The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Revelation 13:18

It has been claimed that Nero (Nrn Qsr) was the 666 beast of Rev 13:18.

By the rules of Hebrew gematria, a “final” has a different numeric value than its first occurrence. A “final” nun (as in Nrn) has the numeric value of 700 by itself, so this eliminates Nero as being the 666 beast.

God does not state the language to be used to “count the number”. Rev 13:18

What other numerical “suspect” do the Reformed provide and what language do they use to arrive at that sum for that suspect?
Thank you.

1. Okay, who makes that claim? I have heard/read that too, but can't remember who/where it came to my attention. I do not think it is a valid view.

2. Hebrew Gematria has no credibility whatsoever in interpreting the Bible. It is simply a fabricated alleged "key" to understanding writings which are typical of such contrived "systems".

3. Most reputable Reformed scholars have no "numerical suspect". They use the Greek, of course, to interpret not only that text but all NT Scripture and Hebrew to interpret the OT. Are you one who has embraced some form of numerology?

Pilgrim you asked ... am I one who has embraced some form of numerology?

No, rather I have an interest in determining who was ... or is ... the numbered beast that our Lord noted in Rev 13:18.

Do you not have an interest in that subject yourself?
Or, have you already concluded who that may be?

I would be interested in hearing what you personally have discovered on this subject.

1. I have a limited amount of interest in determining who this person is whose name is "666". Why? Because there is no command nor even a suggestion that one should try and do that.

What John through the Spirit wrote was to alert those who are true followers of Christ to watch. Yes, watch for some very unique and evil individual who will be coming and who must come according to God's perfect plan to bring judgment upon this world... And, to purge the visible Church of false believers... And, to sanctify His saints through persecution. For after this "666" individual arrives, the coming of Christ will soon? follow and our redemption which He said draws near shall come to its fruition.

2. Thus, I spend no time trying to speculate who this particular individual was or is. My time is spent 'watching', not current events, but rather myself in how I live on this earth striving to complete the race and to avoid all sin through the power of the indwelling Spirit.

3. My position is that NO ONE knows who this person is except God, just as no one knows the hour or day when Christ shall appear once again to gather His elect for glory.

According to Strong's, the phrase "of a man" is the word "anthropos" (#444). For anyone with knowledge of Greek, could this be equally validly translated as "of man"?

This site has available on-line a large number of commentaries, where you can read the various thoughts on the subject.

Your reply "seems" to indicate a future arrival of this person.

You state in part ... My position is that NO ONE know who this person is except God ... ...

Thank you for your time on this subject.

Do others here hold to the same position as Pilgrim regarding this 666 personage?

That is correct. It would make no sense whatsoever if what John wrote referred to the past.

Yes, "of man" is correct, or "a human number".

Re: commentaries online. There are only a handful of good commentators worth reading, especially on the book Revelation. IF they have R.C.H. Lenski online, he's pretty good on Revelation. His section on Rev. 13:18 is very good.