CAN YOU COUNT SIX HUNDRED THREE SCORE AND SIX?

Making Assumptions
B!o" #on$"sion man% in t& Bo'% o! C&"ist( )o'*s C&u"#&( &a"' on
o! )o'*s s"$ants ask( +&% 'o %ou ,-i$ .&at %ou ,-i$? +&t&" t&is
/ustion .as ask' in p"int( on t& "a'io( on t& T0( o" $ia t& Int"nt( !o"
man% it .as t& spa"k !o" un'"stan'ing )o'*s t"ut&1 +&% 'o %ou ,-i$
.&at %ou ,-i$?( .&n 2amin' 'p-%( &-ps 'isp- assumptions a,out
)o' t& 3at&"( 4sus C&"ist( an' t& Ho-% Bi,-1 )o'*s .o"' asks pop- to
a-.a%s 'a- .it& assumptions5 6"o$ a-- t&ings7 &o-' !ast t&at .&i#& is
goo' 89 T&ssa-onians :5;9( King James Version t&"oug&out( un-ss
ot&".is not'<1 T&is t--s )o'*s pop- to st"i$ to not tak an%t&ing !o"
g"ant'1 It is o,$ious t&at no one C&u"#& o! )o' &as a #o"n" o! t& ma"kt
on t& t"ut&1 Ho.$"( &o. man% o! )o'*s pop- a" sti-- ,-i$ing
assumptions? Ho. man% o! )o'*s pop- a" asking t&ms-$s( an' asking
)o'( i! t&% sti-- #ou-' , ,-i$ing assumptions to'a%? Somtims -ong &-'
,-i!s( ,-i!s sm-ing-% pass' 'o.n !"om gn"ation to gn"ation( !"om
ag to ag( n' up ,ing not&ing ,ut assumptions1
+&n it #oms to !in'ing t&s assumptions out t& Ho-% Bi,- is .&at
n's to , 2amin' t&o"oug&-%1 Ot&" sou"#s #an a-so , us' to mak
su" )o'*s pop- 'o t"u-% 6"o$ a-- t&ings1111 3o" %a"s no. most in )o'*s
C&u"#& &a$ a "gognition o! R$-ation 9=59>5 H" is .is'om1 ?t &im
t&at &at& un'"stan'ing #ount t& num," o! t& ,ast5 !o" it is t& num," o!
a man7 an' &is num," 8is< si2 &un'"' t&"s#o" 8an'< si21 Among su#&
t"ans-ations as t& New International Version 8NI0<( George Lamsa's
t"ans-ation !"om Aramaic 8?AB<( t& New American Standard New
Testament 8NAS<( an' t& New American Bible 8NAB<( on-% t& King James
Version 8@40< ."its t& number o! t& ,ast out so it #an , #ount'1 T&
num," o! t& ,ast is to , #ount' using t& )"k num"ation s%stm1
T&at is( taking -tt"s !"om t& )"k a-p&a,t an' an' a''ing up t& $a-u
o! a#& -tt"1 In t& #as o! R$-ation 9=59>5 111t& num," o! t& man111 is
.&at is to , #ount'( an' t& )"k num"ation s%stm is to , us'1
+&% &as it ,n sai' a,o$ t&at som ot&" t"ans-ations o! t& Bi,- 'o
not int"p"t R$-ation 9=59> #o""#t-%? T&is a"ti#- is ."ittn to s&o. t&at
t& num," o! t& ,ast( t&is AAA( is a -ong &-' ,-i! t&at n's to , "B
2amin'1 In a-- !ai"nss to t& ot&" t"ans-ations o! t& Bi,-( $n t& @40
'os not t"ans-at t& num," o! t& ,ast #o""#t-%1 Ho.$"( t& @40
#oms #-oss to t"ans-ating t& ,ast*s num," using t& )"k num"ation
s%stm1 Noti# &o. ot&" t"ans-ations int"p"t R$-ation 9=59>( t& -ast
pa"t5 NI05 His num," is AAA1 ?AB5 111&is num," si2 &un'"' an' si2t%B
si21 NAS5 111an' &is num," is si2 &un'"' an' si2t%Bsi21 An' t& NAB5
T& man*s num," is si2 &un'"' si2t%Bsi21 T& ,ginning o! t&is a"ti#-
/uot' 9 T&ssa-onians :5;9( @401 B!o" . sta"t 'ismissing an% #-aims
ma' #on#"ning )o'*s .o"'( 9 T&ssa-onians :5;9 &as to , !i"m-% p-ant'
in ou" &a"ts1 C-aims &a$ ,n ma'( no. t&% n' to , p"o$'1
+&at t& )"k Ra--% Sa%s
3o" t& a,o$ #-aims to , p"o$' . n' to -ook at R$-ation 9=59>(
t& -ast pa"t( !"om t& )"k -anguag1 But R$-ation 9=59>( t& -ast pa"t(
#an*t , -ook' at -ik its )"k to m1 Som ma% -ook at R$-ation 9=59>
an' sa% t&at1 Ho.$"( )o'*s pop- #an un'"stan'1 A!t" a--( t& t& .o"'
R$-ation mans !"om t& )"k( 8I< Dis#-osu"5BB, "$a-'1 So t&n
.&at 'os R$-ation 9=59>( t& -ast pa"t( sa% !"om t& )"k? To un'"stan'
.&at t& )"k "a--% sa%s #on#"ning R$-ation 9=59> . -ook in The New
Strong's Ehausti!e "oncordance o! t& Bi,-1 T& nt"% !"om Strong's !o"
R$-ation 9=59> in$o-$ing t& num," o! t& ,ast( !"om t& )"k
#on#o"'an#( is C::9A1 E2#pt !o" t& t&i"' on( t&s -tt"s a" !oun' in t&
)"k A-p&a,t1 A-- o! t&s -tt"s( &o.$"( a" !oun' in t& num"ation
ta,- !o" )"k -tt"s1 T& num"ation ta,- taks t& sp#i!i# -tt"s o! t&
)"k A-p&a,t an' gi$s t&s -tt"s a num"i#a- $a-u1 So !"om t&
num"i#a- ta,- . #om up .it&5 D EAFF( G EAF( an' .&at is t& -tt" is
suppos to EA1 T&is is &o. t&os .&o a" .at#&ing a" to #ount t& num,"
o! t& ,ast1
Noti# t&at .&n )o' inspi"' t& Apost- 4o&n to ."it t&is passag o!
s#"iptu" )o' 'i'n*t -a' 4o&n to ."it t& Gree# words !o" AFF( AF( an' A1
)o' -' 4o&n to ."it t& Gree# letters so t&s -tt"s #ou-' , num"at'1
T& )"k .o"'s !o" AFF( AF( an' suppos'-% A a"5 AFF EStrong's )"k
nt"% C9>9;( HHIJKLMKM( Eng-is&( &2akosioi7 AF EStrong's )"k nt"%
C9>=:( HHNJKOPI( Eng-is&( &2konta7 an' AE Strong's )"k nt"% C9>F=( HH(
Eng-is&( &21 No"ma- nt"is !o" AFF( AF( an' A in t& N. Tstamnt .i--
t"ans-at to t& a,o$ .o"'s1 On 2amp- to -ook up is !oun' in R$-ation
9Q5;F1 T& )"k !o" si2 &un'"' in R$-ation 9Q5;F .&n t& .o"' si2
is -ook' up is nt"% C9>9;( an' t&is t"ans-ats to &2akosioi1 +&at is
#u"ious is t&at .&n t& .o"' &un'"' is -ook' up !o" R$-ation 9Q5;F
t& nt"% is C::9A1 E$i'nt-%( an' t&is on-% sp#u-ation( t& .o"' &un'"'
n's to , num"at'( .&i- t& .o"' si2 'osn*t n' to ,1 Un-ss t&"
is an ""o" in t& nt"is( t&is is .&at t& )"k sa%s !o" R$-ation 9Q5;F1
Anot&" 2amp- is !oun' in Ma"k Q5> !o" t& .o"' si2t%1 T& nt"% !o"
si2t% is C9>=:( as . &a$ t"ans-at'( an' t& Eng-is& .o"' is &2akonta1
)o' 'osn*t us t&s )"k .o"'s .&n on -ooks up t& nt"% in t&
#on#o"'an# !o" R$-ation 9=59>( t& -ast pa"t1 As mntion' a"-i"( .&at
t& )"k sa%s is DG

1 T.o o! t&s -tt"s a" in t& )"k A-p&a,t ,ut to
#ount t& $a-u o! t&m t&% n' to , num"at'1
To s t&ings mo" #-a"-%( t& !o--o.ing num"ation ta,- is !"om The
Volume Librar$% Cop%"ig&t 9RSA( pag 9:9F5
)REE@ SYSTEM O3 NUMERATION
Mo'"n Hin'uB )"k )"k
A"a,i# Num"a-s S%m,o- Nam
9 a-p&a
; ,ta
= gamma
Q '-ta
: psi-on
A T 'igamma
S Uta
> ta
R t&ta
9F iota
;F kappa
=F -am,'a
QF mu
:F nu
AF 2i
SF omi#"on
>F pi
RF ** koppa
9FF "&o
;FF sigma
=FF tau
QFF upsi-on
:FF p&i
AFF #&i
SFF psi
>FF omga
RFF *** sampi
8T& )"k S%m,o- .it& t& sing- ast"isk mans t& aut&o" !oun' t& sma--
#as -tt" !o" t& )"k 'igamma( ,ut 'i'n*t !in' t& upp" #as !o" t&
)"k 'igamma in t& C&a"a#t" Map st1 T& )"k S%m,o- .it& t& t.o
ast"isks mans t& aut&o" !oun' t& sma-- #as -tt" !o" t& )"k koppa(
,ut 'i'n*t !in' t& upp" #as !o" t& )"k koppa in t& C&a"a#t" Map st1
T& )"k S%m,o- .it& t& t&" ast"isks mans t& aut&o" !oun' t& sma--
#as -tt" !o" t& )"k sampi( ,ut 'i'n*t !in' t& upp" #as !o" t& )"k
sampi in t& C&"a#t" Map st1<
Noti# t& nt"% !o" t& $a-u o" num"a- !o" A1 +&n -ooking at t&
int"p"tation o! Strong's !o" nt"% C::9A( t& num," o! t& ,ast( t&
-tt" an' $a-u int"p"tations mat#& !o" D( #&i( /ua-ing AFF( an' G(
2i( /ua-ing AF1 But t& -tt" an' $a-u int"p"tation 'os not mat#& !o"
3( Eng-is&( o" ( )"k( 'igamma1 Noti# t&is 'is#"pan#% in Strong's
nt"% C::9A an' in t& a,o$ ta,-1 4ams St"ong int"p"ts t& -ast -tt"
( as stigma( not 'igamma in t& -o." #as1 T& nt"% C::9A 'os
us a sma-- #as D an' a sma-- #as G( ,ut( as !a" as t& aut&o" ss it( t&is
nt"% 'os not us a upp" #as 3( Eng-is&( o" a -o." #as ( )"k( !o"
t& $a-u o! A1 I! t& num," o! t& ,ast is AFF( AF( an' A( t&n .&% 'o t&
!i"st t.o )"k -tt"s mat#& t&i" int"p"tations ,ut t& -ast on 'os not?
