Jump Start # 671

Revelation 13:18 “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.”

Last week, we published Jump Start # 666. That number made me think of this passage. Many get excited about that number. I was in a store once, at the checkout line, standing behind a lady. Her purchase, when tax was added in, came to be $6.66. 666. She panicked. She walked away. She didn’t buy the item. She didn’t give the clerk any money. She just left. The clerk looked a me. I said, “I guess that’s not her lucky number.” People don’t like that number.

Our Jump Starts are not intended to be a scholarly detailed analysis of a passage. I certainly wouldn’t be writing them if they were. However, there are a few simple things we can know about this 666 business.

First, the book of Revelation is extremely figurative. It is considered apocalyptic literature. It is similar to Ezekiel’s vision and Zechariah. The first chapter tells us that it is “signified” or in symbols. That is important. Symbols have meaning. They are intended to represent things. Making things literal when they are intended to by symbols, misses the point and gives a false idea that was never intended. Colors and numbers are important part of these symbols. We understand that today. School colors, the color of a flag—represent things. Seven is God’s number. Seven churches…seven seals…seven bowls of wrath. Six six six  is never seven seven seven. It misses it each time. Six is not God. Six is the number of the beast, the enemy of God’s people. The enemy of God. It is called the number of a man. It is not divine.

Second, the message was given to the Christians in the first century. They were the original readers. We forget that. We think that John wrote that just for Americans of this generation. That thinking, will also lead to ideas that are not intended. The first Christians had to understand the message. Remember, those early Christians were being persecuted. They were scared and uncertain. Revelation is a book of confidence and hope. The message is, “Jesus wins.” One of the key words found throughout the book is “overcome.” They were to overcome and continue on in their faith. John is showing those early Christians a vision. Rome would be defeated. More than that, behind Rome was Satan. He, too, would be defeated. It is all to be in God’s time.

Third, the messages of Revelation have a specific and targeted meaning. Randomly coming across the number six, six, six is not a sign from Heaven, nor an indication that someone is the son of Satan. Getting six six six in change or buying something that costs six six six means nothing. God doesn’t operate through signs. He speaks through His son (Heb 1:1-2). The number is not to be taken literally. If 666 is to be dreaded, then the opposite ought to be true. Getting 777 in change ought to mean I’m an angel. That’s certainly not the case, just ask my wife.

Man’s way and God’s way. That’s the thoughts being addressed in Revelation. The way of man is Satan, Rome, power, oppression and death. God’s way is Christ, salvation, His kingdom, life and Heaven. Man’s way will not stop God’s way. God will prevail. This has shown true for centuries. Some have tried to wipe out the Bible. It’s still around. Others have tried to gather up Christians and kill them. Christians are still around. Nebuchadnezzars have come and gone.  Caesars have come and gone. Hitlers have come and gone. God remains. God is faithful.

The identifying marks of a Christian are not a number, such as 7, but righteous living and devoted faith to the Lord of Heaven and earth. Those that belong to God walk by faith—every day. They worship regularly with God’s people. They are connected to the Lord in prayer. They happily engage in building the kingdom of God. They stand where God stands. They are not ashamed of either the message nor the life that God wants them to live.

Forget astrology. Put down the number charts. Open the Bible and learn to become what God wants. This is the sign that we ought to see everywhere. It’s seen in the home as moms and dads do their best to bring their children in the way of the Lord. It’s seen in the choices that they make. It is seen in their attitudes. It is seen in their outlook on life. It is seen in what motivates and what moves them. The people of God are awesome! They come when duty calls. They shudder not when Satan raises his ugly head. They carry the banner of Jesus. Heaven is their home, their destination, and their hope. Nothing will stop them. They are the people of God.

Did it scare me to write Jump Start # 666? Not a bit. Should it have? No. Our trust is in God and not a random number that comes up.

Roger