If you were a Christian writer in the ancient Roman Empire, would you call the emperor an idiot? Not if you wanted to keep you head connected to your body! For a time, emperors promoted the idea that they were gods in the flesh. Some were more serious about playing the part than others, but in the end, they did this in order to maintain absolute control of the people. After all, who could argue with a god? At one time even the Jews played along with this absurd idea and offered a daily sacrifice on behalf of the Roman ruler.
The most infamous of the Roman Emperors who pretended to be a god was Nero (37-68 A.D.). It was he who blamed the Christians for the great fire of Rome and had many of them put to death. He was such a low-life that he even had members of his own family put to death---including his own mother. Nero became emperor in 54 A.D. which would have been about 20 years after the crucifixion of Jesus and at a time of great Christian activity in the empire. Bible records show that during this time the Apostle Paul was traveling extensively on missionary journeys and writing letters as he went. It was not a time to be speaking out and calling the emperor the tyrant or openly criticizing the Roman state.
It was in this dangerous atmosphere that most of the books of the New Testament were thought to be written. The suicide of Nero in 68 A.D. and the subsequent change of emperors to the turn of the century and beyond brought better times and worse times for Christians and their freedoms. Especially during the times of John the Revelator, who wrote to Christian congregations from the island of Patmos, we seem to find evidences of his putting hidden meanings into his messages. John is thought to have written the Book of Revelation towards the end of the first century. He uses terms that remain unexplained to this day. For instance in Revelation 13:18, "Here is wisdom. 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." The famous Mr. 666!
In his book, The Revelation of John, volume II,, p.102, William Barklay states, "There is little doubt that the number of the beast stands for Nero. . ." Of course, that's Mr. Barklay's learned opinion, but many would disagree. Regardless, of who is right, John the Revelator had a real person in mind and it would be reasonable to assume that his readers knew of whom he was speaking. Without getting into all of the considerations of dual meanings in Bible prophecy, it seems likely that John intentionally hid the true identity of the person. Supposedly, John was still writing in fear of Nero because of a belief that Nero, who had died 30 years earlier, would come back to life.
There are other interesting allusions in the Book of Revelation such as in Revelation 17:9, ". . . the seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth." Some commentators wonder if the seven mountains are really the seven hills upon which Rome is built? Others ask what the true meaning of Revelation 17:5 might be, "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABLYON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATION OF THE EARTH." This passage is puzzling because ancient Babylon was a pile of rubble when this letter was written. Babylon had been in ruins for centuries, so could it be that the writer was really intending some other great world power?
Some examples from the writings of the Apostle Paul also raise questions. For instance, what was "the mouth of the lion" in 2 Timothy 4:17. Or, what "beasts" was Paul referring to at Ephesus? "If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die." 1 Corinthians 15:32.
And finally, does it make any real difference if we understand every passage in the Bible? No! The Bible is a treasure trove that challenges and thrills students from first-graders to university professors. There are blessings for everyone who studies and applies its truths to their daily lives.

Blessings in your study of God's Word!

Marvin Hunt

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