An int"sting 'is#o$"%( t&oug&( is ins"ting t& t&" )"k -tt"s
!"om nt"% C::9A in a Mi#oso!t +o"' 'o#umnt in +in'o.s X6 Hom
E'ition1 T&is is 'on ,% #&oosing t& Ins"t mnu option an' t&n #&oosing
t& Sp#ia- C&a"a#t" option( t&n !"om t&" #&oosing S%m,o-1 On .i--
!in' t.o o! t& )"k -tt"s n''( ,ut .&at .i-- not , !oun' is t& -tt"
!o" 'igamma1 T& int"sting 'is#o$"%( &o.$"( is !oun' "a'ing o!!
t& )"k -tt"s unti- #oming to t& -tt" !o" an upp" #as 01 T& )"k
-tt" is . No. -ook ,a#k an' noti# &o. t& !"om t& S%m,o- option
an' t& !"om t& C&a"a#t" Map st a" a-ik1 As 'is#o$"'( t& -tt"
!"om t& S%m,o- option is a upp" #as 0 in t& )"k1 As . go on . .i--
s t& signi!i#an# in t&is1 No. putting t& t&" )"k -tt"s in a +o"'
'o#umnt . #om up .it& DG 1 N2t( #&#king t&is .it& t& t&sau"us(
. 'on*t gt an int"p"tation o! t& -ast -tt"( t& stigma1 But .&n t&
stigma is su,stitut' .it& t& -tt" !o" t& upp" #as 0 !"om t& S%m,o-
option( . #om up .it& DG1 T&n #&#king t&is .it& t& t&sau"us . gt
t& int"p"tation #201 Ra' .&at t& Volume Librar$% Cop%"ig&t 9RSA(
pag 9=;> sa%s5 111t& Romans ,o""o.' t&i" a-p&a,t !"om t& Et"us#ans
an' not 'i"#t-% !"om t& )"ks1 T& soun' & 'i' not o##u" in )"k( ,ut
.as #ommon in ,ot& ?atin an' Et"us#an1 T& Et"us#ans &a' 2p"imnt'
.it& t&" .a%s o! s%m,o-iUing t&is soun'1 On o! t& .a%s .as to #om,in
t& -tt" 3 8)"k digamma p"onoun# as w< an' H to "p"snt t& soun' o!
&7 t&is usag a-so appa"s on t& an#int Roman ,"oo#&1111t& Romans &a'
'"opp' t& H an' t&"a!t" us' on-% 3 to in'i#at t& soun' &1 Mo"o$"(
t& Romans &a' a w soun'( an' i! t&% &as ,o""o.' t& a-p&a,t 'i"#t-%
!"om t& )"ks( t&% .ou-' a-most #"tain-% &a$ kpt t& )"k 3 8.it& its
w soun'< !o" t& ?atin w soun'1 In t& -ig&t o! t& a,o$( t& aut&o" .i--
s&o. "-ia,- sou"#s t&at t& )"k 3( Eng-is&( o" t& ( )"k( #an a-so tak
t& soun' o! t& 0 o" $1 A" t& "a'"s sta"ting to s t& signi!i#an#
,t.n t& )"k -tt" !o" t& upp" #as 0 an' t& )"k -tt" !o"
Stigma?
Mo$ing a-ong( $n t&oug& t& -ast -tt" in nt"% C::9A ma% not , in
t& sma-- #as( +o"' +in'o.s X6 Hom E'ition 'os int"p"t t& !i"st t.o
)"k -tt"s in t& sma-- #as ,#aus t&is &o. t&% a" ."ittn in t& )"k1
Ra' .&at 4ams St"ong in &is #on#o"'an# sa%s a!t" nt"% C::9A5 111t&
;;
n'
( 9Q
t&
( an' an o,so-1 8o,so-t< -tt" 8QSQ; as a #"oss< o! t& )"k
a-p&a,t 8int"m'iat ,t.n t& :
t&
an' A
t&
<( us' as num"a-s7 'noting
"sp#ti$-% AFF( AF( an' A7 AAA as a num"a- 5B si2 &un'"' t&"s#o" an'
si21 )oing o$" t& a,o$ . un#o$" a !. t&ings1 3i"st( t& -ast -tt"(
according to St"ong( is an o,so-t -tt" o! t& )"k a-p&a,t1 +&i#& mans
it is no -ong" a letter in t& )"k a-p&a,t1 ?ooking at a mo'"n )"k
a-p&a,t ta,- s&o.s t&is is t"u1 N2t( St"ong sa%s t&is o,so-t -tt" us'
to , between t& p"sntB'a% :
t&
an' A
t&
-tt"s o! t& )"k a-p&a,t1 T&n(
t&i"'( 4ams St"ong sa%s t& t&i"' -tt" o! nt"% C::9A &as nt"% CQSQ; as a
#"oss o" #"ossB"!"n#1 So . a" takn to nt"% CQSQ;1
Ent"% CQSQ; is !"om t& )"k LPMVWI ( an' is t"ans-at' stigma1Ra'
.&at 4ams St"ong sa%s !o" t&is5 3"om a p"im1 8p"ima"%< LPMXY stiUo 8to
sti#k( i11 p"i#k<7 a mar# in#is' o" pun#&' 8!o" "gognition o! o.n"s&ip<(
i11 8!ig1< scar o! s"$i# 5Bma"k1 4ams St"ong 'os not int"p"t t& t&i"'
-tt" as 'igamma( .&i#& is t& app"op"iat int"p"tation !o" t& $a-u o! A(
& int"p"ts t& t&i"' -tt" as stigma o" ma"k1 +&%? I! t& num," o! t&
,ast is AFF( AF( an' A( t& )"k nt"% C::9A s&ou-' sa% #&i 2i 'igamma(
.it& t&s nams an' t&i" #o""spon'ing -tt"s( a##o"'ing to t& num"ation
ta,-( t"ans-ating to AFF( AF( an' A1 C&#k it outZ But St"ong 'os not
int"p"t t& )"k into #&i 2i 'igamma( it is #&i 2i ma"k1 So &o. #an t&
num," o! t& ,ast , AFF( AF( an' A? A##o"'ing to St"ong it is AFF( AF(
ma"k1
Most C&"istians p"o,a,-% &a$ not stu'i' out t&is a"a o! p"op&#%(
an' t&oug&t mu#& a,out .&at t& )"k -anguag "a--% sa%s1 3o" instan#(
man% &a$ t&oug&t o" assum' t& ma"k o! t& ,ast is Sun'a% +o"s&ip1
T&is ,-i! &as ,n ing"ain' into pop- .it&out an% t&oug&t to .&" it
#am !"om1 It &as ,n pass' 'o.n !"om gn"ation to gn"ation in )o'*s
C&u"#&( so it &as ,n a##pt'1 +&n -ooking at t& )"k nt"% !o" ma"k
!"om R$-ation 9=59AB9S( &o.$"( t& translation &as not&ing to 'o .it&
Sun'a% +o"s&ip1 Ra' .&at t& nt"% C:Q>F !"om Strong's "oncordance
'os sa%5 DI[IVWI #&a"agma111!"om t& sam as '()*7 a scratch o" etching(
i11 stam+ 8as a badge o! s"$itu'<( o" scul+tured !igu" 8statue< 5B g"a$n(
ma"k1 T& i'a t&at t& ma"k o! t& ,ast is Sun'a% +o"s&ip is read into
R$-ation 9=59AB9S( ,ut t& ma"k !"om t& )"k 'os not sa% t&is1 )"k
nt"% C:Q>F sa%s t& ma"k &" is an actual mar# t&at a-- un'" a #"tain
s%stm .i-- &a$ to &a$ app-i'1 Man% &a$ sai' in )o'*s C&u"#& to -t t&
Ho-% Bi,- int"p"t its-!1 But som in )o'*s C&u"#& &a$ !ai-' to tak t&i"
o.n a'$i#1
+&% 'os 4ams St"ong t"ans-at t& -ast -tt" a!t" G as stigma
insta' o! t& usua- )"k -tt" 3( in Eng-is&( o" ( in )"k( .&i#&
.ou-' suppos'-% num"at to A? So t&n t& t"ans-ation is AFF 8 D <( AF
8 G <( ma"k1 But $"%,o'% sms to t&ink it is suppos to , AFF 8sma-- D <(
AF 8sma-- G <( A 8ca+itol 3 o" small !< a##o"'ing to t& num"ation ta,-1 In t&
Ma% ;FF; issu o! ,ahoo- Internet Li&e t&" is a ., sit #a--' 21#om\u##(
.&i#& is a ., sit to CON0ERT %ou" mon% into t& u"o1 I! on &as a
#u""n#% #on$"t" to -ook up t& $a-u o! on*s #ount"%*s #u""n#% against
anot&" #ount"%*s #u""n#%( an' -ooks up t& #u""n#% !o" a-- o! Eu"op(
.&i#& is not t& u"o( ,ut t& Eu"opan Cu""n#% Unit( t& p"!i2 !o" t&
Eu"opan Cu""n#% Unit is XEU1 Is it ]ust &appnstan# t&at t& p"!i2 !o" t&
Eu"opan Cu""n#% Unit is /ui$a-nt to t& )"k -tt"s 8 D( G <( .&i#&
num"at to AFF( an' AF? A!t" a--( R$-ation 9=59S sa%s t&" .i-- , no
,u%ing o" s--ing .it&out t& ma"k( o" t& nam( o" t& num," o! t&
,ast1 +i-- t& Eu"opan Cu""n#% Unit 82u< &a$ somt&ing to 'o .it&
R$-ation 9=59SB9>1
T& aut&o" is opn' min'' to t&os .&o ,-i$ t& num," o! t&
,ast is AFF( AF( an' A( ,ut &o. a" t&os #on#-usions '"a.n? Man% t&ings
n' to , 2p-ain' "ga"'ing t& #ont"a'i#tions ,t.n .&at man% ,-i$
