Calculating Wisely - Rumor notes 120

 Revelation 13

18 Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.

Here is wisdom. He who has understanding

Here is the mind that has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sits. (Revelation 17:9)

To man he said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.' (Job 28:28)

The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom. All those who do his work have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! (Psalms 111:10)

You shall speak to all who are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron's garments to sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest's office. (Exodus 28:3)

Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all manner of workmanship. (Exodus 31:2-5)

Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as Yahweh my God commanded me, that you should do so in the midst of the land where you go in to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. (Deuteronomy 4:5-6)

Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands on him: and the children of Israel listened to him, and did as Yahweh commanded Moses. (Deuteronomy 34:9)

Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the mind? Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of the sky, when the dust runs into a mass, and the clods of earth stick together? (Job 38:36-38)

Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things. They will consider the loving kindnesses of Yahweh. (Psalms 107:43)

Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and tell him, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: You seal up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness: I have cast you to the ground; I have laid you before kings, that they may see you. (Ezekiel 28:12, 17)

You said, I shall be mistress forever; so that you did not lay these things to your heart, neither did remember the latter end of it. Now therefore hear this, you who are given to pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, I am, and there is none else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: but these two things shall come to you in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood; in their full measure shall they come on you, in the multitude of your sorceries, and the great abundance of your enchantments. For you have trusted in your wickedness; you have said, None sees me; your wisdom and your knowledge, it has perverted you, and you have said in your heart, I am, and there is none else besides me. Therefore shall evil come on you; you shall not know the dawning of it: and mischief shall fall on you; you shall not be able to put it away: and desolation shall come on you suddenly, which you don't know. (Isaiah 47:7-11)

How do you say, We are wise, and the law of Yahweh is with us? But, behold, the false pen of the scribes has worked falsely. The wise men are disappointed, they are dismayed and taken: behold, they have rejected the word of Yahweh; and what manner of wisdom is in them? (Jeremiah 8:8-9)

Thus says Yahweh, Don't let the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, don't let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he has understanding, and knows me, that I am Yahweh who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, says Yahweh. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but to the intent that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart. (Daniel 2:30)

I have heard of you, that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. Now the wise men, the enchanters, have been brought in before me, that they should read this writing, and make known to me the interpretation of it; but they could not show the interpretation of the thing. But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations, and dissolve doubts; now if you can read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation of it, you shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. (Daniel 5:14-16)

But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, "He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)

Christ Jesus is made to us the wisdom from God. This means that in order to have the kind of wisdom needed to calculate this number correctly, reliance on the wisdom and cunning available from the world simply cannot produce an answer with the power to transform and liberate the heart from fear.

A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of Yahweh will rest on him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Yahweh. His delight will be in the fear of Yahweh. He will not judge by the sight of his eyes, neither decide by the hearing of his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the poor, and decide with equity for the humble of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips he will kill the wicked. Righteousness will be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his waist. The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat; The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together; and a little child will lead them. (Isaiah 11:1-6)

But as it is written, "Things which an eye didn't see, and an ear didn't hear, which didn't enter into the heart of man, these God has prepared for those who love him." But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God's Spirit.

But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things. Now the natural man doesn't receive the things of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can't know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one. "For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?" But we have Christ's mind. (1 Corinthians 2:9-16)

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. For let that man not think that he will receive anything from the Lord. (James 1:5-7)

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18)

The question is raised as to why suddenly this caveat is needed at the point in the narrative. There must be an important reason we are told very specifically that wisdom and understanding is necessary before attempting to run a calculation. We touched on this in the last discussion and now we need to explore it even more.

Last time we saw that wisdom is not the same as knowledge. Part of the problem of Satan's counterfeit system is reliance on knowledge rather than wisdom. The Pharisees had this problem that led them to reject the true Messiah because they put too much emphasis on acquiring massive amounts of information, knowledge and education but were devoid of true wisdom which is far more important.

Wisdom is not something one can learn by going to school or getting any amount of education in knowledge. Wisdom to a large extent if not entirely, is received by those humble and willing to listen to the Spirit of God who is the Spirit of Wisdom and is willing to impart wisdom to any ready to receive it without resistance. Our brains were not designed to be repositories of enough wisdom to meet every situation. Rather we were created to live and function in tandem with the heart of God and maintain open communication so that whenever wisdom is needed it is available because our spirit is synchronized with the Spirit of Christ. We may over time acquire a certain amount of residual wisdom from years of experience and growth in maturity. Yet even that must be subject to updates by the Spirit from heaven so that we rely not on our own wisdom but the wisdom of God, particularly in crisis situations.

