The Number of his Name

The Number of His Name. -The number of the beast, says the prophecy, "is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six " (666). This number some attempt to find in the word Lateinos, the "Latin" kingdom. Thus they make, by what rule we do not understand, L stand for 30; A, for 1 ; T, for 300; E, for 5; I, for 10, N, for 50; 0, for 70; and S, for 200; which numbers, added together, make 666. Deriving the number from the name in this manner must be regarded as rather conjectural than otherwise, seeing that names making just that number can be found to almost any extent. We think we discover, however, a serious objection to the name here suggested. The number, says the prophecy, is the number of a man; and if it is to be derived from a name or title, the natural conclusion would be that it must be the name, or title, of some particular man. But in this we have the name of a people, or kingdom, not of "a man," as the prophecy says.

The most plausible name we have ever seen suggested as containing the number of the beast, is the title which the Pope applies to himself, and allows others to apply to him. That title is this: Vicarius Filii Dei, " Viceregent of the Son of God." Taking the letters out of this title which the Latins used as numerals, and giving them their numerical value, we have just 666. Thus we have V, 5; I, 1 C, 100 (a and r not used as numerals); I, 1 ; U, (formerly the same as V), 5 (s and f not used as numerals) ; I, 1; L, 50; I, 1; I, 1; D, 500; (e not used as a numeral); I, 1. Adding these numbers together, we have just 666.

This title has been placed upon the Pope's crown. While the Vatican authorities have of late years shown a disposition not to make this title conspicuous, there is good evidence that it was formerly so used, and that at least one of the papal crowns bears this inscription. The following testimony on this point is given by the late Pastor D. E. Scoles, of Washburn, Missouri, U.S.A.:-

"I have met two men who declare they have seen this specific crown; and their testimony is so perfectly in agreement that I am convinced that what they say is true. The first man was Mr. De Latti, a Sabbath-keeper who had previously been a Roman Catholic priest, and had spent four years in Rome. He visited me when I was Pastor in St. Paul, Minn., several years ago. I showed him my tract, 'The Seal Of God and the Mark of the Beast.' He at once told me that the inscription was not correctly placed in my illustration. He stated that he had often seen it in the museum at the Vatican, and gave a detailed and accurate description of the whole crown. When my tract was published, I was ignorant of the arrangement of the words of the Latin inscription, hence, in the illustration of the crown, placed them in on one line.

Mr De Latti at once pointed out the mistake, and said the first word of the sentence was on the first crown of the triple arrangement, the second word on the second part of the crown, while the word Dei was on the lowest division of the triple crown. He also explained that the first two words were in dark coloured jewels, while the Dei was composed of diamonds entirely. "During a tent Meeting which I held in Webb City, Mo, I presented the subject, 'The Seal of God and the Mark of the Beast.' I used charts to illustrate it, one being a reproduction of the crown as Mr. De Latti had described it. A Presbyterian minister was present, Rev. B.Hoffman, and when I described the crown, he spoke out publicly, and made a statement to the congregation, saying that while in Rome studying for the priesthood, he had seen this very crown, and noted its inscription, and that the word Dei, was composed of one hundred diamonds. I met him and, learning his name, visited him at his home, and I was convinced from his description that this was the identical crown that Mr. De Latti had seen, but which has been denied by many. I then asked him for a written statement, and he gave me the following:-

"To Whom It May Concern: This is to certify that I was born in Bavaria in 1828, was educated in Munich, and was reared a Roman Catholic. In 1844 and 1845 I was a student for the priesthood in the Jesuit College in Rome. During the Easter service of 1845 Pope Gregory XVI. wore a triple crown, upon which was the inscription, in jewels, Vicarius Filii Dei. We were told that there were one hundred diamonds in the word Dei; the other words were of some other kind of precious stones of a darker colour. There was one word upon each crown, and not all, on the same line. I was present at the service, and saw the crown distinctly, and noted it carefully."

"In 1850 I was converted to God and to Protestantism. Two years later I entered the Evangelical Church ministry, but later in life I united with the Presbyterian Church; of which I am now a retired pastor, having been in the ministry for fifty years."

"I have made the above statement at the request of Pastor D. E. Scoles, as he states that some deny that the Pope ever wore this tiara. But I know that he did, for I saw it upon his head.

Sincerely yours in Christian service,
(Signed) B. HOFFMANN." Webb City, Mo., Oct. 29, 1906,

The following extract on this point is from a work entitled, "The Reformation," bearing the date of 1832:-

"Mrs. A.," said Miss Emmons,"I saw a very curious fact the other day; I have dwelt upon it much, and will mention it. A person, lately, was witnessing a ceremony of the Romish Church. As the Pope passed him in the procession, splendidly dressed in his pontifical robes the gentleman's eye rested on these full, blazing letters in front of his mitre: "VICARIUS FILII DEI," the Vicar of the Son of God. His thoughts, with the rapidity of lightning, reverted to Revelation 13:18."

