8And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made. 9Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. 10Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword. This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.
Revelation 13:8-10
17And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. 18Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.
Revelation 13:17-18
These two last problems are tricky to resolve. I am going to divide them into two separate Gems and handle them each one in turn, rather than turn them into one long Gem. Someone recently commented about that on the website. I do like to keep all related pieces together but not to the point of creating loong Gems. Long is ok but loong isn’t. I will try to be brief but precise. As promised I will leave the last puzzle for the next Gem.
Let’s look at the first problem, which several of you have queried.
8And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made.
Revelation 13:8
How are we supposed to read this sentence? What does the subordinate clause ‘before the world was made’ refer to? Does the clause refer to the writing of names in the book of life before the world was made? Or does it refer to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made? Or could it refer to both? The simple~complex answer is that John could mean it in the context of both concepts. The more natural conclusion is to assume the clause relates more to ‘the Lamb slaughtered before the world was made’ simply because that is the referent closest to the clause. But it could also relate to the writing of names in the book before the world was made. Quite simply that also fits. But I am sure you are thinking, “But Ian, John isn’t/wasn’t talking about names written in the book, he is talking about names not written in the book.”
Yes, that’s true. But by virtue of the fact that certain names are not written in the book, the decision to write or not write them in the book has been made already. Ooh, aren’t we on dangerous ground here? Doesn’t that infer predestination? Not necessarily. Let me explain using two biblical examples: Abraham and Peter – two men of faith. Yet there are questions surrounding the nature of their faith.
Abraham’s Unwavering Faith
How can Paul say Abraham kept hoping – believing // Abraham’s faith didn’t weaken // Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. // Abraham was fully convinced . . .? (Romans 4:19 and following.)
All of us who read our Bible carefully know that is not true, yet God allows Paul’s statement to stand in the Word of God. This all sounds so complicated. Abraham stands as the epitome of faith yet there were flaws early on. Those of you who know the story know there was some shakiness involved [laughing at the announcement he would have a child, fearing for his life and asking Sarah to say he was her brother (twice)]. But think of it from God’s point of view. He could look into the future and know that Abraham would get it worked out and his faith would become rock solid in order for him to be known as the Father of Faith. Remember God has foreknowledge. God sees the end from the beginning, or put another way God sees the end at the beginning. God could reassure the angels that everything will be fine. “Yes, Father Abraham is making some silly decisions Angels, but I have not finished My work in him yet. Just wait! You can’t see yet what I see.”
Peter’s Denial Foretold by Jesus
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
Luke 22:31-34
Peter’s story is told in four verses so it is easier to lay before you. It is clear isn’t it, Peter too was shaky in his faith. Jesus knew it but was praying for him. Satan had asked for the chance to test Peter much like Job. In the immediate context, Jesus knew what was going to happen. But He also knew that Peter would learn from the experience and be able to strengthen his brothers.
In these two accounts of men renowned for their faith, God / Jesus is able to look beyond what’s currently happening to their end point. Thus God knows what will happen before it happens. He doesn’t make it happen as He wills, rather He knows how his people of faith will respond. But conversely He must know that others, whose names are not written in the Book of Life, will not respond and will consequently be excluded.
I trust that is clear to you. I am aiming for an economy of words at this point. I am sure if anything is unclear you will respond accordingly. Please respond on the website; not by email. I don’t want a flood of emails on this matter. If you respond on the website you can benefit from others questions and comments as well as any further comments I might make.
How are we to Understand Jesus’ Slaughter Before the World Began?
‘Jesus’ death before the world began’? How can that be? It doesn’t make sense, does it? Both the level and the scale at which God operates.
Here are some verses which carry the same thought just to show you this is not a rogue concept, but it is seeded throughout Scripture.
Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
John 17:24
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
Ephesians 1:4
God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.
1 Peter 1:20
For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:9
This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began.
Titus 1:2
For the clincher I will refer you to a Nugget I wrote on the Genesis 5 genealogy.
My Advice to You – Don’t Skip the Genealogies
It is without doubt that God set our salvation in place from the foundation of the world. Satan’s ploy didn’t catch God by surprise such that He (God) had to come up with Plan B. As I wrote above, God sees the end from the beginning, or put another way God sees the end at the beginning.
That maybe the case Ian, but which do you think the answer is? Does the clause ‘before the world began’ go with ‘names written’ or ‘Jesus’ slaughter’?
My answer: Yes.
Now let’s look at the second problem or puzzle.
9Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. 10Anyone who is destined for prison will be taken to prison. Anyone destined to die by the sword will die by the sword. This means that God’s holy people must endure persecution patiently and remain faithful.
Revelation 13:9-10
The Listen and Understand could well apply to both 8b and 10. Both concepts require us to listen, ponder and understand. Verse 10 comes from Jeremiah 15:2 relating to the coming threat to Jerusalem and Judah.
And if they say to you, ‘But where can we go?’ tell them, ‘This is what the LORD says: “‘Those who are destined for death, to death; those who are destined for war, to war; those who are destined for famine, to famine; those who are destined for captivity, to captivity.’
Jeremiah 15:2
John or God Himself has clipped the quote of Jeremiah down from four elements to two: death, war, famine and captivity have been reduced down to prison (captivity) and die by sword (death). In Revelation we have the first and last examples from Jeremiah’s prophecy but they have been reversed. Jeremiah’s prophecy has been modified to fit the circumstances in the Roman Empire in John’s time. I am left to wonder why wasn’t ‘death’ left general as opposed to ‘die by the sword’. There were many ways to die in the Roman Empire: by the sword, being burnt alive, crucifixion, wild animals or any other ingenious ways they came up with. There is something inherent about the wording that leaves me thinking there is more to this, but I need more time to ponder it.
Apart from whatever else is hidden in these words, they are clearly a message to God’s people that captivity and death await them. Which of course fits John’s repeated message to the Christians of his day to listen to the Spirit and be prepared for prison or execution. Prison fits John’s experience well, after being confined to the Island of Patmos in exile. Death by execution at the hands of the Romans was highly likely for those Christians who refuse to worship the Beast of the Dragon. As we well know, the dragon’s fury at his immanent defeat can only mean savage and brutal executions. The best way to thwart the devil is to embrace your martyrdom knowing it will be your release into the Life of the Age to Come.
It is an intolerable paradox to defend the gospel of the love of God by using the violence of man.
William Barclay
God sees the end from the beginning, or put another way God sees the end at the beginning.
Ian
“Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword.”
Matthew 26:52
The reason snakes have no arms and feet is because satan has been dis[arm]ed and de[feet]ed.
Marvella Hecksher Shook