Insight volume 1 849 Forehead ***
As described at Ezekiel 9:3-6, a class of persons are marked in their forehead for protection from destruction by God?s executional forces, not being marked by angels in this instance, nor with a "seal," but by a man who has "a secretary?s inkhorn." Pictured as "sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done," these, when ?marked,? show themselves to be slaves and devotees of Jehovah; their actions, practices, and personalities evidently give evidence of this before all, as if written ?on their foreheads.?
Proclaimers 165 12 The Great Crowd to Live in Heaven? Or on Earth? ***
The prophecy says that the ones marked would be "sighing and groaning over all the detestable things that are being done" in the midst of Christendom, or antitypical Jerusalem. (Ezek. 9:4) Surely, then, they could not be deliberately sharing in those detestable things. The first volume of
Vindication therefore identified those having the mark as being people who refuse to be part of the church organizations of Christendom and who in some way take their stand on the Lord?s side.
*** w88 9/15 14 Listen-Jehovah's Watchman Speaks! ***
The antitypical ?man in linen? is the class of anointed Christians. They go from house to house to put a symbolic mark on those who become part of the "great crowd" of Christ?s "other sheep." The "mark" is the evidence that such sheep are dedicated, baptized individuals with a Christlike personality. They ?sigh and groan over detestable things? done in Christendom, and they have come out of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion. (Revelation 18:4, 5) Their "mark" will make it plain to God?s executional forces that they should be spared during the "great tribulation." They can retain that "mark" by sharing with the anointed ones in marking yet others. So, if you have been ?marked,? share zealously in the ?marking? work.?Ezekiel 9:8-11.
*** w87 4/15 11 Gaining Peace With God Through Dedication and Baptism ***
These protectively ?marked? ones were sickened because persons claiming to worship the true God had ?filled the land with violence? and had engaged in sexual immorality, idolatry, and all manner of other wrong conduct. (Ezekiel 8:5-18; Jeremiah 7:9) Likewise today, those who would be ?marked? must first learn, through a study of the Bible, to value God?s standards and become grieved at heart, yes, to ?sigh and groan,? over teachings and practices that dishonor him. Perhaps because of ignorance some engaged in wrongdoing or consented to such by giving their support. Yet, now they begin to view such activities as God views them?with disgust! (Romans 1:24-32; Isaiah 2:4; Revelation 18:4; John 15:19)
This increased appreciation leads to one of the first steps to gain peace with God: repentance. The apostle Peter urged: "Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out, that seasons of refreshing [rather than wrath] may come from the person of Jehovah." (Acts 3:19) How refreshing such forgiveness is!
The symbolic mark is the evidence, as if displayed on your uncovered forehead, (1) that you are a dedicated, baptized disciple of Jesus Christ and (2) that you have put on the Christlike new personality. (Ephesians 4:20-24) Since those thus ?marked? must first make a dedication, we need to know what this involves. Jesus explains: "If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and follow me continually."?Mark 8:34.
*** w87 8/15 31 Do You Remember? ***
What does it mean to be marked for survival by the prophetic man with the secretary?s inkhorn in Ezekiel?s vision? (Ezekiel 9:2-6)It means that one has dedicated oneself to God to do his will, has been baptized as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and has put on the Christlike personality.?4/15, pages 11, 12.
Survival book 96 12 Identified for Destruction or Survival? ***
Many people are disillusioned with the churches and no longer attend. They may also be greatly disturbed about the violence and dishonesty in the world. But that does not necessarily mean that they are marked for survival. They must be marked by the ?man with the secretary?s inkhorn.? The facts show that "the faithful and discreet slave" class is doing that marking work today.?Matthew 24:45-47.
All who want to be marked as having God?s approval must accept the instruction that Jehovah is providing through that "slave" class and become true worshipers of Jehovah. They must not be persons who honor Jehovah with their mouths but who really love the world?s ways.
