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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...

Well, I believe that it is literal, too. However, as I said in an earlier post, many portions of the Bible can be read on more than one level.

I've read the “Left Behind” series, for example, and Salem Kirban’s books. Although I think there is a beast and a false prophet, etc., there are numerous incidents, and theological points that I disputed when reading them. It's been a while, so don't ask me to regurgitate them right now.

Revelation is presented as a vision (Rev 1:2), so allegorical and metaphorical elements are to be expected, although I believe they predict actual events.

The trick, to my mind, is to distinguish what is to be taken literally, and what is a metaphor for some literal event or person.

The greater trick is to determine how what you read can help you become a better Christian. I think a lot of sincere Christians may fall a bit short on this point.

Therefore, while I have definite views on the book, I also have many questions. I am not at all dogmatic about it.

There are only 2 things that I am dogmatic about: 1) without Christ as your personal Saviour, you are lost and going to a literal Hell, and 2) Jesus is coming again to judge the nations.

Every thing else is details on which I may well be mistaken. In fact #2 is secondary to #1. which is the only thing that really matters.