an' .&at t& )"k "a--% sa%s1 I! Bi,-i#a- su,]#ts a"n*t stu'i' out to t&
!u--st t&n t&ings ,#om takn !o" g"ant'1 T&os in )o'*s C&u"#& #ou-' ,
stting t&ms-$s up !o" g"at '#ption i! t&% a"n*t #a"!u-1
Spa"ating ?tt"s an' 0a-us
In t&is s#tion . .i-- tak a mo" 'tai-' -ook at t& )"k A-p&a,t
on t& on &an'( an' t& )"k Num"ation Ta,- on t& ot&" &an'1 T& t.o
ta,-s .i-- , #ompa"' so . #an spa"at t& -tt"s !"om t& num"ation
$a-us1 T& !i"st point to noti# is &o. t&" a" ;Q -tt"s in t& a-p&a,t( ,ut
t&" a" ;S $a-us in t& num"ation ta,-1 T& )"k A-p&a,t -a$s out
t& !o--o.ing )"k $a-us( o" s%m,o-s5 3( Eng-is&( o" ( )"k( .it& t&
)"k nam 'igamma( t& -o." #as ( )"k nam koppa( 8noti#
t& ta,-<( an' t& -o." #as ( )"k nam sampi( 8noti# t& ta,-<1
As !a" as t& )"k A-p&a,t is #on#"n' t& a,o$ $a-us ma% sti-- , on
t& )"k Num"ation Ta,-( ,ut t&% a" o,so-t !o" t& a-p&a,t1 T&is is
.&% t& )"k A-p&a,t &as ;Q -tt"s in it1 T& n2t point is t&at a-t&oug&
t&" a" ;Q -tt"s in t& a-p&a,t( a#& o! t&s -tt"s is gi$n a $a-u on
t& num"ation ta,-1 ?ooking at t& p"$ious num"ation ta,- #on!i"ms t&is1
In t& sam .a%( $n t&oug& t& a,o$ t&" $a-us o! t& t&" nams(
'igamma( koppa( an' sampi( a" on -ong" on t& a-p&a,t( t&% sti-- .i--
num"at a $a-u1 T&s points s&o. &o. t& -tt"s in t& )"k A-p&a,t
&a$ to , $i.' 'i!!"nt-% !"om t& $a-us in t& )"k Num"ation Ta,-1
So &o. 'os t&is kno.-'g &a$ to 'o .it& R$-ation 9=59>? T&is
sp#i!i#a--% #on#"ns t& -ast -tt" "ga"'ing t& num," o! t& ,ast(
.&i#& suppos'-% num"ats t& $a-u o! A1 +&i- t& !i"st t.o -tt"s( #&i
an' 2i( in t& )"k A-p&a,t 'o num"at to t& $a-us AFF( an' AF( t& -ast
-tt" ( when su++osedl$ inter+reted to digamma( on on &an' is o,so-t
,ut %t num"ats a $a-u in t& )"k Num"ation Ta,-1 T&is $a-u is A1
Ho.$"( as . &a$ s&o.n 4ams St"ong 'os not t"ans-at t& -ast -tt" to
t& $a-u o! A .it& t& )"k nam 'igamma1 H t"ans-ats t& -ast -tt" to
stigma( .&i#& mans ma"k1 So $n t&oug& t& -ast -tt" is spa"at' !"om
t& ot&" t.o ,#aus it suppos'-% &as a $a-u ,ut is no -ong" a -tt" in t&
)"k A-p&a,t( St"ong 'os not num"at t& $a-u as A1 It sms to appa"
t&at 4ams St"ong 'os not gi$ t&is -ast -tt" a num"i#a- $a-u at a--1
No. t& t&i"' point in spa"ating -tt"s an' $a-us ,"ings us to t&
6&oni#ian A-p&a,t o" -tt"s ,ing pass' 'o.n to .&at . &a$ in ou"
p"snt Eng-is& A-p&a,t1 It .as mntion' a"-i" t&at t&" a" "-ia,-
sou"#s to s&o. t& )"k ( nam' 'igamma( suppos'-% t"ans-at' in
R$-ation 9=59>( #an tak t& soun' o! a $1 Noti# t& ta,- ,-o. s&o.ing
t& 6&oni#ian A-p&a,t in t& I position( an' t& p&ass it .nt t&"oug& to
ou" p"snt Eng-is& A-p&a,t1 Counting 'o.n si2 p-a#s ,"ings us to .&at
-ooks -ik a Y( t&n mo$ a#"oss t&"oug& t& n2t position 8 II < .&i#& is
t& a"-% )"k A-p&a,t1 T&n a-so "a' t& -at" )"k in t& III position1
No. in t& I0 position is .&at ,#am t& ?atin A-p&a,t1 T&" is t&
$i'n# t& si2t& -tt" o! t& )"k A-p&a,t taking a $ soun'1 An' o!
#ou"s( in t& Eng-is& A-p&a,t ! is t& si2t& -tt"1 Noti# in t& Eng-is&
A-p&a,t &o. t& $( an' t& u ." gi$n t&i" o.n soun's an' t&us
2pan'ing t& a-p&a,t1 T& )"ks $ntua--% ga$ t& u its o.n soun' a-so
as it ,#am Upsi-on( an' t& )"k -tt" !o" Upsi-on in t& upp" #as is
^1 So .&n t& +o"' 6"o#ssing p"og"am .as us' in +in'o.s X6 Hom
E'ition( #-i#king ins"t on t& mnu #&oi#( t&n sp#ia- #&a"a#t"( an'
!ina--% #-i#king s%m,o- . gt .&at is t& )"k A-p&a,t among ot&"
s%m,o-s1 Soun'ing o!! t& s%m,o-s unti- gtting to t& 0 in t& upp" #as
,"ings on to t& )"k -tt" . Noti# &o. t&is s%m,o- is a-ik to nt"%
C::9A in Srong's "oncordance o! t& )"k N. Tstamnt1 It is int"sting
t&at t&is +o"' 6"o#ssing p"og"am in#-u's t& upp" #as t"ans-ation in t&
)"k !o" t& 01 In t&is #as t&is s%m,o- !o" t& 0 in t& )"k is spa"at
!"om t& )"k A-p&a,t ,#aus t&" is no s%m,o- o" nam !o" 0 in t&
)"k A-p&a,t( t&at is a##o"'ing to Strong's "oncordance o! t& N. o! t&
N. Tstamnt1 E$n t& suppos' s%m,o- !o" 3( in Eng-is&( o" ( in )"k (
as in Strong's nt"% C::9A( t& ( is not in t& )"k A-p&a,t an%mo"1 4ust
as 4ams St"ong sa%s un'" nt"% C::9A( t& t&i"' -tt" is o,so-t1 But t&is
-o." #as 'os num"at to a $a-u( an' as . &a$ sn its $a-u is si21
Noti# t& a,o$ ta,- again1
To un'"stan' .&% t&" is an' .&% t&" .as a spa"ation o! t& )"k
A-p&a,t an' t& )"k Num"ation S%stm . "a' !"om a sou"# a,out t&
)"ks1 Noti#5 But st%-s o! '"ss( '#o"ati$ a"t( an' p"a#ti#a- mt&o's o!
t& #"a!tsmn ." not t& on-% t&ings .&i#& t& 6&oni#ian m"#&ants ."
,"inging into )"#1 3o" t& )"ks no. "#i$' !"om t& 6&oni#ians a
p"i#-ss gi!t( !a" mo" $a-ua,- t&an a-- t& manu!a#tu"' .a"s o! t&
O"int1 In''( it .as t& most impo"ant !o"ign #ont"i,ution t&at $"
"a#&' Eu"op1 T&is n. gi!t .as an a-p&a,t1 Bt.n 9>FF an' 9AFF
BC
t& .st"n Smits na" Eg%pt &a' '$is' an a-p&a,t '"a.n !"om
Eg%ptian &i"og-%p&s1 T& 6&oni#ians a'opt' t&is s%stm o! t.nt%Bt.o
al+habetic signs !o" ."iting t&i" o.n -anguag1 It #ontain' no signs !o"
s%--a,-s( ,ut a#& sign "p"snt' a sing- #onsonant1 T&" ." no signs
!o" $o.-s( .&i#& "main' un."ittn1 T& .st"n Smits ." t&us t&
!i"st to '$is a s%stm o! ."iting #ontaining on-% al+habetic signs( t&at is(
t"u -tt"s1 In t& t.-!t& #ntu"%
BC
t& 6&oni#ians ." a-"a'% gi$ing up
t& in#on$nint Ba,%-onian #-a% ta,-t an' impo"ting g"at /uantitis o!
pap%"us pap" !"om Eg%pt1 T& 6&oni#ians a""ang' t&i" n. -tt"s in a
#on$nint o"'"( so t&at t& .&o- t.nt%Bt.o mig&t !o"m a !i2' -ist( asi-%
-a"n'1 Su#& a -ist #ou-' not , -a"n' without gi!ing to each letter a name
8mp&asis min<1 T&% #a--' t& !i"st -tt" o! t& a-p&a,t o( ,#aus t&
6&oni#ian .o"' !o" o2( t&at is ale+h( ,gan .it& t& !i"st -tt"1 T& s#on'
-tt" o! t& a-p&a,t t&% #a--' house( ,#aus beth( t& 6&oni#ian .o"'
!o" &ous( ,gan .it& t& s#on' -tt"( an' so on1 T&is .as not un-ik ou"
o-' p"im"s( .&" ou" )"an'!at&"s -a"n' to sa%5 *A is !o" a2( B is !o"
,'(* t#1 +&n t& #&i-'"n o! t& 6&oni#ian m"#&ants -a"n' t&i"
-tt"s an' ." #a--' upon to "pat t& a-p&a,t( t&% t&"!o" ,gan5
*Ale+h% beth(* t#1( as i! ou" #&i-'"n ." to sa%5 *A2( ,'(* t#1( insta' o!
