Mark of the Beast

[Dietrich Johnson]

As a potential convert to Orthodoxy, I'm familiar with the Protestant views on the Mark of the Beast. What is the Orthodox view on the Mark of the Beast? I.e. What is it, according to the Orthodox Church?

 

[HTacianas]

As a potential convert to Orthodoxy, I'm familiar with the Protestant views on the Mark of the Beast. What is the Orthodox view on the Mark of the Beast? I.e. What is it, according to the Orthodox Church?

There is not one. We are to conduct ourselves according to the teachings of Christianity, whether some "mark of the beast" comes along or not. But personally, I think it was this thing:

Libellus - Wikipedia

 

[ArmyMatt]

As a potential convert to Orthodoxy, I'm familiar with the Protestant views on the Mark of the Beast. What is the Orthodox view on the Mark of the Beast? I.e. What is it, according to the Orthodox Church?

dunno yet exactly. that’s why we are called to pray, watch, and labor so we’ll be ready when it comes.

 

[Not David]

There isn't even a doctrinal Protestant view on the Mark of the Beast. That's why some say it's a chip, DNA, vaccines.

 

[Dietrich Johnson]

To clarify, I'm trying to understand the general characteristics of the "Mark of the Beast", from the Orthodox perspective. For example, Protestants tend to think it will literally be something in/on the hand and/or forehead. They do usually think it is meant to be a literal mark, and therefore that Rev. 13 was not speaking figuratively. They also usually think it is something that one CANNOT be tricked into taking, and that everyone taking it will know that they are pledging allegiance to the beast. Does the Orthodox view share these general characteristics, or is it different?

 

[Dietrich Johnson]

There is not one. We are to conduct ourselves according to the teachings of Christianity, whether some "mark of the beast" comes along or not. But personally, I think it was this thing:

Libellus - Wikipedia

Interesting. Usually, I've always heard that the mark of the beast is still coming. Is this view that the mark of the beast already came long ago) a common view? Could it be that there is more than one.. for example the Libellus for those times, but that we should remain vigilant for the potential that one comes during our lifetime?

 

[HTacianas]

Interesting. Usually, I've always heard that the mark of the beast is still coming. Is this view that the mark of the beast already came long ago) a common view? Could it be that there is more than one.. for example the Libellus for those times, but that we should remain vigilant for the potential that ones comes during our lifetime?

It wouldn't surprise me if it was something that repeated itself. The early Christians who were accused were required to worship an image of the emperor or be put to death. Pliny, a Roman governor, wrote a letter to Emperor Trajan describing it around 112 AD:

"...in the case of those who were denounced to me as Christians, I have observed the following procedure: I interrogated these as to whether they were Christians; those who confessed I interrogated a second and a third time, threatening them with punishment; those who persisted I ordered executed. For I had no doubt that, whatever the nature of their creed, stubbornness and inflexible obstinacy surely deserve to be punished..."

"Those who denied that they were or had been Christians, when they invoked the gods in words dictated by me, offered prayer with incense and wine to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for this purpose together with statues of the gods, and moreover cursed Christ..."

Those who worshipped the image of the Emperor were allowed to continue with their lives including engaging in trade, i.e, the were allowed to buy and sell. It's easy to see in modern times Christian business owners being "squeezed" in much the same way regarding homosexuals and transsexuals. The choice is often "give up your religious beliefs or go out of business".

 

[truefiction1]

To clarify, I'm trying to understand the general characteristics of the "Mark of the Beast", from the Orthodox perspective. For example, Protestants tend to think it will literally be something in/on the hand and/or forehead. They do usually think it is meant to be a literal mark, and therefore that Rev. 13 was not speaking figuratively. They also usually think it is something that one CANNOT be tricked into taking, and that everyone taking it will know that they are pledging allegiance to the beast. Does the Orthodox view share these general characteristics, or is it different?