In this passage we are clearly warned that before attempting to solve a critical calculation, we need to be sure to align our spirit with the Spirit of Wisdom from above. Otherwise we are sure to come up with proposed solutions that may seem wonderful, logical and even provable, yet lacking in vital truth needed for a situation. Keep in mind that the Jews in Jesus' day based their wisdom on their deep knowledge of Scripture and the generations of wisdom passed down in their religion. Yet the accumulated wisdom of the religious elite only served to blind them to the Truth when it was living in their midst and exposing that God was not at all like they imagined Him to be. The same situation exists today, and what we are studying here in chapters 13 and 14 of Revelation is a repeat of the same crisis of wisdom as occurred in the days when Jesus walked this earth and a human.

let him calculate the number of the beast

This number translated as calculate, only shows up in one other verse in the New Testament.

Whoever doesn't bear his own cross, and come after me, can't be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn't first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? Or perhaps, when he has laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, everyone who sees begins to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build, and wasn't able to finish.' (Luke 14:27-30)

These words of Jesus are given as a warning to all who want to follow Him as a disciple. He makes it clear that there will be a high cost involved and gives some examples, some not included in the quote above. The point is that a cheap version of religion often popular that does not involve any real change of life and heart, does not come close to what is required of a true disciple. The rewards for following the Lamb wherever He goes are of infinite value and will last for eternity. And while they cannot be purchased at any price, there is a high cost to each disciple who takes Jesus seriously. In fact, the very next verses here in Revelation will introduce us to these very disciples. In the previous chapter (12) we learn the cost they are willing to pay in order to follow the Lamb, wherever He leads them, for He is the One who has overcome the world and they are identified with Him in His victory.

I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now is come the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. They overcame him because of the Lamb's blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life, even to death. (Revelation 12:10-11)

But there is much more to explore here. If you look for this Greek word in the Septuagint it shows up most in another story that has significant relevance with the context of what we are looking at here in Revelation 13 and 14. I cannot find this Greek word translated in any English version of this passage, so I will share the APB version and underline where this word occurs in the story of Haman, Mordecai and Haman's attempted genocide of all the Jews in the Babylonian empire.

Now Esther did not plainly tell of her fatherland, for thus Mordecai gave charge to her, to fear God, and to observe his orders, as she was with him. And Esther did not change her conduct. And the two eunuchs of the king fretted, and the chiefs of the body guards, for Mordecai advanced. And they sought to kill Artaxerxes the king. And the matter was made manifest to Mordecai, and he signaled it to Esther, and she revealed to the king the things of the plot. And the king examined the two eunuchs, and he hanged them. And the king gave order to write for a memorial in the royal library about the good-will of Mordecai with commendation.

After these things king Artaxerxes extolled Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and exalted him, and seated him first above all his friends. And all the ones in the courtyard did obeisance to him, for so the king assigned it to do. But Mordecai did not do obeisance to him.

And the ones in the courtyard of the king said to Mordecai, O Mordecai, why do you disregard the things being said by the king? Accordingly each day they spoke to him, and he did not hearken to them; and they indicated to Haman that Mordecai was rebelling against the words of the king; and Mordecai indicated to them that he is a Jew.

And Haman, realizing that Mordecai did not do obeisance to him, was enraged exceedingly. And he took counsel to remove all the Jews under the kingdom of Artaxerxes.

And he made a referendum in the twelfth year of the kingdom of Artaxerxes. And he cast lots day by day, and month by month, so as to destroy in one day the race of Mordecai. And the lot fell on the fourteenth of the month, which is Adar. (Esther 2:20–3:7 ABP+)

This last passage was recorded after this whole event turned out opposite of what Haman intended.

And Mordecai wrote these words in a scroll and sent them to the Jews, as many as were in the kingdom of Artaxerxes, to the ones near and to the ones far; to establish these days as good days , and to celebrate both the fourteenth and the fifteenth of Adar. For in these days the Jews gained rest from their enemies. And the month in which things turned for them, which was Adar, from mourning to joy, and from grief to good days, was to celebrate entirely for good days of wedding feasts and gladness, sending gift portions to their friends and to the poor.

And the Jews favorably received it as Mordecai wrote to them of how Haman son of Hammedatha the Macedonian waged war against them; as he ordained a referendum and the lot, to obliterate them; and how he entered to the king, telling him to hang Mordecai. But as much as he attempted to bring bad things upon the Jews, upon himself it came to pass; and he was hanged, he and his children.

On account of this they call these days Purim because of the lots, (for in their dialect they are called purim), because of the words of this letter, and as much as they suffered on account of it, and as much as happened to them and was stopped.

And the Jews favorably received it for themselves, and for their seed, and for the ones purposed unto them to observe it -- nor in fact shall they treat it otherwise. And these days were a memorial being completed according to generation and generation, and city, and family, and place. And these days were celebrated for all time, and their memorial in no way should fail unto generations.

(Esther 9:20-28 ABP+)

While this next passage does not use the exact same word in Greek, it does resonate with the idea of calculating numbers and its context involving servitude may also be helpful.