*A( B(* t#
9
8Ancient Times.A /istor$ o& the Earl$ 0orld1 Volume II.The
Gree#s( pags =;RB==F( ,% 4ams Hn"% B"ast'<1
9 T&" is som /ustion as to t& 6&oni#ians "a--% &a$ing t&i" o.n a-p&a,t1 T&i"
a-p&a,t is mu#& -ik t&at o! t& H,". A-p&a,t1 Bi,-i#a- an' a"#&o-ogi#a-
$i'n# is suggsting t&at t& 6&oni#ians ,o""o.' !"om t& H,". A-p&a,t( an'
not t& ot&" .a% a"oun' as t& soB#a--' s#&o-a"s &a$ -ong #ontn''1

+ s &o. t& 6&oni#ian -tt"s ." gi$n nams at !i"st to "p"snt
t&ings in t&i" #u-tu"1 T&s -tt"s ." ]ust #onsonants .it& no s%--a,-s(
an' no $o.-s #am to , it&"1 T& ta,- s&o.s &o. t& 6&oni#ian -tt"s
$o-$ into ou" p"snt a-p&a,t .it& s%--a,-s( #onsonants( an' $o.-s to
mak .o"'s1 Ra' !u"t&" !"om t& Gree#s5 T& 6&oni#ians a-so &a' a
-it"atu" #&i!-% "-igious1 T&i" m"#&ants kpt a-- t&i" ,usinss "#o"'s at
!i"st on #-a% ta,-ts ,ut -at" in t&i" n. an' #on$nint a-p&a,t on pap%"us1
+ &a$ sn t&at t& A"amans #a""i' t& 6&oni#ian a-p&a,t !"om t&
Agan an' t& M'it""anan ast.a"' t&"oug& Asia to In'ia1 In .st"n
Asia Mino" an' t& )"k is-an's t& Et"us#ans -a"n' to us t& 6&oni#ian
a-p&a,t( an' -at" t&% #a""i' it to Ita-% .&n t&% stt-' t&i"1 In t& sam
.a% it "a#&' t& )"ks( .&om . &a$ sn #"o.'ing a"oun' t&
6&oni#ian s&ips1 T&% o!tn !oun' t& 6&oni#ians &an'-ing ,its o! pa-B
%--o. pap" on .&i#& ." ."ittn bills and lists o& merchandise in st"ang
,-a#k signs1 T&s t& )"ks $i.' at !i"st with misgi!ings% as being
m$sterious and dangerous s$mbols2 3ne o& their songs o& this age s+ea#s o&
them as 'bane&ul signs'4 86ag ==9( mp&asis min<1 Noti# t&at t& a-p&a,t
.as us' ,% t& 6&oni#ians !o" ,usinss pu"poss1 Ra' .&at pag ==; o!
t& a,o$ ,ook sa%s "ga"'ing t& a-p&a,t us' as a ,usinss app-i#ation5
3o" a -ong tim it 8t& a-p&a,t< "main' on-% a #on$nin# in business
and administration111 8mp&asis min<1
T&os .&o &a$ stu'i' R$-ation 9=59AB9> s t& #onn#tion .it&
t& )"k A-p&a,t an' t& )"k Num"ation Ta,-1 R!""ing to R$-ation
9=59> #on#"ning t& num," o! t& ,ast )o' 'osn*t us t& no"ma-
Gree# words !o" AFF( AF( an' suppos'-% A1 )o' inspi"' 4o&n .&o ."ot t&
,ook o! R$-ation to put 'o.n Gree# letters t&at n' to , num"at'( o"
gi$n a $a-u1 )o' sa%s in R$-ation 9=59S5 An' t&at no man mig&t ,u% o"
s--( sa$ & t&at &a' the mar#% or the name o& the beast% or the number o& his
name1 4ust as t& a-p&a,t( a'opt' ,% t& )"ks !"om t& 6&oni#ians(
.&o most -ik-% a'opt' it !"om t& H,".s( s !ootnot
9
( .as us' !o"
,usinss pu"poss )o' in t& sam .a% ,"ings t&is ,a#k1 T& t&" -tt"s DG

&a$ing to 'o .it& t& ma"k( t& nam( o" t& num," a" going to , ti' into
an #onomi# s%stm st up ,% t& ,ast( a po-iti#a-B#onomi#a- -a'"
man% ,-i$ .i-- #om !"om Eu"op1 Ho.$"( ot&"s ,-i$ t&is ,ast
p"sonag .i-- a-so &a$ som Mus-im 2t"a#tion in &im1 4ust as t& )"ks
sa. t& .a% t& 6&oni#ians us' t& a-p&a,t !o" ,usinss as ,an!u-
signs( o" $i- signs( C&"istians s t& sam $i- signs in R$-ation 9=59AB
9>1 T&is po-iti#a-B#onomi# s%stm .i-- not &-p t&is .o"-' an' its tu"moi-( it
.i-- in pa"t -a' to t& ,"ink o! tota- 'st"u#tion o! t& .o"-'1 +&at t& )"k
sa%s t"ans-at' to Eng-is& in R$-ation 9=59> is5 D E AFF( G E AF( an'

E
ma"k1 A-- t&is /ua-s AFF( AF( ma"k1 T&" is a 'istin#tion o! t& -ast -tt"
!"om t& ot&"s ,#aus( a##o"'ing to St"ong( it is o,so-t_it is no -ong" in
t& )"k A-p&a,t1 Ho.$"( it suppos'-% is in t& num"ation as t& $a-u
o! A1 T&at is( i! it is t"ans-at' 'igamma as t& ,!o"Bmntion' ta,- s&o.s1
But on# again( 4ams St"ong t"ans-ats t& -ast -tt" as stigma not 'igamma1
So &o. #an t& -ast -tt"(

( &a$ a $a-u .&n it is not t"ans-at' to tak a

$a-u? + &a$ sn ot&" o,so-t -tt"s( no -ong" in t& a-p&a,t( ,ut t&%
sti-- tak a num"ation $a-u .&n app-i#a,-1 Digamma( o" t& sma-- #as
in t& )"k( sti-- taks a num"ation $a-u a-so $n i! it is o,so-t o!
t& a-p&a,t1 But t& t"ans-ation in R$-ation 9=59> in Strong's 'osn*t gi$
t& -ast -tt" a $a-u1 T&is nt"% is C::9A1
Do t& "a'"s sta"t to un'"stan' &o. a-- t&is in!o"mation maks
sns? T& a-p&a,t( o" s%stm o! -tt"s( .as o"igina--% us' !o" ,usinss
an' a'minist"ation1 T& .a% )o' uss t& )"k A-p&a,t an' t& )"k
Num"ation Ta,- in R$-ation 9=59AB9> points to t& sam t&ing1 It is
impo"tant t&at C&"istians un'"stan' t& n' to spa"at t& -tt"s !"om t&
$a-us1 Ho.$"( t& a-p&a,t an' t& num"ation #an a-so #omp-imnt a#&
ot&" to n&an# ou" un'"stan'ing1 T&is is .&at )o' 'os in R$-ation
9=59AB9>1 T& n2t s#tion .i-- 2amin mo" #-os-% &o. $a-us a" gi$n
in t& Ho-% Bi,-1 T& s#"iptu"s us' .i-- "$a- &o. t&s $a-us a" us'(
an' .&at t& )"k sa%s as t&i" t"ans-ations1
+&at 0a-u is )i$n
T&os .&o &a$ "a' so !a" a" p"o,a,-% .on'"ing i! t& $a-u o! t&
num," o! t& ,ast is AFF( AF( an' A( o" AAA1 T& aut&o" ,-i$s it &as
,n sta,-is&' t&at it is not1 Ho.$"( to a'' mo" suppo"t to t&is
#ontntion( noti# .&at t&s t.o ., sits &a$ to sa% #on#"ning t&
stigma -tt"1 T& !i"st is &ttp5\\...1sa"#&1#om\"!"n#\Stigma`8-tt"<5
*Stigma* is a-so a nam !o" t& #u"si$ g"ap&i# !o"m o! t& -tt" 'igamma
.&n us' as t& )"k num"a- A1 T&is nam is a mo'"n misun'"stan'ing1
T& -igatu" o! LP as t& ., sit pa"ag"ap& ,!o"b 'i' not o##u" in an#int
tims an' on-% 'ats to -at" m'i$a- manus#"ipts1 In Sop&o#-s* ?2i#on o!
