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Volumes have been written covering speculations on the nature of the mark of the beast. Here is one such article claiming that the Mark is Islam. Regardless of whether or not any one speculation is correct, it is reasonable to make such assertions if one is attempting to remain true to Revelation 13:18 as a person "who has understanding".

From Barnes' Notes on the Bible we have: (d) that the use of symbols, emblems, hieroglyphics, and riddles was common in the early periods of the world; (therefore it makes sense that the mark would be cryptic.)
Rosenmuller said, "The number indicates a man, or a certain race of men."_{e.g. homosexuals or muslims?}

That which is proposed by Rosenmuller, however, meets all the circumstances of the case. The idea is, evidently, that the number indicates or refers to a certain man, or order of people._{i.e. those who accept homosexuality as legitimate.}

from the Geneva Study Bible we have:

For this cause especially, since it seemed to me neither profitable, nor likely to be true, that the number of the beast, or the name of the beast should be taken as the common interpreters take it. (So, thinking outside the box is good!)

This number of the beast teaches, gives out, imprints, as a public mark of those who are his, and esteems that mark above all others, as the mark of those whom he loves best. (Advocates of homosexuality are passionate about their cause holding it above all others!)

Next we will look at why homosexuality strongly competes for the title of the real mark of the beast.