Acceptance of the God-incarnate status of Jesus is in Rastafari doctrine, as is the notion of the corruption of his teachings by secular, Western society, figuratively referred to as Babylon. For this reason, they believe, it was prophesied in the Book of Revelation – "And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel."[11] – that Jesus would return with a new name that would be inscribed on the foreheads of 144,000 of his most devoted servants. Rastas hold that this was fulfilled when Haile Selassie was crowned King of Kings on 2 November 1930, whom they see as the second coming of Jesus or the coming of the holy spirit, and therefore Jah, onto the Earth.
Rastas say that Jesus was black while Western Society (or Babylon) has commonly depicted him as white for centuries.
[edit] Zion vs. Babylon
Rastas assert that Zion (i.e., Africa, especially Ethiopia) is a land that Jah promised to them. To achieve this, they reject modern western society, calling it "Babylon", which they see as entirely corrupt.[6][8][12] "Babylon" is considered to have been in rebellion against "Earth's Rightful Ruler" (Jah) ever since the days of the Biblical king Nimrod.
Rastas claim that they are the real Children of Israel. Another historical viewpoint which seeks to validate this link between Ethiopia, Israel and the Rastafari belief system can be found under the Lion of Judah and their goal is to repatriate to Africa, or to Zion.[clarification needed] (Rasta reggae is peppered with references to Zion; among the best-known examples are the Bob Marley songs '"Zion Train" and "Iron Lion Zion".)
[edit] Paradise
Many Rastafari are physical immortalists who maintain that the chosen few will continue to live forever in their current bodies. This is commonly called "Life Everliving". Everliving in Iyaric replaces the term "everlasting" to avoid the "negative wordsound" of last implying an end. Rastas say their life will never have an end, but will be everliving, with Jah as king and Amharic the official language.
6.^ a b c d Dread, The Rastafarians of Jamaica, by Joseph Owens ISBN 0-435-98650-3
7.^ The Ganja Complex: Rastafari and Marijuana by Ansley Hamid (2002)
8.^ a b Chanting Down Babylon p. 342-343.
9.^ Chanting Down Babylon p. 1
10.^ a b The Rastafarians by Leonard E. Barrett, p. 252.
11.^ Various (1611). "7:4". The Bible (King James ed.). http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=+Revelation+7%3A4-8&version=9;.
12.^ Edmonds, p. 54
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