No, we understand that a great deception, or delusion, will be one powerful reason that people will agree to receiving the mark of the beast. In other words, in that time, many will have eyes but no sight and ears but no hearing, so they will not know what they are doing. This is true for our times right now. Holy elders and saints are warning us, with tears, that we are about to be marked, but no one can see what they see. Nor can anyone hear the truth in what they are saying. They're being dismissed as mentally unbalanced fools, or simply "wrong", and so their warnings aren't believed. What's more, is that some people who say such things actually are speaking from a platform of obvious delusion, which leads to all prophetic warnings of things soon to come, even from great saints, being summarily dismissed. How great is the darkness of our times! People will receive the mark of the beast due to spiritual blindness, which is great because of spiritual indifference and an overall absence of true spiritual life. If we are spiritually careless, are we not to blame if we are tricked? Doesn't the Psalmist David say that we have sins that are even a secret from us, from which we also must be saved? We are so sinful that we cannot even be aware of our own sins! How then will we avoid being marked unless the grace of God enlightens and saves us? How do we receive the Grace of God? We receive it only when we believe in the Son of God and repent.

 

[Dietrich Johnson]

No, we understand that a great deception, or delusion, will be one powerful reason that people will agree to receiving the mark of the beast. In other words, in that time, many will have eyes but no sight and ears but no hearing, so they will not know what they are doing. This is true for our times right now. Holy elders and saints are warning us, with tears, that we are about to be marked, but no one can see what they see. Nor can anyone hear the truth in what they are saying. They're being dismissed as mentally unbalanced fools, or simply "wrong", and so their warnings aren't believed. What's more, is that some people who say such things actually are speaking from a platform of obvious delusion, which leads to all prophetic warnings of things soon to come, even from great saints, being summarily dismissed. How great is the darkness of our times! People will receive the mark of the beast due to spiritual blindness, which is great because of spiritual indifference and an overall absence of true spiritual life. If we are spiritually careless, are we not to blame if we are tricked? Doesn't the Psalmist David say that we have sins that are even a secret from us, from which we also must be saved? We are so sinful that we cannot even be aware of our own sins! How then will we avoid being marked unless the grace of God enlightens and saves us? How do we receive the Grace of God? We receive it only when we believe in the Son of God and repent.

Do you have some names/links, as I am interested in reading more from these saints warning us?

 

[Dietrich Johnson]

It wouldn't surprise me if it was something that repeated itself. The early Christians who were accused were required to worship an image of the emperor or be put to death. Pliny, a Roman governor, wrote a letter to Emperor Trajan describing it around 112 AD:

"...in the case of those who were denounced to me as Christians, I have observed the following procedure: I interrogated these as to whether they were Christians; those who confessed I interrogated a second and a third time, threatening them with punishment; those who persisted I ordered executed. For I had no doubt that, whatever the nature of their creed, stubbornness and inflexible obstinacy surely deserve to be punished..."

"Those who denied that they were or had been Christians, when they invoked the gods in words dictated by me, offered prayer with incense and wine to your image, which I had ordered to be brought for this purpose together with statues of the gods, and moreover cursed Christ..."

Those who worshipped the image of the Emperor were allowed to continue with their lives including engaging in trade, i.e, the were allowed to buy and sell. It's easy to see in modern times Christian business owners being "squeezed" in much the same way regarding homosexuals and transsexuals. The choice is often "give up your religious beliefs or go out of business".

I heard that Orthodox Christians don't have a big focus on Revelation like those in Protestantism do. Is that correct? In Orthodoxy is end times prophecy not as big of a focus? And Orthodox Christians do not believe in the rapture?

 

[HTacianas]

I heard that Orthodox Christians don't have a big focus on Revelation like those in Protestantism do. Is that correct? In Orthodoxy is end times prophecy not as big of a focus?

The Revelation was always a disputed book. It barely made it into the bible. Very little emphasis is placed on it in the Orthodox Church.

