The Mark of the Beast, the number 666, these apocalyptic terms are taken from the Bible are often used in a fanatical way sparking suspicion about implanted chips and the need to stockpile food for the end of the world. I want to pose a challenge to these interpretations and talk about something closer to the heart, and that is how the mark of the beast, is more like the mark of Cain, the mark of violence. It is not an external force planted in the foreheads of otherwise good people thus making them bad. The mark of Cain revealed what already was, his violent impulses that resulted in murder. October is Domestic violence awareness month, and I thought this would be a great moment to discuss how violence shows up in the Bible and in prophecy.