B%Uantin )"k( .&i#& #o$"s -at anti/u )"k up to 9FFF AD( t&" is no
mntion o! stigma as it&" a -igatu" o" a num,"1* +&at is int"sting is
t&at Sop&o#-s 2ist' QR:BQFA BC1 Aut&o"*s not 8>\9A\;F9Q<5 T& a,o$
., sit #an no -ong" , !oun' #-i#king t& -ink1 T& ot&" ., sit is
&ttp5\\...1ans."s1#om\topi#\stigmaB-tt"1 +&at %ou .i-- !in' is t& sam
in!o"mation t&at t& a,o$ ., sit gi$s1 I! on #&#ks out .&at sa"#&1#om
&as to sa% a,out 'igamma t&n t&" is a''' suppo"t to .&at t&is aut&o" is
ta-king a,out1 Digamma an' stigma a" 'istin#t -tt"s t&at ." on# on t&
)"k A-p&a,t( so &o. #an on suppos'-% tak t& p-a# o! t& ot&"? O"
is t& int"p"tation to'a% a mo'"n !o"m( an' not .&at )o' intn'' to ,
int"p"t'? Rmm,"( t& Apost- 4o&n ."ot t& Book o! R$-ation in t&
RFs AD1 T& aut&o" t&"!o" ,-i$s t& on-% $a-u gi$n is AFF( AF1
On int"iguing /ustion is .&% 'i'n*t )o' us t& no"ma- )"k .o"'s
!o" AFF( AF? +&at is t& 'i!!"n# i! t& sam $a-u is a""i$' at? On
ans." to #onsi'" is t&at )o' us' )"k -tt"s t&at a" num"at' ,#aus
t&os -tt"s &a$ somt&ing 'i"#t-% to 'o .it& t&is #onomi# s%stm o! t&
,ast1 T&" is t& possi,i-it% t& num"at' -tt"s a" pa"t o! the name o! a
#ong-om"ation t&at .&n app-i' #o""#t-% a'' up to AFF( an' AF1 T&"!o"
t& nam o! t& ,ast is not t& p"op" nam o! a p"son1 It is t& nam o!
an #onomi# #ong-om"at1
+ o,s"$' a"-i" t&at t&" is a ., sit #a--' ...121#om\u##(
.&i#& is us' to #on$"t ot&" #ount"is* #u""n#% into t& Eu"opan
Cu""n#% Unit1 T& sma-- 2 ECu""n#%( t& sma-- EEu"opan1 No. -ook at
nt"% C::9A in Strong's "oncordance( N. Tstamnt1 On ss a sma-- 2
8)"k sma-- D < t&at EAFF( an' a sma-- 8)"k sma-- G< t&at EAF1 T& aut&o"
'osn*t ,-i$ t&is is ]ust &appnstan#1 T&s 2amp-s &-p ans." som
/ustions ,ut not a-- t& /ustions1 + .i-- p"o,a,-% &a$ to kp ,ing
$igi-ant in o"'" to ans." mo" /ustions1
To gain mo" un'"stan'ing on .&at . 'o kno. -t*s -ook at 2amp-s
o! $a-us in t& Ho-% Bi,-1 T&is .i-- &-p us s .&% )o' 'i' mak a
'istin#tion ,t.n no"ma- )"k .o"'s an' num"at' )"k -tt"s in
R$-ation 9=59>1 Ra' R$-ation 9Q5;F5 An' t& .inp"ss .as t"o''n
.it&out t& #it%( an' ,-oo' #am out o! t& .inp"ss( $n unto t& &o"s
,"i'-s( ,% t& spa# o! a t&ousan' si2 &un'"' !u"-ongs1 T& .o"' !o" si2
&" is nt"% C9>9;( .&i#& is &2akosioi1 T&is is t& no"ma- )"k .o"'
!o" AFF1 T& si2 is a''' to mak si2 &un'"'1 T&is 'i!!"n# is o,$ious
.&n t&ings &a$ to , num"at'( as t& nt"% is !o" C::9A1 +&at is #u"ious(
t&oug&( is .&n -ooking at &un'"' in "ga"' to R$-ation 9Q5;F t& nt"%
is( su"p"ising-%( C::9A1 It appa"s t&at si2 &un'"' in on #as isn*t
num"at'( t&at is .&n -ooking at si in Strong's "oncordance1 But in
anot&" #as it appa"s t&at si2 &un'"' is num"at'( t&at is .&n -ooking at
si2 hundre' in Strong's1 T& aut&o" 'osn*t kno. .&% t&" is t& 'i!!"n#
in t& t.o nt"is1 But t&is #u"iosit% maks t& point a,out no"ma- nt"is( on
on &an'( an' a,out num"at' nt"is( on t& ot&" &an'1
Anot&" 2amp- is !oun' in Ma"k Q in .&i#& 4sus C&"ist gi$s t&
pa"a,- o! t& s' an' t& so."1 Ra' t&n $"s ;F5 An' t&s a" t&%
.&i#& a" so.n on goo' g"oun'7 su#& as &a" t& .o"'( an' "#i$ it( an'
,"ing !o"t& !"uit( som t&i"t%!o-'( som si2t%( an' som an &un'"'1 T&
)"k nt"% !o" t&i"t%!o-' is C:9QQ( an' in )"k is t"ikonta( t& nt"% !o"
si2t% is C9>=:( an' is &2akonta( an' t& )"k nt"% !o" &un'"' is C9:QF(
an' in )"k is &katon1 S t&at t&s nt"is a"n*t num"at'1 No"ma-
)"k .o"'s a" us' to '!in t&i" $a-us1 Ho.$"( .&n it #oms to
num"ating( =F E c( upp" #as( 8noti# t& num"ation ta,-<( d ( -o." #as(
an' t& s%m,o- nam is -am,'a1 AF E e( upp" #as( 8noti# ta,-<( G (
-o." #as( an' t& s%m,o- nam is 2i1 An' !ina--%( 9FF E f( upp" #as
8noti# ta,-<( [ ( -o." #as( an' t& s%m,o- nam is "&o1 T& aut&o"
,-i$s t&" is a g"at signi!i#an# in )o' using ]ust -tt"s t&at t"ans-at to
s%m,o-s( an' t&s s%m,o-s t&at num"at to #"tain $a-us1 As . &a$ sn(
in R$-ation 9=59> #on#"ning t& num," o! t& ,ast( t&is AFF( an' AF(
on &as to us a num"ation ta,- to int"p"t t& s%m,o- nams #o""#t-%1
+ .i-- -ook at on mo" 2amp-1 T&n #am 6t" to &im( an' sai'(
?o"'( &o. o!t s&a-- m% ,"ot&" sin against m( an' I !o"gi$ &im? ti-- s$n
tims? 4sus sait& unto &im( I sa% not unto t&( Unti- s$n tims5 ,ut( Unti-
s$nt% tims s$n 8Matt&. 9>5;9B;;<1 As t& ot&" 2amp-s s&o.'(
)"k .o"'s a" us' &" to '!in s$n an' s$nt%1 T& )"k
nt"is !o" s$n a" C;F== an' C;F=Q( an' in )"k a" &pta an'
&ptakis "sp#ti$-%1 T& )"k nt"% !o" s$nt% is C9QQ9( an' in )"k
is &,'omkontakis1 But on# again( .&n num"ating t&" is a $ast
'i!!"n#1 A##o"'ing to t& num"ation ta,- S E g( upp" #as( X ( -o."
#as( an' t& s%m,o- nam is Uta1 T&n SF E h( upp" #as( K ( -o." #as(
.it& t& s%m,o- nam omi#"on1 T&s s#"iptu"a- 2amp-s a" gi$n to
s&o. C&"istians t& n' to 'u#at t&ms-$s on t& 'i!!"n#s ,t.n
t& )"k A-p&a,t an' t& )"k Num"ation Ta,-1 It n's to , st"ss'
t&at )o' 'osn*t us no"ma- )"k .o"'s to int"p"t R$-ation 9=59>
"ga"'ing t& num," o! t& ,ast1 )o' uss -tt"s( o" s%m,o-s( .it&
s%m,o- nams( t&at &a$ to , num"at'( o" gi$n a $a-u1 +&n t& "a'"s
sta"t to stu'% in 'pt& R$-ation 9=59AB9>( t&% .i-- , 'i"#t' ,% )o'*s
.o"' to !ami-ia"iU t&ms-$s .it& )"k num"ation1
T& #oming s#tion .i-- go into mo" 'tai- on .&t&" o" not t&
ma"k o! t& ,ast &as a $a-u1 +&at t& H,". A-p&a,t sa%s on t&is .i--
a-so , 2amin'1
Dos T& Ma"k Ha$ A 0a-u
To man% C&"istians t& ma"k p"o,a,-% 'osn*t &a$ a $a-u ,#aus
t&% &a$n*t $i.' R$-ation 9=59> as sa%ing an%t&ing a,out a ma"k1But
t&is &as ,n ,as' on a &ug assumption1 3.( it sms( &a$ stu'i'
Strong's int"p"tation o! R$-ation 9=59> !o" t& num," o! t& ,ast( -t
a-on &a$ stu'i' )"k num"ation1 + &a$ s&o.n #on#-usi$-%( an'
.it&out a 'ou,t( t&is aut&o" #ontn's( in o"'" !o" t& num," o! t& ,ast to
, AFF( AF( an' A( t& A $a-u .ou-' , t"ans-at' 'igamma1 4ust as t&
num"ation ta,- "$a-s1 But as &as ,n sai' num"ous tims( 4ams St"ong
'osn*t t"ans-at t& -ast -tt" to( t&is sma-- ( 'igamma( & t"ans-ats t&
-ast -tt" to( ( stigma( .&i#& mans ma"k1 T&is #an , #&#k' ,%
-ooking up nt"is C::9A an' CQSQ; in t& )"k N. Tstamnt
#on#o"'an#1
So no. t& /ustion . &a$ to 2amin is .&t&" o" not t& ma"k &as
o" #an tak a $a-u1 4ust ,#aus St"ong t"ans-ats t& -ast -tt" as stigma
'osn*t n#ssa"i-% man it #an*t a!t" a-- tak a $a-u1 ?t*s -ook at som p"os
an' #ons1 T& !i"st point !o" t& p"o t&at t& ma"k taks a $a-u is !oun' in
Strong's )"k N. Tstamnt nt"% C::9A1 Dspit sa%ing t& -ast -tt"
t"ans-ats to stigma( St"ong 'os mntion in t& 's#"iption t& -tt"s 'o tak
t& num"a-s AFF( AF( an' A1 Most -ik-%( t&is is .&" man% C&"istians &a$
stopp' stu'%ing t&is pa"t o! s#"iptu" an' &a$ stt-' on .&at &as ,n
pass' 'o.n1 T& #on against t& a,o$( &o.$"( is t&at &o. #an t&" , a
num"ation $a-u .it&out t& s%m,o- nam 'igamma? Ho. #an stigma tak
t& $a-u o! A .&n 'igamma is suppos to?
