I just read the first article in the July 15 study edition, entitled "The House-to-House Ministry--Why Important Now?" I thought it was insane overall but I noticed that they seem to be reintroducing the "marking work." Hadn't that belief been eliminated?
Sorry, I can't scan the article today, so I'll type in the paragraphs in question. This is what was said that picqued my interest:
Beginning on Page 5, Paragraph 10
[ Marking People for Survival
10. The importance of the house-to-house ministry can be seen from a vision given to the prophet Ezekiel. In that vision, Ezekiel sees six men with weapons in their hands as well as a seventh man clothed in linen with a secretary's inkhorn at his side. The seventh man is told to "pass through the midst of the city" and "put a mark on the foreheads of the men that are sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done in the midst of it." Following that marking work, the six men with the slaughtering weapons are commanded to execute all those who do not have the mark.--Read Ezekiel 9:1-6.
11. We understand that in the fulfillment of this prophecy, the man "clothed in linen" represents the remnant of spirit-anointed Christians. By means of the preaching and disciple-making work, the anointed class puts a symbolic mark on those who become part of Christ's "other sheep." (John 10:16) What is the mark? It is the evidence, as if displayed on their uncovered foreheads, that such sheep are dedicated, baptized disciples of Jesus Christ and that they have put on the Christlike new personality. (Eph. 4:20-24) These sheeplike ones become one flock with anointed Christians and assist them in their vital work of marking still others.--Rev. 22:17.
12. Ezekiel's vision highlights one reason why our ongoing search for people who are "sighing and groaning" is so urgent. It involves lives. Soon, Jehovah's heavenly executional forces, represented by the six men with weapons, will destroy those who do not have the symbolic mark. Concerning that coming judgment, the apostle Paul wrote that the Lord Jesus, accompanied by "his powerful angels," will bring "vengeance upon those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus." (2 Thess. 1:7,8) Notice that people will be judged on the basis of their response to the good news. Hence, the proclamation of God's message must continue unabated right to the end. (Rev. 14:6,7) This places a heavy responsibility on all of Jehovah's dedicated servants.--Read Ezekiel 3:17-19. ]
It was my understanding that we used to be marking the sheep and the goats and that at some point in time that belief was discarded. Let me know if I'm right or wrong on that. It seems to me that the above paragraphs are saying that the marking work is back in place but that only those who become "dedicated, baptized disciples" will now survive Armageddon. So, even those who attend meetings but don't get baptized or are studying won't survive? And now Jehovah no longer reads hearts? Now it's just dedicated, baptized JWs who will survive?
Please read this and give me your interpretations and let me know if this is new.
StAnn