Abel Christian Supporter

Thank you for the question.I have just made a search and found that Macedonian women displayed tattooed crosses on their foreheads from generation to generation as a mark of the protection of Christ against adversaries, especially those who suffer persecution during Ottoman rule which lasted for 5 centuries. Even so,it was practiced by Coptic Christians in the 13th Century,but they did branding instead of tattooing,in which the latter was later introduced. Basically, it is a sign of Christ and Christianity approved by some Christian denominations.

In the biblical reference indicated Rev 13:16, the 'mark of the beast' was not meant in a physical sense in which it can be traced immediately, but rather in a highly spiritual manner which demands full wisdom and the highest level of patience as is continued from Rev 13:17-18 And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man.His number is 666. 

It will be very hard to distinguish the 'name or the number it holds', which stands for the mark of the beast, just by researching via physical means; some had difficulties performing research on this for almost 2 millenniums and perhaps on wards. The author the book of the Apocalypse, John the Evangelist named down a series of events which he encounters through visions given by God (Revelation)  while in exile on the island of Patmos. 

Back to the mark, the author,John the Evangelist, gives a pointer ;a man with the number 666- could maybe be a woman because the word 'man' may mean person. It means that the Beast will live among mankind in human form in which the number(the mark) can only be understood with great spiritual wisdom. In my opinion, only a chosen few would know whosoever God chooses. 

There is more explanation, but the tattooed Cross is definitely not the marking of the beast, as the beast (or even the devil) has no power to heal; only Christ Jesus has power to heal,calm the storm and exorcise demons. Even demons confess Him as the Son of God (Luke 4:41). Even with these told,we as Christians should keep our faith strong,at the same time fully prepare in hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

(Oh, yes. A point to note here is that symbols were used as an outward representation of a meaning. It could mean a sign of faith, or even a sign of ridicule; as in the case of deliberately inverting crosses or the crucifix to paint hatred towards Christ, the peace sign-which turned out to be Nero's cross, a symbol used to mock the early Christians c. 1st century AD, and so forth. So, the sacred symbols and objects, when use in Christianity in liturgy/service, serve as a reminder of the salvific acts of Christ so that it is  easy to understand their meaning just by gazing over these objects. To this, I believe that all denominations, especially the Catholic Church, would have agreed to let their respective members know the proper way of handling these objects to avoid falling into idolatry. At the end of the day, it is not symbols which define our faith, it is Love for God and others around us which define our faith because God is love.)

May 29 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Ben Ting Supporter

Nope :) But why would you want to do that?

May 28 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report