It is a term often used to describe a license or extraordinary commission granted by a government to a private person to fit out a privateer or armed ship to cruise at sea and make prize of the enemy's ships and merchandise. The ship so commissioned is sometimes called the marque.
In biblical terms, during the Tribulation, the False Prophet will insist that people loyal to Antichrist wear a mark which will be placed either on their right hand or on their forehead. This must be shown to buy or sell (Revelation 13:16-18), or to transact any business. This mark will consist of either the name of the Beast (Antichrist) or his number, 666 (Revelation 14:11).
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