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More troubles for those who do not follow "the beast" by being unable to buy or sell. There are notes in The Voice bible:
The number "666" stands in contrast to the perfection of the Lamb and the Spirit. Because this number is "the number of a person," readers have tried to pin down the identity of this person throughout history. In John's day, the name and title "Nero Caesar" was a likely candidate for the beast because Nero persecuted and executed believers, demanding obedience and even worship. Every era seems to have its Neros, those beastly characters who occupy seats of power and yet use their power to oppress God's people. The speculation continues as to this person's identity, but what has not changed is the message of hope in the midst of extreme persecution; that is the beauty proclaimed in this vision given to John.
My Pastor always says to remember that scripture was written for those of the time. I think the line he uses "it means what it meant." I do like what the notes say in The Voice that every era has those trying to destroy Christianity, but there is always hope! Thank God for our hope!
Revelation 13
ReplyDeleteThe Beast From the Sea
2 The beast that I saw was like a leopard. Its feet were like bear’s feet. Its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. The serpent gave its power, kingdom, and far-reaching authority to the beast.
4 They worshiped the serpent because it had given authority to the beast. They also worshiped the beast and said, “Who is like the beast? Who can fight a war with it?”
8 Everyone living on earth will worship it, everyone whose name is not written in the Book of Life. That book belongs to the lamb who was slaughtered before the creation of the world.
The Beast From the Earth
11 I saw another beast come from the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb. It talked like a serpent.
14a It deceives those living on earth with the signs that it is allowed to do in front of the first beast.
15b-18 Then the statue of the beast commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die. He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Rev/Beast-Sea
ReplyDeleteThat is a link to a pretty good commentary about this chapter.