The Mark of The Beast

[William]

What is it - a literal or symbolic thing?

In another thread, there is debate on whether prophesy on the antichrist is being fulfilled...one of the items re that is "The Mark of The Beast" and there seem to be two main branches of thinking about that, from Christian groups.

There doesn't appear to be dispute about its purpose, which is to allow access to the marketplace - to allow those who have it - to buy and sell food clothing shelter and health. To be a part of any society which operates through the economy of a marketplace to provide such things to people in those societies.

If it is a literal mark on right hand or forehead, then is there any evidence of that currently happening in the marketplace?

If it is a symbolic mark on right hand or forehead, what would that be, and is there any evidence of that currently happening in the marketplace?

[JehovahsWitness]

The Jehovahs Witness interpretation is as follows ..


WHAT IS THE MARK OF THE BEAST?

The mark is symbolic of worshipful support to the political systems of the world. Buying or selling represents carrying out everyday activities. Those that do not have the mark are those that resist the pressure to act (hand) and think (forehead) as the beast (the political world system) would have them do. *

FURTHER READING: What Does 666 Mean?
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/q ... -666-mean/

What does the SCARLET beast of Revelation 13 & 17 represent?
viewtopic.php?p=1018325#p1018325

To learn more please go to other posts related to

DANIEL'S PROPHECIES , .THE SECOND COMING * and ... THE BOOK OF REVELATION

*The Return of Christ

[William]

How do members of this organization manage to buy and sell within the same marketplace without this mark?

[JehovahsWitness]

How do members of this organization manage to buy and sell within the same marketplace without this mark?

You seem to have misunderstood what I said; if you are speaking of literally "buying and selling" in a literal "market place" why would that be problematic for someone that does not wish to have "the mark of the beast" according to the JWs interpretation?

[William]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #4]

I see. It is simply about interpretation and if one doesn't put anything literal on the idea of selling and buying within the marketplace [controlled by political regulations] one can do so, free from mindfully having to support the political regulations of the marketplace - one simply acts...

The idea that no one can get food clothing shelter and health without the mark, becomes null simply because one doesn't interpret that literally therefore, some can indeed use that same system without it being said that they are giving their allegiance to said system...

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #4]

I see. It is simply about interpretation and if one doesn't put anything literal on the idea of selling and buying within the marketplace ...

I wouldnt say our interpretation implies nothing literal is applied, since that which is symblolic translates into literal elementss in the real world, but in this case it does not translate to one thing but to a catagory of word, thoughts and actions.

...free from mindfully having to support the political regulations of the marketplace..

If by "marketplace" you are referring to a literal marketplace, then you comment does not apply to Jehovah's Witnesses who do believe the scripture should be taken literally (to apply to any marketplaces at all)

The idea that no one can get food clothing shelter and health without the mark, becomes null simply because one doesn't interpret that literally ...

If by null you mean devoid of meaning, I would say far from it. Since we believe the mark represents complete comformity to the standards of the worlds system, those that have resisted have indeed suffered restrictions as to access to those things but the point is the application is wider ; one can not have the mark of the beast but have access to all the good you can eat.

[William]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #6]

one can not have the mark of the beast but have access to all the good you can eat.

Unless all the food one can eat, the clothes one can wear, the housing one can live in, or the health care one can receive, comes from the marketplace controlled by the political system referred to.

In this case it does not translate to one thing but to a catagory of word, thoughts and actions.

There is no need to complicate meaning. "All" [as relating to the market place(s) under question] is everything, whether one describes one thing or many things, re that.

It does appear that the script itself makes no distinctions or gives any indication that there are exceptions to the rule re "all using the marketplace." Obviously all doing so, have already established in their "words thoughts and actions", that this marketplace is the one to shop through.

If by "marketplace" you are referring to a literal marketplace, then you comment does not apply to Jehovah's Witnesses who do believe the scripture should be taken literally (to apply to any marketplaces at all)

My use of the word 'Marketplace" is significant to all marketplaces operating according to governmental regulations.
If you are implying that there are marketplaces which do not operate under government regulations, [and perhaps the members of your denomination shop at these] please give us some examples.

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #6]

one can not have the mark of the beast but have access to all the good you can eat.

Unless all the food one can eat, the clothes one can wear, the housing one can live in, or the health care one can receive, comes from the marketplace controlled by the political system referred to.

Not really , since the Jehovah's Witness view of the mark of the beast has nothing to do with accessing marketplaces controlled by the political system.

My use of the word 'Marketplace" is significant to all marketplaces operating according to governmental regulations.

Okay I underderstand. Our interpreations of the mark of ghe beast has nothing to do with accessing any marketplaces operating according to governmental regulations.

There is no need to complicate meaning.

I am just explaining the Jehovahs Witness interpretation of the mark of the beast; if you find it complicated so be it. The "complicated" meaning is what we hold to.

[William]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #8]

the Jehovah's Witness view of the mark of the beast has nothing to do with accessing marketplaces controlled by the political system.

Apparently without the mark one cannot access the goods, so it is not so easy to dismiss the mark of the beast in that context, by simply saying "the mark of the beast has nothing to do with accessing marketplaces controlled by the political system"..."no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark." That is a regulation and therefore derives from governance.

There is no need to complicate meaning. "All" [as relating to the market place(s) under question] is everything, whether one describes one thing or many things, re that.

It does appear that the script itself makes no distinctions or gives any indication that there are exceptions to the rule re "all using the marketplace." Obviously all doing so, have already established in their "words thoughts and actions", that this marketplace is the one to shop through.

I am just explaining the Jehovahs Witness interpretation of the mark of the beast; if you find it complicated so be it. The "complicated" meaning is what we hold to.

That is understandable for those who wish to be seen as set apart from the majority - but who still utilize that which effectively does not set them apart at all.

I get it. Jehovahs Witness interpretation of the mark of the beast has to be that way in order to - at least - give an appearance of being different from everyone else, even whilst using the same marketplace as everyone else.

I have no further questions.

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #8]

the Jehovah's Witness view of the mark of the beast has nothing to do with accessing marketplaces controlled by the political system.

Apparently without the mark one cannot access the goods

According to our interpretation that is not necessarily true.

I have no further questions.

Good. As long as you don't attempt to squeeze our interpretation into your own interpretational mold and/or make comments on our own theology based on faulty premise, we're good!


JW