THE WAR AGAINST THE SAINTS

Revelation of John August 16, 2024 1 Comment

Nero persecutorPMW 2024-064 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

As I continue this study series on 666 and its application to Nero Caesar, we must now note that in the text the Beast is said to “make war with the saints and to overcome them” (Rev. 13:7). In fact, he is said to conduct such blasphemous warfare for a period of 42 months (Rev. 13:5).

Remarkably, the Neronic persecution of Christianity — the first and one of the most gruesome — lasted almost precisely that length of time. The persecution of Christianity by Nero began in the latter part of November, A.D. 64. It ended with the death of Nero, which occurred on the ninth of June, A.D. 68. [1] But for a few days, this represents a period of almost 42 months! How significant! Not only does Nero’s name fit the number of the Beast, but his persecution lasted the very time required by the Beast’s war against the saints. Continue reading →

616?

Uncategorized August 13, 2024 Comments: 2

616PMW 2024-063 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

This is my third study in a brief series on the number 666 found in Revelation 13:18 (and on many cash register receipts found in the pockets of people in emergency rooms, who had a heart attack when they were startled to find their store receipt with this precise figure!)

The Textual Variant 616
If you have a Bible with marginal references you will notice something of interest regarding Revelation 13:18. Your reference may say something to the effect: “Some manuscripts read 616.” The fact is that the number 666 in some ancient versions of Scripture is actually changed to 616. But why? Was it changed accidentally, or on purpose? Continue reading →

666 AND DUAL IMAGERY

Revelation August 9, 2024 Leave a comment

2 for 1PMW 2024-062 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

This is the second in a series on the infamous number 666, which is found in Revelation 13:18 (and, though this is irrelevant, also in 1 Kings 10:14; 2 Chron. 9:13; and Ezra 2:13). As we continue our study on this number, we must note the issue of:

Dual Imagery

In fact, before we actually point to the one indicated by John’s number, a widely recognized problem associated with the Beast imagery must be mentioned. Almost all commentators agree that the Beast imagery in Revelation shifts between the generic and the specific. That is, sometimes the Beast seems to picture a kingdom, sometimes a particular, individual king of that kingdom. [1]

The Beast of Revelation 13:1 and 17:1 has seven heads, which represent seven individual kings (Rev. 17:10). Thus, the Beast seems to be the kingdom in general. Yet at other times, the Beast is spoken of as if a specific individual. His number is the number of “a man” (Rev. 13:18). The beast is said to be one of his own heads (Rev. 17:11). The generic and specific are merged in Revelation 13:3 where the Beast as a whole is said to die when one of his heads dies, and he is said to come back to life when that head comes back to life (Rev. 13:3). Continue reading →

666?

Revelation of John August 6, 2024 1 Comment

666 RoutePMW 2024-061 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

One of the continuing interests that laymen have in Revelation regards the number 666. This dreaded number appears in 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.”

Who among us has not feared $6.66 coming up on his cash register receipt? Or worse yet, 666 appearing in his Social Security number!

The significance and usefulness of this number lies in the fact that in ancient days alphabets served a two-fold purpose. Letters functioned, of course, as phonetic symbols from which written words could be formed. But they also served as numerals, in that the Arabic numbering system was a much later development of history. Roman numerals are perhaps the most familiar example of this. Continue reading →

JESUS WARNS THE SANHEDRIN

Uncategorized August 2, 2024 Leave a comment

PMW 2024-060 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.Jesus before high priest

As we near the end of Matthew’s Gospel, we see further evidence of the Jewish rejection of the Messiah and evidence of Gentile inclusion in the people of God. Once again, this helps justify the Olivet Discourse given just a day or so earlier.

In Matthew 26:3–5 Israel’s chief priests and elders along with the high priest counsel Jesus’ death. They begin implementing their evil plan in verses 14–15 where they pay Judas to betray Jesus to them (cp. vv. 21–25, 45). But once again we find another indicator of Gentile inclusion: “Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her” (v. 13). Continue reading →

JESUS ENTERS JERUSALEM

Christ, Interpretation, Israel July 30, 2024 Leave a comment

PMW 2024-059 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.Triumphal entry

I have been doing a few surveys in Matthew’s Gospel. These are showing the failure of Israel and the expectation of Gentile salvation. I will skip now to the end of Matthew to continue this survey. By this means, I am tracing Matthew’s highly-structured presentation of Jesus’ ministry to show how it leads up to the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24–25. Now in Matthew 21:10 Jesus enters Jerusalem (for the first time in this Gospel). Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, the home of God’s temple, the seat of the high priesthood and their religious rule over Israel.

Matthew is clearly organizing his material to emphasize Jesus’ climactic entry into Jerusalem to confront and rebuke Israel’s religious authorities. As noted above, this confrontation has been brewing since Matthew 16:21: “From that time Jesus Christ began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day” (cp. 20:18). Continue reading →

REVELATION, RE-APPLICATION, INTERPRETATION

Revelation July 26, 2024 Comments: 4

PMW 2024-058 by Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

All Christians are called by God to study the Bible, for it is his Word designed for and graciously given to us for our good. As Paul says: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17).

And because of this, the Bereans are commended for their studious diligence in seeking to understand the Scriptures: “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Continue reading →