I noted in my last post on the Mark of the Beast there is little doubt that John was using an ancient practice of Gematria and that by means of this practice it is quite likely that 666 represents Nero. This view is quite common among scholars of the book of Revelation. In this post, I wish to address how it is that we know this and elaborate on what this might mean for us. NB: this post will be... Read more
Monday: Read 1 Cor 12:1-11 1 Cor 12:1 begins with, “now concerning spiritual gifts,” (“people”?)[2] which indicates that Paul is addressing the next item in the letter they wrote to him (see 7:1; 8:1). Paul now begins to address the issues of spiritual people and the exercise of spiritual gifts. It is important to recognize that the discussion on spiritual gifts continues through 1 Cor 14. In the middle of 1 Cor 12 and 14 is the “love chapter” of... Read more
Let me say it straight up: understanding what the book of Revelation (and the whole of the Bible) says about the nature of the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of the world is of utmost significance. This is especially the case for the western church in the early part of the 21st century. NT scholar Gordon Fee states it plainly: “The main themes [of the book of Revelation] are clear. The church and state are on a collision course... Read more
Monday: Read 1 Cor 9:19-27 As we mentioned last week, Paul begins a discussion in 8:1-11:34 on the topic of idolatry and our concerns for the weaker brother/sister. Paul distinguishes between what “knowledge” says and what “love” says (8:1-3). In 9:1-27, Paul notes that he has forsaken certain privileges that he had every right to, for the sake of the others (to be paid and to have a wife). In Paul’s words, knowledge says that he could receive pay, but... Read more
Monday: Read 1 Cor 7:1-6 Paul opens 1 Cor 7:1 with the statement, “now concerning the matters you wrote about.” This is a clear indication that Paul is now responding to a letter they wrote to him. One of the things that makes understanding Corinthians difficult is that we do not know what they said in their letter. We can only infer what they said based on Paul’s response. It is important to recognize that sometimes Paul cites what they... Read more
As I noted in my last post, the Mark of the Beast mimics the Seal of God, which is given to the people of God (see: 14:1—I am assuming here that the “name of Jesus and the Father” on the foreheads of the 144,000 is the same as the “Seal of God” on the foreheads of the 144,000 in 7:2-3. I am also assuming here that the “144,000” represents all of the people of God, but that will have to... Read more
Monday: Read 1 Cor 3:16-23 As we mentioned in our last study, 1 Corinthians 3:5-4:17 is Paul’s longest discussion on leadership and how the members relate. In 3:16 he continues with, “Do you not know? (16). This question/phrase occurs 10x in the letter. With it, Paul implies that they have not really considered the implications of their actions. What is it that they haven’t considered? That they are the temple of God and that the Spirit dwells in them (16-17).... Read more
So you want to know who/what the Beast in the book of Revelation is and the significance of 666. In order to answer these questions, we must first discern their significance in the book of Revelation and then we can ask what the application might be for us today. 666 First, I am not the antichrist even though I was born in 6-66. Secondly, I can assure you the Mark of the Beast and “666” is not embedded on the... Read more
Monday: Read 1 Cor 1:1-9 Paul’s writings customarily begin with a greeting and a thanksgiving. Though we might want to skip them and move on to the body of the letter, we actually need to pay close attention. Some of the key issues in Paul’s letters first appear in the greeting and thanksgivings. This letter, which we call “1st Corinthians” is actually the second letter that Paul has written to this church (see 5:9). Paul writes to them to address... Read more
One of the most common questions people have when it comes to the book of Revelation is what 666 means. Related to this is the question of who/what is the Beast. Unfortunately, many of the so-called prophecy experts of the last 50 years have done far more harm than good when it comes to helping us understand these issues. There is an old saying, “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to... Read more
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