(Those seeking the meaning of the Mark of the Beast;
please read this post: "Mark of Beast")
A READER'S COMMENT AND QUESTION:
Good day Sister D
Thank you for that lovely post about dedication.
(https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/02/dedication-and-baptism.html
Pearl, you said
"Finally I must give you a warning.
If you are considering a formal dedication of your life to God through a baptism within the Organization of "Jehovah's Witnesses"; that dedication will not be valid to the God you intend to serve.
Why?
God does not share the worship/dedication/service of His slaves with others (Luke 4:8; Isa.42:8; 43:11; Gal.1:10). Yet this devotion, service, and loyalty to men is what is expressly expected in their current Baptism vows, which officiate your inclusion into this Organization which has become a counterfeit Christianity which you will then be a slave of."
I would like to find out from you - what must the ones that got baptized after 1985 when the baptismal vows were changed by the organization do? Do they need to get baptized again as per the requirements in Matthew 28:18, 19 or must they pray to Jehovah to forgive for this sin?
Thank you
Modise
REPLY:
I can not tell you directly what to do; But I will pass on to you some scriptural thoughts.
When Revelation tells us how to distinguish those who remain standing through the great tribulation, and those who don't;
it is whether or not they are marked by, serving, and worshiping the Beast (Rev.13:8,14,16,17). Those marked by the Beast, are "not written in the Lamb's scroll of life".
At Rev.20:4 it reads:
"And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years."
Those who were faithful, were not marked by the beast (Rev.15:2).
Refusing this mark is associated with being "killed" (Rev.13:15; 11:7) for speaking truth. Obviously we can conclude, that speaking truth is what the Beast does not allow, under penalty of "death" (Rev.6:9; 12:11; 14:5).
The Beast only permits what is "bought and sold" under it's trademark. Even what Christ "sells" is not tolerated (Rev.3:18). That mark on the "right hand" (666) symbolizes the lies taught by the three false witnesses (Rev.16:13; Psalm 144:8,11; Isa.44:20; Rom.1:25; 2Thess. 2:11; Isa.28:15; 47:10; 59:3,4; Hosea 4:12) (see pearl-666.blogspot.com )
http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/05/mark-of-beast.html
Clearly, having one's faith and thoughts (forehead) filled with truth; as well as being marked as a slave of God on the right hand and forehead (Deut.6:6,8; 11:18; Ex.13:9; Rev.14:1)
is what saves these faithful ones. No symbolic mention is being made about the need to be re-submerged physically under literal water.
The "mark" on one's forehead and hand...
I believe this to indicate whether or not you are a slave to the Organization, or a slave of Jehovah. In the beliefs, teachings, and actions, is where one proves who their master is.
I am aware of one anointed preacher who believes that the meaning of this mark on the forehead and hand, is fulfilled physically during baptism, by whatever body part submerges last, or re-emerges first.
Although I do see the connection between the literal act of baptism and the candidate as then being marked by the Beast;
(according to the current official vows of the Organization --pearl-baptismvows.blogspot.com),
...I believe the reason why the beast mark is acquired, is NOT because of a physical motion with water, but because of a spiritual vow to an idol, and the worship, obedience, and slavery that follows. (Rom.6:16; Gal.1:10; Rev.13:16,8,17)
God reads and judges hearts, not past actions (Ps.139:23; Jer.17:10; Acts 1:24; Rom.8:27; Deut.8:2; 1Chron. 29:17)--(Micah 7:18; Eze.3:21; 33:14,15,16)--(2Chron. 7:14; Eze.18:23; 33:19)
("What do 'buying' and 'selling' mean?)
("What is the meaning of '666'?")
This is not to say that God tests hearts by directly subjecting them to tribulation Himself (James 1:12,13; Prov.10:22). It is Satan who demands to test and accuse those slated to receive creation's dominion (Luke 22:31; Acts 14:22; 2Cor. 2:11; John 15:20; 16:33; Rev.12:10; Job 1:8,9,10,11,12; 2:4,5,6). By means of this tested integrity to the God of Truth, they can conquer Satan (Rev.12:10,11; Rom.16:20; Gen.3:15; 1John 2:14; Luke 10:19). Satan demands that these be tested as to fitness first. God allows this as He did with Job, because it is righteous justice to take the world from Satan and give it to Abraham's seed, only if these heirs prove more righteous than Satan. (1John 3:12; John 8:44; 2Thess. 2:3,9,10; Gal.6:4; 1Cor. 3:13,14; Mal.3:2; Rev.12:10). Once proven, it is righteous on God's part to bless his slaves with His promised reward (James 5:11,10; 1:12; Dan.7:18; Rev.11:18; 1Cor. 2:9).
