A second option for calculating or reckoning the number of the Beast would be to jump directly to the symbolic meaning of the number 666. Perhaps when John calls for the one with understanding to “calculate” or “reckon” the number…
Turning Numbers into Names In a previous post, I introduced the idea that the quest for a specific name that would equate to 666 is probably a misguided quest. The modern reader can be forgiven for wondering about the practice…
Why the Quest for a Name Is the Wrong Quest Revelation 13:18 encourages the wise to calculate or decode the number of the Beast. Many translations mislead the reader to search for a specific person whose name fits with 666.…
Revelation 2:17: “The one who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To the one who conquers, I will give him some of the hidden manna and I will give him a white…
Last year, I posted a week by week guide for the Scripture readings of Advent. I have updated the first three of those posts so that they can be useful for you this year as well. The fourth week of…
Preparing Our Hearts for Christmas: Advent Our world is saturated with a certain type of focus upon Christmas and preparing for its coming. That focus directs our attention to shopping and Christmas parties with friends. The time devoted to these…
Pergamum as Satan’s Throne and Dwelling Place (Rev. 2:12) First-century Pergamum has two characteristics that might qualify her to be the place of Satan’s throne and his dwelling place. She has many temples associated with pagan deities, with temples to…
Introduction to the Pergamum Letter The letter to Pergamum is quite different from the letter to Smyrna. Although they are under similar pressures, the church at Pergamum is beginning to give in to the pressures of its pagan environment and…
A Church in a Time of Tribulation The letter to Smyrna differs from the letter to Ephesus in that Jesus does not cite any weaknesses for this church. The church of Smyrna is in the midst of “tribulation,” which is…
There are a few points in each of the seven letters that are mysterious or deserve special attention. In order to teach on each letter, it helps to give special attention to such points. I have selected out a few…