He shall reckon with him who bought him from the year that he sold himself to him to the Year of Jubilee: and the price of his sale shall be according to the number of years; according to the time of a hired servant shall he be with him. If there are yet many years, according to them he shall give back the price of his redemption out of the money that he was bought for. If there remain but a few years to the year of jubilee, then he shall reckon with him; according to his years of service he shall give back the price of his redemption. As a servant hired year by year shall he be with him: he shall not rule with harshness over him in your sight. If he isn't redeemed by these means, then he shall be released in the Year of Jubilee, he, and his children with him. For to me the children of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God. (Leviticus 25:50-55)

What comes to mind in this verse in Revelation are the differences between left brain logical thinking and living, and right brain emotional thinking and living. Without going into a lengthy explanation of this, what is needed is synchronization, not separation. Yet the way we were created was to live from our heart, meaning we were never meant to take control of our own life by figuring out all the right answers and basing our decisions primarily on extensive knowledge and calculated determinations. That kind of living is what leads to malfunction, rebellion, independence from God and defines one of the reasons for the fall of Lucifer.

God created us to live in continual connection to His heart through means of a sensitized conscience tuned to be instantly responsive to the Holy Spirit. At the same time God wants us to grow in both grace and maturity, learning wisdom and skills and competency so that we become more and more like God. This is the likeness aspect of the design of humans expressed by God at creation. Yet this is not about independence from God but rather like what we hope for our children when they grow up. We don't want them to grow up so independent that they become estranged from us, but that we might become even closer friends as adults while they enjoy living their own healthy, happy life in sync with the values and goals we share together.

What does all this have to do with calculating the number of the beast? I believe it has a lot to do with it, for what this verse is urging us to do is to not imagine we can decipher the true meaning of what this is all about unless we humble ourselves and seek close counsel with the Source of all wisdom, for wisdom is urgently for this project, a wisdom beyond our own capacity to produce. Unless we are willing to confess our need for objective wisdom and divine input when coming to this task, we will arrive at conclusions that sound perfectly logical and reasonable but lack essential elements necessary to appreciate the far larger issues involved here. This is like a young adult choosing to seek the wisdom of their experienced parents for a major life decision instead of imagining they can figure everything out on their own without receiving greater perspective.

The beast that this number is linked to, is a direct agent spawned by the dragon and as such is much like the dragon in many respects. This means that it will be an expert in left brain logic, cunning and ability to readily deceive anyone who relies on their ability to figure out the right answers apart from a humble dependence on God. Lucifer was the most intelligent and capable created being in the universe, meaning his capacity to out-think everyone else apart from the Godhead was unrivaled. This is why he had such success in swaying the thinking of so many throughout the universe, retaining around a third of the entire angelic host to side with his attempted revisionist government. There was no match for his brilliant capacity to produce compelling logical explanations in support of his proposals to improve on God's government and laws. Only Michael was wiser than Lucifer, and this is because Michael was part of the Godhead and had created Lucifer originally.

What we are seeing here is part of the extreme tension between the witness of Michael who later become Jesus and is now humanity's representative in heaven – and the compelling arguments and assertions of Lucifer turned Satan whose capacity to distort truth and provide overwhelming arguments that appear irrefutable. When it comes to logical prowess and ability to expertly calculate answers, there is still no match against the massive capacity of Satan outside of tapping into the mind of Christ for guidance and divine wisdom. That is why we should be extremely careful to pay attention to the disposition of our own spirit when instructed to calculate the ID number of the key representative of the dragon, whose primary goal is to deceive the whole world just as Lucifer sought to deceive all the heavenly angelic beings previous to this world's existence.

The good news is that any person, if they are willing to humble themselves and seek God's face and pray for wisdom and insight, is equally able to receive insight and wisdom from God who shows no partiality to anyone. There is no hierarchy in God's relating to His children; that is part of what was invented by Satan and is projected back onto God by us. Wisdom is available to anyone who is willing to allow the Spirit of Wisdom and Truth to have access to rewire their thinking and perspectives about reality so they may receive discernment beyond human capacity to manufacture.

Wisdom is not something that can be purchased or acquired through education. That is knowledge, the kind of knowledge implied in the name of the Tree in the garden starting with that word. Wisdom comes from God and through life experiences and is not something that can be calculated, captured in formulas or is necessarily predictable. Wisdom has more to do with the condition of the spirit of a person combined with input from heaven to interpret the knowledge stored in God's word to apply in any situation. This wisdom is rare because so few people truly listen to the Spirit of Wisdom, partly because they fail to embrace the revelation of God's disposition exposed in the life and words of His Son Jesus Christ.

Let's accept this alert and pray for wisdom from God before we tackle the awesome task of discerning the true meaning of this number that originates with the beast and dragon. Let us humble ourselves to seek the face of Wisdom, believing without doubting that the God of all wisdom is generous and gives without grousing or stinginess when asked for wisdom. Actually this is good practice for every time we come to study and contemplate the word of God. Seeking God's Spirit of Wisdom before immersing ourselves in His word is the best way to avoid being seduced by the craftiness of diabolical minds intent on deceiving all who do not remain under the shadow of the Almighty.