Imperishable Inheritance

Since I first posted about Creciendo en Gracia or "Growing in Grace" I have had no post that it is more popular. It leads, by far in hits, comments, and searches. In fact, if you search Google for "Growing in Grace" my post shows up second right after his own site! I also added the article to his Wikipedia entry, and the hits have only gone up. Miranda has continued to promulgate his heretical theology leading many astray, and a recent act he did prompted me to write against him again.

Miranda Claims to be the Antichrist

Miranda came out recently with a tattoo of "666" upon him, and now his followers are following suit and doing the same. He claims to be "the" antichrist; he says the following (see the video):

"666 antichrist means do not put your eyes on Jesus Christ of Nazareth put it on Jesus after the cross."

He also claims that the translation we have of "antichrist" is incorrect as it should be the "new Christ." This is beyond imagination. I am not going to re-hash content that I have already written about theological outlining the doctrine of the antichrist, because I have already done so in my "Man of Sin" series (part 1, 2). I do, however, want to spend some time reflecting on what the number 666 means in Biblical terminology.

The Mysterious 666

Here is the passage in which this mysterious number shows up.

"Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six." (Rev 13:18)

A popular opinion among orthodox Christians is that the Greek form of Nero Caesar translated into Hebrew is the mathematical sum of 666. In some Latin texts the number is translated at 616 which is the numerical equivalent of Nero's Latinized name in Hebrew. Kim Riddlebarger gives another important rationale behind this specific number.

"The meaning of the number is at least as significant as identifying to who it applies. The number of man, 666, is 'perfectly imperfect' in contrast to the number of perfection'seven. The thrice repeated number '6' implies endless work without rest. The creational pattern was for humans to work for six days and then rest on the seventh as did the Creator. But in this case, those who take the mark of the beast work endlessly and never do enter the hoped-for Sabbath rest."¹

This is certainly a plausible interpretation as Nero was the epitome of everything ungodly in the first century, but we must keep in mind that John wrote his epistle after the death of Nero. He actually wrote it during the reign of Domitian. Further, arguments against this interpretation are raised, because this translation is devoid of patristic writings.² Let us however not miss the forest for the trees on this issue.

Whether the number used by John in his letter referred to Nero or not the point is that this mark is not a good thing to have! In fact, John describes in Rev 20:4 that only those who have not worshiped the beat or "had not received the mark on their forehead" are the only ones who come to life with Christ during the inter-advental age.

Conclusion

I want to stress that regardless of whether the number refers specifically to Nero or all people who operate in the spirit of Nero the point is that embracing the mark of the beast is not a positive thing. Further, Miranda's awful interpretation of this passage only further proves that he is a deceiver and certainly not doing anything of God. We must continue to pray that God will rid the earth of this impostor.

1. Kim Riddlebarger, The Man of Sin: Uncovering the Truth About the Antichrist (pg. 113) [Back]
2. Fracis Gumerlock goes at length defending this interpretation showing up in fifth century writings in his article in the WTJ: Gumerlock, Francis X. "Nero Antichrist: Patristic Evidence for the Use of Nero's Name in Calculating the Number of the Beast" (Rev 13:18).' WTJ 68 #2 (2006): 347ff [Back]