Quote from: keelba on May 21, 2013, 12:50:10 PM

Quote from: Bush on May 21, 2013, 11:32:18 AM

I introduced bitcoin to a friend and they started talking about how the bible predicts a currency take over and its the start of the Revelation.

Has anyone else run into this problem?

I have had people say things like that to me, not that I'd label it a problem. But I can certainly understand where this is coming from. When I was much younger, and still under the influence of the religious views of others, I recall hearing about the "Mark of the Beast" and, probably more than 20 years ago, had discussions with people about implanting chips in our bodies to use as money. I used to tell myself, "No way! I'd never do that. I'd die first!". I'm much wiser today. Most people aren't.

When I look back at all of the atrocities committed by mankind recently and throughout the millennia, I find that most of them were done in the name of religion. I can see time, after time, after time again, where people were basically brainwashed into doing what was right for the religious leaders but far from righteous. I can see now how a prophecy of something like Bitcoin could scare these leaders. I can see now why we might be lead to believe this is the Mark of the Beast and should avoid it at all costs, when really it's just a matter of self preservation for the unrighteous leaders of church and state.

As far as the "problem" goes, don't worry about it. You cannot argue with irrational people so don't even try. These people, as nice as they might be, are sheep. They have proven that by their current belief systems. And just like sheep, when the world begins adopting Bitcoin, they too will fall in line. Try to find better people to have philosophical discussions with and stick to talking sports and weather with these types.

Who knows your friend may be onto something, out of the mouth of babes.

I do not think the reference to the mark of the beast, is correct for this situation.

Perhaps your friend was suggesting a relation between Bitcoin playing the role of a catalyst for the vision described in the book of Daniel Chapter 2.

"The second chapter of Daniel contains the prophetic vision (received by King Nebuchadnezzar) of the great image that Daniel by inspiration showed to represent the march of Gentile world powers, ending with their destruction by the Kingdom set up by the God of heaven, which Kingdom then rules earth wide."

http://biblehub.com/daniel/2-34.htm
http://biblehub.com/daniel/2-35.htm

"34 You kept on looking until a stone was cut out not by hands, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and of molded clay and crushed them."

"35 At that time the iron, the molded clay, the copper, the silver and the gold were, all together, crushed and became like the chaff from the summer threshing floor, and the wind carried them away so that no trace at all was found of them. And as for the stone that struck the image, it became a large mountain and filled the whole earth."

Daniels vision today is expected to serve as a prophetic precursor to events still to occur. We can only speculate as to what it will be (hind site is 20/20 after all).

Edit: Photo Update

The image depicts the succession of world powers starting with Babylon and ending with all of them being crushed and replaced by the Kingdom of God (2:1-49)

It is believed that the iron, the molded clay, the copper, the silver and the gold are a reflection of today's fractured political and economic global condition.

Like elements poorly forged together, it would take little effort, in this case Bitcoin and its adoption, to bring change to today's current economic, financial, and political global landscape.

If you would like to read more about the book of Daniel and come to your own conclusions regarding it's implications for the future, then give this link a read.

Listen to the Bible in your language online.

Edit: Some may find the image depicted below humorous.

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