Ann Althouse writes about the numerological superstitions some Christians apparently attach to 06/06/06:
If there is a God, do you think there's a chance in Hell that he smiles on your superstitiousness?I've no doubt there is a God and that maybe Ann could have found a better way to ask her question. But I couldn't agree more with the sentiment behind it.
I wrote in the comments on her blog [with additions in brackets]:
You're right on, Ann. The Bible condemns all superstitiousness, although there are images or ideas sometimes represented by numbers [there]. [The Biblical call is to rely on God and not our superstitions, which amount to idols to which we attribute god-like power over our lives.]On Sunday, I cited Proverbs 3:5, which says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart..." People who spin fanciful and unfaithful scenarios from the Bible based on numerology are guilty not only of enthroning superstitions as their gods, but also of making idols of their own intellects. It's too bad that they scare the credulous. But then, nobody ever went broke mocking God.
Forty, as in forty days and forty nights and forty years, is thought to have meant "a long time," as in contemporary phrases like "a month of Sundays." (That doesn't preclude forty references from being taken literally, [which I do].)
Seven, because of the Genesis 1 account of creation is the number of completeness, remembering that on the seventh day, God [rested, after declaring] all His creative work, "very good." (And given the wonders of the universe, who can disagree with that assessment?)
In the Gospel of John, eight, as in "eight days later" or "on the eighth day" represents the new creation that issues from Jesus' resurrection for all with faith in Him. The eighth day is God giving all creation another chance at wholeness, a state of being marred by the condition of sin.
Six, because of the same Genesis account, sometimes represented incompletion or even alienation from God. It represented being not to Sabbath rest or the new creation.
Most interpretations of the New Testament book of Revelation are hogwash that pay no attention to its historical context or the fact that it's a "Johannine" document, its authorship attributed to John the Evangelist, who employed a rich mixture of Hebrew and Greek images and philosophical ideas in his writing.
Many ancient texts have the number in Revelation as "616" anyway. But whether that or "666" is irrelevant. Numerology isn't Biblical or Christian.
I'm spending my June 6 undergoing a surgical procedure at the periodontist's office. However it turns out, I'm trusting God, no matter the day on our Roman calendar.
[Thanks to Done with Mirrors and Pajamas Media for linking to this post.]
[Thanks also to Matt Brown at Good Brownie and Rick Moore at HolyCoast for also linking to this piece.]
4 comments:
Hello Mark and all,
Here are some insights on the true meaning and purpose of 666. To see the beast you must know where to look. Hope this helps clarify many age-old mysteries...
Pay close attention, profundity knocks at the door, listen for the key. Be Aware! Scoffing causes blindness...
666 is a numeric symbol that purposely marks the Vatican/Papacy throughout history, not any single individual. The number 666 is put forth in verse 13:18 in the Book of Revelation and of course, 6+6+6 equals 18, directly matching the verse number and helping to disprove any 616 assertions. The following information on triangular numbers further disproves attempts to hide the truth.
Revelation 13:18
Here is wisdom. Let him that has understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Men, women, and beasts symbolize organizations and groups of people in all symbolically sealed Hebrew prophecies and Revelation never mentions the so-called antiChrist. 666 is the most famous of all triangular numbers, being the sum of the whole numbers from 1 through 36. Triangular numbers were very important to Greek Pythogoreans and Hebrew wisdom groups purposely used them as pivotal symbolism pointing to Greco-Romans.
Likewise, John 21:11, which speaks of Peter, the supposed first Pope, has the number 21 in its chapter and verse number. 21 is also a triangular number that is the sum of all whole numbers from 1-6, thereby forming a triangle with three 6 point sides, hence a triangular 666.
John 21:11
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land (earth) full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three (153); and for all there were so many, yet the net was not broken.
Additionally, 153 is a triangular number that is the sum of the whole numbers 1 through 17. Also the verse number is 11 and the sum of all whole numbers from 1 through 11 equals 66 and 17-11 equals 6. Why are 11 and 17 important in this verse talking about Peter and 666? The Second Temple period of ancient Israel was during the 11th 360-year cycle on the Hebrew calendar and the 21st century is the beginning of the 17th cycle, which began in Hebrew year 5761, which was Christian year 2001. Thereby, John 21:11 purposely links Peter, the Papacy, 666, and the 11th through 17th cycles on the Hebrew calendar. Notice also that the prophecies of St. Malachy say that the Papacy will end shortly, which will be during the 21st century and 17th cycle? Here is Wisdom!!