 

[ArmyMatt]

To clarify, I'm trying to understand the general characteristics of the "Mark of the Beast", from the Orthodox perspective. For example, Protestants tend to think it will literally be something in/on the hand and/or forehead. They do usually think it is meant to be a literal mark, and therefore that Rev. 13 was not speaking figuratively. They also usually think it is something that one CANNOT be tricked into taking, and that everyone taking it will know that they are pledging allegiance to the beast. Does the Orthodox view share these general characteristics, or is it different?

we really don’t know too many specifics. that’s why Christ commands us to pray and watch.

 

[Melily]

“For one thing, the Rapture Theory is a recent invention (from the mid-1800’s) from the Revivalist segment of the Protestant movement. It should go without saying that this teaching about a “Rapture” is at best heterodox, and at worst is heretical, if not pagan. We Orthodox should never worry about being “left behind,” simply because there is no such thing as a “Rapture.”



The Orthodox End of the World | A Russian Orthodox Church Website

I’m only a catechumen.

 

[rusmeister]

As a potential convert to Orthodoxy, I'm familiar with the Protestant views on the Mark of the Beast. What is the Orthodox view on the Mark of the Beast? I.e. What is it, according to the Orthodox Church?

As you can see, there is a variety of opinions.
The important thing is a willingness to submit one's own opinions to correction, and be ready to accept it, from the consensus of the fathers, and Holy Tradition, which includes not only Scripture, but everything else.

MY opinion is that the others are all at least partially right. I would put it this way - there is a mark of the beast that can be found in any age, an offer to deny Christ for worldly gain. There is also an eschatological, or ultimate one, that truly precedes the end of the world. It's impossible to know for absolute sure, but TF is not wrong in thinking that this could be it. So Fr Matt is right- we watch, and pray. We might find ourselves in a horrible vortex that really is THE End Time. Wherever and whenever we find ourselves, we must hold our Faith high and refuse to sell it out. Thus, my enormous sympathy for opposing "QR codes", which do seem to fit the bill we are asked to pay to "be left alone".

 

[Lukaris]

I think in Orthodoxy we are focused more on Matthew 24 & Matthew 25 as regards as general explanation of eschatology (24th chptr), guarding our souls ( like the parable of the 10 virgins, Matthew 25:1-13 ), & the final judgment( the sheep & goats in Matthew 25:31-46).

 

[ArmyMatt]

I think in Orthodoxy we are focused more on Matthew 24 & Matthew 25 as regards as general explanation of eschatology (24th chptr), guarding our souls ( like the parable of the 10 virgins, Matthew 25:1-13 ), & the final judgment( the sheep & goats in Matthew 25:31-46).

yep

 

[Nathaniel Red]

As a potential convert to Orthodoxy, I'm familiar with the Protestant views on the Mark of the Beast. What is the Orthodox view on the Mark of the Beast? I.e. What is it, according to the Orthodox Church?

Jonathan pageau has a really good video on it, though its long.

 

[ArmyMatt]

“For one thing, the Rapture Theory is a recent invention (from the mid-1800’s) from the Revivalist segment of the Protestant movement. It should go without saying that this teaching about a “Rapture” is at best heterodox, and at worst is heretical, if not pagan. We Orthodox should never worry about being “left behind,” simply because there is no such thing as a “Rapture.”



The Orthodox End of the World | A Russian Orthodox Church Website

I’m only a catechumen.

yeah, leave it to us modern Americans to try to escape hardship.

 

[truefiction1]

Do you have some names/links, as I am interested in reading more from these saints warning us?

Here are a couple of samples:

Elder Paisios of the Holy Mount Athos: On The End Times | OrthodoxWord

The PROPHECIES of Starets Lavrentii (+1950)

 

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

As a potential convert to Orthodoxy, I'm familiar with the Protestant views on the Mark of the Beast. What is the Orthodox view on the Mark of the Beast? I.e. What is it, according to the Orthodox Church?

You can look at it as some sort of actual tattoo, voluntary ownership of you as a slave (doulos). You could look at it as an allegory or metaphor of the mark on the forehead (thought) and right hand (what you do, your power or intentions).