[metmom]

But I've often wondered if the phrase, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand” is a metaphor, not for an actual mark, but for our thoughts and actions?

Well, it does classify that the mark is for the purpose of being able to buy and sell, so that would kind of preclude the idea that it's a mark on our character or personality.

[chesley]

I'm not saying that you are wrong. In fact, I rather agree. I did say that I was a pre-millienialist.

Still, just to put forth a thought here, look at, say, Paula Dean, or that football player that said the ‘n’ word this week. Especially in the case of Paula, they are destroying her career. Of course she will still have money and be able to buy and sell, but what about some poor smuck in the future, when PC has become much worse? And suppose he says it about homosexuals, or heck, maybe at that time pedophilic serial killers will be demanding their civil rights?

I believe that most Bible passages can be read on more than one level, although, I believe that if you skip over the lower, more obvious, levels to skip to the higher ones you will come to serious grief with your interpretations.