Also read the following article - Verifiable proof that "Armageddon" has begun
For more stunning confirmation of this information, download my FREE EBook and read through the symbol glossary for 1776, 666, 153, 66, 36, 21, 18, net, triangle, and triangular number and their related references. Be prepared to be shocked and amazed.
There is a foolproof way to verify the truth and expose centuries-old religious deceptions. It also proves why we can no longer let the Vatican tell us what to think about ancient history or much else. It is the common thread connecting why the ancient Hebrews, Yahad/Essene, Jews, Gnostics, Cathars, Templars, Dead Sea Scrolls, DaVinci Code, and others have been targets of Rome’s ire and evil machinations. The Vatican and its secret society cohorts don’t want you to understand that the ancient Hebrew symbology in all of these texts purposely encodes and exposes the truth about them. Furthermore, the structure of ancient wisdom symbology verifiably encodes the rules to decode messages built with it. This is what they most fear you will discover.
If the Bible represented the literal truth or even accurate history, there would be no need for faith in the assertions of deceptive and duplicitous clergy and their ilk. It is undeniable the New Testament is awash with ancient Hebrew symbolism and allegory. The same is evidenced in the Old Testament, Dead Sea Scrolls, Gnostic texts, biblical apocrypha, Quran, DaVinci Code, and other related sources. All ancient religious, mystical, and wisdom texts have been shrouded in mystery for millennia for one primary reason: The ability to understand their widely evidenced symbology was lost in antiquity. How do we finally solve these ages-old mysteries? To recast an often-used political adage: It’s [the] symbology, stupid!
It is beyond amazing that the Vatican still tries to insist the Gospels are the literal truth. Every miracle purported for Jesus has multiple direct symbolic parallels in the Old Testament, Apocalypse, Dead Sea Scrolls, and other symbolic narratives and traditions. Recasting the symbolism of earlier Hebrew texts as literal events in the New Testament is one of the central deceptions associated with Christianity. This is part of the secret knowledge held by the ancient Gnostics, Templars, Cathars, and others, which is presented with dramatic effect in the DaVinci Code. None of these narratives or stories were ever intended as the literal truth. This fact is the key to unraveling many ages-old mysteries and exposing the truth about the Vatican's long-term deceptions.
It's no wonder the Vatican fears the truth more than anything else. As further proof of these assertions, seek to understand the symbolic significance of my name (Seven Star Hand) and you will have proof beyond disproof that Jews, Christians, and Muslims have long been duped by the great deceivers I warned humanity about over the millennia. What then is the purpose of "faith" but to keep good people from seeking to understand the truth?
Now comes justice, hot on its heels... (symbolism...)
Not only do I talk the talk, I walk the walk...
Here is Wisdom!!
Revelations from the Apocalypse
Peace...
SSH:
I frankly think that a lot of what you present here is silly and ultimately both trite and unhelpful to those who would follow Jesus Christ.
Who cares if 6+6+6=18? When John wrote the book of Revlation, the book had no verse numbers. Those were later added to make it easier for people to look up and refer to passages of Scripture. This also puts to rest any notion that numerolgical nonsense relates to this book at all.
The same applies to John 21. John didn't invent the chapters.
Indeed, this numerological stuff is on a par with Gnostic heresies, that insisted that Christians needed to learn certain "secret" knowledge in order to b right with God. While it's true that the Scriptures, particularly those parts composed by John, an accomplished artist, will use images and ideas that provide background insight to strengthen our faith, he's no Gnostic.
The book of Revelation, as originally written, addressed seven churches as they confronted the spiritual and physical crises represented by thwe Roman government and its threat to the Church. The Beast is Rome.
That isn't to say that it doesn't have relevance to today's world. It clearly does.
As to Rome and the papacy, I have many disagreements with Roman Catholic theology, some of which I've addressed on this blog. But I have no doubt that Roman Catholics are followers of Jesus Christ. I have no doubt of the commitment to Jesus Christ of Pope Benedict and I definitely don't regard him as the antichrist, a term which I believes the spirit of rebellion against God in our world. The antichrist can be seen working in the Church as well and is evident every time the Church decides to do things its way rather than in God's way.
DennisS:
Good insight on the Bible's use of the term 40!
Both of you: Thanks for reading and taking the time to respond to this post.
Blessings in the Name of the Savior Jesus!
Mark
Cincinnatus:
Revelation wasn't originally written in Aramaic, but in Greek, like the rest of the New Testament.
Mark
Cincy: Okay. You're absolutely right about the hokum of this stuff. Blessings!
Mark
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