"Will you turn to it?" said Mrs. A. Alice opened the New Testament, and read: 'Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.' She paused, and Miss Emmons said, "He took out his pencil, and marking the numerical letters of the inscription on his tablet, it stood 666."

Here we have indeed the number of a man, even the "man of sin" and it is a little singular, perhaps providential, that he should select a title which shows the blasphemous character of the beast, and then cause it to be inscribed on his mitre, as if to brand himself with the number 666. The foregoing extract doubtless refers to a particular Pope on a particular occasion. Other popes might not wear the title emblazoned on the mitre, as there stated. But this does not affect the application at all; for the popes all assume to be the "Vicar of Christ" (see Standard Dictionary under "vicar"), and the Latin words given above are the words which express that title, in the form "Vicar of the Son of God" and their numerical value is 666.

COLOUR CHART OF THE SEVEN "PROPHETIC CHURCH PERIODS" OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION

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A vital function of Jesus Christ is found in the role of high priest. It is a common misconception that the law of blood sacrifice and the priesthood to administer such rituals have been abolished. In truth, neither have been cast aside by God or diminished in any way. Rather, they have been perfected in the person of Jesus Christ in his office as High Priest of the order of Melchizedek

The whole concept of a priest, as originating in the Old Testament, is saturated with the need of an intermediary by which access to God can be realised. The word priest in Hebrew is kohen, meaning an ecclesiastical functionary. The primary functions of a priest are distinct and relatively narrow. Hebrews 5:1 succinctly summarises the central features needed to execute the office of a priest:

"For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins."

From this we glean three key points. First, a high priest (any priest really) is to be taken from among men to be a representa- tive for men before God. Second, the language employed in this passage implicitly indicates that the high priest is appointed by God, not man. Although he represents man, he was not selected by man. Third, gifts and sacrifices are offered to God by the high priest on behalf of man. From other passages in scripture we find a slightly enlarged role for a high priest, yet still within the limited sphere of a mediator. He can make verbal intercession for the people, pleading their cause (Hebrews 7:25). He may be called upon to bless the people in the name of God (Leviticus 9:22). But the central role of the priest, whatever else he may choose to do, essentially encompasses only one basic idea - that of an intercessor between God and man. It is this duty that makes him a priest. Whether he also preaches, teaches, or visits the sick is secondary to his duty as a priest, which is functioning as a mediator, or intercessor, between God and man.

The Old Testament high priest was actually a prototype of Jesus Christ in His intermediary role. The efficacy of the blood sacrifice offered by the high priest was temporary in nature; thus, it had to be oft repeated. While both the high priest and the sacrificial animal were to be physically without blemish, they were both tainted with sin nature brought upon all creation at the fall of Adam. The repetitious bloodletting, particularly the annual ritual on the Day of Atonement, only punctuated the need for both a more perfect sacrifice and a more perfect mediator to present that sacrifice.

The duties of the Old Testament high priest merely foreshadowed the work of one to come that would bring the ritual of blood sacrifice to its full effectiveness. Zechariah speaks of this:

"Even he shall build the temple of the LORD, and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both" (ZECHARIAH 6:13)

The psalmist also looks to the future, when a perfect priesthood supersedes the limitations of the Aaronic priesthood. We read:

"The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek" (PSALMS 110:4)

This prophecy of a perfect priest to offer the sacrifice finds its fulfilment in Jesus Christ.

The unique qualities possessed by Jesus Christ qualify Him to be a member of the most select of all priestly orders. Paul confirms Christ's membership when he quotes Psalm 110:4 in reference to Him:

"Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek" (HEBREWS 5:6)

The qualifications to be a member of this order are elsewhere alluded to by Paul:

"Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually." (HEBREWS 7:3)

It is plain that only Jesus Christ, pre-existent as God and incarnate in human flesh, can be a member of this most exclusive of priesthoods.

Jesus Christ was the high priest who presided over his own sacrifice. Being without sin (Hebrews 4:15), he was capable of presenting a sacrifice without staining it through his own sin nature and imperfections. Paul emphasizes this fact:

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens" (HEBREWS 7:25-26)

Christ initiated his role as a sinless intercessor for man when he presented the sacrifice of his own flesh upon the cross.

Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the Old Testament high priest entered the Holy Place, the inner sanctum of the Tabernacle (Leviticus 16). There he made an atonement for sin through the sprinkling of blood upon the mercy seat. But as an imperfect mediator, the high priest was compelled to repeat the process annually. In contrast, however, Christ's mediatorial activity was complete, thus needing no repetition. Paul explains this in the book of Hebrews:

"But into the second (chamber of the Tabernacle) went the high priest alone once every year not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (HEBREWS 9:7-12)

As well as clarifying Christ's role as the high priest presiding over his own sacrifice, these passages provide a glimpse of Christ's role as a continuing intercessor presenting that sacrifice before God the Father in the heavenly Tabernacle. Yes, there is a Tabernacle currently in the heavens (Revelation 15:5), complete with a throne (Revelation 4:2, 5:1) and an altar (Revelation 6:9). With his death and resurrection, Christ inaugurated his intercessory role before God the Father as a perfect high priest in a more perfect tabernacle presently residing in heaven.

