An open letter to the Social Security Mark of the Beast Gospel Advocates
by Anonymous
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It has been proclaimed far and wide (though all
haven't heard yet) that the Social
Security number (along with the other similar people-number-systems in the
world) is the mark of the beast spoken about in the book of Revelation. And if
one is to study and search the matter out, it does seem to be a very viable
conclusion. Because of this our family removed itself from that system some
years back. But there is another side to the issue which the Father has shown
to us, one that the SS opponents generally do not appear to address.
A little over two and a half years ago I suffered a stroke which left me
virtually incapable of doing any amount of physical labor. Since I had earned
my living through life by that physical means, mostly in construction, I was
left without the main tool of my work-my body. Subsequent to the stroke I have
learned a lot (a very sad lot), but earned very little. There is therefore
much that I could say pertaining the struggles and inequities that individuals
outside the system must endure; but that would get too far away from my target
point of this letter, and would also make for a very lengthy rendition. So I
offer the next part instead for a background, and follow with my conclusion.
The following is from a letter I wrote in response to an SSMOBGA's (Social
Security Mark Of the Beast Gospel Advocate's) published stance:
"[Pertaining] your [writing] concerning the SS of the day. Although I
would tend to agree with the alliance that you draw between the SS numbers and
the mark (the same alliance that my grandfather spoke of when they first began
that program), there is another element which you (and most other like-minded
individuals) don't address. Yeshua spoke clearly of these days when he
cautioned concerning the love growing cold. We have experienced that first
hand. .
"The governmental social-welfare programs are so well entrenched, and
the church of the day is so well-hardened, that there appears to be no other
recourse for most individuals. Those in the families will strongly advise, 'go
to uncle Sam', as those in the churches will also do. Those in the patriot
communities and ekklesiastically-minded arenas at best will generally only
offer smiles, a few words, and distant prayers. There seems to be no
alternatives to this social disease other than death by starvation and
privation to those caught in this end-hour crisis. The Scriptures appear clear
when they speak of the Theocracy example of early Yisra'el and the later
ekklessia: '.he who gathered little . much . no lack . no excess.',
'.distributed . according to need.', etc. There are a (very) few that
would proclaim to have a willingness toward that Acts-chapter-two-type
church-welfare; but these generally come with the same bondage-to-a-man-type
ideas that they so loudly preach against, or else come with words only. All
indeed 'seek their own' today, as Paul (and the Christ) so rightly put it. Yet
there does occasionally surface a genuine 'good Samaritan' amongst the masses.
But they come in enough of a rarified-form to be almost too late, after the
demise, if they come at all. The fact of the matter is that there appears no
concrete alternative available for the poor, widows, and orphans to find
recourse in outside of this social disease. The Salvation Army itself demands
an SS number to give any aid, along with the other similar organizational
efforts. We have witnessed (to what I know is a very small degree) the
homeless and outcast and 'offscouring' of this world dying with their
integrity intact whilst the 'Christian', 'Patriotic', 'Knowledgeable' walk on
past on the other side of the road-not totally oblivious to the situation, but
definitely with their opinion on it also intact. It is a dilemma, a serious
dilemma with serious ramifications all the way around. "So, yes, continue
to preach against this beastial socially-secure-welfare-system. But please
consider the obverse of the same coin. For any that are in those lines I have
been moved to compassion, not condemnation. For I know that it is only by the
exceedingly great mercy and grace of my God I have not been found amongst
them."
The warnings all of us SSMOBGAs have given over the years may be very true;
but the little bit of knowledge which we have on these matters provides no
solace to the situation. The fact is that being a faultfinder is a fairly
simple endeavor, because we are constantly surrounded by faults in this world.
And that job costs us nothing. But to actually be one who brings a solution to
the situation is what is needful, and comes with a cost attached to the
bearer.
Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 1 Corinthians 8:1b If everyone
would actually live those Scriptures which they so loudly proclaim to believe
there would be no want in the world. But, again, it is so easy to know, but so
rare to do. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. John 13:17
Since it is impossible to convert the masses away from their self-centered
thoughts, my simple suggestion is that each one of us individually adopt
someone to care for: a widow, a homeless, a handicapped, an outcast. This
means stretching yourself out beyond your comfortable limits. This means going
deep into your own pockets to "give expecting nothing in return."
This means having your concerns encompass those not presently found in your
own "friends and family" clique. This means spending yourself. This
means actually displaying love. It is a principle of law that everything which
is true must have at least two witnesses. One of the two witnesses of our
Christianity is our love (the other, fruit).
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and
shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in
him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in
deed and in truth. 1 John 3:17-18 Even the publican Zacchaeus needed this
outward display of love for salvation to come to his house (see Luke 19). The
fact is that our knowledge will profit us nothing if there are not the works
to back it up. And though I have . all knowledge; . and have not charity,
I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2 The fact is that those mitzvahs (good works)
which our brother Yehudah has been proclaiming all of these years are part and
parcel with the salvation message. It is a given that iniquity is abounding in
this old world, but have we given much thought to the other side of the
equation? And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Matthew 24:12 Search it out; study the Scriptures; see how the Christ had it
and how the disciples lived His message. You will find that the action was
there, the "work of faith" was clearly manifest, the message
proclaimed was the deed done. In the parable of the good Samaritan it was the
most religious, the most Scripturally knowledgeable who walked on the other
side of the street. (And I must say, we've seen that the crowds are all over
there these days.) So what did their knowledge gain for them? Nothing! But if
we would only put deeds to our words, ahhh, what could be done! . These that
have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Acts 17:6b To repeat,
the target point: adopt an outcast, a forgotten soul. Pray to God to show you
the individual or family. Then open your heart, trample over your thoughts,
and give of yourself. Don't give words-they've already heard much of that.
Don't give your opinions, even a fool delights in giving that. Just give
expecting nothing in return, i.e. no strings attached (i.e. loose the bonds of
wickedness, . undo heavy burdens, . let the oppressed go free, . break
every yoke.). Then you will begin to perceive the glory of God. Even in our
present state we are endeavoring to do that, for it is a "labor of
love" that we have long neglected (Father, forgive us). Not just to give
a token to salve our conscience; but a regular support to particular parties.
In the end the question is not, "Who will get or not get the
mark?" but rather, "Who will He know at His coming?" And the
Master Himself said He will know the doers of His Word. May we all be allowed
to be along in that party.
Shalom.
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