The mark of the beast also implies currency, in that the term means a 'stamp'. So I have heard it argued the implication is that coins in the palm of the hand stamped the image of the beast, as it were. Further, marks to differentiate various trading guilds or tattooing of slaves, was fairly widespread. Whatever else it may mean, the Number and Mark of the Beast seem intimately connected to Economic factors in some way.
Perhaps a continuation of narrative of the devil showing Christ the kingdoms of the world, or the rich young man asking to get into heaven, or Simon Magus trying to buy the gifts of the Spirit. It is focussing on the Self, symbolised by the forehead or focussing on acquisition by the hand; rather than giving of yourself to your neighbour; as Christ did.
Very interesting post!
Perhaps the 1st century Roman currency can apply? Some have referred to the beast as possible Nero or Caesar and view 1st century Jerusalem as that City in Revelation involving the great Jewish wars....
1220. denarion day-nar'-ee-on of Latin origin; a denarius (or ten asses):--pence, penny(-worth).
AV - penny 9, pence 5, pennyworth 2; 16 denarius = "containing ten"
1) A Roman silver coin in NT time. It took its name from it being equal to ten "asses", a number after 217 B.C. increased to sixteen (about 3.898 grams or .1375 oz.). It was the principal silver coin of the Roman empire. From the parable of the labourers in the vineyard, it would seem that a denarius was then the ordinary pay for a day's wages. (Mt. 20:2-13)
Matthew 22
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "why make ye trial of Me, ye hypocrites?
19 Show me the tribute money". And they brought unto Him
a denarius.
20 And He saith unto them, "whose is
this image<1504> and superscription?"
21They say unto Him, "
Caesar's".............
[Mark 12:15-16 Luke 20:23-24]
It is said this passage in Revelation 6 denotes "
famine", which occurred during the 70AD Roman siege of Jerusalem. Note the
Roman denarius mentioned:
Revelation 6:6
And I hear a voice in midst of the four living-ones saying: "a measure of grain/wheat a
denarius and three measures of barleys a
denarius, and the oil and the wine no you should be injuring"."
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Has anyone here read Josephus' account of the Roman/Jewish wars?
I would recommend it as required reading for anyone wanting to study the Olivet Discourse and Revelation from a 1st century perspective......IMHO
The Destruction of Jerusalem - George Peter Holford, 1805AD
"I consider the Prophecy relative to the destruction of the Jewish nation,
if there were nothing else
to support Christianity, as
absolutely irresistible."
(Mr. Erskine's Speech, at the Trial of Williams, for publishing Paine's Age of Reason)
==================
The day on which Titus encompassed Jerusalem, was the feast of the Passover.
Meanwhile the horrors of famine grew still more melancholy and afflictive.
The Jews, for of food were at length compelled to eat their belts, their sandals, the skins of their shields, dried grass, and even the ordure of oxen. In the depth or this horrible extremity, a Jewess of noble family urged by the intolerable cravings of hunger, slew her infant child, and prepared it for a meal ; and had actually eaten one half thereof, when the soldiers, allured by tile smell of food, threatened her with instant death if she refused to discover it. 'Intimidated by this menace, she immediately produced the remains of her son, which petrified them with horror.
. At the recital of this melancholy and affecting occurrence, the whole city stood aghast, and poured forth their congratulations on those
whom death had hurried away from such heartrending scenes.
Revelation 9:6 And in those days men shall be seeking the death, and not no shall be finding it;
and shall be desiring/yearning<1937> to be dying, and the death is fleeing from them.
=======================
Visual Timeline of the Roman-Jewish War ARTchive
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
Roman: Emperor Nero |
General Vespasian |
General Titus | The Roman Army || Jewish: General / Historian Josephus |
Factional Leaders in Jerusalem ||
Administrators of Roman Judea Targets:
Jerusalem |
Herod's Temple // Maps of the Roman Invasion // Theological Timeline
CHRONOLOGY IMMEDIATELY SURROUNDING THE WAR
Stage 1: Murder of James the Just, "Opposition High Priest" ; Irrevocable Split: 62
Stage 2: General Revolt in Jerusalem ; Zealot Occupation of Masada: August-September 66
Stage 3: The Campaign of Cestius Gallus and the Defeat of the Twelfth Legion: October-November 66
Stage 4: End of Collaborative Government, Priesthood ; General Flight: November 66 - March 67
Part 6: Vespasian Subdues Northern and Western Palestine: December 66 - December 68
Part 7: Three-way Power Struggle within Jerusalem After Roman Retreat: January 68 - May 70
Part 8: Romans Breach City Walls and Leave Jerusalem Desolate: May 10 - September 10, 70
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There is no 'inside joke' that has been craftily engineered by me in any of this. If there is any joke at all, it's the one that Satan, himself, is successfully promoting in a lost world that remains separated from the love of Christ, even as we speak.
