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.