-Removed-Was John the Baptist Jesus?
No, it's not the mark itself, but it is a harbinger. The mark is, well, a mark, on their right hand or forehead, as the text states. One doesn't mistake a sign saying "Pittsburgh - 40 miles" for a sign saying "Pittsburgh City Limits".
What we're seeing is governments around the world making the mark possible.
-Removed-Yes, I believe the mark is literal. It will be visible, perhaps scannable, so that scripture might be fulfilled about not being able to buy or sell without it.
The beast, as well as the false prophet (which, I assume, is what you mean by the second beast), are humans. There have been people called the Beast, mostly in sports, but were they literal beasts? No.
"This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666." - Revelation 13:18, NIV
"the number of the beast... is the number of a man." It sure seems this is plainly stating that the beast is a man.
19 Sep 18
-Removed-The first chapter of a book might be considered introductory. The Torah, especially, was written for jews of c. 3500 years ago, and so it is written taking their understanding into account. Indeed, it was written by one of them. Revelation was written some 1600 years later and is an account of what one man was shown, sans explanation. Since these things are still in the future, we are better equipped now to provide explanation than anyone previous.
19 Sep 18
Originally posted by @karoly-aczelUnfortunately, you are, now hush.
"Seems obvious" . Things aren't always what they seem. lol.