The New Testament epistles leave no doubt as to the benefit that believers have in Christ as our intercessor. In his letter to the Romans, Paul comments:

"Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (ROMANS 8:34)

The advantage is clear: if Christ is our legal intercessor, that is, one speaking on our behalf, he certainly will not condemn us. In the legal sense, Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12: 10), and Christ is our defence attorney! This truth is also emphasized by John:

"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (I JOHN 2:1).

Yes, it is true! When you sin, Jesus Christ is presently in heaven as your legal defender reminding God the Father that your sin debt has been cancelled through His own death. Thus, we have good reason to confidently expect and hope to gain full access to God's presence. Of this Paul declares:

"Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (HEBREWS 4:14-16)

Truly, Christ satisfies the Old Testament concept of a priest to its fullest extent. He is the perfect representative of man who offered a pure sacrifice. He now remains in heaven to render persuasive oral argument against Satan the accuser before the throne of God the Father.

Just as Moses interceded for the children of Israel, time and again turning the wrath of God and preserving the people, so does Christ now function on our behalf. Moses and the tabernacle in the wilderness were prototypes of this intercessory ministry of Christ in the more perfect heavenly tabernacle. In this role, Christ was the initiator and mediator of the New Covenant. Paul seeks to explain this in Hebrews:

"We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer..... Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. But now hath he (Christ) obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises" (HEBREWS 8:1-3,5,6).

One of the key features of this better covenant, this New Covenant, is the permanence of Jesus Christ as high priest before God in the more perfect Tabernacle. Unlike prior high priests which were filled with sin and imperfections (Hebrews 7:28, 9:9), Christ was sinless and able to offer a single sacrifice that brought about permanent results. Paul writes:

"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God" (HEBREWS 10:12).

Because this offering was permanently effective, it yielded eternal results. From Hebrews we discover:

"And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance" (HEBREWS 9:15)

The eternal inheritance we will receive is the fruit of the already inaugurated New Covenant. Christ himself in his glorified body was the first fruits of this New Covenant, and we will be inheritors of this same benefit at the future fulfilment of the New Covenant.

A careful examination of scripture reveals that the law of blood sacrifice and the priesthood to administer it were never abolished by God. Rather, both were made perfect and permanently effective by a sinless high priest of the order of Melchizedek, namely Jesus Christ. In so doing, he inaugurated the New Covenant spoken of by the writer of Hebrews. He continues to fill a vital role by making continual intercession before God the Father in the heavenly Tabernacle.

With acknowledgement to the Church of Israel, P 0 Box 218E, Schell City, Missouri U.SA.

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At Orange Demonstrations throughout Northern Ireland, Watts's hymn "O God Our Help In Ages Past" is often sung. Valid as the lyrics of that lovely hymn are, one cannot help feeling the words of the following hymn - also by Watts (but less renowned) - are also apt in these dark and testing days for the United Kingdom in general and Northern Ireland in particular. May these words be the prayer of each of us today.

Help, Lord, for men of virtue fail;
Religion loses ground;
The sons of violence prevail,
And treacheries abound.

Their oaths and promises they break,
Yet act the flatterer's part,
With fair deceitful lips they speak,
And with a double heart.

If we reprove some hateful lie,
How is their fury stirred!
"Are not our lips our own" they cry;
"And who shall be our Lord"?

Scoffers appear on every side,
Where a vile race of men
is raised on seats of power and pride,
And bears the sword in vain.

Lord, when iniquities abound,
And blasphemy grows bold,
When faith is hardly to be found,
And love is waxing cold

Is not thy chariot hastening on?
Hast thou not given the sign?
May we not trust and live upon
A promise so divine?

"Yes", saith the Lord, "now will I rise
And make oppressors flee;
I shall appear to their surprise,
And set my servants free".

Thy word, like silver seven times tried,
Through ages shall endure;
The men that in thy truth confide
Shall find thy promise sure.

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Mr Robert (Bob) McCormick

We were saddened and shocked to learn, on the eve of Pastor Campbell's U.S. tour, of the sudden death of our good friend Bob McCormick of Kennard, East Texas. A stalwart of the Kingdom Message for half a century, he and his wife were for a time members of Pastor Magee's Church in Houston. Bob was well known to Kingdom believers across U.S.A., attending and singing at Conferences as far afield as California. He will be sadly missed and we extend deepest sympathy from Open Bible Ministries to his wife Kathleen, sons Michael and Robert and all the family.

"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

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