When one's spirit vows to enter a slavery to false doctrines, (which control one's worship, faith, and works); this is the symbolic mark on one's forehead and right hand. That servitude to the Organization officially begins, when the blasphemous vow is agreed to at baptism.
The physical ritual is only a reflection of the voluntary surrender, to be unconditionally lead by and loyal to the Organization and it's doctrine (rather than to Jehovah and scripture exclusively). That slave mark is established not by immersion and vow only, but by the life that follows, and a heart in harmony with that vow. The heart in turn, is the source of what we speak (Matt.12:34,35). We then become false witnesses, slaving for a false prophet. The forehead mark is the conscience at work. The mark on the right hand are the practices and deeds.
A life of slavery is not demonstrated and proven by a label or vow only, but by one's continuous behavior, submission, service, and devotion. Neither is a life of idolatrous slavery, fully manifest and performed in a single motion with water.
Similarly, a practice of idolatry does not vanish due to being immersed again.
When a person truly leaves off having the Beast as Master (meaning of Baal, is "master");
one's thinking and deeds are no longer enslaved to the Organizational Beast. I believe that this would remove the slave-mark of the Beast, according to this interpretation.
Our real spiritual cleansing comes, not through literal water, but through the Word of God and our commitment to be guided by it. The water of Baptism IS SYMBOLIC of more significant things (Eph.5:26; John 3:5; 13:10; 15:3; 17:17). Literal water does not wash sins away, but obedience to spirit and Truth do (Acts 22:16; 1Cor. 6:11; Heb.10:22)
By accepting the cleansing power of God's Word (symbolized by water baptism), we are guided away from the stain of sin (1Pet. 3:21; 1Tim. 1:5). The act of physical baptism reminds us of God's written requirements, and our need to obey them to be clean. These are the things which cleanse our spirit...not literal water.
In the same way, when we are owned slaves of God and his truthful Word (Deut.6:6,8; 11:18; Ex.13:9), we are symbolically branded on our forehead and hand with the name of God and Christ (Rev.14:1; 3:12,13). When we are slaves of the doctrines, commands, and arrangements of the Organization, we are also symbolically marked as their slaves, in the same symbolic places (forehead and right hand -Rev.13:16,17).
I do not believe that a person totally acquires the mark of the Beast through the physical motions of a blasphemous baptism alone.
Why do I think this?
We can apply the principle of one of Jesus' illustrations to this question.
Jesus spoke about two sons (Matt.21:28,29,30,31) (please read).
The lesson?
It was not what the sons originally agreed to do, that mattered. It was what they actually did later.
Both these sons did not return to the father to discuss their new decision, nor make a new formal agreement. They simply acted according to their heart, and proved their obedience or lack thereof. Their final activity was opposite to what they previously agreed to do. In the end, they were judged according to their actions,
NOT according to their former words.
(Ec.5:5)
In the same way, our judgment is not so much based upon what we agreed to do in the past,
but what we actually DO, now.
Eze.18:21,22,23 reads:
21 “But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live. 23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?"
God desires, NOT a physical ritual of re-baptism, but He desires obedience and faithfulness from our right hand of power,
performed according to the truth within our minds (Eph.4:23; Rom.12:2; 6:4; Col.3:10). If we do this, the spiritual brand-mark on our forehead, will be clearly seen by our Heavenly Father.
Physical baptism is a symbol. The meaning of that symbol is what matters, not the symbol itself.
This is why Jesus emphasized the weight of one's ACTUAL FAITHFULNESS TO A VOW,
rather than the physical things to which we may attach our vow (Matt.5:33,34,35,36,37).
So I tell you;
Go. Let yourself be cleansed by the truth in God's Word. Obey it. Prove yourself obedient and loyal to God, and He will see it. Do beg Him for forgiveness for the things we did in our ignorance (Acts 17:30; 26:20; Rom.3:25,26). You will then be clean before Him,
whether or not you are re-submerged under physical water.
Does this mean that I tell you that you should not be re-baptized?
