Why does everyone take this to be a literal physical thing? We are not scowering the depths of the oceans looking a multi headed dragon with horns because we know revelation is a book based on symbolism. So why does everyone seem take this so literal?
I've always thought hands and heads meant thoughts and actions.(Blood on your hands, touched in the head for example)
Might be hard to buy and sell if you are in the gulags or can't get a business license because your thoughts and actions don't support the beast.
Notice it says Right hand.I am not familiar with Jewish custom but in many parts of the mid east the right hand is your "action hand" because the left is (was) used for TP.
Also the mark is the name of the beast. When we refer to people taking the name of Jesus upon themselves we are not referring to those who have a cross tattoo or his name literally. We are speaking of those whose who try to be Christ like in thought and action.Why would the context be different in this situation?
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