Many people insist that the Mark has to be an implant in the skin. Although the Greek word `stigma' can mean prick (as well as a reference to a mark of ownership) and although the Greek word `charagma' can mean etching (or a badge of servitude), this is not necessarily proof that the Mark has to be an implant.

The King James Version translated the Greek word "epi" to the English word "in" or "upon" for the following marks:

in their foreheads (Revelation 7:3)
his mark upon their foreheads, (Revelation 20:4)
or in their hands (Revelation 20:4)
in their right hand (Revelation 13:16)
in their foreheads (Revelation 13:16)
written in their foreheads (Revelation 14:1).

The word "epi" is usually translated as "upon" (also: come to, by, at, before and over). The King James Version translated the word 'epi' both ways in Revelation 20:4. We get our English word "epidermis" from the Greek. We also get our English word "hypodermic" from the Greek. You would never confuse the two English words. "Epi-dermis" is upon the skin, "hypo-dermic" is under the skin. In EVERY occurrence of the Beast's mark in your Bible, the Mark is "epi" (upon) the hand and forehead.

Many people claim that the Mark will be a physical mark because the English word "Mark" refers to a physical mark. Although it refers to a physical mark, it can refer to physical marks that are also designations of ownership, as in a rancher branding his cattle, or an artist signing his work. Later, I will show that a Social Security Card is indeed a certificate of ownership. The English word "Mark" can also mean a scar, as in Galatians 6:17: "... I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." This is translated from the Greek word `stigma', which is not the word "Mark" used in Revelation. "Stigma" in Strong's Concordance is defined as "a mark incised or punched for recognition of ownership, i.e. scar of service:-mark." Notice that its primary meaning of this "stigma" physical mark is as a designation of ownership. More about the word "stigma," later.

The Greek word for "Mark" in the eight occurrences in Revelation, is the Greek word `charagma' (Strong's G5480) which means an etching or a badge of servitude. The extent of God's wrath leads us to believe that this is something extraordinary. But grammatically, there is no reason to suspect that this is anything more than advanced than a badge, or an ID card. The Mark might eventually involve an etching of the skin, as a tattoo or an implant, but I don't see where Scripture requires it. A Social Security Card already fits this prophecy. A number issued by a foreign power already qualifies you to buy and sell, and as we shall see, none of the other Biblical Marks in the right hand or forehead refer to a tattoo or scar or implant.

The only other occurrence of the word `charagma' in the Bible is translated into the word `graven' in Acts 17:29.

Let's take a closer look at Revelation 13:16-17 so that you will never be lulled into waiting for a tattoo or implant.

Revelation 13:16,17 (KJV) "And he causeth (Greek "poiei" = agree, appoint, cause, commit, provide) all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive (Greek "didomi"= give, bestow, bring forth, grant, have power) a mark in their right hand (Greek "cheir" = grasping, a means of power), or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

I don't claim any great insight into these literal phrases. It might be as simple as making a Mark available for all to grab. We have parallel examples in our own culture: one who is appointed (poiei) to office receives power (didomi) after he raises his right hand (cheir) during the oath of office. Even today's English Dictionaries define: "a right hand man" as one who is reliable in performing his delegated duties. When you signed the Application for a SS Number, with a Perjury Oath (right hand), you received power (didomi) to buy or sell.

I find it curious that the word for "give" (didomi) is translated "receive."

Rather than speculate on the literal, let's study the symbolic and let the Bible interpret itself as much as possible. Keep in mind that John the Revelator would be familiar with all of the other Biblical references to signs, words, tokens, law, and seals upon your right hand and forehead.

The terminology "A mark in your forehead" symbolically means "to serve." And so it is to this very day; a Uniform's cap has an engraved metallic mark etched at the forehead.

The terminology "In your right hand" symbolizes "Oaths" (Genesis 14:22, Ezekiel 17:18, Ezekiel 36:7 and Daniel 12:7). And so it is to this very day; an Oath is performed with your right hand raised. Look up "Oath" in any Encyclopedia: An Oath is always a religious ritual. Your Bible prohibits taking an Oath to a pagan state god. A perjury Oath on a government Form is a religious ritual. (Your government continues to conduct their religious rituals, because they cannot have separation of their church from their state). "Foreheads" and "hands," when mentioned together, signify "loyalty and obedience." It is as simple as today's idiom "right hand man."

As we study all the Biblical references to the right-hand-and-forehead, keep in mind that there are different messages being conveyed:

A reminder that your sovereign will protect you and provide for your security
In Deuteronomy 11, it seems to be a warning that your sovereign must be worshiped, and if forgotten, the sovereign will punish you and your children. (In other words: John could be saying that from the Beast's point of view, you will be punished if you will not give out your number).
It refers to the use of force to deliver your Nation from oppressors (as in Exodus 13, Deuteronomy 11, Revelation 7). From the Beast's point of view, "Christians" are the oppressors of the degenerate political majority.
It always seems to imply memorizing precepts about your sovereign's authority, and obeying the sovereign's law.

Although "hands" mentioned without foreheads refer to Oaths, notice that "hands," when mentioned with "foreheads," refer to "loyalty" rather than to Oaths. Also notice that your forehead is reserved for Christ's Mark in Revelation 7 and 14.

Here are the Biblical examples where both forehead and hand terminology are used together. It is important to notice that none of these refer to physical marks, implants, or tattoos, and notice that every instance also mentions "children:"

Exodus 13:8-9 (KJV): And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt.
Exodus 13:15-16 (KJV): And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem. And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (KJV): And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
Deuteronomy 11:16-23 (KJV): Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, [Note: this word "gods" is the Hebrew word 'elohiym' which can mean magistrates or judges] and worship them; And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you. Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him; Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.
Proverbs 7:1-3 (KJV): My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
Revelation 7:2-3 (KJV): And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. Revelation 14:1 (KJV): And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
The word "Mark" in Revelation's "the Mark of the Beast" is the Greek word "charagma" (Strong's G5480). "Charagma" is a badge of service, or an etching, such as an etched metallic badge (or perhaps an ID card). Throughout the history of mankind, A BADGE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SYMBOL OF SERVITUDE. If you've been brainwashed into thinking of a badge as a symbol of authority, you have it backwards. A Mark/Badge on your forehead has your master's name (= authority). If you are off the feudal manor while wearing your master's badge, everyone knows you are conducting business in your master's authority. This was necessary as a public notice that your master would pay for any transactions conducted in his name and he would pay for any damage that you cause. Aaron wore a metal badge at his turban's forehead, as a badge of servitude. It was the part of his Uniform (Exodus 28:36-38) which marks it as God's Uniform. While he is in Uniform, he represents his Master's authority. And so it is to this very day: Uniforms' Caps, Helmets, Berets, or Turbans have a metal Badge of Servitude at the forehead. Also, Ezekiel 9:4 refers to physical marks on the forehead as an outward symbol of inward attitudes.
Just as you cannot wear two caps at once, You cannot have both a Mark of a Beast and Christ's Mark (as in Rev 14:1) on your forehead. Your forehead is reserved for Christ's Mark. If you belong to a Beast, then serve your Beast. If you belong to Christ, serve Christ.