Clarification: Yesterday I noted that names could be written by assigning the corresponding number in the alphabet for each letter in the name. Using the Hebrew alphabet 666 is Nero. In some ancient manuscripts the number John uses is 616. If you convert 616 to letters you get Neron, which was an acceptable way to render Nero’s name. So, wither way, 616 or 666, when converted to letters in the Hebrew (Aramaic) alphabet you get Nero.
John completes his first broad sweep of history in chapter 14. It is important to remember we are reading apocalyptic writings. Most of the gross misinterpretations of the Book of Revelation come about from trying to make John’s revelation something it is not, or by taking literal what John clearly intends to be symbolic. I stress this point again because of the misconceptions in chapter 14 brought on by popular books like, The Late Great Planet Earth and the Left Behind series.
The reference to the mark on the foreheads of the 144,000 is a way to distinguish this group from those with the mark of the beast. John is drawing on memories of Passover from the Book of Exodus when the people of God marked their households. The 144,000 is a multiple of 10 and 12 thus denoting all of the people of God. The distinguishing characteristic is not a mark but a lifestyle. It was how the lifestyle of the people of God was a reflection of their allegiance to God. John makes this point with an image of sexual purity. The Old Testament writers often used sexual immorality or adultery as a metaphor for idolatry and for people turning away from God. (See Hosea 4:12)
The empire of Babylon was the first nation to conquer Israel after the time of King David. In the same way Domitian was referred to as Nero because Nero was the first to persecute Christians, the Roman Empire was referred to as Babylon by the Jews after Rome destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70.
John is foretelling that those who follow the beast are destined for a world without God. When John’s refers to the undiluted anger of God we must remember God’s anger is not like human anger where we get out of control. God’s anger is measured and a reflection of the purity of justice that comes from our God who is perfect in all ways.
John’s description of the destiny for those with the mark of the beast is not a literal representation of hell. It is a spiritual metaphor. It is reminiscent of Isaiah 34:10 where a city had been conquered and burned. The fires in Isaiah reveal an utter lack of community and the impossibility to have nurturing, edifying relationships. John is making clear that when a person rejects God the person rejects the things God created to build and nurture community. The bottom line is that we are destined to reap what we sow.
Always though, we want to remember wrath is not God’s desire for the human race. God has put the cross of Jesus at the center of history so that all people have the opportunity to be welcomed into the Kingdom of God.
What does today’s reading
reveal to you about God?
What does it reveal to you about yourself?
Think about what God wants you to do
or remember about this passage.
Does God want you to change
anything in your life?
13-Oct-11 Rev. 15 & 16
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