666 AND DUAL IMAGERY

PMW 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).

Identifying 666

In that we have already identified the sixth king as Nero Caesar, Nero’s name should at least be in the field of contention for the coded 666. [2] It goes without saying that he fits within the parameters of the textually derived principles stated above. We will show that, as a matter of fact, Nero is indicated by this mysterious number. Several lines of evidence converge on Nero, compelling our choice of him as the candidate.

THE APOCALYPSE OF JOHN
by Milton S. Terry
This book is Terry’s preterist commentary on the Book of Revelation. It was originally the last half of his much larger work, Biblical Apocalyptics. It is deeply-exegetical, tightly-argued, and clearly-presented.

For more study materials: https://www.kennethgentry.com/

Nero’s Number

Of course, the necessary condition for a candidate is that his name fit the riddle. It has been documented by archaeological finds that a first century Hebrew spelling of Nero’s name provides us with precisely the value of 666. [3] A Hebrew spelling of his name was Nrwn Qsr (pronounced: Neron Kaiser).

A great number of biblical scholars recognize this name as the solution to the problem.

Is it not remarkable that this most relevant emperor has a name that fits precisely the required sum? Is this sheer historical accident? But there is more. (At least I hope so. I have got to write some more articles!)

Four Views on the Book of Revelation
(ed. by Marvin Pate)

Helpful presentation of four approaches to Revelation. Ken Gentry writes the chapter on the preterist approach to Revelation, which provides a 50 page survey of Revelation .

See more study materials at: www.KennethGentry.com

NOTES

1. This dual reference is even recognized by dispensational commentators, see John F. Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Chicago: Moody, 1966), 97ff.

2. It should not escape our notice that both numbers involve the number 6: the sixth king and the number of the beast, 666.

3. D. R. Hillers, “Revelation 13:18 and A Scroll from Murabba’at,” Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 170 (April, 1963) 65. The evidence may be seen by consulting the French work edited by P. Benoit, J. T. Milik, and R. DeVaux, Discoveries in the Judean Desert of Jordan II (Oxford, 1961), p. 18, plate 29.