I tend to side with the Puritans and the saints and martyrs of the Reformation regarding the papacy as one of the beasts of Revelation and the Church of Rome being the great harlot church that has reigned over kings of the earth and described in Revelation chapters 17 and 18.

The location of the mark of the beast is on RIGHT hand and/or FOREHEAD.

In keeping with Romanism, it’s followers are identified by a visible and literal mark ... at baptism, the priest places his RIGHT hand into the baptismal font and with his thumb, places the mark (charagma) upon the FOREHEAD of the infant followers of the beast.

On Ash Wednesdays, the priest dips his RIGHT hand into the wood ashes and places the mark (charagma) upon the FOREHEAD of the adult followers of the beast.

It should be obvious to students of prophecy that the followers of Romanism use their right hand to make their identifying “sign”.

I believe this is how the term “being under the thumb of Rome” came about.

Their leader is “God On Earth”. Their own publications confirm this claim.

In a sense he is also “antichrist”, for the Greek “anti” has two meanings: against or opposed to ... and the second being ... “in place of”.

Their pope is “in the place of Christ”. He is the “Vicar of Christ” ... vicarious being a substitute for.

Within the walls of his kingdom ... Vatican City, all buying and selling is controlled ... it has it’s own currency, post office, security force etc..

I expect (sooner than later) that God will destroy this city and it will be an ever burning witness to the world.

At that time, futurists will be saying how can this be?

“The image, mark and numbered beast were supposed to be revealed prior to it’s destruction”.

Perhaps at that time, they will realize that their watchmen on the wall were asleep or looking in the wrong direction when these things came to pass.
ccc