I do not. Jesus did not need to be water baptized at all. Yet he went through with it to show his subjection to God's Words (John 5:19,30; 8:28; 12:50; Matt.3:13,14,15; Psalm 40:8).
If it strengthens your conscience to follow through with the ritual, I approve of the action....
as long as all those doing so realize, that it is not the ritual of physical water which saves.
Salvation is by means of "living water" (John 4:10) ...the cleansing Word of God and His spirit.
John 4:24
If any wish to be re-baptized in the name of the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (Matt.28:18,19), I am available. Use the contact form in this Blog (right side column), if my assistance is desired.
At this point I wish to add,
that the anointed brother I mentioned previously, who teaches that the mark of the beast is based upon what part of the body surfaces up from the water during baptism...
He also teaches that a removal of the mark of the Beast, is when one loses their dedication to the Organization through expulsion (and it's public formal announcement to the Congregation).
Although my interpretation of this is mark differs (and how to remove it) and is interpreted by scripture,
I agree that this end result of both of our teachings, expulsion, is the same necessary consequence.
Once our forehead and hands are enslaved to God (Deut.11:18) rather than to the Wild Beast and it's False Prophet (Rev.13:16);
we will speak truth, just as God commands (Eze.3:4,11; Eph.4:25).
When we do this, we will be recognized as not submissive to the Wild Beast, because we are "buying and selling" spiritual provisions that are not marked by the Beast's trademark (Rev.3:18; Isa.55:1). The penalty for this is "death" (Rev.13:17,15; 11:7; 6:9; Mark 8:35). Therefore, whether the mark of the Beast is interpreted according to what I offer,
or according to what my brother in Christ offers;
the mark of the Beast is removed through the symbolic "death" of disfellowshipping.
Disfellowshipping publicly manifests that you are free of the Beast's control.
Yet this is only the first step to salvation. It is also required that you be marked as a slave of God,
replacing the mark of the Beast (Eze.9:4; Mal.3:16; Rev.7:3; 14:1).
I hope this addresses your question.
My affection to you Modise,
Pearl
LINK TO MAIN HOME-PAGE
LINK TO DIRECTORY OF ARTICLES
LINK TO FORUM
please read this post: "Mark of Beast")
A READER'S COMMENT AND QUESTION:
Good day Sister D
Thank you for that lovely post about dedication.
(https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/02/dedication-and-baptism.html
Pearl, you said
"Finally I must give you a warning.
If you are considering a formal dedication of your life to God through a baptism within the Organization of "Jehovah's Witnesses"; that dedication will not be valid to the God you intend to serve.
Why?
God does not share the worship/dedication/service of His slaves with others (Luke 4:8; Isa.42:8; 43:11; Gal.1:10). Yet this devotion, service, and loyalty to men is what is expressly expected in their current Baptism vows, which officiate your inclusion into this Organization which has become a counterfeit Christianity which you will then be a slave of."
I would like to find out from you - what must the ones that got baptized after 1985 when the baptismal vows were changed by the organization do? Do they need to get baptized again as per the requirements in Matthew 28:18, 19 or must they pray to Jehovah to forgive for this sin?
Thank you
Modise
REPLY:
I can not tell you directly what to do; But I will pass on to you some scriptural thoughts.
When Revelation tells us how to distinguish those who remain standing through the great tribulation, and those who don't;
it is whether or not they are marked by, serving, and worshiping the Beast (Rev.13:8,14,16,17). Those marked by the Beast, are "not written in the Lamb's scroll of life".
At Rev.20:4 it reads:
"And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years."
Those who were faithful, were not marked by the beast (Rev.15:2).
Refusing this mark is associated with being "killed" (Rev.13:15; 11:7) for speaking truth. Obviously we can conclude, that speaking truth is what the Beast does not allow, under penalty of "death" (Rev.6:9; 12:11; 14:5).
The Beast only permits what is "bought and sold" under it's trademark. Even what Christ "sells" is not tolerated (Rev.3:18). That mark on the "right hand" (666) symbolizes the lies taught by the three false witnesses (Rev.16:13; Psalm 144:8,11; Isa.44:20; Rom.1:25; 2Thess. 2:11; Isa.28:15; 47:10; 59:3,4; Hosea 4:12) (see pearl-666.blogspot.com )
http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/05/mark-of-beast.html
Clearly, having one's faith and thoughts (forehead) filled with truth; as well as being marked as a slave of God on the right hand and forehead (Deut.6:6,8; 11:18; Ex.13:9; Rev.14:1)
is what saves these faithful ones. No symbolic mention is being made about the need to be re-submerged physically under literal water.
