Last night I dreamed I was a person of some influence and sway in the religious community. Young, single, and female. There was a national call to join the US military. It was spoken of as the patriotic thing to do. Churches were also pushing this movement and encouraging their young people to serve God and country. I had decided to “lead” the Christian youth of America by my example and join.
There was a hesitation and question among the fundamentalists. The military was now giving a tattoo on the upper right arm, near the shoulder that was a symbol of loyalty and meant that you had sworn to obey and protect the United States (whatever that is.) The tattoo seemed like a visual mark of another “oath” or mark that you had taken. (I think it was secondary to the ID chip, but that was not addressed in the dream…) I knew that the tattoo was the issue that the fundamental Christian groups had taken exception to and were debating. They were arguing amongst themselves about whether or not it was the “Mark of the Beast.” The most common belief was that it was not, because it was on the shoulder, not the forehead or the arm. Also, they all believed that Christians would all be raptured before that biblical “mark” was issued… so this couldn’t be it.
However, there was that oath of fealty and obedience that you had swear to the mark. There was also that fact that life as a free citizen was beginning to revolve more and more around who had taken the oath (with evidence, but not necessarily a tattoo).
So. I was invited to speak to a group of highschool and college age Christian young people and to publicly tell them that I was joining the military and why I felt like it was the Christian thing to do. The pastor was very excited about it and told me that I was a true inspiration and that this would help calm the fears of a lot of young people.
However, the Spirit of God began to warn me that I was wrong. I didn’t know what to think. Everyone that I knew and respected told me that I was on the right track. But I felt a gathering doom and dread and began to pray desperately.
A rather odd, bearded young man had rented an old room in the back of the old church building on the other side of the church property. I heard that he was a little “wacky” but that he spent all his time studying the Bible. They said he was nuts. But I ran into this man and asked him what he thought about the “mark” and what was happening world wide.
The man seemed like Gabe to me in the dream… or similar in spirit. Much younger and less mature. He talked rapidly for several hours and told me all that he had found in Scripture. I wondered why he had not told the pastor what he thought… or the young people there. He said he had no audience to speak with them… they would not hear him. They thought he was crazy.
I prayed more and thought a lot. Finally it was time to give my “testimony.” In the dream I felt awkward and hesitant…. like I didn’t want to “speak” and felt like it wasn’t appropriate. But I also felt like God was saying “say the truth” and implied: “and be willing to die.”
The pastor gave a warm and excited opening. He was so “thrilled” for the young people to have this opportunity to hear from a real “warrior of faith.”
I felt worse and worse but knew what I had to do.
I said; “The mark/oath is now a necessary… meaning you have to show it… in order to pick up your child from the dentist or _____.” (I can’t remember what else was here.) “It is mandatory in order to get a driver’s license in every state but one. You can not join the military and fight for “God and country” without taking this oath. In most of the largest, most popular shopping businesses, you cannot make a purchase without this mark. You certainly cannot start a business without it.”
I have prayed and thought long and hard about this decision on taking the oath and the tattoo in order to do what everyone believes is right. This is what God has shown me:”
(At this point the pastor looked relieved… he was beginning to get worried but now he seemed to think I was going to shatter everyone’s fears.)
I continued by reading aloud:
“In Lev 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I [am] the LORD…. This was spoken to the priests… instructing them that in order to be sanctified and set apart to God, they could not make any marks upon themselves.”
Then I turned to a passage that I remember as being the “connecting thought” between the verse above and the last verses which are in Revelation. However, upon waking, I could not remember what I had read. ( The verses below (in Mark) communicate what I “felt” and wanted to say: that the mark is about allegiance. It is about “belonging.” And God is jealous of His “image.” )
Mar 12:14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?
But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see [it].
And they brought [it].
And he saith unto them, Whose [is] this image and superscription?
And they said unto him, Caesar’s.
And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.”
Then I remember reading the verses in Revelation that mention the “mark.” Maybe these:
Rev 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Rev 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Then I looked up and said; “This is why I believe it is wrong for me to take this oath and this mark and why, before God, I cannot do it… not because it is “the Mark of the Beast…” maybe it is… but because I belong to God, and I cannot make a mark upon myself or take an oath that indicates that I belong to anyone or anything else.”
Then I walked out of the building, across the parking lot and past the room where the guy was staying who had told me all the stuff he had found in the Bible. There was a girl trotting beside me asking me what I was going to do and why. She was nervous and afraid. I told her that I had to leave now. That it was not safe for me to be “here” anymore.
As I passed the room I called out “I am leaving now… I am going… will you come with me?” I called out three times as I continued to climb a hill that led “away.” At the third call, the guy came out of the room and he had backpacks and gear. He was already ready and now handed me a pack and led the way over the hill. We left everything that we knew.
The dream continued in more familiar scenes that didn’t have much of a story line and I awoke now and then throughout the rest of the dream… I felt like the “real” part of the dream was the first part which I have written above.
___________________________________________________________
So, we prayed about this dream. A lot of the stuff in it are things I already think/know… so, could be a projection of my own thoughts. However, the interesting part to me was the tattoo on the upper right arm of servicemen. This is something I have never thought or heard of. It was portrayed as “cool” and something to be proud of. It seemed like a secondary, visual mark to the ID mark… Gabe says the Roman empire put a tattoo or brand on the arm of it’s soldiers, and also required an oath to the Emperor. I did not know that before today. The rest may be my own thoughts, or not, but it was the setting so I included it.