Mark of the Beast

[rusmeister]

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 of the mark on the forehead (thought) and right hand (what you do, your power or intentions).

My own take is that Biblical descriptions tend to be BOTH literal and metaphorical. Among fundamentalists of 100, 50, and even 25 years ago, literal-only interpretations of everything was popular. Among intellectuals, metaphorical-only interpretations tend to be popular (because “those things just don’t happen in real life”, right?).
I think the literal holds metaphors, and that a lot more of Scripture is literal than the intellectuals think.

 

[ArmyMatt]

My own take is that Biblical descriptions tend to be BOTH literal and metaphorical. Among fundamentalists of 100, 50, and even 25 years ago, literal-only interpretations of everything was popular. Among intellectuals, metaphorical-only interpretations tend to be popular (because “those things just don’t happen in real life”, right?).
I think the literal holds metaphors, and that a lot more of Scripture is literal than the intellectuals think.

indeed. if the Scripture points you to Christ, it’s true whether it’s literal/allegorical/ethical/liturgical/all-of-the-above

 

[Justin-H.S.]

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?

I've heard that the Orthodox belief is that we've been in the end times since Christ ascended, so that's why there's such a focus on prayer and watching.

 

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

I've heard that the Orthodox belief is that we've been in the end times since Christ ascended, so that's why there's such a focus on prayer and watching.

Many times in Orthodoxy it is outside of time...past, present and future. Example...Pascha...we relive the crucifixion, burial and resurrection at the same time as the future marriage supper of the lamb...

 

[ArmyMatt]

I've heard that the Orthodox belief is that we've been in the end times since Christ ascended, so that's why there's such a focus on prayer and watching.

close. Pentecost is what started the End Times since that’s when the enthroned Christ poured out His Spirit on all flesh

 

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

close. Pentecost is what started the End Times since that’s when the enthroned Christ poured out His Spirit on all flesh

Doesn't the Spirit proceed from the Father? ;-) John 14:26

 

[ArmyMatt]

Doesn't the Spirit proceed from the Father? ;-) John 14:26

He does

 

[rusmeister]

I've heard that the Orthodox belief is that we've been in the end times since Christ ascended, so that's why there's such a focus on prayer and watching.

I think that’s true specifically in the metaphorical sense. But people want to know whether there will ever be literal truth in a complete end to fallen human history, and that’s what the average Joe means by the expression. The answer is, “We don’t know for sure”, but it is getting harder and harder to imagine an ongoing history of a continuous hell on earth with no eucatastrophe to break it up.

 

[abacabb3]

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?

New Martyr Daniel Sysoev says it will be a literal mark and people will worship a literal image of the beast.

 

[Dietrich Johnson]

New Martyr Daniel Sysoev says it will be a literal mark and people will worship a literal image of the beast.

Thanks for your reply. As distinct from venerating icons, what would it mean to "worship" a literal image of the beast?

 

[ArmyMatt]

Thanks for your reply. As distinct from venerating icons, what would it mean to "worship" a literal image of the beast?

make an offering/sacrifice to the Beast

 

[abacabb3]

Thanks for your reply. As distinct from venerating icons, what would it mean to "worship" a literal image of the beast?

I have not looked into the Greek word (or the Russian for that matter) so perhaps the term "venerate" is being used. But, whether veneration or worship, its being paid to the Beast.

 

[Dorothea]