The Mark of the Beast on the Hand Could Be a Trademark of the Roman Empire

The roman cult of emperor worship was not confined to the first century. The mark could also be associated with people's right hands, in addition to their foreheads. In any event, evidence points to the mark's initial fulfilment not being a literal, physical tattoo on people's hands or foreheads, but a symbol representing the spiritual reality that they were participating in one way or another.