Right hand in Revelation 13

[Kris]

Hello, I am trying to clarify exactly what Revelation 13 is talking about when it mentions the MOTB going in/on the right hand or forehead. I tried to look up the word hand in Greek as I thought this was the language that this book was written in-- the word "Cheiro" appears to mean hand, but some sites try to add arm into the definition (Mounce's translation). Does anybody know about this scripture-- do we have to worry about not taking the mark in just our hand-- or do we have to worry about our whole right side? Or just not worry at all because the whole thing is a load of crap? I am really looking for a good explanation of what John meant specifically! any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Kris]

I have one more question on this topic. According to Revelation 13, does the antichrist have to appear before his mark is unveiled? I know these questions are pribably dumb, but I am debating someone regarding microchip technology and all the other stuff out there. She thinks that if you get a chip in your right arm, that it would still be the MOTB because she believes that the Greek word used in the original text meant arm or hand. She and I disagree that the antichrist would have to appear before anything could be considered a mark-- I say you could get a chip or tattoo on your right hand and it wouldn't mean anything unless there was a"beast" who was requiring it. A national ID in the form of a chip wouldn't be the mark because it doesn't have anything to do with the worship of a man. Romans states we are to obey our government. I am trying to use scripture to debunk her-- any thoughts?

[Kris]

Not getting any hits on this topic-- but had one more question that I will throw out--- does Revelation specifically identify the right hand? In the Greek verbiage? I would love to hear from anybody-- anybody at all?

[outhouse]

http://biblehub.com/revelation/13-1.htm

Start there, and read he commentary for your specific verses


It will give multiple apologetic opinions you can use against apologetic screwballs to make your point. [hopefully]

Use caution as some will have allegorical/metaphorical meanings

[outhouse]

Or just not worry at all because the whole thing is a load of crap?

Its ancient mythology, and it has no basis in human life, less the weak minded apologist who let it guide their lives by taking it out of context.

[DCHindley]

Hello, I am trying to clarify exactly what Revelation 13 is talking about when it mentions the MOTB going in/on the right hand or forehead. I tried to look up the word hand in Greek as I thought this was the language that this book was written in-- the word "Cheiro" appears to mean hand, but some sites try to add arm into the definition (Mounce's translation). Does anybody know about this scripture-- do we have to worry about not taking the mark in just our hand-- or do we have to worry about our whole right side? Or just not worry at all because the whole thing is a load of crap? I am really looking for a good explanation of what John meant specifically! any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Kris,

This forum is not well disposed towards issues of this kind, as it assumes modern interpretations of the book of the Revelation. Years ago, I was exposed to various Christian fundamentalist interpretations of biblical "prophecies", of which the book of the Revelation is a cornerstone (but also parts of Genesis, Ezekiel, "Deutero"-Isaiah, Daniel, parts of the gospels and bits and pieces of Pauline letters). There are several positions about these matters, usually interpreted in light of modern historical events, some real and others imagined to be occurring in the future. In the 60's & 70s this was centered on the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union (USSR), set against Middle-Eastern and European Common-Market politics. This is similar to the Dead Sea Scroll "peshers" (on Habakkuk, etc.) and foundational documents like the Manual of Discipline, that interpreted various passages in Judean scriptures in light of the history of a particular sect.

Among those who followed such Fundamentalist interpretations were/are generally a belief in a "rapture" when Christ would return to earth and the faithful would fly up to meet him in the air, a seven year period of "tribulation" (although they differed among themselves as to whether this would precede or follow this rapture) in which the people of the world/believers would be vexed by the despotic actions of a figure known as the Antichrist, and a "new heaven and new earth" would follow. In the US, it was set against a metanarrative between the relative virtue of Laissez Faire Capitalism against Communism. Before the modern USSR reactionary interpretations, previous commentators had interpreted these statements in light of the history of the Roman Catholic church and/or the Protestant Reformation.

So, in light of these widely varying interpretations, one could rightfully say that "the whole thing is a load of crap". What a "Mark of the Beast" (of an "Antichrist" figure mentioned in a Pauline letter and the letters of John) would be is entirely subjective. I've seen tattoos and electronic chips suggested, even charge cards (part of a world conspiracy to control world finances and track down "true believers" and their guns). The original sources for these allusions and passages can be tricky to pin down, but there have been stabs at these interpretations. One in particular that I had read was published in 1920 by R. H. Charles, in his two volume commentary on the Book of Revelation in the original series of the International Critical Commentary (ICC). I found these volumes available as used books (remaindered copies) in 2010, so they are around. These are, I believe, no longer in copyright, at least here in the USA, so chances are good that you can find PDF scans available to download at http://www.archive.com.

Have fun ...

DCH

[Charles Wilson]

'N don't forget The Worldwide Church of God. Herbert W. Armstrong and Garner Ted Armstrong.
"Wellll, GREETINGS friends...This is Herbert W. Armstrong with the GOOD News of the World Tomorrow..."

Wow. You would hang on every word as long as the reception was good on your AM radio. Anyone know the original meaning of "Clear Channel"?