T&is "a--% ,"ings up t& /ustion as to .&t&" o" not t&" is a
misint"p"tation in R$-ation 9=59>1 T& t"ans-ation sa%s .&at it sa%s in t&
)"k( so t& p"o,-m 'osn*t -i t&"1 Books upon ,ooks &a$ ,n ."ittn
a,out t&is( ,ut non( i! an%( go in 'pt& as to .&at t& Gree# "a--% sa%s1
Again( .&at t& )"k "a--% sa%sZ It #an*t , assum' t& num," o! t&
,ast is AFF( AF( an' A ]ust ,#aus t&is is .&at $"%,o'% ,-i$s1 E$n
Bi,-i#a- S#&o-a"s &a$ to st t&ings st"aig&t as to .&% t& $a-u o! A is #a--'
stigma an' not 'igamma1 It ]ust ma% , t&at t& t"ut& !"om t& Bi,- &as
,#om -a2( an' t&"!o" .&at man% C&"istians ,-i$ &as ,#om -a21
Anot&" #on to t& ma"k &a$ing a $a-u is !oun' in t& ,ook Al+ha Beta
./ow *5 Letters Sha+ed The 0estern 0orld( #op%"ig&t ;FFF( ,% 4o&n Man1
On pag ;>R( Appn'i2 ;( Man -ists 'i!!"nt a-p&a,ts o! som ma]o"
#u-tu"s1 Tu"ning to pag ;R= ,"ings us to t& )"k A-p&a,t1 )oing 'o.n
t& a-p&a,t ta,-( stop at t& s%m,o- nam 'igamma1 +&at is -ist' a!t" it?
Not&ing is1 An' t& "ason .&% is ,#aus t&is -tt"( in t& upp" 3( as t&
ta,- s&o.s( o" in t& -o." ( is o,so-t1 It is no -ong" us' in t& )"k
A-p&a,t( sp#ia--% in t& N. Tstamnt o! t& Ho-% Bi,-1 Strong's
"oncordance o& the /ol$ Bible in t& ,a#k s&o.s t& )"k A-p&a,t an' t&
upp" an' -o." #as nt"is o! 'igamma a"n*t !oun'1 E$n 4ams St"ong in
&is int"p"tation o! C::9A #a--s t& -tt" !o" 'igamma o,so-t1
No. as . &a$ #o$"' a"-i"( ]ust ,#aus som -tt"s a" o,so-t
'osn*t man t&% #an*t sti-- tak a $a-u .&n num"at'1 Digamma is on
2amp- t&at #ou-' num"at to t& $a-u o! A .&" app-i#a,-1 But t&is is
t& .&o- point ,ing ma'1 Ho. #an stigma $" num"at to t& $a-u o! A(
an' .&% .ou-' it $" "p-a# 'igamma? So t&"!o" &o. is it possi,- t&at(
$n t&oug& 4ams St"ong #a--s t& -ast -tt" in t& num," o! t& ,ast(
nt"% C::9A( stigma( it #an tak t& $a-u o! A? To num"at to t& $a-u o! A
t& p"op" t"ans-ation is t& s%m,o- nam 'igamma1 Ho. #ou-' t& $a-u o! A
tak an% ot&" s%m,o- nam? T& aut&o" ss t& ans."s to t&s /ustions
as p"tt% p-ain1
T&" is a !ina- #on !o" t& ma"k o! t& ,ast taking a $a-u( an' t&is(
su"p"ising-%( is !oun' in t& H,". A-p&a,t1 An a"ti#- in The Jerusalem
"onnection pu,-i#ation #a--' ?a"ning T& ?tt"s &-ps us un'"stan'1
In #-ass at +&aton Co--g )"a'uat S#&oo-( I ask' t& -at( g"at H,".
s#&o-a"( D"1 Ba"ton 6a%n( *D"1 6a%n( t& A
t&
-tt" is ."ittn $o$( $a$( .o.
an' .a.1 I*m #on!us'1 Is itB . o" $?* In &is usua-( nt&usiasti# app"oa#&(
t&is in#"'i,- ta#&"111paus'( an' sai' in a -ou' $oi#( *+o.Z +&at a
/ustionZ* T&n & #asua--% got up( #ontinu' t& -sson( an' not&ing mo"1
T&at 'a% I -a"n' t& o"igina- p"onun#iation o! t& A
t&
-tt" o! H,".1
Ho.$"( to'a% in Is"a- it is p"onoun#' *0a$1* So it .i-- , 8The Jerusalem
"onnection( Sp"ing ;FF;( pag 9Q( ,% 6at M"#" Hut#&ns<1 I! . go ,a#k
to t& /uot !"om The Volume Librar$( #op%"ig&t9RSA( . sa. t&at t& )"k
s%m,o- nam 'igamma &as o" #an tak t& . soun'1 An' !"om t& )"k
A-p&a,t Ta,- in t& ,ook The Gree#s( 'igamma #an a-so tak t& $
soun'1 3"om t& a,o$ a"ti#- noti# t& #o""-ation .it& t& si2t& -tt" in t&
H,". A-p&a,t an' t& si2t& -tt" in t& an#int )"k A-p&a,t an' its
$o-ution t&"oug& ?atin an' Eng-is&1 Ra' mo" !"om t& a,o$ a"ti#-5 0a$
is not as mu#& a -tt" as a 't"minati$( a g"ap&i# s%m,o- to 'not a #-ass
o" #atgo"%( -ik st"ss ma"ks( p"io's( #ommas( /uotations an'
pa"nt&ss111A 't"minati$ gi$s t& "a'" in!o"mation_-ik a stop sign1
0a$ is t&is t%p o! uni/u( mu-tiBpu"pos( #&am-onB-ik sign 8The
Jerusalem "onnection( pag 9Q<1
In t& H,". A-p&a,t t& '#-nsion o! -tt"s 't"mins t&i"
num"ation $a-u1 3o" 2amp-( A-! E9( Bt E;( )im- E=( an' so on1
Ho.$"( 6at M"#" Hut#&ns is sa%ing t&at 0a$( usua--% t& $a-u o! A(
#an a-so man a s%m,o- !o" somt&ing1 S& sa%s5 0a$ is not as mu#& a -tt"
as a 't"minati$( a g"ap&i# s%m,o- to 'not a #-ass o" #atgo"%1111 Do t&
"a'"s s .&at t& aut&o" is gtting at? 4ams St"ong t"ans-ats t& -ast
-tt" o! t& num," o! t& ,ast as stigma( .&i#& taks no $a-u( insta' o!
'igamma .&i#& in )"k num"ation taks t& $a-u o! A1 T&s #o""-ations
#an*t ]ust , &appnstan#1 +&n 2amin' #-os-% t&s #o""-ations a"
$"% signi!i#ant1 T& pa"a---s ,t.n .&at .as on# t& A
t&
-tt" o! t&
)"k A-p&a,t( an' its su,s/unt t"ans-ation ,% 4ams St"ong in R$-ation
9=59> as stigma( .&i#& 'osn*t &a$ a $a-u put as stigma( an' t& p"snt A
t&
-tt" o! t& H,". A-p&a,t( .it& its su,s/unt t"ans-ation to a-so man a
s%m,o- !o" somt&ing( a" p-ain-% t&"1 T& AFF 8 D < an' t& AF 8 G < in t&
)"k -anguag o! t& N. Tstamnt ma% not &a$ an% t"ans-ations o"
pa"a---s .it& t& H,". -anguag o! t& O-' Tstamnt1 But t& -ast -tt"(
a##o"'ing to St"ong( in R$-ation 9=59>( on# t& A
t&
-tt" in t& )"k
A-p&a,t( an' t& A
t&
-tt" in t& H,". A-p&a,t &a$ #-a" pa"a---s1 T&
aut&o" ,-i$s t& "a'"s #an put togt&" t&s pa"a---s an' un'"stan'
.&at is ,ing sai'1
So to t& /ustion5 Dos t& ma"k &a$ a $a-u? A!t" asking /ustions(
-ooking at t& )"k an' t& H,". A-p&a,ts( stu'%ing &o. t&ings a"
t"ans-at'( an' "sa"#&ing t& stigma #&a"a#t"( t& aut&o" ,-i$s t&
ans." is noZ T& ma"k 'osn*t &a$ a num"ation $a-u1 T& aut&o" ,-i$s
4ams St"ong #a--s t& -tt" in t& )"k in R$-ation 9=59> stigma to st
it apa"t !"om t& ot&" -tt"s1 T& ot&" -tt"s on on &an' t"ans-at to
num"ation $a-us( D E AFF an' G E AF( .it& no 'is#"pan#is1 But t& -ast
-tt" in t& num," o! t& ,ast in R$-ation 9=59>( t& a,o$ -tt" (
on t& ot&" &an' &as g"at 'is#"pan#is in it &a$ing a num"ation $a-u o!
A1 Digamma s&ou-' , t& p"op" t"ans-ation !"om t& )"k Num"ation
Ta,- !o" t& $a-u o! A1 T&n .&% in t& .o"-' 'os St"ong t"ans-at it
stigma?
