of the mark of the beast being received “in” the right hand or forehead instead of “on” the right hand or forehead. I’ll use CAPITALIZATION for emphasis . . . Revelation 13:16 says, “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.” The possible significance is that the word “in” could suggest an implanted computer chip of some sort, whereas the word “on” would not necessarily indicate such. Although an implanted chip is very possible and very likely, I do not believe that the Bible’s usage of the word “in” in Revelation 13:16 is any indication that this will be the case. That is, it might happen, but not because the Bible says “in” instead of “on.” A simple study of the word’s usage in relation to the hand and forehead will show that the words “in” and “on” are pretty much interchangeable. Revelation 14:1 says that the 144,000 sealed servants of God have the Father’s name written “in” their foreheads, yet surely no one believes this to be an implanted chip or an injected vaccine with God’s name! Revelation 14:1 says, “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written IN their foreheads.” The same wording is also used in Revelation 7:3, Revelation 9:4, and in Revelation 22:4: “Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God IN their foreheads.” (Rev. 7:3) “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.” (Rev. 9:4) “And they shall see his face; and his name shall be IN their foreheads.” (Rev. 22:4) It's certainly believable that the Antichrist would implant his mark in people, but I know of no one who believes God would do so, and I know of no scripture that says He will. Where the 144,000 are concerned, "IN" their foreheads is apparently the same as "UPON" their foreheads, and it's the same with the mark of the beast. A similar passage, Ezekiel 9:4, speaks of God sealing his people “upon” their foreheads: “And the LORD said unto him, 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 that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.” It appears that “in” and “upon” refer to the same thing, just as one might say, “I was hit IN the head” or “I was hit UPON the head” with neither implying any actual penetration of the head. Then, speaking of the mark of the beast itself, Revelation 20:4 uses the word “upon” instead of the word “in” that is used in Revelation 13:16: “. . . neither had received his mark UPON their foreheads, or in their hands . . .” It really looks like God’s word uses the words interchangeably and is not hinting of anything by using the word “in.” At least that’s my take. I do believe the mark might very well be an implant, but not because of the Bible’s use of the word “in.”