Subject: Can XES mean self interest? |
Bible Note: Greetings Joh! The simplest way to determine a word's meaning in the Bible is to see how it is actually used. The word 'arthimos' is used 18 times in 15 verses in the New Testament. Luke 22:3, John 6:10, Acts 4:4; 5:36; 6:7; 11:21; 16:5, Rom. 9:27, Rev. 5:11; 7:4; 9:16; 13:17; 13:18; 15:2; and 20:8. In each case, it makes perfect sense as a simple number. Look at the examples in Revelation. Rev. 5:11 refers to thousands upon thousands, and ten thousands upon ten thousands. Rev. 7:4 refers to the number of those sealed from each tribe. Rev. 9:16 refers to the number of the troops. See also 20:8. So, I would see no compelling reason why one shouldn't understand Rev. 13:17; 13:18, and 15:2 as references to an actual number as well. Especially, since every commentator and expert I have ever read sees the reference to a number. I would need pretty conclusive evidence to go against both of these strands of evidence. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |