Potential antichrists

[Sabertooth]

I suspect the value will add up in Hebrew- but nothing explicit says so. I can wait. I am not worried about finding out in advance who the antichrist is. He will be revealed in due time.

See John 16:13

Without making a specific prediction, I have a blog post on this topic.

 

[dms1972]

Wrong Decoder Ring...

But you said yourself you thought there will be some clue in his initials?

I believe that the Mark of the Beast will be formed from his initials, so that should narrow the pool of candidates, somewhat.

Have you changed your opinion on that, in the course of this thread?

 

[Sabertooth]

Have you changed your opinion on that, in the course of this thread?

I used the phrase "decoder ring" as a metaphor for John 16:13. I am not advocating for a physical decoder ring.

 

[dms1972]

I used the phrase "decoder ring" as a metaphor for John 16:13. I am not advocating for a physical decoder ring.

Yes I understood that.

And Paul and the other Apostolic writers in their epistles seem to have been part of that ministry of the Holy Spirit spoken of John 16:13.

 

[Sabertooth]

And Paul and the other Apostolic writers in their epistles seem to have been part of that ministry of the Holy Spirit spoken of John 16:13.

This is one of the dividing lines in Christianity. One's relationship to prophecy is vastly different when one subscribes to the idea that John 16:13 is promised to every born-again believer.

 

[dms1972]

But you still think it will have something to do with a persons initials, its going to add up to something?Where does it indicate that in scripture. It says you will note , let him who hath wisdom calculate the number of the beast..., it does not say let him who has a vivid imagination come up with conspiracy theories.

 

[dms1972]

Only to those having discernment.

If it has to do with allegiance, but only those with discernment will recognise the beast, then how can those who lack discerment give any knowing allegiance? If its based on a calculation then anyone with basic arithmetic with be able to "do the math", or anyone who is able to do a simple acrostic, but were is the wisdom in being able to do that?

 

[Sabertooth]

@dms1972 , Revelation 13:18 is clear that there will be a degree of obscurity in recognizing that stamp's numerality. (My Bible doesn't include an "edit" function...)

 

[dms1972]

@dms1972 , Revelation 13:18 is clear that there will be a degree of obscurity in recognizing that stamp's numerality. (My Bible doesn't include an "edit" function...)

Sorry I don't know what your parenthical comment means.

Sure its stated plainly it as six hundred and three score and six.

The only obscurity is from those who confound the whole matter turning it into childish puzzles.

The point is the meaning or significance of his number, not what adds up to it.



It therefore takes maturity and a full study of the principles of the book of Revelation, rather than a pocket calculator

 

[Sabertooth]

Sorry I don't know what your parenthical comment means.

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.)

 

[dms1972]

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.