Question about the Mark...

[Jenny]

Revelation 14; 9-12
9A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, 10he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." 12This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.

What if someone was forced to take the mark? What if someone was not given the option?

I was just wondering about that... I could see that happening. Forgive me, I haven't read the Bible in such a long time, it was just something I thought about earlier and am curious about.

[CelticMist]

What if someone was forced to take the mark? What if someone was not given the option?

I was just wondering about that... I could see that happening. Forgive me, I haven't read the Bible in such a long time, it was just something I thought about earlier and am curious about.
How would one be forced to take the "mark"? I read a thin paperback book titled Rapture. I don't recall the author's name. In it.. there was a man who with his wife were living with his mother. The mother was a Christian, raised her son up to know the Lord. Yet he never committed to Jesus. The rapture took place, the mother was gone. The man's wife fell ill, was actually dying. They didn't either one take the "mark" yet. The man called the doctor, who had received the "mark". The doctor asked if they were marked, he said no, I've been by my wife's side. The doctor then said... I can't help your wife unless you have the mark. So, the man left his wife's side and went to get the mark to save his wife. By the time he returned, the doctor was there at the house. They went in only to find the wife had already expired. Was this man forced to take the mark; or, was it his choice to because he wanted to save his wife? (I paraphrased the situation, I read the book back in the earlier 90s)

[BlessedinHim]

I believe it has to be a choice. It is not an accident. It may be a hard choice, but neverthe less, it is still a choice.

I think the only time it wouldnt be a choice would be if a parent takes their child in and says give him\her the mark and they do it without the consent of the child. In that case, it would not be the choice of the child, and then I dont believe it would be real.

with that said, and what the bible says, I dont think they will issue the mark unless you renounce Jesus. Of course at that time, if the child refuses, they will then send the child to the gallows. The child here would have to be one who has reached the age of accountability.

[Mitsy]

Revelation 14; 9-12
9A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice:"If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand , 10he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." 12This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.

What if someone was forced to take the mark? What if someone was not given the option?

I was just wondering about that... I could see that happening. Forgive me, I haven't read the Bible in such a long time, it was just something I thought about earlier and am curious about.

Your answer is in the first verse of the scripture you quoted:-

"If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand".


The verse states that the person had to make a decison to worship the beast or image. Then they recieve the mark. It is conditional. Therefore you can't be made to take the mark without first desiring to worship the Beast/Image.

[LisaJo]

How would one be forced to take the "mark"? I read a thin paperback book titled Rapture. I don't recall the author's name. In it.. there was a man who with his wife were living with his mother. The mother was a Christian, raised her son up to know the Lord. Yet he never committed to Jesus. The rapture took place, the mother was gone. The man's wife fell ill, was actually dying. They didn't either one take the "mark" yet. The man called the doctor, who had received the "mark". The doctor asked if they were marked, he said no, I've been by my wife's side. The doctor then said... I can't help your wife unless you have the mark. So, the man left his wife's side and went to get the mark to save his wife. By the time he returned, the doctor was there at the house. They went in only to find the wife had already expired. Was this man forced to take the mark; or, was it his choice to because he wanted to save his wife? (I paraphrased the situation, I read the book back in the earlier 90s)
Wow!!! I've read that book too. Years and years ago. I think the main character in the book was a teenager named Hester. They bound up her parents and cut off their fingers and toes one at a time and threw them in a vat of oil to try to make her take the mark. I believe the end of the book was her burning at the stake. Let me know if this sounds familiar to you. I've never met anyone else who's read that book.

[Hootmon]

The choice will be to take the mark or die.

Let him who hath understanding...

[Hootmon]

The verse states that the person had to make a decison to worship the beast or image. Then they recieve the mark. It is conditional. Therefore you can't be made to take the mark without first desiring to worship the Beast/Image.'Desiring' or not caring.

In either case, the rejection of God will be explicit and not 'accidental'.

[CelticMist]

:hugWow!!! I've read that book too. Years and years ago. I think the main character in the book was a teenager named Hester. They bound up her parents and cut off their fingers and toes one at a time and threw them in a vat of oil to try to make her take the mark. I believe the end of the book was her burning at the stake. Let me know if this sounds familiar to you. I've never met anyone else who's read that book.
Yes that was in there as well. It was very detailed in the torture of her parents. The evil side wanted her on their side and made her watch while they tortured her parents. But, she didn't give in, she stayed faithful to God.

I read the entire book in less than three hours, I couldn't put it down. I was pulling CQ (Charge of Quarter's) at our Group (Division) Headquarters. The Officer on Duty couldn't believe I continued to read it, it grossed him out when I would share some of it. Our driver was very interested in having his mother read it. So, I gave him the book to take to her to read. He brought it back within a few days saying his mother thought we were in the latter days and she shared this contend of the book with others in hopes they would come to know Jesus and want to escape this period of time.

And you are the first that I've come across that has read it as well.

[LaMontre]

I found John Gills exposition interesting (slightly edited for controversial content):

to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; or "that they might give themselves marks", as the Complutensian edition reads; which is an allusion either to the custom among the Romans of imprinting marks upon their servants and soldiers, by which they might be known to whom they belonged; servants had them in their foreheads (i), and soldiers in their hands (k); or to the usages of the Jews in binding their phylacteries upon their arms and foreheads, to put them in mind of the law of God, and their obedience to it; or to the practices of the Heathens, in putting the mark of the god they worshipped upon their bodies; Maimonides (l) says, it was a custom with the Gentiles to mark themselves with their idols, showing that they were their bought servants, and were marked for their service: the sense is, that some received the mark in one place, and some in another: those who were obliged to receive the mark in the right hand seem to be the clergy, such who entered into holy orders; who lifted up their right hand, and swore and vowed allegiance .... and those who received the mark in their foreheads are the common people in general, who one and all have the same impress upon them;

[Tall Timbers]

must accept receiving the mark. Forced marking would not have any effect upon the receivers, because they did not "receive" the mark. It is not so much the mark itself but the decision that is made to receive it that matters.