The "mark" on one's forehead and hand...
I believe this to indicate whether or not you are a slave to the Organization, or a slave of Jehovah. In the beliefs, teachings, and actions, is where one proves who their master is.
I am aware of one anointed preacher who believes that the meaning of this mark on the forehead and hand, is fulfilled physically during baptism, by whatever body part submerges last, or re-emerges first.
Although I do see the connection between the literal act of baptism and the candidate as then being marked by the Beast;
(according to the current official vows of the Organization --pearl-baptismvows.blogspot.com),
...I believe the reason why the beast mark is acquired, is NOT because of a physical motion with water, but because of a spiritual vow to an idol, and the worship, obedience, and slavery that follows. (Rom.6:16; Gal.1:10; Rev.13:16,8,17)
God reads and judges hearts, not past actions (Ps.139:23; Jer.17:10; Acts 1:24; Rom.8:27; Deut.8:2; 1Chron. 29:17)--(Micah 7:18; Eze.3:21; 33:14,15,16)--(2Chron. 7:14; Eze.18:23; 33:19)
("What do 'buying' and 'selling' mean?)
("What is the meaning of '666'?")
This is not to say that God tests hearts by directly subjecting them to tribulation Himself (James 1:12,13; Prov.10:22). It is Satan who demands to test and accuse those slated to receive creation's dominion (Luke 22:31; Acts 14:22; 2Cor. 2:11; John 15:20; 16:33; Rev.12:10; Job 1:8,9,10,11,12; 2:4,5,6). By means of this tested integrity to the God of Truth, they can conquer Satan (Rev.12:10,11; Rom.16:20; Gen.3:15; 1John 2:14; Luke 10:19). Satan demands that these be tested as to fitness first. God allows this as He did with Job, because it is righteous justice to take the world from Satan and give it to Abraham's seed, only if these heirs prove more righteous than Satan. (1John 3:12; John 8:44; 2Thess. 2:3,9,10; Gal.6:4; 1Cor. 3:13,14; Mal.3:2; Rev.12:10). Once proven, it is righteous on God's part to bless his slaves with His promised reward (James 5:11,10; 1:12; Dan.7:18; Rev.11:18; 1Cor. 2:9).
When one's spirit vows to enter a slavery to false doctrines, (which control one's worship, faith, and works); this is the symbolic mark on one's forehead and right hand. That servitude to the Organization officially begins, when the blasphemous vow is agreed to at baptism.
The physical ritual is only a reflection of the voluntary surrender, to be unconditionally lead by and loyal to the Organization and it's doctrine (rather than to Jehovah and scripture exclusively). That slave mark is established not by immersion and vow only, but by the life that follows, and a heart in harmony with that vow. The heart in turn, is the source of what we speak (Matt.12:34,35). We then become false witnesses, slaving for a false prophet. The forehead mark is the conscience at work. The mark on the right hand are the practices and deeds.
A life of slavery is not demonstrated and proven by a label or vow only, but by one's continuous behavior, submission, service, and devotion. Neither is a life of idolatrous slavery, fully manifest and performed in a single motion with water.
Similarly, a practice of idolatry does not vanish due to being immersed again.
When a person truly leaves off having the Beast as Master (meaning of Baal, is "master");
one's thinking and deeds are no longer enslaved to the Organizational Beast. I believe that this would remove the slave-mark of the Beast, according to this interpretation.
Our real spiritual cleansing comes, not through literal water, but through the Word of God and our commitment to be guided by it. The water of Baptism IS SYMBOLIC of more significant things (Eph.5:26; John 3:5; 13:10; 15:3; 17:17). Literal water does not wash sins away, but obedience to spirit and Truth do (Acts 22:16; 1Cor. 6:11; Heb.10:22)
By accepting the cleansing power of God's Word (symbolized by water baptism), we are guided away from the stain of sin (1Pet. 3:21; 1Tim. 1:5). The act of physical baptism reminds us of God's written requirements, and our need to obey them to be clean. These are the things which cleanse our spirit...not literal water.
