photo #8981372

CAN THE MARK OF THE BEAST BE SYMBOLIC? No. Most who hold to this view believe that the mark in the forehead symbolizes an evil and conforming mind, and the mark in the right hand symbolizes an evil and conforming fellowship. The fact that one cannot buy or sell without the mark, name, or number of the beast renders this view impossible because no one could tell who has the mark and who doesn’t, if it isn’t literal. No doubt, there are many who will actually take the mark of the beast for convenience and then justify it by claiming, “In my mind I still love and worship God; therefore, I don’t really have the mark.” This logic is akin to the common practice of justifying fornication by saying, “But we really love one another, so in our minds it isn’t a sin.” The Antichrist will be a literal man, and his mark will be literal. He is compared to a lion, a leopard, and a bear (Rev. 13:2). All three of these animals are known for literally marking their property. Also consider the law given to the Jews some 3,500 years ago: “Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.” (Lev. 19:28) It's literal.