“And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead, and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.” Rev. 13:15-18, NASB
Oh boy, ghost stories!
I am a practicing Catholic but after quite a bit of study, I sincerely believe that The Apocalypse/Revelation speaks of events that already happened, usually by metaphor.
Indeed, it’s clearly written as if the events were imminent. One has to use quite a bit of imagination (and indeed, a healthy does denial) to think the book purports to literally tell of events yet to come.
Indeed, Jesus personally spoke in parables and used metaphor. People looking for literal marks in people’s skin are really the types who just don’t ‘get it.’
Sorry, I just don’t buy into the biblical end times stuff. If it happens, it’s God’s will - so be it. Standing around looking for the signs around every dark street corner isn’t productive.