In the same way, when we are owned slaves of God and his truthful Word (Deut.6:6,8; 11:18; Ex.13:9), we are symbolically branded on our forehead and hand with the name of God and Christ (Rev.14:1; 3:12,13). When we are slaves of the doctrines, commands, and arrangements of the Organization, we are also symbolically marked as their slaves, in the same symbolic places (forehead and right hand -Rev.13:16,17).
I do not believe that a person totally acquires the mark of the Beast through the physical motions of a blasphemous baptism alone.
Why do I think this?
We can apply the principle of one of Jesus' illustrations to this question.
Jesus spoke about two sons (Matt.21:28,29,30,31) (please read).
The lesson?
It was not what the sons originally agreed to do, that mattered. It was what they actually did later.
Both these sons did not return to the father to discuss their new decision, nor make a new formal agreement. They simply acted according to their heart, and proved their obedience or lack thereof. Their final activity was opposite to what they previously agreed to do. In the end, they were judged according to their actions,
NOT according to their former words.
(Ec.5:5)
In the same way, our judgment is not so much based upon what we agreed to do in the past,
but what we actually DO, now.
Eze.18:21,22,23 reads:
21 “But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live. 23 Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?” says the Lord God, “and not that he should turn from his ways and live?"
God desires, NOT a physical ritual of re-baptism, but He desires obedience and faithfulness from our right hand of power,
performed according to the truth within our minds (Eph.4:23; Rom.12:2; 6:4; Col.3:10). If we do this, the spiritual brand-mark on our forehead, will be clearly seen by our Heavenly Father.
Physical baptism is a symbol. The meaning of that symbol is what matters, not the symbol itself.
This is why Jesus emphasized the weight of one's ACTUAL FAITHFULNESS TO A VOW,
rather than the physical things to which we may attach our vow (Matt.5:33,34,35,36,37).
So I tell you;
Go. Let yourself be cleansed by the truth in God's Word. Obey it. Prove yourself obedient and loyal to God, and He will see it. Do beg Him for forgiveness for the things we did in our ignorance (Acts 17:30; 26:20; Rom.3:25,26). You will then be clean before Him,
whether or not you are re-submerged under physical water.
Does this mean that I tell you that you should not be re-baptized?
I do not. Jesus did not need to be water baptized at all. Yet he went through with it to show his subjection to God's Words (John 5:19,30; 8:28; 12:50; Matt.3:13,14,15; Psalm 40:8).
If it strengthens your conscience to follow through with the ritual, I approve of the action....
as long as all those doing so realize, that it is not the ritual of physical water which saves.
Salvation is by means of "living water" (John 4:10) ...the cleansing Word of God and His spirit.
John 4:24
If any wish to be re-baptized in the name of the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (Matt.28:18,19), I am available. Use the contact form in this Blog (right side column), if my assistance is desired.
At this point I wish to add,
that the anointed brother I mentioned previously, who teaches that the mark of the beast is based upon what part of the body surfaces up from the water during baptism...
He also teaches that a removal of the mark of the Beast, is when one loses their dedication to the Organization through expulsion (and it's public formal announcement to the Congregation).
Although my interpretation of this is mark differs (and how to remove it) and is interpreted by scripture,
I agree that this end result of both of our teachings, expulsion, is the same necessary consequence.
Once our forehead and hands are enslaved to God (Deut.11:18) rather than to the Wild Beast and it's False Prophet (Rev.13:16);
we will speak truth, just as God commands (Eze.3:4,11; Eph.4:25).
When we do this, we will be recognized as not submissive to the Wild Beast, because we are "buying and selling" spiritual provisions that are not marked by the Beast's trademark (Rev.3:18; Isa.55:1). The penalty for this is "death" (Rev.13:17,15; 11:7; 6:9; Mark 8:35). Therefore, whether the mark of the Beast is interpreted according to what I offer,
or according to what my brother in Christ offers;
the mark of the Beast is removed through the symbolic "death" of disfellowshipping.
Disfellowshipping publicly manifests that you are free of the Beast's control.
Yet this is only the first step to salvation. It is also required that you be marked as a slave of God,
replacing the mark of the Beast (Eze.9:4; Mal.3:16; Rev.7:3; 14:1).
I hope this addresses your question.
My affection to you Modise,
Pearl
LINK TO MAIN HOME-PAGE
LINK TO DIRECTORY OF ARTICLES
LINK TO FORUM
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