It means (according to Revelation 13:18) that only a limited subset of observers --him who has understanding-- will be able to detect the [600+60+6] aspect of the "number" of his name. It will go undetected by most people.
Conventional Theology would make John 16:13 to be the model for that wisdom. If you don't like the John 16:13 rationale, it would be incumbent on you to provide another standard for said wisdom. Verse 18 precludes universal recognition. (I can't remove that caveat from mine or anyone else's Bible.)
I never said anything about John 16:13, or its applicability, I was questioning what you meant?
I asked and explained a couple of times the gist of my original post was not towards identifying anyone. Please go back and read it to see my question. Potential means not actual, or not yet actual. You are talking about means to identify an actual final antichrist, that is not what I am talking about.
Josef Pieper has said that correct understanding of the scriptural teaching about the Antichrist presupposes Theology
in toto. That is to say it presupposes that:
"...all the basic concepts of theology, or rather all the fundamental realities of the history of salvation, are correctly understood." [quoted from: The End of Time]
I don't claim to understand everything, and so I don't go about making dogmatic pronouncments. The goal therefore for me is to become better acquainted with scripture and theology. To be focused to any great extent on discovering the identity of the antichrist would seem to exclude giving due attention to the whole message of the Bible,
which is about Jesus Christ, not the Antichrist!!
Although I started this thread, I have said a couple of times now it was to ask a question about the preaching of repentance and granting of repentance to any individual who may be on an antichristian path. Obviously if there is a final Antichrist he will not heed any such preaching.
So many notions on this topic I see being given at times (not always in this particular discussion) seem completely
at odds with christian theology. Let me give an example: The Antichrist will be Judas reincarnated, or anyone Nero, Hitler.... whoever. Anyone see what is wrong with that idea? No? Ok: then let me tell you what seems to me to be wrong with it:
Reincarnation is completely alien to Scripture which teaches: "Each man is appointed to die once, and then the Judgement." Hebrews 9:27.
Which is why Josef Pieper is spot on when he says correct understanding presupposes Theology
in toto.