Cou-' t&is stigma , t& ans." to t& ma"k o! t& ,ast? T&is is t&
'i"#tion t& aut&o" is -aning1 Ra' R$-ation 9=59S( in t& King James
Version( t&at sts a 'istin#tion t& aut&o" !-s t&" is in R$-ation 9=59>5
An' no man mig&t ,u% o" s--( sa$ & t&at &as the the mar#% or the name o&
the beast% or the number o& his nam 8mp&asis min<1 T& .o"' t&at is most
signi!i#ant in R$-ation 9=59S is o"( ,#aus it sts t& 'istin#tion ,t.n
t& ma"k o! t& ,ast( t& nam o! t& ,ast( an' t& num," o! t&
,ast1 I! t& .o"' an' .as us' t&is .ou-' p"o,a,-% imp-% t&at all three
o! t& a,o$ &a$ to , app-i' to t& in&a,itants o! t& .o"-' in o"'" to
,u% o" s--( as R$-ation 9=59S sa%s1 But .it& t& .o"' o" t&is imp-is
on o" t& ot&" t.o se+aratel$ &a$ to , app-i' to ,u% o" s--( "un a
,usinss( t"a'( an' t& su#&1 T&is !a#t a-ong .it& t& t"ans-ation ,% St"ong as
stigma -a's to t&is stigma( o" ma"k( ,ing 'istin#t !"om t& ot&" -tt"s1
T&"!o" t& aut&o" #on#-u's t& ma"k 'osn*t &a$ a $a-u1
+&at Is A Stigma?
To un'"stan' t& ans." to t& /ustion5 +&at is a stigma?( . .i--
-ook at a !. sou"#s1 T& !i"st sou"# is t&at o! t& 'i#tiona"%1 Ra' t&is !"om
0ebster's 6ictionar$( 9RSS 'ition( ,% Bookman*s 6"ss( pag =AA5 n1 ,"an'7
ma"k o! 'isg"a#7 stain on #&a"a#t"7 ,-mis& on skin1 T&is 'i#tiona"%
'!inition o! stigma is mu#& -ik nt"% CQSQ; in Strong's "oncordance !o" t&
N. Tstamnt5 LPMVWi stigma( !"om a p"im1 8p"ima"%< LPMXK stiUo 8to *stic#(*
i11 +ric#<7 a mar# in#is' o" pun#&' 8!o" "#ognition o! o.n"s&ip<( i11
8!ig1< scar o! s"$i#5Bma"k1 T&s '!initions &-p &ig&-ig&t .&at 4ams
St"ong is ta-king a,out in ."iting stigma insta' o! 'igamma in R$-ation
9=59>1 R#a-- nt"% C::9A in Strong's( N. Tstamnt( t& !i"st pa"t5 #&i 2i
stigma7 #hee% ee% stigma7 t& ;;
n'
( 9Q
t&
( an' an o,so-1 8o,so-t< -tt" 8QSQ;
as a #"oss< o! t& )"k a-p&a,t1111 T&is is .&at )o' inspi"' t& Apost-
4o&n to ."it "ga"'ing t& num," o! t& ,ast in R$-ation 9=59>1 An'
again( t& .o"' stigma mans ma"k1
No. -t*s -ook at anot&" sou"#1 T&is sou"# is t& ,ook Ancient Gree#(
#op%"ig&t ;FF9( ,% )a$in Btts an' A-an Hn"%1 + simp-% tu"n to pag =SA(
an' go 'o.n t& pag unti- . s PMVWI tattoo7mar#1 Noti# t&
'!inition !o" t& .o"' stigma is tattooBma"k1 T&is '!inition 'osn*t ]ust
sa% ma"k( as t& a,o$ sou"#s 'o( it sa%s tattooBma"k1 N' . &a$ to
'!in .&at t& .o"' tattoo mans o" imp-is? T&s sou"#s a" p-ain( an'
#-a" as to .&at t& stigma is in R$-ation 9=59>1 T& nam o! t& ,ast(
o" t& num," o! t& ,ast ma% not &a$ to , app-i' on pop- in o"'"
!o" t&m to ,u%( s--( t"a'( o" "un a ,usinss1 Ho.$"( t& stigma( an' its
'!initions( sm to imp-% t&at t&is ma"k .i-- , app-i' on pop-( -ik a
tattoo1 T&is is a-- t& mo" "ason .&% t& aut&o" ,-i$s t& stigma is st
apa"t !"om t& ot&" -tt"s( an' s%m,o- nams( an' .&% t& stigma 'osn*t
&a$ a $a-u1
T& t&i"' sou"# !o" !in'ing out .&at t& stigma is( is t& Ho-% Bi,-1
?ook at t& on-% p-a# in t& Bi,- .&" t& .o"' stigma is us'5 111!o" I
,a" in m% ,o'% t& ma"ks o! t& ?o"' 4sus 8)a-atians A59S<1 T& )"k
.o"' !o" ma"ks &" is t"ans-at' stigma1 But t&is stigma t&at 6au- is
spaking o!( an' t&at a-- t"u C&"istians s&ou-' a'&" to( &as goo' maning1
C&"istians su!!" !o" t& sak o! .&at t&% a" p"o#-aiming to t& .o"-'1
Somtims t&" ." -it"a- ma"ks -!t on C&"istians !o" t&i" s"$i# to )o'
t& 3at&" an' t& ?o"' 4sus C&"ist1 Ra' ; Co"int&ians A5QBA1 C"tain-% in
t& #as o! 6au- & a-so &a' -it"a- ma"ks( as is !oun' in ; Co"int&ians 995;=B
;S1 T& stigma in R$-ation 9=59>( &o.$"( &as ,a' maning1 T& .o"-'*s
in&a,itants .i-- , su,]#t' to an #onomi# s%stm t&at .i-- !o"# a--gian#
on it1 A##o"'ing to R$-ation 9=5; t& po-iti#a-B#onomi#a- ,ast .i--
&a$ po."(1118a< sat( an' g"at aut&o"it% !"om t& '"agon( o" Satan t&
'$i-1 T& )"k -tt"s a-ong .it& t& sma-- #as Dan' t& sma-- #as G
a" t"u-% ,an!u- signs( as t& ,ook The Gree#s sa%s1
No.( t& )"k .o"' !o" ma"k !oun' in R$-ation 9=59AB9S is not
stigma1 T& )"k t"ans-ation is DI[IVWI ( #&a"agma( .&i#& mans5 a
scratch o" etching( i11 stam+( 8as a badge o! s"$itu'<(1115Bg"a$n( ma"k1
T&is nt"% in Strong's is C:Q>F1 Noti# &o. t&is nt"% is $"% a-ik to nt"%
CQSQ;1 Som /ustions a"is as to .&% t&" is t& t.o '!initions !o"
ma"k( nt"is CQSQ; an' C:Q>F( ,ut %t &a$ing simi-a"itis1 On ans."
#ou-' possi,-% , t&at CQSQ; is t& ma"k o! t& ,ast its-!1 Ent"% CQSQ;
sa%s 111a 8A9K in#is' o" pun#&'111 8mp&asis min<1 + #an ''u#
!"om t& a,o$ t&at t&is is t& literal mar#( o"( in t& )"k( a tattooBma"k1
T&n -ooking at C:Q>F it sa%s5 111a S"9AT"/ o" ET"/ING( i11 STA8:111
8mp&asis min<1 + #an ''u# !"om t& a,o$ t&at t&is is how the ;mar#
o& the beast4 is a++lied1 T& 'i!!"n#s a"is !"om t& #ont2t t&% a" !oun'
in1 T& -it"a- ma"k !"om CQSQ; is !oun' in R$-ation 9=59> spaking a,out
Gree# letters an' t&i" t"ans-ations an' t&i" num"ation $a-us1 Ho. t&
ma"k is app-i' !"om C:Q>F is !oun' in R$-ation 9=59AB9S spaking a,out
Gree# words an' t&i" t"ans-ations1 +&i#& $" #ont2t is us' 'osn*t #&ang
t& !a#t t&at t& ma"k o! t& ,ast .on*t , an%t&ing sa$ing !o" t& .o"-'1
Anot&" sou"# !o" 2p-aining .&at t& stigma is( is t& ,ook Al+ha
Beta( mntion' ,!o"( ,% 4o&n Man1 On pag AF( spaking a,out t&
C&ins A-p&a,t( Man sa%s5 On !ina- t"ait is uni/u to C&ins1 In
$o-$ing t& s#"ipts( s#"i,s a'opt' t& t#&ni/u o! .-'ing t& t.o
-mnts_'t"minati$ an' t& "oot .o"'_to !o"m a sing- 'iag"am1 In
&i"og-%p&i# an' #uni!o"m( ,% #ont"ast( t& 't"minati$ a#ts as a spa"at
unit1 Man a-so sa%s on pag :S5 Bot& &i"og-%p&i# an' #uni!o"m
#ont"i,ut to t& s',' !"om .&i#& t& a-p&a,t sp"ang1
R#a-- t& pa"a---s s&o.n ,t.n t& A
t&
-tt" o! t& H,".
