Hip,
Revelation belongs to a class of chiefly Jewish (and later Christian) literature called "apocalyptic." Most people of the first-century Mediterranean world were familiar with the apocalyptic literary form. Even non-Jewish Christians with no prior contact with Judaism would have recognized the apocalyptic form because it was used among other peoples as well. For us, Revelation may seem strange because (with parts of Daniel) it is the only apocalyptic piece of literature we have read. However, were we to read the apocalyptic works of the time when Revelation was written and before, we would come to see the book in a totally different light. Apocalyptic writings usually had certain char...

Hip,
Revelation belongs to a class of chiefly Jewish (and later Christian) literature called "apocalyptic." Most people of the first-century Mediterranean world were familiar with the apocalyptic literary form. Even non-Jewish Christians with no prior contact with Judaism would have recognized the apocalyptic form because it was used among other peoples as well. For us, Revelation may seem strange because (with parts of Daniel) it is the only apocalyptic piece of literature we have read. However, were we to read the apocalyptic works of the time when Revelation was written and before, we would come to see the book in a totally different light. Apocalyptic writings usually had certain characteristics in common. These writings tried to explain why the Jews, who thought of themselves as God's people, were part of a vassal nation suffering under ungodly political institutions.
Having said this, the idea that a National ID would be a mark bearing the name of the Beast is almost laughable, but indeed, people with a poor understanding of apocalyptic writing continue to believe so. The most important thing is to approach Revelation on its own terms, as a writing of its time which was well understood by its original readers—and had a vital message for them.

RMowery,
The mark of the beast has been the focal point of more rhetoric, ridicule, argumentation, and speculation than possibly any other single item in the Bible.
It is important to understand to whom John was writing and its purpose and to understand the time in history that the Mark of the Beast took place. The focus of Revelation is on the Church in John's day which was being persecuted by Imperial Rome. John would not give the members of the seven churches a puzzle that they could not solve. Most Bible expositors give us two candidates from Imperial Rome, Nero and Titus Flavius Domitianus. Take your pick; it's a toss-up in my mind, with Domitian (AD-81-96), the Roman Emperor who w...

RMowery,
The mark of the beast has been the focal point of more rhetoric, ridicule, argumentation, and speculation than possibly any other single item in the Bible.
It is important to understand to whom John was writing and its purpose and to understand the time in history that the Mark of the Beast took place. The focus of Revelation is on the Church in John's day which was being persecuted by Imperial Rome. John would not give the members of the seven churches a puzzle that they could not solve. Most Bible expositors give us two candidates from Imperial Rome, Nero and Titus Flavius Domitianus. Take your pick; it's a toss-up in my mind, with Domitian (AD-81-96), the Roman Emperor who was beginning to demand that all his citizens worship him as a God at the very time that John penned the Book of Revelation. One of the threats facing Christians at this time was economic. They would not be able to buy or sell. Rev 13:16 - Rev 13:17 (NIV) 17so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. It's significant to mention that the very coins in their pockets at that time had Domitian's picture on it. What's important to keep in mind is that John's readers would have no problem understanding or any difficulty in identifying the mark of the Beast, as the Roman Empire was persecuting and putting to death Christians by the thousands, in the arenas. They were being made human torches, killed in gladiator events, and eaten by wild animals because they would not worship the false gods of Rome.

Revelation chapter 13 and 17 describe the mark of the beast "666" as the rotating EU presidency. this office consists of six months. (its the number of a man). before the US presidents, there were kings and queens who ruled for long periods. and to put the iceing on the cake, the EU (Reveived Roman Empire) in Jan of 2007, started the triplex meaning that issues not resolved during the first six month presidency can be carried over to the next two six month presidencies. 666 describes theese short terms in office. If the US were the beast it's number would be 444. Now that the one world order is comming into focus and appear to be setting up in the EU, it fullfilles bible prophecy. the mark...

Revelation chapter 13 and 17 describe the mark of the beast "666" as the rotating EU presidency. this office consists of six months. (its the number of a man). before the US presidents, there were kings and queens who ruled for long periods. and to put the iceing on the cake, the EU (Reveived Roman Empire) in Jan of 2007, started the triplex meaning that issues not resolved during the first six month presidency can be carried over to the next two six month presidencies. 666 describes theese short terms in office. If the US were the beast it's number would be 444. Now that the one world order is comming into focus and appear to be setting up in the EU, it fullfilles bible prophecy. the mark of the beast will be goverment documentation in the form of chips under the skin. back in john"s time two thousand years ago, it would take wisdom to add up six hundred and sixty six. all of this talk about 666 as the number of a roman emperor in a heap of nonsence. I guess all these web sites and churches are picking this up wrong.