OT: Christianity Question (meaning of the forehead?)

[MikeVic]

What is the meaning of the forehead? I was reading something in Revelations, and it said that a seal was palced on the forehead of 144,000 people. And when people get annointed, it's on the forehead.

Is there a significance of some kind?

[mhass]

I can't remember all the details, but I think it is saying that believers will be able to identify each other during the Tribulation. We'll be "marked" somehow to recognize other believers.

[Cap Ologist]

The only thing I can accurately say is that there is a significance about the seal. No one knows what it is, what it will look like or who'll be able to see it.

Here is my purely speculative theory based on a couple of years of theology classes:

The 144000 refers to the Jewish people who will recognize Jesus as Messiah. I think that after the rapture happens, time is up for the Gentiles. The Gospel will return to the Jews. I think the 144000 is probably a symbolic number, not an actual figure.

[MikeVic]

But why is the forehead used? Why isn't there a mark on the hand? Since we use the forehead for annointment, I thought maybe there was a reason?

[stkelly52]

I would say that it is because the forhead is such a prominent part of the body. It stands out for others to see. The hand is something that is often not visible (depending on where you are standing. The fore head is also one of the few areas of the body that is rarly covered with clothing.

[Axxon]

I can't remember all the details, but I think it is saying that believers will be able to identify each other during the Tribulation. We'll be "marked" somehow to recognize other believers.

I know I'll be growing bangs then. Definitely bangs.

[Schmidty]

This is begging for a parody thread (I think you can figure it out), but I'm too scared of the killjoys that have permeated the board lately.

[rkmsuf]

Do it!

[rkmsuf]

Viva la suck balls!

[Schmidty]

Do it!

I'm scared. I respect too many people around here to stir up trouble. :(

Oh wait, no I don't. I think most of you suck balls.

[Anthony]

This is begging for a parody thread (I think you can figure it out), but I'm too scared of the killjoys that have permeated the board lately.

Christianity Question (meaning of the foreskin?)

yawn. you people are so unfunny you're predictable. that means the gimmick is over and it's time to get off the stage. :rolleyes:

[Schmidty]

Christianity Question (meaning of the foreskin?)

yawn. you people are so unfunny you're predictable. that means the gimmick is over and it's time to get off the stage. :rolleyes:

That wasn't it, butt-fuck. Go improve your awful team, and stop stalking me. Don't you have a wife to stalk?

[Anthony]

so post it in here then. why must you start a whole thread for it?

(and don't try to pretend that wasn't the parady title).

[AENeuman]

There is a definite correlation between those marked at the end times and Cain being marked at the beginning. In all cases the "mark" serves to distort (good or bad) man, who was of course, created in the image of God.
Also, the marking of the self, forehead, is a very common practice among many many peoples. One benefit of doing such a widely known practice is that this new and small religion of Christianity could be seen as more legitimate, mainstream, or typical.
Finally, the 144,000 people is also the total number that the Jehovah Witnesses believe will go to heaven.

[Axxon]

This is begging for a parody thread (I think you can figure it out), but I'm too scared of the killjoys that have permeated the board lately.

And thus begins the 'poor me the victim routine." That was certainly to be expected.

[KWhit]

There is a definite correlation between those marked at the end times and Cain being marked at the beginning. In all cases the "mark" serves to distort (good or bad) man, who was of course, created in the image of God.
Also, the marking of the self, forehead, is a very common practice among many many peoples. One benefit of doing such a widely known practice is that this new and small religion of Christianity could be seen as more legitimate, mainstream, or typical.
Finally, the 144,000 people is also the total number that the Jehovah Witnesses believe will go to heaven.
That would really suck to be #144,001.

[Schmidty]

And thus begins the 'poor me the victim routine." That was certainly to be expected.

I'm a victim? I've never even made a parody thread.

You obviously take this board WAY too seriously.

[rkmsuf]

Do it!

[Axxon]

I'm a victim? I've never even made a parody thread.

You obviously take this board WAY too seriously.

And now it segues nicely into the "you just take it too seriously" argument attempting to paint the other party as some sort of an extremist not to be taken seriously.

It seems to me, however, that bringing up an discussion in a totally unrelated thread is taking that thread far more seriously than replying to the threadjack but hey, that's just me.

[sabotai]

Do it!

[Axxon]

Do it!

And then would come the part where I'd feign righteous indignation and the angle would be officially over and the pro parody people would mark out over Schmidty and he'd get a main event push big time. :)

[miked]

There is a definite correlation between those marked at the end times and Cain being marked at the beginning. In all cases the "mark" serves to distort (good or bad) man, who was of course, created in the image of God.
Also, the marking of the self, forehead, is a very common practice among many many peoples. One benefit of doing such a widely known practice is that this new and small religion of Christianity could be seen as more legitimate, mainstream, or typical.
Finally, the 144,000 people is also the total number that the Jehovah Witnesses believe will go to heaven.

If they only believe 144,000 people will go to heaven, why do they walk door to door trying to convert people? What's the appeal? "Well, you're too late for the heaven part, but I'm sure there's something else in it for you..." :p

[Schmidty]

I really miss JYD. :(

[Raiders Army]

Do it!

[Bad-example]

I guess this birthmark on my forehead that reads "666" means I am going to heaven in the first group of 1000. Cool.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Come on, Sparty! Man up! Grow a pair!

Do it!

[MikeVic]

Ok.. so the official answer is because it's visible by everyone, and other religions have used the forehead as a symbol.. so Christianity wanted to seem more legit?

[AENeuman]

First, the 144,000 thing is a bit crazy. From what little I know they think that even if you are a Witness you still may not make it, be one of the pre determined 144,000.

I don't think the Christians did the marking to make them legitimate, but I think that by doing it they were participating in something that would be known and identifiable to those outside their humble (secret) religion as well.

Also, a maybe most importantly, the term Messiah means anointed one. Which in the days of King David, was an act of putting some holy oil on the head of the new king. This practice is also where baptism comes from.

Remember Revelations was written while the small Christian group was being killed off by the Roman Emperors. They used such fantastic images to symbolize their plight and repressors. By being so "fantastic" their story was more able to travel and be read by those in hiding and persecution. For example, a lot of theologians believe that 666 is code for Nero.

[rkmsuf]

Do it!

[Buccaneer]

bro, feels like shouting in the wilderness, doesn't it?

[Raven]

That would really suck to be #144,001.



:D