A-p&a,t an' t& on# A
t&
-tt" o! t& )"k A-p&a,t( t& ( .&i#& is no.
o,so-t1 T& pa"a---s s&o. t& simi-a" $ o" . soun's in ,ot& a-p&a,ts(
an#int an' mo'"n1 Ra' again .&at 6at M"#" Hut#&ns sa%s o! t&
't"minati$ 0a$ in t& H,". A-p&a,t5 0a$ is not as mu#& a -tt" as
a 't"minati$( a g"ap&i# s%m,o- to 'not a #-ass o" #atgo"%111 8The
Jerusalem "onnection( sp"ing ;FF;( pag 9Q<1 E$n t& A
t&
-tt" !oun' in t&
6&oni#ian A-p&a,t( t& -tt" -ooking -ik a Y( t"ans-ats a-so to a 01
T&is !a#t is !oun' on pag ;R; o! 4o&n Man*s ,ook Al+ha Beta1 T&is aut&o"
,-i$s t& stigma in R$-ation 9=59>( nt"% C::9A( is a 't"minati$ an'
is t&"!o" spa"at !"om t& ot&" )"k -tt"s !oun' in t&at $"s1 4ams
St"ong #a--s t& -ast -tt" stigma( not 'igamma( in o"'" to st it apa"t1
T& -ast sou"# !o" ans."ing( +&at is a stigma?( is a-so !oun' in t&
Ho-% Bi,-1 T&is is t& .&o- #&apt" o! R$-ation 9=1 T& "a'"s a"
'i"#t' to "a' t&is #&apt" to un'"stan' t& kin' o! #on'itions t&at .i-- ,
in t&is .o"-'1 Noti# sp#ia--% $"s A1 To , #aug&t in t&is situation .i--
man a--gian# to t& po." an' aut&o"it% o! t& ,ast1 T&os .&o !in'
t&ms-$s nt"app' t"u-% .i-- &a$ a stigma p-a# on t&i" -i$s1 I! an%
man 8p"son< &a$ an a"( -t &im &a" 8R$-ation 9=5R<1
+ .i-- #on#-u' in t& n2t s#tion1 T&is s#tion .i-- 'a- .it& .&%
)o' inst"u#ts &is s"$ants to #ount1
+&% )o' +ants Us To Count
To ans." t&is s#tion( +&% )o' .ants us to #ount( . .i-- 2amin
som s#"iptu"s in$o-$ing t& .o"' #ount1 T& !i"st s#"iptu" is !oun' in
?$iti#us ;=1 T&is #&apt" int"o'u#s )o'*s 3sti$a-s t&at #oin#i' .it& &is
p-an !o" mankin'1 In $"ss RB;; )o' "$a-s t& 3ast o! 3"uits( o"
#ommon-% #a--' 6nt#ost1 Ra' .&at $"ss 9:B9A sa%5 An' % s&a-- #ount
unto %ou !"om t& mo""o. a!t" t& Sa,,at&( !"om t& 'a% t&at % ,"oug&t t&
s&a! o! t& .a$ o!!"ing7 s$n Sa,,at&s s&a-- , #omp-t5 $n unto t&
mo""o. a!t" t& s$nt& Sa,,at& s&a-- % num," !i!t% 'a%s7 an' % s&a--
o!!" a n. mat o!!"ing unto t& ?o"' 8King James Version<1 T& nt"% !o"
#ount in Strong's "oncordance( H,". -anguag( C:AF>1 T& '!inition
mans( to score .it& a ma"k as a ta--% o" "#o"'( i11 8,% imp-1< 8imp-i#ation<
to inscribe( an' a-so to enumerate1111 To !igu" 6nt#ost( :F 'a%s &a$ to ,
#ount' .it& s$n Sa,,at&s( o" QR 'a%s1 T& n2t 'a% is 6nt#ost an' .i--
a-.a%s , on a Sun'a%1 )o' &" gi$s inst"u#tion to &is s"$ants to #ount
t&s 'a%s to !igu" 6nt#ost1 +&at is ask' is p"sona- initiati$ on t& pa"t
o! B-i$"s to a""i$ at t& p"op" 'at1 Ho.$"( on #"tain %a"s t&" ma%
, = o" Q 'ats 'pn'ing on .&n t& #ount sta"ts1 So $n .it& p"sona-
initiati$ t&" is sti-- t& -mnt o! &uman imp"!#tion1 T& point(
&o.$"( in )o' asking &is !o--o."s to #ount is so t&% tak t& initiati$1

T& s#on' s#"iptu" in$o-$ing t& .o"' #ount is !oun' in ?uk
9Q5;>5 3o" .&i#& o! %ou( intn'ing to ,ui-' a to."( sittt& not 'o.n !i"st(
an' #ountt& t& #ost( .&t&" . &a$ su!!i#int to !inis& it? T& nt"% in
Strong's( )"k -anguag( is C::>: an' t"ans-ats5 jklMXY psp&iUo(111to use
+ebbles in num"ation( i11 8gn1< to com+ute5B #ount1 4sus C&"ist gi$s
mo" 2p-anation in $"ss ;RB=F to s&o. t&at ,!o" un'"taking an%t&ing
on must ask .&at t& p"i# .i-- ,1 T&is 'osn*t ]ust app-% to ,ui-'ing t&ings(
it a-so app-is to t& .a-k o! C&"istians1 Do C&"istians #ount t& #ost o!
,ing in s"$i# to )o' an' 4sus C&"ist? Do C&"istians &a$ t& ma"ks o!
t& ?o"' 4sus? O"( .ou-' C&"istians "at&" not? T& point )o' is making in
?uk 9Q5;> is t& sam point as in ?$iti#us ;=59:B9A1 :ersonal initiati!e &as
to , us' to , 'i-ignt in #ounting t& #ost o! .&at it mans to , a
C&"istian1
T& -ast s#"iptu" t&at in$o-$s )o' .anting us to #ount is R$-ation
9=59>5 H" is .is'om1 ?t &im t&at &at& un'"stan'ing #ount t& num," o!
t& ,ast1111 T& .o"' #ount &" in t& )"k is t& sam nt"% as is !oun'
in ?uk 9Q5;>1 T&is ,ing nt"% C::>:1 E$n t&oug& )o' kno.s &o. to
!igu" t&ings in R$-ation 9=59>( & sti-- asks B-i$"s to !igu" it out
t&ms-$s1 Again( -ik t& ot&" t.o s#"iptu"a- 2amp-s( p"sona- initiati$
&as to , gi$n1 But it is t& !a" o! t&is aut&o" t&at too mu#& is ,ing
assum' in #ounting t& num," o! t& ,ast1 Ho. #an on #ount AFF( AF(
an' A( .&n t& )"k -tt"s n'' to num"at 'on*t sa% t&is? D is
t"ans-at' #o""#t-% as AFF( G is t"ans-at' #o""#t-% as AF( ,ut t& )"k -tt"
( a##o"'ing to 4ams St"ong( is not t"ans-at' as A1 4ams St"ong #a--s t&is
-ast -tt" stigma( .&i#& mans ma"k( o" tattooBma"k1 In o"'" !o"
C&"istians to un'"stan' #-a"-%( .it&out assumptions( t&% n' to &'
)o'*s .o"'1 Noti#5 Dspis not p"op&s%ings1 6"o$ a-- t&ings7 &o-' !ast
t&at .&i#& is goo' 89 T&ssa-onians :5;9B;;( @40<1 In t& )"k t& .o"'
!o" p"o$ is mKJMWIXY 'ikomaUo111to test 8 -it1 o" !ig1<7 ,% imp-1 to a++ro!e5B
a--o.( 'is#"n( 2amin(111p"o$( t"%1

B!o" t& aut&o" '#i'' to ."it t&is &o. man% C&"istians kn.
#-a"-% .&at t& )"k sai'( &o. man% kn. )o' us' letters t&at &a$ to ,
num"at'? Di' t&% kno. .&at t&os -tt"s ." ,!o"? T& aut&o" no
'ou,t ma' assumptions( o" -s & .ou-'n*t &a$ &a' to ."it t&is1 I! man%
C&"istians #an*t sa% o!! t& top o! t&i" &a's .&at is ,ing sai' in t& )"k
in R$-ation 9=59>( t&n &o. 'o t&% kno. t&% a" "ig&t? Initiati$ &as to
, app-i' in ou" -i$s so . 'isp- assumptions an' un'"stan' t&ings
#-a"-%1 On# initiati$ is takn t&n n. 'oo"s a" opn'' to 'p"
un'"stan'ing1 An' o! #ou"s( initiati$ -a's to a !a"( !a" mo" opn min'1
T&is is p"o,a,-% in pa"t .&at 6au- mant in 9 T&ssa-onians :5;F ,%
sa%ing( Dpis not p"op&s%ings1 6"op&s%ings &" is t"ans-at' to
p"'i#tion( an' is !"om a "-at' .o"' p"op&t( .&i#& mans !o"t--"(
inspi"' spak"1 So in ssns 6au- is t--ing C&"istians to not t&ink not&ing
o! t&os .&o a" "$a-ing 'p" t"ut&s !"om )o'*s .o"'1 I! on is inspi"'
,% )o' to sa% t"ut&s an' to sa% "$-ations( t&n t&is p"son s&ou-' ,
-istn' to .it& an opn min'1 It is t& 'ut% o! a-- .&o &a$ "a' t&is to
2amin .&at &as ,n p"snt'1 T&" a" 'is#"pan#is t&at no. n' to
, a''"ss' "ga"'ing a##pt' ta#&ings on t& num," o! t& ,ast1 No
mo" #an C&"istians -t ot&"s t-- t&m .&at )o'*s .o"' sa%s o" 'osn*t sa%1
T&% &a$ to tak t&i" o.n Ho-% Bi,-s an' "a--%( t"u-% -ook !o"
t&ms-$s1 On-% in t&is .a% 'o C&"istians t"u-% p"o$ a-- t&ings( sp#ia--%
in t&is ag o! t#&no-og% an' t&is ag o! a##ss to in!o"mation1
T& aut&o" &as p"snt' in!o"mation t&at & &ops .i-- spa"k mo"
/ustions( mo" in/ui"is( an' .i-- -a' to t& 'si" to un'"stan' )o'*s
.o"' in a mo" p"o!oun' .a%1 So t&"!o"( Can %ou #ount si2 &un'"'
t&"s#o" an' si2? T& aut&o" &ops t&at .&at$" ans." t& "a'"s
a""i$ at is no -ong" assum' o" takn !o" g"ant'1 +it& t&at sai'( tak to
&a"t t& s#"iptu" !oun' in Romans 9A5;:B;A5 No. to &im t&at is o! po."
to sta,-is& %ou a##o"'ing to m% gosp-( an' t& p"a#&ing o! 4sus C&"ist(
a##o"'ing to t& "$-ation o! t& m%st"%( .&i#& .as kpt s#"t sin# t&
.o"-' ,gan( ,ut no. is ma' mani!st( an' ,% t& s#"iptu"s o! t& p"op&ts(
a##o"'ing to t& #omman'mnt o! t& $"-asting )o'( ma' kno.n to a--
nations !o" t& o,'in# o! !ait&1