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I'm just going to throw this out there, a little off subject, but maybe not.

I'm a pre-millienialist, don't doubt that.

But I've often wondered if the phrase, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand” is a metaphor, not for an actual mark, but for our thoughts and actions?

For example, if we go along with unjust actions, even approve of them in order to be PC, or to win the approval of those that hate the Lord.

Anyway, I would appreciate any comments, and hope this doesn't hijack the thread.

But I've often wondered if the phrase, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand” is a metaphor, not for an actual mark, but for our thoughts and actions?

Well, it does classify that the mark is for the purpose of being able to buy and sell, so that would kind of preclude the idea that it's a mark on our character or personality.

Maybe you should look outside the premillenial lens, since it tends to distort one’s vision. That said, much of Revelation is hard to interpret, but the mark appears to be a physical mark received through conscious effort on the part of willing participant. Take the mark or don’t eat. Easy choice, right?

But I've often wondered if the phrase, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand” is a metaphor, not for an actual mark, but for our thoughts and actions?

I believe it's more literal...They now have the technology and power to literally make this happen...

I'm just going to throw this out there, a little off subject, but maybe not. I'm a pre-millienialist, don't doubt that. But I've often wondered if the phrase, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand” is a metaphor, not for an actual mark, but for our thoughts and actions? For example, if we go along with unjust actions, even approve of them in order to be PC, or to win the approval of those that hate the Lord. Anyway, I would appreciate any comments, and hope this doesn't hijack the thread.

Revelation is full of prophetic language from the Old Testament, and IMO the phrase is a prophetic metaphor meant to invoke the language of Deuteronomy 11:18-19:

“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

The verse in Revelation IMO is meant to refer to how an entire generation has learned to think (the "mark on the forehead") and act (the "mark on the hand"). My view is that in the Tribulation, it will be impossible for anyone to do business without thinking and acting like an unbeliever, because that entire generation (and probably those that preceded it) will not have been instructed by their parents in Biblical morals and guidelines for conducting business (i.e. in violation of the command in Deuteronomy).