David,
Your posting suggests to me that you have, perhaps, not given the Book
of Revelation the attention it deserves. Its contents represent a direct
communication from the Lord (1:1), and 22:18 further makes it clear that
one would be most unwise to treat it lightly. I therefore take it that
13:18's offer of wisdom is seriously meant; further, I perceive that 666
is an interesting number, per se. Thus, a simple consideration of these
matters should generate the incentive to lead the inquiring mind further
- not necessarily to determine the identity of the beast, however, but
rather to uncover remarkable numerical coincidences by the process of
reading Scripture's Hebrew and Greek words as numbers.
Clearly, those who continue to claim (without proof!) that structures of
equal interest may be found in any text, have just not understood* the
strength of the evidence.
David, I respectfully suggest that these are important matters to
pursue.
Sincerely,
Vernon
*Or, as is more likely, are unwilling to countenance such a move of the
Lord!
PS I am unable to find the term 'eisegesis' in my dictionary. Can you
explain?
V
David F Siemens wrote:
>
> On Sat, 20 Jan 2001 22:41:03 EST PHSEELY@aol.com writes:
> > Vernon wrote:
> >[both mostly cut]
> > <<Paul, as yet you have failed to comment on my reading of Rev.13:18
> > - a
> > verse which, (a) offers wisdom, and (b) dare not be ignored. ETC>>
> >
> > I do not have the background to speak to this.
> >
> > Paul
> >
> Why should reference to one number in scripture be a justification for
> all numerology? This is especially a problem since expositors are sharply
> divided on whether this was a covert reference to a person in the
> author's time (presented cryptically to avoid retaliation) or a prophetic
> reference to the end times. Additionally, there are various ways in which
> the 666 has been worked out. I suspect that, should I wish to waste the
> time doing it, I could find some passage in which either Greek or Hebrew
> numerals (especially with the help of changed word order) gave that
> total. Would that be the inspired interpretation of the numerals? I take
> it to be rather an irrelevant coincidence. There are more important
> matters to pursue, like Paul's word studies which make a hash of Vernon's
> exegesis and eisegesis.
> Dave
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