The mark of the beast

by Lady Zombie 16 Replies latest jw friends

  • Lady Zombie
    Lady Zombie

    Since the Rev book is being studied currently, one particular newish, but 100% believing (I assume) witness expressed her anxiety about Revelation 13:16-17.

    16: "And it puts under compulsion all persons, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the slaves, that they should give these a mark in their right hand or upon their forehead,.."

    17: "and that nobody might be able to buy or sell except a person having the mark, the name of the wild beast or the number of its name."

    Anyway, after the book study was over and the chit-chatting started, the sister scooted up to the conductor and asked,

    Her: Does this mean that us witnesses [sic] won't be able to buy food n' stuff? Since as witnesses we won't have the mark?

    Him: Well, we don't know exactly how it will happen, but somehow the world will learn to identify their own.

    Her: But won't we starve if we can't buy food?

    Him: I wouldn't let yourself become unduly worried. Jehovah will provide for us!

    Her: Well, do you think it would be a good idea to slowly start storing up supplies? Like rice and canned goods and water?

    Him: The Society will let us know if we should start doing that. So far, nothing has been said.

    Her: But.....

    Him: Hey, relax a little, Sister! Jehovah knows what he's doing.

    Her: ....Ok.

    It was amusing and sad all at the same time. On the one hand, she was trying to think but on the other hand, her thinking stopped at what the elder and the society said.

    It seems reasonable; these two verses say that not only will the mark of the beast be given to people and that one cannot do business in the world without having it, but it doesn't say what it will look like, if it is even going to be visible, why on the right hand or forehead, and how will others be able to tell. The sister therefore became concerned and asked some legitimate questions and was basically told to have faith. I couldn't tell if she gave up upon hearing the stock 'have faith' answer or if her question was answered to her satisfaction.

    I remember the Y2K hysteria. I heard of a few witnesses who stock piled some water, food, batteries, gas, etc. Then when nothing happened, they kind of looked around sheepishly. Some made a joke out of it, "Hee hee! Serves me right for being impatient with Jehovah!" I think they did that to "chastise" themselves before the elders got around to it.

    I'm always fascinated watching interactions like this.

    On a Rev tangent though, I remember growing up and being scared shitless at Revelations. Birds eating rotting corpses, bowls of anger poured out on the Earth, fire raining down from the heavens, and other ghastly things. I also remember the blank, smiling faces around me soaking it all in with relish. 'What the hell is wrong with everyone?!' I thought. I lost many night's sleep over Revelations as a child. I get angry when I see a young child sitting quietly with fear in his/her eyes when Revelations is being discussed.

    When you think about it, exposing children to the book of Revelations is a sadistic thing to do.

  • Gopher
    Gopher

    I was scared by the same thing as a little kid -- but this was back in the late 60's (in the pre-1975 hysteria among Jehovah's Witnesses) when we were studying the old "Babylon" and "Finished Mystery" books that supposedly explained Revelation.

    Revelation is very frightening to a young or trusting person. But cultish religions will use such fear and uncertainty to increase their subjects' dependence on them.

    Now that I see it all from the outside, it disgusts me.

  • Lady Zombie
    Lady Zombie

    Oh wow! I remember the Finished Mystery book! I was born in 1970 but my folks studied it with me around that time ('75) or a little after.

    Gah! Revelations......sheesh.

  • Casper
    Casper

    When you think about it, exposing children to the book of Revelations is a sadistic thing to do.

    I totally agree with that statement. It's hard for adults to deal with, much less children.


    Welcome to JWD, LadyZ

    Good post... Hope you enjoy your experience here and decide to stay.

    Cas

  • orangefatcat
    orangefatcat

    it is interesting what you have mentioned. First of all the WTS says pay ceasars things to ceasars and God's things to God. So the US government and other countries were instructed their nations to have emergency supplies of food and batteries and candles and water , torches or flash light and canned food dry food stuff. etc. etc, etc.

    Yet at the same time the wts says don't worry about anything God is our provider. Well wouldn't God expect them to be somewhat practical with this idea. The Nation says do it, the Society feels its wrong to hoarde. Yet the law says be prepared for anything. Are you feeling confused??????

    So your damned if you don't do it and your damned if you do. Where is their rationalization? They put there heads in the sand and do nothing. Yet I bet you a million bucks the Bethels have stock piles of food, clothing, and extra nessecities of life in safe places in case of either not having the mark of the wild beast or because they need food to give to the GB.and Bethels, in case of disasters or may the big A!! There shelves are always stocked to the maximun. In that instance it could be said they too have forgotten God will take care of them when the time comes. Right. Do you know where the Blarney stone is?

    Orangefatcat

  • Casper
    Casper

    I remember as a new JW, I also asked such questions...

    I was told Not to store things up, because the "Worldly" people would just come along and take it away from us...

    It did cause me alot of worry. Another one of those things I just pushed to the back of my mind, and went along with...

    Cas

  • Lady Zombie
    Lady Zombie

    Ah-ha!

    I bet they think that's how they'll catch the fakers. When the GT hits, if you're a "witness" who can still get supplies, that will prove that you're "in the world" and have "received the mark" or you still associate with "worldly people" who are giving you supplies.

    Caught!

    Of course if you're repentant, truly repentant, you'll give your supplies to the brothers and all may be forgiven.

    After all, Jehovah can "read your heart" and will destroy you if you're faking.

    But not until taking care of the faithful by causing you to give up your loot, donchaknow!

  • Gopher
    Gopher

    My grandmother, a zealous JW, started cannng all sorts of food shortly after she & her husband built their new house in 1969. Whenever we visited, my sister and I would go downstairs to look behind the curtain to see the amazing variety of canned food.

    The foodstuff was all gone in the 1980's. I guess it wasn't so urgent any more.

  • LouBelle
    LouBelle

    You know the book of revelation is a book of "signs and wonders" TONS of figuritive stuff going on there, but JWs, well christianity as a whole choose to see these things literally. Ones got to dig deep to find the meaning behind what is being said.

  • Mr. Majestic
    Mr. Majestic
    I lost many night's sleep over Revelations as a child. I get angry when I see a young child sitting quietly with fear in his/her eyes when Revelations is being discussed.

    When you think about it, exposing children to the book of Revelations is a sadistic thing to do.

    LZ

    I agree. This is so true. The fear that it put in me was tremendous looking back. I used to go hot when a news item came on talking about war or if there had been an earthquake or something like that.

    As a child (about the ages 7 to 14) it did really depress me although at the time it didn’t register. But it was that kind of fear that got me going back when I was about 20. So it did have such a big hold over my life, which I resent now…..

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